Mitsubishi Logo

Mitsubishi Brand History

Mitsubishi was founded in 1870 by Yataro Iwasaki as a maritime shipping company known initially as Tsukumo Shokai. The company name originated from mitsu and hishi which together form Mitsubishi meaning Three Diamonds. This name directly connects to the family crests of the Iwasaki family featuring three stacked rhombuses and the Tosa Clan with three oak leaves.

The heritage combines these traditional symbols into the iconic Mitsubishi emblem. Core values of reliability, integrity, and success are each represented by one of the three diamonds. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation was officially established on April 22, 1970 and later became part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance while maintaining strong ties to its founding heritage.

Mitsubishi Logo Evolution

1. 1870–1873
2. 1873–1914
3. 1914–1964
4. 1964–1985
5. 1985–Present
6. 1983
7. 2016
8. 2022

1870–1873: Founding Family Crests

The earliest period used the Iwasaki and Tosa family crests separately with pure symbolism and no wordmark. This phase established the three-diamond foundation that would define the Mitsubishi symbol. Design focused on traditional crests without modern refinements.

• Design: Iwasaki three stacked rhombuses combined with Tosa three oak leaves
• Colors: Traditional Japanese crest colors
• Changes: No unified emblem yet
• Context: Maritime shipping company startup

1873–1914: First Official Emblem

The first official emblem appeared in 1873 featuring three elegant thin rhomboids connected at the center within a modest circle. This marked the initial creation of a unified Mitsubishi logo representing the company name. The design remained simple and symbolic.

• Design: Three thin rhomboids in circular arrangement
• Colors: Monochrome
• Changes: First combination of rhomboids into single emblem
• Context: Early corporate identity for shipping operations

1914–1964: Solid Center and Japanese Wordmark

A solid point replaced the circle in 1914 to create a stronger appearance for the Mitsubishi car logo. A Japanese wordmark using Mitarashi-ryu font was added in 1955 with a color palette shift to red and black. This era bridged traditional symbolism with growing corporate identity.

• Design: Rhomboids with solid center and Japanese text
• Colors: Red and black
• Changes: Circle became solid point, wordmark introduced
• Context: Expansion into new industries including aircraft manufacturing

1964–1985: Bold Rhomboids and Company Motto

The rhomboids were redesigned in 1964 to become more balanced and bold creating the shape recognizable in the Mitsubishi emblem today. A company motto was placed above the emblem reading with you today and tomorrow in Japanese. This version strengthened visual presence.

• Design: Bold balanced rhomboids with motto
• Colors: Red and black
• Changes: Thicker more confident rhomboid forms
• Context: Corporate growth and modernization

1985–Present: English Wordmark and Red Diamonds

The English wordmark MITUBISHI appeared in bold uppercase sans-serif typeface in black from 1985 onward. Colors stabilized as red for the diamonds black for text and white background. The Mitsubishi logo meaning became globally accessible through this change.

• Design: Three red diamonds with English text
• Colors: Red black and white
• Changes: Addition of English wordmark and color standardization
• Context: Global automotive market entry

1983: Tri-Oval Enclosure

The diamonds were first enclosed in a tri-oval shape in 1983 creating a more unified modern look for the Mitsubishi car symbol. This modification coincided with increased international presence. The enclosure provided better visual cohesion.

• Design: Diamonds inside tri-oval frame
• Colors: Red black white
• Changes: Added enclosing shape around emblem
• Context: Modernization for global markets

2016: Bolder Oval Refresh

A major refresh occurred in 2016 with a bolder darker red oval enclosing the diamonds for greater impact in the Mitsubishi badge. The artwork was simplified while preserving heritage elements. This update emphasized stronger visual presence.

• Design: Simplified diamonds in bolder oval
• Colors: Darker red with black and white
• Changes: Increased boldness and simplification
• Context: Corporate refresh under alliance influence

2022: Refined Wordmark Below Emblem

The 2022 update scaled back the wordmark to a thin all-caps font placed below the emblem giving greater prominence to the three diamonds in the Mitsubishi symbol. This change focused attention on the core emblem. The Mitsubishi logo evolution reached its current simplified form.

• Design: Thin wordmark positioned under prominent diamonds
• Colors: Red black and white
• Changes: Minimized text to support emblem
• Context: Final refinement emphasizing heritage symbol

Mitsubishi Symbol Meaning and Visual Attributes

The Mitsubishi emblem consists of three red rhomboids arranged in a triangular formation known as the Mitsubishi car logo. Scarlet red symbolizes power passion energy good luck and the Rising Sun in Japanese culture. Each diamond represents one core value: reliability integrity and success forming the Mitsubishi logo meaning.

The three diamonds have remained fundamentally unchanged for more than 150 years with only refinements in thickness balance and enclosure. Typography evolved from Japanese Mitarashi-ryu font before 1985 to clean masculine sans-serif uppercase letters afterward. The color palette has been consistent since the 1870s using primarily red black and white.

The Mitsubishi logo history demonstrates remarkable stability compared to other automotive brands. Direct links exist between brand milestones and logo changes beginning with the 1870 founding and shipping era through the 1970 creation of Mitsubishi Motors. The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance connection represents the modern chapter while the emblem preserves founder heritage.

Users often seek Mitsubishi logo png Mitsubishi logo transparent and Mitsubishi logo hd versions for reference. The stable design makes these assets valuable for design research and brand study. Mitsubishi logo images consistently feature the three red diamonds as the central element across all eras.

The brand legacy centers on the continuity of the Mitsubishi symbol from traditional Japanese shipping conglomerate to global automotive manufacturer. This consistency reinforces the values established by Yataro Iwasaki in 1870. The three diamonds continue to communicate reliability and integrity in the current market.