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History and meaning of

automotive symbols

Have you ever wondered why the Audi in front

of you has a logo of four interlocked rings? Star in three corners in Mercedes-Benz

represents what? Or that Volkswagen was Hitler's idea?

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BMW Propeller

In 1913, Karl Friedrich Rapp and Gustav Otto foundedtwo separate aircraft factories that would later merge toform BMW or Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BavarianMotor Works).

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The story

The circular BMW logo was a representation of a spinningpropeller of a Bavarian aircrafts which were painted withregional colors white and blue.

It is said that the pilot saw the propeller as alternatingsegments of white and blue, hence the logo.

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Audi Rings

German engineer August Horch founded his own automobilecompany A. Horch & Cie in 1899.

August Horch was sued and forced to look for a new name.

Horchs business partner Franz Fikentschers son came upwith the name Audi

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Audi The rings of Audi represent the four Germany auto

manufacturers that merged in 1932, creating Auto Union. Audi Horch DKW Wanderer

In1985, when Auto Union ultimately became the Audi weknow today

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Volkswagen After World War I, Germany's economy was shot and cars was very expensive.

Hitler spoke at 1933 Berlin Auto Show of his idea to create a new and affordablecar.

Porsche met with Hitler in 1934, who asked that the car to have the followingspecifications: it should have a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), a fuelconsumption of 42 mpg, and could carry 2 adults and 3 children.

After Germany was defeated in World War II, the British took over theVolkswagen factory and the KdF-Wagen was renamed the Beetle. The Britishthen sought to give control of the company - first they asked the Ford MotorCompany, then the French Government, other British car manufacturers andlastly, Fiat. All turned down this "free offer" because they thought the Beetle'sdesign was inferior and that the company would be a money drain.

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Mercedes-Benz

First appeared in a similar form on a 1909 Daimler. The three-pointed star of Mercedes-Benz was designed by

Gottlieb Daimler to represent the companys mechanicalsuperiority for use on land, sea and air.

The modern version was first used on cars in 1937, during theheight of the Third Reich and Hitlers grip on Europe. Hitlerwas said to prefer Mercedes-Benz because it representedGerman superiority .

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Guess the logos

Toyota Mitsubishi

Honda Chevrolet

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Guess the logos

lexus Peugeot

Mazda Infiniti