Great Wall Logo

Great Wall Motor History

Great Wall Motor was founded in 1984 in Baoding, Hebei, China, with roots tracing back to a 1976 agricultural vehicle repair workshop. The company began producing its own commercial vehicles in 1984, marking the official founding year. Wei Jianjun was appointed director in 1990 and transformed the struggling cooperative into a major manufacturer.

Key milestones in the company’s development include privatization in 1998 and an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2003, making it the first private Chinese automaker to go public. In 2010 the company released its first sedan, expanding beyond trucks and SUVs. Haval was established as a separate SUV-only brand in 2013, followed by the launch of the first electric vehicle in 2017. The company rebranded to GWM in 2020 with only minor logo adjustments.

Great Wall Logo Evolution

1984–1990: Minimalist Geometric Logo

The first Great Wall logo was introduced in 1984 alongside the start of commercial vehicle production. This minimalist design captured the brand’s early identity during its cooperative ownership phase.

• Design: Abstract geometric interpretation of the Great Wall formed by two parallel arched horizontal lines with a square element protruding from the upper arch
• Colors: Black and white color palette
• Changes: Horizontally oriented oval frame that is thicker on the sides
• Context: Used during the initial truck production phase before Wei Jianjun took leadership

The Great Wall symbol from this period represented an early attempt to visually connect the company name with the historic Great Wall of China.

1990–2025: Beacon Tower 3D Emblem

When Wei Jianjun became director in 1990, the company introduced its second and longest-lasting logo, which remained in use for over 35 years until 2025. This redesign reflected growing confidence and a stronger focus on Chinese heritage as the company developed its own independent identity.

• Design: Oval frame containing an abstract image of the Loulu beacon tower, part of the Great Wall of China, with a three-dimensional and dynamic appearance
• Colors: Silver-gray gradient with glossy effects for the emblem plus scarlet-red wordmark
• Changes: Bilingual wordmark featuring larger Chinese characters above the English text Great Wall in a classic serif font
• Context: Introduced during the period of privatization and independent design development, used through the company’s major expansion phases including the 2020 GWM rebrand

This Great Wall emblem conveys power, strength, stability, and respect for Chinese heritage. The beacon tower specifically symbolizes vitality and the phrase first fight forever. The silver-gray gradient expresses growth, luxury, and modernity while the overall badge maintains a strict and professional appearance suitable for an automotive manufacturer.

The Great Wall car logo from this era appeared on vehicles for more than three decades, paralleling the company’s rise from a local producer to a significant global player. A new corporate logo replaced this version in 2025, marking the first major change in 35 years.

Users interested in high-quality assets can find the Great Wall logo hd and Great Wall logo transparent background versions suitable for reference and design projects. The evolution of the Great Wall badge demonstrates how visual identity can mirror corporate growth while maintaining strong ties to cultural symbolism.