Hyundai Logo

Hyundai was originally founded as an engineering and construction company in 1947. In 1967, a branch of the Hyundai Motor Company appeared. As a result of cooperation with Ford, the first car Cortina appeared. In 1975, Hyundai produced the car Pony; it became the first car that was developed and produced in South Korea. The Pony model has become popular not only in Korea, but also abroad, having received the status of the “Best-selling car” in Canada.

“ What is a curious fact about Hyundai?
Hyundai was the first in the world to launch mass production of eco-friendly cars powered by ix35 Fuel Cell, which is hydrogen fuel cells. The model has collected several industry awards in the category of technology and innovation due to decent performance. It can accelerate up to 160 km/h and overcome almost 600 km after one refueling (lasting three minutes).”

Meaning and History

Hyundai was established in 1947 by Chung Ju-yung in South Korea, marking the beginning of a journey that would transform it from a small engineering and construction company into a major multinational conglomerate. The name “Hyundai” means “modernity” in Korean, reflecting the founder’s vision for the development of his country and its economy through innovation and the adoption of new technologies. The 1960s and 1970s witnessed Hyundai’s diversification into various industries, including shipbuilding and manufacturing. However, it was the formation of Hyundai Motor Company in 1967 that laid the groundwork for its future success.

Over the decades, Hyundai has achieved several significant milestones. In the automotive sector, it has become known for its focus on quality, innovation, and customer service, which helped it gain a competitive edge in the global market. Hyundai’s commitment to sustainability and the future of mobility is evident in its investment in electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The company has also made significant strides in technology, including the development of its own steel manufacturing and processing capabilities, which is rare in the automotive industry.

Today, Hyundai Motor Group holds a prominent position in the global automotive industry, ranking as one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world. Its success is attributed not only to its wide range of vehicles that cater to various market segments but also to its ability to adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer preferences. Hyundai continues to invest in research and development, aiming to lead in the future of transportation with autonomous driving technologies, electric vehicles, and innovative mobility solutions, thereby maintaining its status as a pioneer in the industry.

1969 – 1970

The very first logo Hyundai appeared in 1969. It was a combination of letters “HD” with a kind of frame. This entire combination is in a circle. The first logo was black-and-white.

1970 – 1978

The next logo was created in 1970. Still, it was the combination of two letters “HD” with a kind of frame. However, that time the whole combination was in an ellipse.

1974 – 1992

The next version was made in 1974. The current logo Hyundai has nothing in common with its predecessor, adopted in 1974. The logo was built around a stylized letter “H”, but it looked different: it was bold, flat and static. There was no dynamics and the “flight effect” of the modern logo.

1980 – 1992

A smaller letter “D” was next to the letter “H”. The letters “H” and “D” were placed in a rectangular frame. No matter how simple it may seem, but the emblem was used until 1992.

The logo since 1992 consists of two parts: an emblem and an inscription.

1990 – now

Since 1990, the logo is, in general, represented by the letter “H”. This fact can be mentioned concerning the logo version of 1990, 2003, 2011 and 2017.

At first glance, the meaning of the emblem seems quite transparent: the letter “H” in italics is the initial letter of the company name. However, there is also a symbolic meaning: the letter “depicts” two people shaking hands. One of them represents the company, and the second one represents the buyer. The handshake symbolizes trust and satisfaction between the parties.

The italics of the letter “H” are also not for nothing. Some believe this is done to provide the difference of the Hyundai logo from the Honda logo.

The make Hyundai itself offers the following explanation: leaning forward symbolizes an active position and its openness to the future. The oval frame indicates the brand’s global expansion and shows that it wants to go far beyond the Asian market.

2003 – now

In 2017, the automaker’s own design team developed a new global identity. It included not only the Hyundai logo, but also many other elements, including its own font and a unified color palette. The updates were quite subtle, but led to a clearer and more recognizable identity, which was used in all promotional materials released after 2017.

2011 – 2017

The 3D chrome effect also disappeared, leaving a simple flat icon in a darker shade of blue. As a result, the insignia became better for print and digital applications. The new logo became more flexible and easier to reproduce on printed and digital media.

Font and Color

The name “Hyundai” in the logo is in bold. Letter forms have a characteristic appearance due to a special combination of sharp and rounded corners. The letter “U” looks like the letter “N” turned upside down (and vice versa). It creates the effect of symmetry, although the two parts of the word are not symmetrical.

The font is specially designed for the company and consists only of capital letters, it can be found under the name — “Hyundai Normal”. Samuel Park became the author of the font.