Detroit Electric Logo

Detroit Electric Brand History

Detroit Electric began as the flagship brand of the Anderson Electric Car Company founded by William C. Anderson. The company originated from the Anderson Carriage Company established in 1884. Electric car production under the Detroit Electric name started in 1907 in Detroit, Michigan.

In 1911 the Anderson Carriage Company was renamed Anderson Electric Car Company. The firm offered an optional Edison nickel-iron battery between 1911 and 1916. By 1920 the electric vehicle operation separated from the carriage and motor businesses and was renamed The Detroit Electric Car Company.

Following the death of founder William C. Anderson the company was acquired by Alfred O. Dunk in 1927. The last Detroit Electric car was shipped on February 23, 1939. The brand remained dormant for decades until its revival.

Brand Revival

The Detroit Electric name returned in 2008 when Albert Lam, former Lotus executive, established Detroit Electric Holding Ltd. The company opened its U.S. office in the Fisher Building in Detroit. The official relaunch event took place on March 19, 2013.

After 2017 the company website became inactive and its current operational status remains unknown. The revival positioned Detroit Electric as a modern electric vehicle manufacturer continuing the legacy of the original American electric car pioneer.

Detroit Electric Logo Evolution

1907 – 1939: Original Detroit Electric Logo

The first Detroit Electric logo served the brand throughout its original production period from 1907 until 1939. This emblem appeared on vehicles manufactured by the Anderson Electric Car Company and later the Detroit Electric Car Company. It reflected the elegant styling common in early automotive branding.

• Design: Classic early automotive script and emblem elements
• Colors: Traditional monochrome or period-appropriate tones
• Changes: Remained consistent across the original manufacturing era
• Context: Used during the time when 13,000 electric cars were built in Detroit

2008 – Present: Modern Detroit Electric Logo

A completely new Detroit Electric logo was introduced with the 2008 brand revival by Detroit Electric Holding Ltd. The updated emblem accompanied the opening of the U.S. office in Detroit and the 2013 relaunch event. This design shift marked the transition to 21st-century electric vehicle positioning.

• Design: Clean contemporary branding with emphasis on Detroit and Electric elements
• Colors: Modern palette chosen for current automotive standards
• Changes: Full rebranding from the original vintage style
• Context: Represents the revival period and modern electric vehicle ambitions of the Dutch-held company

The evolution from the original Detroit Electric logo to the present version mirrors the two distinct eras in the brand’s history. Early production focused on pioneering electric mobility while the revived identity targets future electric vehicle development. Both Detroit Electric car logo versions remain reference points for enthusiasts studying American electric vehicle heritage.

Detroit Electric emblem history provides valuable insight into how branding adapted across more than a century of innovation in electric propulsion. The Detroit Electric symbol from each era captures the spirit of its time while maintaining connection to the Motor City origins.