Hispano-Suiza Logo

Brand History

Hispano-Suiza was founded in 1904 in Barcelona by Damián Mateu and Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt as La Hispano-Suiza Fábrica de Automóviles. The company quickly expanded by establishing a French factory between 1911 and 1914 in Levallois-Perret then Bois-Colombes, making France its primary market for luxury cars.

During World War I the firm shifted to aircraft engine production and developed the iconic Hispano-Suiza 8 V8 engine. It returned to automobile production in 1919 with the advanced H6 model and introduced the stork hood ornament. The French arm became semi-autonomous in 1923 as Société Française Hispano-Suiza while the Spanish parent retained majority control.

French car production ceased in 1938 at government request as the company focused on aero engines. Spanish Civil War and postwar events led to factories being collectivized and later sold to ENASA in 1946. The French aviation division was acquired by Snecma in 1968. The founding Suqué Mateu family officially revived the brand in 2019 under Grup Peralada with the fully electric Carmen hypercar.

Hispano-Suiza Logo Evolution

1. 1904–1907
2. 1907–1914
3. 1914–1936
4. 1917–1936
5. 2010–2019
6. 2019–2021
7. 2021–Present

1904–1907: Founding Era Logo

The first Hispano-Suiza logo was created at the company founding and communicated formality along with the brand location. It used a simple yet sophisticated design that set the tone for future emblems.

• Design: Black-and-white elegant frame with “La Hispano-Suiza” in uppercase letters across two lines
• Colors: Black and white
• Changes: Curved top line with “Barcelona” in smaller font at bottom
• Context: Introduced when the company was founded in Barcelona by Damián Mateu and Marc Birkigt

1907–1914: Early Sophistication

This Hispano-Suiza car logo marked the first appearance of the stork symbol that would become central to brand identity. The graceful design reflected growing confidence and introduced a motif tied to future success.

• Design: Delicate graceful cursive font with flying stork symbol
• Colors: Black
• Changes: Added stork motif and tagline “Fabrica de Automoviles S.A.” at bottom
• Context: Hispano-Suiza logo meaning began to incorporate the stork as a symbol of a bright future

1914–1936: Winged Symbol Period

Wartime engine success and luxury car achievements coincided with this Hispano-Suiza emblem that featured widespread wings. The design captured the brand’s growing reputation in both aviation and automotive fields.

• Design: Two white widespread wings over a red circle
• Colors: Red, white, yellow
• Changes: Replaced earlier text-focused design with prominent winged symbol
• Context: Used during peak luxury production and Hispano-Suiza logo history tied to WWI aviation

1917–1936: Three-Dimensional Emblem

A more mature Hispano-Suiza symbol appeared in this three-dimensional version that reflected stability after wartime achievements. The emblem maintained the winged motif while adding depth and texture.

• Design: 3D winged symbol on round bubble-textured base with flower-like center
• Colors: Black, white, yellow
• Changes: Added yellow line extending downward and conservative styling
• Context: Represented the brand during and after World War I

The Post-WWI mascot introduced in 1919 became an important Hispano-Suiza car symbol. A flying stork hood ornament designed by sculptor François-Victor Bazin paid tribute to French ace Georges Guynemer and the “escadrille de Cigognes” that used Hispano-Suiza engines. This stork emblem directly linked WWI aviation success to automobile branding and has remained part of the Hispano-Suiza logo evolution ever since.

2010–2019: Modern Revival Attempt

An early 21st-century attempt to return to the automotive market produced this abstract version of the classic Hispano-Suiza badge. The design simplified the winged symbol while maintaining recognizable heritage elements.

• Design: Abstract triangular shape based on 1914 winged logo
• Colors: Dark gray
• Changes: Wings made more abstract with bold geometric sans-serif font
• Context: Represented a preliminary effort before the official brand revival

2019–2021: Digital Heritage Refresh

The official brand relaunch in 2019 brought a major refresh that deliberately revived the 1907 cursive font and 1914 red circle. This Hispano-Suiza logo png version balanced heritage with modern digital requirements under the Peralada Group.

• Design: Sharper more dynamic wings with restored round red shape
• Colors: Gray gradient with red
• Changes: Returned to graceful cursive font while modernizing wings
• Context: Created for the electric era revival by the Suqué Mateu family

2021–Present: Current Logo

The latest Hispano-Suiza emblem refined the previous design with muted light gray metallic wings and softer tones. This version maintains the established shape while achieving a richer contemporary feel suitable for the electric hypercar era.

• Design: Same shape and inscription as 2019 version with metallic wings
• Colors: Muted light gray, softer red and yellow
• Changes: Removed gradient for cleaner metallic appearance
• Context: Current Hispano-Suiza logo used by the revived brand focusing on electric vehicles

Legacy and Impact

The Hispano-Suiza logo history shows a consistent thread of the stork and winged symbol that originated from wartime aviation success. Each redesign has preserved core elements while adapting to new eras from the 1904 founding through the 2019 revival. Today the Hispano-Suiza symbol continues to represent luxury engineering and heritage under the original family’s guidance.