The Mercedes-Benz Logo, Explained

While there have been updates and refinements through the years, for the most part, the Mercedes-Benz logo you see on vehicles in Orange County and Aliso Viejo has remained unchanged at its core, with the Mercedes-Benz 3-pointed star at its center. What is the Mercedes-Benz logo meaning? How about the Mercedes-Benz AMG® logo? Join Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel in taking a dive into Mercedes-Benz history. 

The Mercedes-Benz Logo History

Gottlieb Daimler founded the company that would become Mercedes-Benz back in 1890. Although Wilhelm Maybach and Emil Jellinek took over the company (then called Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, or DMG) in 1890, Daimler’s sons Paul and Adolf would stay involved for years to come.

In 1909, the two brothers must have been reflecting on their heritage when they recalled a postcard, sent by their father in 1872, which marked the location of their home with a distinctive 3-pointed star. In the same year, DMG acquired the logo and began emblazoning it on all of its vehicles. 

Although it was initially colored in blue, the image was revised with a laurel border in 1926. The color of the Mercedes-Benz 3-pointed star was only changed to silver in 1934.

The Mercedes-Benz Logo Meaning

As can be ascertained from the story above, the Mercedes-Benz logo is a reminder of the company’s heritage–beginning with the dream of one man, who wanted to engineer the ultimate performance vehicles.

Is the Mercedes-Benz logo meaning simply a marker of the Daimler sons’ filial piety, or is there a deeper story to be told? It depends in part on who you ask, but according to Mercedes-Benz officials, there’s still more to be said:

• The Mercedes-Benz 3-pointed star refers to the company’s drive for universal motorization! Each point on the star represents an environment–Land, Sea, or Air–which the Daimler brothers believed that their company would one day conquer.

In fact, we think that this symbolic importance may have been what attracted the Daimler brothers to their father’s 3-pointed star in the first place!

What About the Mercedes-Benz AMG® Logo? 

At first glance, the Mercedes-Benz AMG® logo might appear even more cryptic, like something derived from a treasure map or adopted from an ancient secret society. The truth is hardly so esoteric: 

• The right side of the Mercedes-Benz AMG® logo depicts a cam, valve, and valve spring. Quite naturally, these crucial engine components symbolize the passion for engineering that goes into every Mercedes-Benz AMG® engine.
• The left side of the Mercedes-Benz AMG® emblem depicts an apple tree, or more precisely, an apple tree located along a river. This is the historic coat of arms of the town of Affalterbach, Germany, where the Mercedes-Benz AMG® headquarters is located.

Learn More About Mercedes-Benz Vehicles with Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel!

Now that you know the Mercedes-Benz logo meaning the next time you see it in San Juan Capistrano, what else would you like to know about our favorite automotive brand? Our team at Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel loves to discuss all things Mercedes-Benz. Contact us or stop by our showroom with your questions. You can also access our Mercedes-Benz information hub, where you’ll find a large collection of articles with the latest Mercedes-Benz information, like updates on trim levels and prices along with warranty information and so much more.