- Mazda’s new logo sheds 3D elements for a flat design optimized for smartphones.
- The updated emblem may debut ahead of Mazda’s 105th anniversary on January 30.
- Depending on the application, the new logo may coexist alongside the current design.
Mazda is hitting the refresh button on its branding for the first time in 28 years with a new logo, opting for a flatter, more streamlined design reportedly optimized for smartphones and digital displays. This update marks the most significant redesign since the debut of the seagull-inspired “M” logo in 1997, a hallmark of Mazda’s identity for nearly three decades.
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While Mazda hasn’t officially rolled out the new emblem yet (its social media still flaunts the current design), multiple Japanese news outlets including Nikkei confirm the change is happening. A formal announcement is expected as early as today, though it’s worth noting that the company’s 105th anniversary falls on January 30th, so the reveal might be timed for that occasion. It’s also rumored that the updated logo may coexist with the current design, depending on its application.
A Streamlined Look for a Digital World
The new simplified design first appeared online in July 2024 when Mazda trademarked it with the Japan Patent Office. Despite shedding the metallic texture, sharp edges, and layered depth of its predecessor, the logo remains unmistakably Mazda. The automaker claims the flatter emblem looks sharper on smartphone screens and laptops, though they haven’t elaborated much beyond that.
Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice some subtle but deliberate tweaks. The outer shape has been smoothed into a slightly more rounded form, while the once-curved seagull wings now feature crisp, straight lines. The black-on-white color scheme creates a clean, high-contrast aesthetic, though it lacks the dimensional highlights and shadows that gave the old design its polished, three-dimensional flair.
The Japanese automaker was founded on January 30, 1920, but didn’t produce its first vehicle (a three-wheeled truck) until 1931. Its first passenger car, the Mazda R360 Coupe, followed in 1960. The company’s original logo featured a milling cutter, which was later replaced by various iterations of Mazda lettering. The simplified font debuted in 1975, followed by a diamond-shaped logo in 1991 and the seagull-inspired wings in 1997.
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Mazda’s redesign isn’t happening in a vacuum; it’s part of a broader industry trend toward flat, simplified logos among big corporations. Several automakers have adopted simplified versions of their emblems over the past few years, including VW, Audi, Mini, BMW, Volvo, Lotus, Citroen, Renault, Nissan, Ford, Buick, Lancia, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Geely, and Jaguar.
It remains to be seen when the new Mazda emblem will be applied to future production models. The Mazda EZ-6 sedan that was unveiled in 2024 featured an illuminated version of the emblem without shadows or highlights, although it retained the curved wings of the outgoing design.
