What is the car with 'das-auto' below the Volkswagen logo?
3 Answers
In summary, 'volkswagen' is the trademark of Volkswagen, and 'das-auto' is just an advertising slogan. Below is some relevant information about Volkswagen: 1. Volkswagen (German: Volks-Wagenwerk), meaning 'the people's car', has undergone several changes in its logo history. 2. From Jetta, Rapid, to Sagitar, Golf, Magotan, and Tiguan, these models have been experienced to varying degrees. Some key highlights about Volkswagen include: oil consumption, turbocharging, EA211, EA888, and DSG dual-clutch transmission.
I used to always notice my neighbor's car with 'das auto' printed under the emblem in the parking lot, so I did some research. This was actually Volkswagen's former unified slogan, meaning 'the car' in German. Volkswagen intended this design to convey that they represent the pure spirit of automobiles, not referring to any specific model. If you see this small line of text under the emblem, it's definitely a Volkswagen vehicle manufactured before 2015—models like the Jetta and Passat all carried this badge. Interestingly, after the emissions scandal, Volkswagen globally replaced it with the new slogan 'Volkswagen' in 2016, so you won't find it on newer cars now. As for differences, the font on top-tier models might be more refined, but essentially, it's still just a brand identifier.
When studying the history of automotive brands, I paid special attention to this detail. Volkswagen's 'das auto' was a brand slogan used between 2007 and 2015, which literally translates to 'this is the car.' It was originally intended to strengthen brand recognition, equivalent to engraving the advertising tagline on the car body. All mass-produced models during that period carried it, such as my Golf 6, which has it on the rear. Interestingly, this design only lasted for 8 years before being replaced by a pure letter logo as part of an image revamp. Nowadays, in the used car market, Volkswagens with the 'das auto' badge have become a mark of that era—those in the know can immediately tell it's an older model from around 2010.
