How Many Types of Honda Logos Are There?
3 Answers
There is only one type of Honda logo. Here is the relevant information: 1. The 'H' is the graphical trademark for Honda automobiles and motorcycles, representing the first capitalized letter of 'Honda' in Japanese. The 'H' logo, a world-famous trademark, is the foundation of Honda's business and the soul of its success. 2. In 1969, Honda used a vertically elongated 'H' logo to emphasize the image of an eagle. In 1980, to reflect the company's youthfulness, technological advancement, and innovative design, Honda decided to adopt an 'H' logo resembling a three-stringed speaker, which vividly embodies technological innovation, unity, strong management, tension, and a sense of ease.
As a long-time Honda enthusiast, I've been collecting car models since the 1980s, and Honda's logo has indeed undergone several changes. The original 1961 version featured an H letter with small wings, giving it a very retro feel; after the redesign in 1969, it was simplified into the standard H logo we commonly see today, with a horizontal bar in the middle. Then, around 2000, it underwent minor adjustments, such as a more rounded outline or thicker lines. So, the core logo can roughly be divided into three main historical versions, each officially used by Honda. Additionally, there are special designs on limited-edition sports cars or track versions, like those incorporating carbon fiber elements, but these aren't part of the regular lineup. If you delve deeper, you'll find that these variations never stray from the brand's spirit—simple and practical—as Honda has always stuck with this H letter to represent its reliability. Overall, there's basically one logo for everyday models, but from a collector's perspective, there are two or three common variants.
I work in automotive design, and Honda's logo is a classic example of industrial design in my view. The standard version is that H-letter symbol with internal crossbar design, which has undergone only minor iterations over the years: the thicker lines from 1969, refined lines after 1980, and further optimized rounded corners in 2010. This essentially means there are two main forms of mainstream design—the classic and modern versions. Globally, the logo remains largely consistent, though high-performance models or modified editions occasionally feature red borders or matte finishes for visual variation. Honda conveys efficiency and safety through the logo's simplicity, with each variant receiving only subtle tweaks rather than major overhauls. If you're an owner, noticing the subtle differences in the front emblem can reveal the model year—a clever design strategy that preserves brand DNA while staying contemporary.
