Mitsubishi is a celebrated Japanese carmaker, producing a range of nameplates known for their reliability and performance. The brand’s purpose-built vehicles are widely acclaimed among UAE motorists. The recognition of Mitsubishi has evolved over more than 150 years—and so has its visual identity. The name of the company itself has been formed by a strategic combination of two Japanese terms. To understand more in this regard, let’s explore the Mitsubishi logo history and meaning.
Mitsubishi Logo Meaning
The name ‘Mitsubishi’ is a combination of two Japanese words. The word ‘Mitsu’ means ‘three’ and ‘Hishi’ means ‘water chestnut’ or ‘diamond shape.’ The logo has long been represented as three diamond shapes arranged in a triangular pattern.
The three diamonds in the logo were a representation of the three companies. According to Mitsubishi Motors’ history, the brand was formed as a merger of three companies. Yamauchi Company, Ono Company and Saigo Company came together to establish Mitsubishi in 1870.
Mitsubishi Logo History Timeline
The origin of the Mitsubishi logo can be traced back to 1870 when the company was incorporated. However, during its long-tailed history, a few iterations have been introduced. Let’s find out how the logo has evolved.
1870 – 1873
During the initial years of the Mitsubishi symbol history, the visual identity had no wordmark. It stayed that way during the first three years of the company’s establishment. The badge contained a multi-layer crest design, which was a tribute to the company’s roots. With such intriguing facts, the car brand logos and their meanings always fascinate auto enthusiasts.
1873 – 1914
The old Mitsubishi logo history was shortlived and the iconic emblem of the brand was designed in 1873. The design comprised three thin rhomboids stretching out from the centre. The emblem had a small hollow circle at the centre. The wordmark was still absent from the design. The evolution of early logo designs is among the many interesting facts about cars.
1914 – 1964
The next iteration of the Mitsubishi logo was introduced in 1914. The new logo followed a similar design language as that of its predecessor. However, there were a few noticeable changes. For instance, the logo now had an intersection point at the centre instead of a hollow circle.
An interesting fact about Mitsubishi Motors is that the wordmark first appeared on the automaker’s 1955 logo. However, it wasn’t in English but in Japanese, written in the language’s Mitarashi-ryu font. In terms of the brand’s visual identity, the addition of the wordmark highlighted its recognition among the targeted industry. Retaining the red from the old Mitsubishi logo designs, the new colour had the Japanese wordmark in black.
1964 – 1985
The 1964 logo of the Mitsubishi brand came out with subtle changes. Its new shape was similar to the one we see today. The design was more bold and balanced out with overpowering rhomboids. It was a more harmonised version of the logo, reflecting the brand’s years of presence and expertise.
Another key development in terms of brand identity was the appearance of the company’s motto. Lettered in Japanese, it appeared above the emblem. The lettering of the motto meant ‘with you today and tomorrow’. An interesting fact about the Mitsubishi Pajero was that the legendary SUV was introduced in 1982 and crowned with the company’s 1964 badge.
1985 – Present
Given the growing international presence of the brand, an English wordmark appeared on the logo in 1985. It was in all capital letters and the Mitsubishi logo font used was in a traditional sans serif typeface. The masculine straight lines of the lettering were clean and direct, giving the logo a more authoritative look.
Later, the term ‘Motors’ was also added to the nameplate—a noteworthy development in the evolution of the Mitsubishi logo. It was to distinguish the brand’s auto business from its other divisions.
The newer logo design had the ‘Mitsubishi’ lettering with the iconic rhomboids. With a silver theme, the iconic rhomboid design can be seen on different models of pre-owned Mitsubishi cars for sale in the UAE. Due to its bold and modern appearance, the company hasn’t changed its badge in a long time. Furthermore, the latest Mitsubishi logo design is seamlessly aligned with the developments aimed at the future of cars.
FAQs
What brand owns Mitsubishi?
The Japanese automaker is now a part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. It is a multinational corporation based in both Japan and the Netherlands. For more details on different automakers and the brands they own, read here.
Does Mitsubishi only make cars?
No. Alongside cars, the Mitsubishi Group caters to a variety of industries. A noteworthy example in this regard is Mitsubishi Electric, which produces many different home appliances.
Why is the Mitsubishi logo red?
The Mitsubishi logo colour is red because it is considered a sign of good luck. Moreover, it is the same colour as that of the Japanese flag. Besides logo colours, the history of car colours hints at how different hues set the popularity criteria for auto brands.
There you have it – a complete timeline of the Mitsubishi logo history. Learning about the evolution of a car brand identity helps us understand its scope and dynamics in a better way. Alongside Mitsubishi, many other popular Japanese car brands in the UAE have a deep-rooted history and legacy.
Most logo designs we see on different used cars for sale in the UAE have evolved over decades. Highlighting trustworthiness and loyalty among a car brand’s fanbase, the visual identity has long been playing a crucial role.
For more information about the origins of the Mitsubishi emblem, keep reading dubizzle’s auto blog.
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