The Audi logo is one of the most distinctive logos in modern branding. Consisting of four interconnected rings, the Audi logo has its roots in the automaker’s rich and storied history. Here at Audi Van Nuys, your home for new Audi cars in Sherman Oaks, CA, our dealers are well-versed in the history of Audi AG, and we’re happy to explain the symbolic meaning of the iconic logo design.
Four Become One
To understand the Audi logo, it is essential to go back to the beginning of the automaker’s history. In 1899, mechanical engineer August Horch founded August Horch and Cie, which built two-cylinder and four-cylinder cars. In 1909, he left that company and established a new car company, translating his family name into Latin: “Audi.”
After a few years of success, the Audi brand was ready for bigger things. Before the Great Depression of 1929, there were four major car companies in the German state of Saxony: Audi, DKW, Wanderer, and Horch. However, financial difficulties caused by the recession caused these four companies to merge into one company called Auto Union AG.
When the Auto Union AG was formed, its four interconnected rings represented the four automakers’ union. Starting in 1978, the color scheme was developed: a black oval with white lettering. Since the Audi brand branched out from the Auto Union AG, the logo has undergone further transformations, including its current two-dimensional iteration in 2016.
The Audi Logo Today
As the Audi brand continues to innovate and redefine the automobile industry, the logo remains a symbol of its core values and a reminder of its storied beginnings. Here at our Sherman Oaks, CA, Audi dealership, our friendly team of dealers is proud to show off the new 2023 and 2024 Audi models.
