Audi

Audi is a name synonymous with quality and superior manufacturing - but where did this car come from and how, in its 101 year history, has it become the lauded option for automotive option that it is today?

Audi has origins of existing since 1909 after August Horch was forced out of car manufacturers Horch and set up a competing company in Zwickau. This company was originally called Horch Automobil-Werke GmbH but after a trademark infringement dispute with his previous company (Horch), the company was renamed Audi Automobilwerke GmbH in 1910. Interestingly, Audi is the Latin translation of the word, 'Horch', which would translate to 'hear' in English.

The first Audi car ever manufactured was a 2,612 cc, four cylinder model, which proved to be popular in sporting events. In 1921, Audi became the first German car manufacturer of a production car, the Audi Type K - which was a huge success for the company. Audi also released a six cylinder vehicle in 1924.

Following Horch's departure from Audi in 1920, Jorgen Rasmussen acquired the majority of Audi shares in 1928. In 1932, Audi agreed to merge with Horch, Wanderer and DJW to form Auto Union. Within this, they also created the first European car that combined a six cylinder engine with front-wheel drive. Auto Union vehicles also featured the trademark four rings that are present on Audi cars today.

Unfortunately, due to Germany's involvement in World War II, the Auto Union plants were drastically altered to cater for military production and were consequently heavily bombed. These factories were later dismantled and Germany's Auto Union AG was liquidated. The former Audi factory in Zwickau restarted construction of pre-war models in 1949.

A new Auto Union was launched in Bavaria in 1949 and continued to develop two-stroke engine vehicles. There was, however, no dedicated plant for effective mass production of vehicles. It was only in 1959 that the company were able to construct a plant at the Ingolstadt site.

In 1969, Auto Union merged with NSU, a fellow German manufacturer, who had specialised in motorcycles but aimed for smaller cars. The new company was known as Audi NSU Auto Union AG, seeing Audi as a separate brand since pre-war period. Volkswagen later introduced the USA to the Audio models in 1970.

The first new car was the Audi 100 in 1968, later followed by the Audi 50 in 1972, which would lead to a hugely successful world car. Audi introduced a performance car in 1980, known as the Audi Quattro, which was a great success in rallying. Audi quickly became known as a brand that knew how to develop advances in automotive technology.

In 1985, the official name was shortened to Audi AG, as Auto Union and NSU were effectively dead, becoming the company we now know today.

Audi sales grew rapidly in the 2000s, with particular interest from Eastern Europe and this trend is expected to continue further, with particular success derived from the Audi A4 models. Volkswagen AG currently holds over 99% of the Audi AG share capital.

Today, with a number of 5 star reviews from even the most discerning critics, Audi is an unstoppable brand that represents elegant but functional styling and a monster of an engine in every model.

Car Logo Woes

It just is not right. Car gets burgled and it is an ugly sight, scratches and crowbar marks but, only damage is; the hundred twenty-five dollar hood ornament is taken. Having a five-hundred dollar deductible car insurance carrier is really an awful deal when it comes to this kind of damage to your car. Your psyche takes a hit as well. Your brain walks through scenarios of where you can defend yourself somehow, and after a while coming up with an answer short of parking the car in the garage, and leaving it there forever, is hard to do.

This sort of scenario is not isolated though, throughout the world, car logos are a hot ticket and people go through all sorts of gyrations to possess them. If you can imagine, the main reason for the heist is to adorn themselves with the emblem on a chain or as the centerpiece for a belt buckle. It is for the sake of having jewelry, the possessing of a status symbol, a piece of high roller society that communicates self-indulgence, this has to be a motivator for more earthly delights gotten the same way. Masses being masses will follow and replicate the same for themselves causing ever more pressure to commoditize the very object that needs to be replaced on the car which only serves the manufacturer in identification and branding. I have to pay how much?

How have we come to see ourselves as needing a chain around our necks with car logos attached to them? Seriously, is there not some better way to say you made it than to take the emblem off a car and tie it to your neck? I like Jaguars and Mercedes, but taking the hood ornament and turning it into jewelry is not classy. Are you making a social statement? Get over it and make something of yourself.

Car logos, who would have thought they would be so popular? Next time you are out on the town, see how many people you find that are sporting that type of bling and remember it could be your hood ornament around their neck.

Sports Car Logos

Sports cars are not only a mode of transport but also a status symbol and a factor that distinguishes the middle class from elite. These types of vehicles represent speed, style, luxury and wealth and sports car logos should reflect the same.

If you are trying to create your own high-speed auto company trade mark then you need to use the right fonts, images and colors to make sure that you attract the right kind of clientele.

Below mentioned are a few ideas on the type of fonts, effects and images you should use for the perfect high-speed vehicle corporation logo:

What fonts to use:

Fonts that should be used for auto corporation brand marks should be straight and easily readable. Straight fonts represent professionalism and proficiency while curvy fonts represent illusions and dreams and are mostly associated with the female gender. Since speedy cars are basically created to be a man's toy, the font styles used should be a representation of strength, ability and masculinity. Some font styles that are appropriate for fast cars are Biondi, Copperplate and Verdana.

What images to use:

An idea that never seems to fail is the use of animal attributes to represent the auto manufacturing corporation features. You can use strong and sleek animals like the big cats, hawks or bulls to represent the company. 

Remember, the animal that should be used to represent your business should be intimidating, stylish and powerful like the sports vehicles that they will represent. You can use these animal images in a circle or diamond shapes encircling it but make sure that your design consists of smooth lines and an overall aerodynamic shape to associate with the shapes of the high speed automobile.

What colors to use:

High speed vehicles are usually toys for men so obviously colors like pink and purple would not only decrease sales but also make it a laughing stalk. Almost all car logos that are successful have used black, red, silver and blue colors in their designs. Black is usually known to represent sophistication. Red is a color of energy and enthusiasm much like those fast automobiles. Silver represents justice and purity with a touch of illusion and imagination while blue represents trust worthiness and dependability. Your vehicle business logo should not have more than two central colors with only a minimal touch of more colorful tones if you want to make the design eye catching.

New Cars For 2014

Cars are a staple of Americana. Going all the way back to Henry Ford with his model T and the assembly line that helped define the Industrial Revolution, cars are sewn into the fabric of the American way of thinking. You don't have to re-invent the wheel to sell cars in America but you can certainly tweak and update the models you place them on! That's what several car companies have done with their 2014 models. They are bringing back a classic and really put their best wheel forward in the coming year.

The biggest news is probably the return of the Corvette Stingray. This is one of the vintage designs of Corvette, which isn't exactly known for changing styles. In its storied 60 years of automobile making, only seven generations of Corvette have come about. The Stingray looks all the part of "America's Sports Car" but won't run up the bill on those who enjoy exotic cars. It's price starts at 51,000 and goes 0-60 in a hair under four seconds.

Another design making its return in 2014 is the Jeep Cherokee. This isn't the Cherokees of old, as Jeep has shied away from its normal boxy look and has gone a bit sleeker this time around. It comes with the option of 4 cylinders or V6 and has various versions of four wheel drive.

Some companies are trying to really stretch and redefine the public's perception of their vehicles such as KIA. They will be rolling out a new luxury KIA Cadenza that will be the most expensive KIA yet. The price starts at 35,000. To put that in perspective, the Kia Optima starts at around 21,000 and word around the campfire is that the Cadenza isn't much better in terms of luxury. Time will tell but you can't blame a company for trying!

Also trying to change minds and open more wallets is Toyota with their new Corolla design. They were tired of people thinking their cars are dull or mundane and have given this new model a more streamlined and elegant design. The Corolla is already one of the top selling cars and the model hasn't changed in roughly 4 years but perhaps this new twist will bring an additional demographic to the table.

Finally, one of the big stories in 2014 is the Mercedes S-Class. The car of the future is here and it is comfortable and opulent. It's a car that could practically drive itself. Most people have seen the rear installed cameras that assist in backing out both SUVs and regular sedans but this car has a front camera. The car can react to whatever obstacles lie in your path. It can control suspension and the cruise control can adjust to traffic conditions. You'll still have to pilot the car, but it will assist you more than any care that's not in a science fiction movie. If that's not enough the car also boasts heated seats and armrests as well as perfuming the interior for a truly individual experience.

These are only a few of the new models that are coming out. There are a few other surprises planned in the year yet to be revealed. It will be very exciting to see what lay in store for the auto industry going forward!