Can You Name These Car Brands From Just a Portion of a Logo?

AUTO

By: Jody Mabry

7 Min Quiz

Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

A car's brand - also known as the make or manufacturer - is synonymous with its logo. What many people don't know is that each logo plays an important role in the power of that vehicle. Whether it strikes inspiration in car owners or tells the history of the manufacturer, these logos are more than just an interesting design. 

For example, the manufacturer Cadillac's name comes from the French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac - founder of Detroit. The popular Cadillac logo is based on Cadillac's family crest with the three colored symbols representing boldness, virtue, and valor. 

Audi's logo stems from an original logo that identified the consolidation of four different companies. 

Logos are even fraught with consumer myths such as the dozens of rumors about Toyota's logo - one of which states that the word Toyota is written into its logo. And the popular BMW is rumored to have come from its aviation past with propellers on a blue sky, yet the colors are only an ode to the Bavarian flag. 

So, how well do you know your car brand logos? Do you think you can figure them out from just a portion of the logo? Well, then this is the quiz for you!

Filler up, and start taking this quiz!

Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Mazda can be traced back to the formation of the Toyo Cork Kogyo company in Hiroshima, Japan in 1920. After a name change in 1927 to Toyo Kogyo, the company initially manufactured machine tools under the brand name Toyo. In 1931, the company produced its first three-wheeler, called the Mazda-Go. Their first passenger car, the R360 coupe, was introduced in 1960.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

A division of Dodge and produced by Chrysler, Ram trucks were introduced in 1981, although Dodge had been building trucks for decades prior. A range of models has been manufactured over the years, all featuring the iconic ram's head logo.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Audi was founded in 1909 by August Horch. The company was first known as August Horch Automobilwerke, but changed to Audi Automobilwerke a short while later, with Audi the Latin translation of his surname. The company has made some legendary cars, none more so than the Audi Quattro which dominated the world rally scene in the 1980s with its unique all-wheel drive system.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

The company Toyota started out under the auspices of Sakichi Toyoda in 1918 as the Toyoda Spinning and Weaving Company. After it was sold in 1929, the £100,000 received was quickly used to help Toyoda start looking into vehicle manufacturing. By 1937, a vehicle had been designed and produced, the Model AA. Toyota Motor Company was born soon after and initially only produced vehicles in Japan. In 1959, production started in Brazil and soon the rest of the world followed with Toyota becoming one of the top 10 car companies on the planet.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

With a factory of 200 workers, Ferdinand Porsche set out to make motor cars in 1948. He was certainly not new to the game, having been an engineer at Daimler-Benz since the 1930s. The first Porsche off the production line, the 356, only offered 40 horsepower but was noted for its excellent handling. The engine was found in the rear of the vehicle, a characteristic found in every model since.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

The first car produced by Volvo, the OV4 or Jakob, left the production line in 1927. Interestingly the name Volvo derives from the Latin and means "I roll" when applied to the Volvo brand. In 1959, Volvo became the first vehicle manufacturer to include safety belts in their vehicles as standard.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Fiat or Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino was founded by a group of investors led by Giovanni Agnelli in 1899. Soon, the company had produced its first vehicle, a 4HP car, in 1900. By 1908, the first Fiat factory in America was opened. Even though the vehicles sold for much more than their American counterparts, they were popular and were seen as a luxury item. Perhaps the most famous model produced by the company is the 1950s Fiat 500. In fact, a more modern version was released in 2007.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

André Citroën, the man behind the Citroën brand, initially started out manufacturing double helical gears, the distinct V shapes of which form part of the Citroën logo today. In 1913, he took over the Mors automobile company, which helped to build munitions during the First World War. The first Citroën car was produced after the war, in 1919, with André Citroën employing many mass manufacturing techniques new to Europe, and soon his company was producing 100 vehicles each day.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

In 1994, a Swede, Christian von Koenigsegg, decided to produce the fastest vehicle in the world. In 2005, he saw his dream come true as the Koenigsegg CCR reached 388 km/h, making it the fastest production car in the world. Koenigsegg continues to develop incredible hypercars, including the Agera R, the Regera and the One:1.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Land Rover was originally built by Rover from 1948 until 1978, when the company Land Rover was formed. Interestingly, the very first models of the vehicle had the steering wheel in the center of the console. The original design of the vehicle was drawn on a Welsh beach by designer, Maurice Wilks.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Saturn vehicles started out as a subsidiary of General Motors in 1982. The brand was initially started to develop models to compete with the imported vehicles flooding the American market. By 1990, a dealership network was fully established as Saturns rolled off the production line. Despite problems and recalls, by 1996 over one million vehicles had been produced and even launched in Japan. The brand ended in 2009, when a deal to sell to Roger Penske fell through.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

A joint venture between Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin, the history of this car manufacturer can be traced back to 1913. The company was initially called Bamford & Martin Ltd, but quickly became known as Aston Martin, thanks to a successful outing at the Aston Hill Climb in 1914.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

As one of the most famous car makers in the world, Mercedes built its first car in 1901. It was an open two-seater with a 35-horsepower motor. The famous three-spoke star was introduced in 1909. The automaker dominated open-wheel racing in the1930s. Today, Mercedes is the top team in Formula 1, with three world championships in a row, from 2014-2016. The company continues to make some of the best road cars on the planet.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Saab, established in 1938, originally started out producing aircraft; to this day, it remains a large part of their operations. Towards the end of the Second World War, the company realized they would need to find something else to produce. Their first vehicle, the Saab 92, entered production in 1949, followed by the Saab 93 in 1955. This became the first model to be exported, most notably to the United States.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Henry Ford started the Ford Motor Company in 1903. Ford was not new to motor vehicles - he had built his first gas powered vehicle in 1896. It was his introduction of the Model T Ford into the market in 1908 that changed vehicle production forever. The demand for the Tin Lizzy, as the Model T became known, became so high that Ford started to incorporate mass production methods in its manufacture. This included interchangeable parts, as well as the use of moving assembly lines. Ford also introduced the $5 eight-hour working day for his workers to help keep up with production demands. Today, Ford is one of the most famous automakers in the world.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

The idea behind the Volkswagen, or "People's Car," was something close to the heart of Hitler, the leader of Germany, through the early 1930s. He approached Ferdinand Porsche to design the car, which he did. It quickly became the Beetle, a vehicle that has seen production throughout the world over decades. Volkswagen, the company, was founded in 1937 and during the Second World War it produced military vehicles. After the war, it went back into producing commercial vehicles. Over the years, Volkswagen has been responsible for some of the most iconic cars ever, including the Golf, the Micro Bus and a host of others.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Honda is among the 10 biggest vehicle manufacturers in the world. They were also the first to launch a luxury brand, Acura, in the United States in 1986. Today, the company makes vehicles, motorbikes and aircraft.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

The Bentley Motor Company was founded in 1919 by two brothers. Racing success soon followed, with a win at a 24-hour race in Le Mans, France. Their vehicles became very popular among the elite in Britain. Further success in Le Mans followed from 1927 to 1930, but the company struggled financially during the Great Depression and was bought by the British Central Equitable Trust, a company owned by Rolls-Royce. To this day, Bentley cars are synonymous with luxury and prestige, with each car featuring the famous Winged B hood ornament.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

The history of Mitsubishi can be traced back to the 1870s and originally starts with shipbuilding. The first car produced by the company is the Model A in 1917, while with the clouds of war gathering in the 1930s, the company produced a four-wheel drive passenger car for military use. During the 1940s, Mitsubishi built aircraft for the war effort. After the conflict, focus returned to vehicle manufacture. The company has made some very popular vehicles over the years, including the EVO and Pajero.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

The Chrysler brand is one of the most famous American car manufacturers, synonymous with brands such as Jeep and Dodge. In 1920, Walter P. Chrysler joined the ailing Maxwell Motor Company. In 1923 he bought full control of the company, with a name change to Chrysler occurring in 1925. By that time, cars were already being manufactured for the American market.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Subaru was founded by Kenji Kita in Japan in 1953. The name stems from the Japanese term for the Pleiades star cluster and the company logo appropriately features six stars. Modern Subaru vehicles feature all-wheel drive systems. The company dominated the World Rally Championships in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Founded in 1963 by Bruce McLaren, a Formula One racing driver from New Zealand, McLaren is one of the greatest names in the sport. The team has won 182 races, as well as eight World Championships in their history. In 1992, they released their first ever road car, the legendary McLaren F1. The company has also been involved with Mercedes; together the two heavyweights produced some impressive models, including the SLR McLaren and the SLR MSO. Further McLaren road cars have followed, including the MP4 and the P1.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

With a history which goes back to the 1950s, the MINI is one of the world's most iconic brands. The initial design, by Alec Issigonis, went into production in 1959 with the MINI Cooper, an extremely popular model, It was named the greatest British car of all time in a poll carried out by Autocar in 2012. Modern MINIs are far larger, with the brand now owned by BMW.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

As with many car companies, South Korea's KIA began life in the mid-1940s, manufacturing bicycle parts under the name Kyungsung Precision Industry. In 1952, the company started making full bicycles, changing its name to KIA. Soon they moved to making motorcycles, then trucks and passenger vehicles.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Founded in 1909, Bugatti has made some of the world's most iconic cars - none more so than the Veyron, which boasts a 16-cylinder engine capable of producing over 1,000 horsepower. It has a top speed of over 250 mph.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Pagani sports cars are the brainchild of their Argentinian founder, Horacio Pagani. The company is based near Modena in Italy and builds some of the most incredible sports cars ever imagined, including the Zonda and their latest offering, the Huayra, a 730 horsepower monster.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

In December 1914, four Italian brothers, the Maseratis, founded the Officine Alfieri Maserati company. After initially focusing on tuning cars to improve performance, the brothers built their first car in 1926, the Tipo 26. It featured their now-famous logo, a crest including a trident. It was an immediate success, winning the first race it was entered into, and the Maserati legend was born.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

This Chinese vehicle manufacturer is a state-owned corporation and was founded in 1997. Chery is a brand associated with many emerging markets and is found in South Africa, Egypt, Malaysia, Russia, Iran and the Philippines to name a few. By 2007, over one million models had been produced worldwide and the brand continues from strength to strength.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

In a little under 50 years, South Korea's Hyundai has become the fifth largest motor manufacturer in the world, in terms of sales. The company was formed in 1967 and manufactured its first car the following year, in conjunction with Ford. In 1975, the company designed and manufactured the first mass-produced Korean vehicle, the Pony. Today, Hyundai employs over 75,000 staff and sells vehicles in 193 countries.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Geely is a Chinese car manufacturer that initially started in 1986 in the refrigeration business. Expansion into vehicle manufacturing began in 1995, initially with scooters. A vehicle, the Geely HQ, soon followed in 1998. From 2003, models were exported worldwide. Geely means 'lucky' in Mandarin.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Chevrolet was founded in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet and the founder of General Motors, Billy Durant. The company logo, the Chevy bowtie, is one of the most recognizable on the planet and was introduced to the brand in 1913 by Durant. Its shape has never changed in over 100 years.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Lamborghini is one of the most famous sports car brands in the world. The company was the brainchild of Ferruccio Lamborghini, who had built a successful business empire making tractors. In 1963, he turned his attention to sports cars. In the following years, the brand has produced some iconic models, including the Diablo, Murcielago, Countach and Gallardo. The company now forms part of the Audi group.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Interestingly, the story of Alfa Romeo starts in 1906 with a Frenchman, Alexandre Darracq, who teamed up with some investors from Italy to form the company, Societa Anonima Italiana Darracq (SAID). With a factory in Milan, the company struggled to make a profit. More Italian investors joined and the company name was changed to Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (ALFA) and the first vehicle was produced in 1910.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

A subsidiary of Honda, Acura is considered the luxury arm of the famous Japanese automaker. Acura vehicles were first launched in Canada and the United States in 1986. The first two vehicles introduced to these markets were the Integra and the Legend. They performed so well in terms of sales that Nissan and Toyota decided to introduce their own luxury brands into the same markets.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Jaguar started out as the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922. It was only after the Second World War that the name was changed to Jaguar and the company focus shifted to making sports cars, although they had produced the SS 90 and SS 100 vehicles in the 1930s. Jaguars feature an intricate hood ornament of a jumping jaguar cat. This is known as the Leaper.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Tesla is new to the vehicle manufacturing game, founded in 2003 in Silicon Valley by a group of engineers wanting to push the agenda for electric-powered vehicles. They were inspired by legendary Russian inventor, Nikolai Tesla, and their first drive train was built with an AC induction motor designed by Tesla in 1888 in mind. This first vehicle, the Tesla Roadster, was capable of incredible performance and a range of 245 miles per charge, with over 2,400 units sold. It was followed by a sedan, the Model S, as well as an expanded network of fast charging points across the United States.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

The start of the BMW motor company can be traced back to 1916, when companies owned by Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto merged. The famous logo, which sports the colors of Bavaria, was first used in 1917 and has barely changed over the years. Although they initially made aero engines, the company started making motorcycles after the First World War, followed by their first vehicles in 1928. Today, BMW cars and motorcycles are popular the world over.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

In 1902, Henry M. Leland, Lemuel Bowen and William Murphy founded Cadillac. Interestingly, it was named after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, a French explorer credited with founding Detroit. Cadillac is synonymous with innovation and was the first company to introduce electric starters in 1912.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

The history of Suzuki can be traced back over 100 years, but it was only in the 1950s that the company diversified, first producing motorcycles and then from 1955, motor vehicles. The first car produced by the company was known as the Suzulight and today Suzuki is one of the top ten global car producers in the world.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Infiniti is the luxury brand from the Japanese automaker, Nissan. Launched in 1987, the idea behind the brand was to produce vehicles that challenged American and European luxury designs. The brand started with two models, the Q45 sedan and the M30 coupe, aimed at those looking for a luxury performance model. Infiniti launched across the United States with 51 dealers and quickly became leaders in customer satisfaction. Sales were strong and, by 2003, Infiniti was the fastest growing vehicle brand in the United States.

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Which car brand is depicted in this partial image of the logo

Founded in 1899, Buick first built car bodies and engines but in 1903 under the guidance of David Dunbar Buick, a Scotsman, the company turned its attention to making its own cars. By 1904, the company was manufacturing its first model, the Model B. Buick strived for luxury and the Model B was affectionately know as the "couch on wheels." Today, Buick is the oldest American car manufacturer still producing vehicles.

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