The Japanese automotive brand Subaru has been present in the market since 1953. The current Subaru company was formed when six companies merged from its parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI). That said, the Subaru logo, consisting of 6 stars, represents this merger and the unity of these organisations. The logo is inspired by the Pleiades star cluster, known as ‘Subaru’ in Japanese, which is where the brand name originates.
Let’s take a look at the Subaru logo history, its evolution and meaning in detail.
Meaning of the Subaru Logo
The most prominent star in the Subaru logo stands for FHI, while the smaller stars symbolise other companies. True to its celestial theme, the colour blue has also remained a significant part throughout Subaru’s history.
Now that you are aware of the Subaru logo’s meaning, let’s move towards its evolution.
Subaru Logo Timeline
The Subaru logo has stayed close to its original idea despite its evolution with time. The core meaning, representing unity through the Pleiades star cluster, has remained consistent throughout the timeline. Following is the complete Subaru logo history:
The Original Design: 1953 – 1958
The first Subaru logo featured an ellipse shape containing six stars connected by short monochrome lines, symbolising the Pleiades star cluster, representing unity.
Refined Chrome Finish: 1958 – 1959
The second logo of Subaru was released with a new chrome and finish. The sheen silver elements were replaced with gold, elevating the entire look.
The ellipse frame remained but became much sleeker. The stars were horizontally stretched to appear slightly wider, with a soft reflection in the centre.
Vibrant Red Backdrop: 1959 – 1970
In 1959, for the first time, Subaru introduced bright colours inside the logo. A bright red background brought a new energy to the design, symbolising the brand’s passion and growing ambition.
A silver frame surrounded the red oval shape and silver stars were connected through sleek silver lines.
Distinctive U-Shaped Frame: 1970 – 1980
This time, the ellipse shape and six stars remained, but the logo sat inside a U-shaped frame with a flat bottom, giving it a distinct outline. The thickness of the frame was also increased to balance the overall design. The stars were stretched slightly, with their tips going beyond the ellipse’s edges.
Sharp Contrast with Black Outline: 1980 – 1999
In the 1980s, Subaru made some noticeable updates to its logo. A black outline was added around the silver lines, giving the Subaru car logo a sharp and bold look. This made the badge stand out clearly, especially from a distance.
In the same year, more refinements were made. The lines connecting stars were removed and the stars were repositioned to create a cleaner look. The frame was redesigned with three layers: a white centre line, bordered by grey and black lines.
These changes brought the logo closer to the latest version, shaping the Subaru brand logo evolution into a unified and lasting design.
Sleek Blue Gradient and Wider Ellipse: 1999 – 2003
The ellipse shape of the logo was widened and a blue gradient was added to the background. This gave the logo a slight depth without changing its main shape. The stars were drawn with bold silver lines and the oval frame was finished in the same colour.
Introduction of Wordmark: 2003 – Present
In 2003, Subaru introduced a significant change by adding a wordmark to the logo. The name ‘Subaru’ appeared in all capital letters, using a traditional Sans-Serif typeface in black.
This simple, bold wordmark balanced well with the bright stars of the emblem, giving the logo a complete and distinctive look. The new logo represents the brand’s innovative approach towards technologically advanced features like the Subaru All Round Safety.
FAQs
What does the Subaru logo represent?
The Subaru logo represents the Pleiades star cluster, symbolising the merger of six companies to form Subaru’s parent company.
Who designed the original Subaru logo?
The original Subaru logo was designed by Tatsuzo Sasaki, a designer at Fuji Heavy Industries.
When was the Subaru logo first introduced?
The Subaru logo was first introduced in 1954 when Fuji Heavy Industries began its shift towards the automotive industry.
This is all about the Subaru logo history and its evolution. The logo has remained true to the brand’s identity, reflecting a commitment towards rolling off durable and eco-friendly vehicles. One such example of the brand’s focus towards durability and efficiency is its All-Wheel Drive (AWD). If you are also interested in driving a car with an AWD, browse through these used Subaru cars in the UAE and choose from an array of options.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s leading auto blog to learn more about different car logos and brands.
Cover Image Credit: Bykfa Shutterstock.
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