Toyota Logo History
Toyota is one of the most popular automakers in the world, complete with an iconic logo design that nearly everyone can recognize.
But did you know that their current logo is way, way different from the one they started with? Even their brand name wasn’t Toyota back then!
Join us as we trace the roots of this car logo and explore its various transformations before it became the famous three ovals we know today.
Brief Overview of Toyota Logo History
Did you know that Toyota’s origin can be traced back to the Japanese weaving industry?
It started when Sakichi Toyoda invented the world’s first automatic loom. This loom would stop production if the machine encountered a problem or abnormality, which ensured that all their fabrics would be of excellent quality. This system is called jidoka, and it is an integral part of Toyota’s production even today.
This invention impressed a British company called the Platt Brothers—so much so that they bought the patent for it back in 1929. Sakachi then gave the money to his son Kiichiro, which gave him funding to start his automotive business.
Kiichiro used the same jidoka system from their loom business to develop their first car, the Model AA. This marked the start of Toyota Motors. Since then, Toyota has been known for its reliable and durable cars that last longer than any other car in the market.
Toyota Logo History in Detail
Buckle up as we are now about to take a drive through Toyota’s logo journey. We’ll also see how each version of their car logo reflects their business mindset and design philosophy of the time.
1935

Toyota was originally called “Toyoda,” based on the name of its founder, Kiichiro Toyoda.
Their first logo was a simple wordmark in the center of a diamond. They used a clean and professional-looking sans-serif font for their lettering. The diamond shape also gives off a sense of symmetry and perfection, which alludes to their top-notch quality control in their car production.
1949

1949 saw a huge change in design. They focused on their Japanese roots as the redesigned logo featured their brand name in katakana. The circular shape and the red and white color palette also serve as a nod to the Japanese flag.
This was also the time when they changed their name to Toyota. Toyota (トヨタ) takes only eight strokes to write compared to Toyoda (豊田). Eight is believed to be a lucky number in Japan, and they hoped this good luck would translate into their business.
Toyoda also means “fertile rice patty” in Japanese. The name change helped them not be associated with the farming industry and instead solely focus on their rising growth in the automobile industry.
Thinking of doing a rebrand as well? Our business name generator might be able to help you gain a catchy and meaningful name like what Toyota did.
1958

Toyota went back to English lettering as they started their foray into the global market. They also switched to a traditional serif logo lettering and a black-and-white color palette to look more business-like and “Westernized” to fit their new global audience’s tastes.
1969

Toyota returned to a sans-serif font this year. This stylistic change reflected the modernist design trend of the time and positioned Toyota as a modern and progressive brand that can keep up with the world’s advancements.
1978

The wordmark logo underwent another change. This time, it returned to its red-and-white color palette. Red is seen as more powerful and confident, which is the direction the company was going for.
This time, the spaces between the letters were also bigger. The font was also changed to a custom typeface, which they still use today.
This bold yet sleek font gave Toyota the confident and distinctive image they were looking for. Interested in making your own font? Learning type anatomy might help you design the perfect one.
1989

This year marks the most significant change in their logo history. You guessed it, it’s the birth of the iconic three ovals!
The three ovals, which might seem like a simple graphic at first, are loaded with symbolism.
The two perpendicular ovals represent the heart of the company and the heart of the customer. Their overlap suggests mutual trust. Meanwhile, the outer oval represents the world that embraces Toyota, conveying its global reach.
The ovals’ shape can also be seen as a “T” for “Toyota” and a steering wheel. Did you notice the difference in thickness between each oval? It’s a nod to Japanese calligraphy, again showing their respect for their Japanese roots.
All of that is in one icon. Amazing, isn’t it?
2005

The three ovals were moved to the top and changed to a more embossed design. The Toyota lettering was changed to a darker red.
This is probably the logo that people think of when they think of the Toyota logo. And it is indeed their most famous one, owing to its powerful and timeless look.
2019

Toyota shifted back to placing the three ovals beside the wordmark. However, they placed a solid red square behind it for a more stylish and polished look. The colors also switched between the elements—the icon used a red and white palette, and the wordmark used a black and white color scheme.
This is a great example of a logo refresh that maintained its iconic look yet was updated to fit changing customer tastes and design trends.
2020-Present

The last stop in our logo history journey is the current Toyota logo. As you can see, they removed the “Toyota” lettering and only maintained the iconic three ovals. It’s a powerful statement—their logo is so popular that you only need to see the icon to know it’s theirs.
This shift to a minimalist logo reflects the current trend of flat 2D logos. The sleek black-and-white colors of the emblem logo also make the brand look more refined and polished compared to its other iterations.
Key Takeaways for Small Business Branding
Toyota’s logo underwent many changes, but they weren’t made simply for aesthetic purposes. Each change shows consideration for the current market and Toyota’s business priorities.
If you’re planning thinking of doing a rebrand or starting your small business branding, some lessons you can take from Toyota are:
Balance tradition with innovation
Toyota’s logo still maintains its core essence even with the various changes.
They kept the Toyota wordmark until the oval icon was recognizable enough to stand on its own. Even the fonts were similar, with only a few stylistic changes. Their color palette also remained the same over the years.
By keeping the core the same, they maintained a recognizable look even through the innovative changes.
Stay true to your roots
While they did change from their distinctly Japanese logo in 1949 to fit a more globalized audience, they remain true to their Japanese roots. This can be seen with the calligraphy-inspired strokes in the oval and their red color palette. Red, aside from the universal symbolism of power and boldness, has its roots in Japanese culture as the color of vitality and good fortune.
All this subtle symbolism allows them to stay true to their culture while still remaining relatable to their global audience.
The power of symbolism
The shift to using a symbol allows them to communicate more effectively to a wider range of symbolism.
Even if people may not know the deeper meaning of the ovals, they can still identify them as a “T” or a steering wheel. This makes their logo stick to their audience’s minds, indicating that they are indeed the car maker Toyota.
Simple is best
Toyota’s look is always simple, clean, and polished. This makes their logo look timeless as they are not riddled with intricate details that may look dated in seconds.
Simplicity, symmetry, and minimalism are also design features that appeal universally, making it easier for their logo to appeal to a wide range of people.
Design Your Car Logo Today
And that’s it! Did you enjoy our trip down Toyota’s logo history?
Toyota has come a long way from its start as Toyoda and its red katakana logo. While it underwent many changes to reflect its brand growth and the changing market, it also remained true to its core values. This allowed it to create an iconic logo that people can recognize in seconds.
If you’re interested in starting your own car business (or any business in general!), BrandCrowd is here to help. Feel free to check out our logo templates for automobile logos, truck logos, and so on. We also have marketing templates, such as posters or Facebook covers, so be sure to check those as well!