The Mercedes-Benz Logo Explained

Wherever a Mercedes-Benz turns up, the logo alone is enough to cause a stir. That’s because the iconic 3-point star Mercedes-Benz logo is one of the most recognizable in the world. However, the meaning goes much deeper than a glance! The Mercedes-Benz logo meaning actually signals the brand’s earliest history and the values it continues to hold at its core. Read on to discover the beginnings of Mercedes-Benz, how the brand arrived where it is today, and the meaning of the Mercedes-Benz logo!

The Mercedes-Benz Logo History

The long history of Mercedes-Benz begins back in 1890, when the company was founded by engineer and industrial designer Gottlieb Daimler. Daimler’s sons Paul and Adolf would stay involved when Wilhelm Maybach and Emil Jellinek took over ownership. In 1909, the Daimler brothers used an 1872 postcard from their father as inspiration for the logo. On the postcard, the location of their home was marked by a 3-pointed star. That year, the company (then called Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, or DMG) acquired the logo. Initially colored blue, the logo was adapted with a laurel wreath border in 1926, and changed to silver in 1934.

The Mercedes-Benz Logo Meaning

You know the Mercedes-Benz logo was initially adopted in tribute to its founder Gottlieb Daimler and the Daimler family homeland, but is there more symbolism at work here? If you ask Mercedes-Benz officials, the answer is yes:

• Together, the Mercedes-Benz star’s 3 points represent the company’s drive for universal motorization — but each point also has its individual meaning. The points represent land, sea, and air — environments the company believed they would one day dominate with Mercedes-Benz engines.
• The biggest change came in 1926, when the pioneering companies Daimler and Benz merged. The occasion was marked with the Mercedes-Benz 3-pointed star’s enclosure in a circle — creating the brand mark that really would go on to worldwide renown!

What About the Mercedes-Benz AMG® Logo?

Compared to the Mercedes-Benz 3-pointed star, the enigmatic Mercedes-Benz AMG® logo seems to hide its meaning within a set of runes — but the truth is hardly that mysterious:

• The right side of the Mercedes-Benz AMG® logo illustrates a cam, valve, and valve spring. As you’d expect, these core engine components represent a passion for engineering — which is at the heart of every Mercedes-Benz AMG® engine.
• On the left side of the Mercedes-Benz AMG® emblem, you see an apple tree, with a line underneath the tree representing a river. This is the historic coat of arms for Affalterbach, Germany, the town where you’ll find the Mercedes-Benz AMG® headquarters.

Discover More Mercedes-Benz History with Mercedes-Benz of Portland!

Now that you’re well-versed in the Mercedes-Benz logo meaning, it’s time to discover the cars it represents. The only way to do that is to get behind the wheel and experience one for yourself! Where you’re drawn to the C-Class or new GLC, check out the new vehicle specials we offer to Portland and Wilsonville drivers, and then browse our inventory. When you’ve picked out your favorite Mercedes-Benz, contact us to schedule a test drive today!