Why Do Some Toyotas Have Gold Emblems

If you consider getting a Toyota, you might have noticed that each model has a distinctive design. However, you might have also seen that some of the same models do not have the same emblems or logos on them. That might have got you wondering why some Toyotas have gold emblems.

Most of the Toyotas that have gold badges are from Japan. Japanese love to add a special touch to their creations with a hint of gold. And that is why some Toyotas have gold emblems instead of silver emblems.

So, what about the logos? Why do some Toyotas have different logos on them? Well, stick with the discussion if you want to know why as an independent Toyota enthusiast.

About Aftermarket Toyota Emblems

If you did not have the luck to get your Toyota from Japanese factories, you do not have to be bummed about not having a gold logo. You can easily get yourself an aftermarket replacement.

These aftermarket emblems will have the exact dimensions and look like the factory ones. That means no one can tell whether you have installed the emblem by yourself. In fact, if you do a proper job of installing the logo, it will look better than the factory installation.

However, you need to note one thing. Some of the gold emblems that come with Toyotas have genuine gold plating. That means the emblem is not mimicking gold with shiny color coatings. Instead, they have real gold plating on them. In most cases, the real gold plating will be 24 carats.

But how can you tell whether the gold-plated emblem on your Toyota has actual gold on it or not? Check the papers that come with your vehicle. There should be instructions on taking care of the gold-plated emblem to keep the looks intact for a prolonged time.

That said, most of the aftermarket gold emblems for Toyota will not come with real gold plating. Instead, they will have a gold color coating that will mimic real gold plating in a cheap metal.

Why Do Some Toyotas Have Gold Emblems

Before anything else, you need to understand that there is no difference between a Toyota model with a gold package and one with a traditional one.

The gold trim is just a decorative piece of the factory accessory. And even though it might make the part of the vehicle look a little different, the type of emblem does not indicate performance levels.

You can get a Toyota with a gold emblem if you want. All you need to do is ask the dealer to get the factory’s gold emblem. So, there is nothing special about the gold-plated emblems.

Not to mention, you can even purchase a Toyota gold emblem and install it on your vehicle. Yes, there is no need to ask a Toyota factory to provide you with a vehicle that comes with a gold-plated logo.

Now, if you are wondering how to replace or remove the front emblems of Toyotas, check out this video:

Nonetheless, gold-plated emblems are typically standard in the Toyotas that are from Japan. As mentioned, the Japanese love to add a decorative touch to their belongings with gold. And the case is pretty much the same for the Toyota vehicles from Japan.

Why Should You Add Emblems to Your Toyota?

So, what is up with adding emblems to your ride anyway? Although they might not seem like much, they do bring a couple of advantages to the table. Here is a brief description of some of them:

Emblems Allow You to Customize Your Vehicle

Getting an aftermarket emblem is one of the easiest ways to customize the outlook of your vehicle. You do not have to go through too many steps to install, nor do you need to be a DIY expert. All you need to do is prepare the surface and install them.

Creates Brand Awareness

You do not have to stick with big brands for the emblems. If you own a business, you can make your emblem and attach it to your car. Through that, you can take your branding to the next level. It might catch the eyes of the people who walk or drive past your car.

Advertisement for Special Events

Talking of making your emblem, it is not strictly for your business. If you are thinking of hosting a special event, you can advertise it through the emblem.

If you have a cool-looking design, you can give some emblems to your friends and family. When you put them in their vehicle, your event can get a better overall reach.

Emblems are Highly Affordable

Whether you plan to get an emblem or make your own, you do not have to worry about breaking your wallet. Both aftermarket and customized emblems are highly affordable. So, you could say that installing emblems is one of the cheapest ways to pimp your ride.

Why Are There Different Logos in Toyota Cars?

Most of the JDM Toyota cars have a different logo. The reason behind that is Toyota operates many different parallel dealerships in Japan. Each dealership has a unique logo, which makes its way to the vehicle’s final design. You can think of it as leaving a mark on the vehicle.

However, this is not a new thing. It is something that the dealerships have been doing since the mid-1950s. For that reason, so many Toyotas out there do not have the same logos due to the different choices of many dealers.

So, if you see the same model Toyota as yours but with a different type of logo, it is not because that vehicle is a more pimped-up version than yours. Instead, it is because that specific vehicle is from a different dealership than yours.

Analysis of the Present Toyota Logo

So, what does the Toyota logo mean? The logo in the Toyota cars today came into existence in October 1989. The brand made a fresh new design to its logo to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Yes, Toyota is that old.

Nonetheless, the team behind the logo worked on the design for about five years. Why did they bother to put so much effort into a simple logo? Well, it might look simple, but it is not.

The brand needed to adopt a logo that was a suitable fit for the rising profile of the brand in foreign nations. At its core, the logo had two motivating factors. And they are:

• Create a strong visual impact logo that stands out from the other logos.
• To ensure that anyone can tell that the vehicle is from Toyota by looking at the logo from a distance.

The Three Ovals of the Current Logo

Looking closely at the current logo, you will notice three ovals. They are combined in a horizontal symmetrical setup. However, by inspecting the logo a little closely, you can see that there are two ovals inside a large oval. These two ovals are the heart of the company and the heart of the customer.

So, why are the ovals overlapped? These are to represent that the company and customers have trust in each other. Also, it states the mutually beneficial relationship between the customer and the manufacturer.

However, at first glance, you might think that the two perpendicular ovals represent the letter “T.” You would not be wrong to think that, as the design intends to display the brand’s first letter.

Additionally, the whole logo might seem like a steering wheel. Again, the logo intends that as well. The steering wheel represents the vehicle itself. What about the outer oval? It represents the world that is embracing Toyota.

Like the brush art in Japanese culture, each oval has a different stroke thickness. Also, the space that is in the background is intentional. It exhibits the infinite values that the brand wishes to convey to the customers. And the infinite values include:

• Integrity in safety
• Innovation
• Value beyond expectation
• Superb quality
• Joy of driving
• Social responsibility

History of the “Toyota”

Did you know that Toyota was once known as Toyoda? Yes! The current name stems from the family name of the company’s founder, Sakici, “Toyoda.” All the early models that the manufacturer produced were sold with the original Toyoda emblem.

In 1939, the brand ran a public competition to design a new logo. That led to the change of the brand name. But what does the current name represent? In Japanese, it states voiceless consonant sounds are considered “clearer.”

The number of strokes needed to write Japanese characters also played a role. In Japan, eight strokes are connected to good fortune and wealth. And Toyota, in Japanese letters, has exactly eight strokes.

Besides that, the change in the name also has a role in expanding a small and independent company into a large corporate enterprise.

Toyota Logo Evolution

To give you a fair idea regarding the history Toyota logo, let’s walk through the timeline and check out the evolution of the logo throughout time:

1935 Logo

The original logo came into existence in 1935. It featured the classic name of the company, “Toyoda.” The emblem was reasonably straightforward; it had a sans-serif bold wordmark in the middle of the red and white diamond.

However, even this simple logo was geometric in style. That highlighted the engineering stability and prowess of the brand. What about the diamond shape? It represented the class and excellence of the manufacturer.

One of the interesting facts about the original logo is that the colors are not that different from the shades of the current Toyota emblem. Red and white seem to have become the staple signature of the brand ever since the first logo.

Again, this choice of colors has meaning. The white and red colors represent the brand’s energy, passion, and acceptance.

1949 Logo

A Japanese version of the Toyota logo appeared in 1949. On this logo, there is no diamond-shaped background. Instead, the Japanese logo came with a bold red circle. However, on this logo, the middle had Japanese letters that stated Toyota instead of Toyoda.

That said, the logo change has also greatly impacted the international market. And that is where the company introduced a wordmark in a font. This font is pretty similar to Times New Roman.

1969 Logo

The wordmark of the Toyota logo made an evolution again in 1969. But this time, the logo came with a san-serif design instead of Time New Roman. In comparison, this logo was much more modern than the other logos the brand used back in the day.

Furthermore, there was a custom typeface. It was much similar to Hypersans Heavy in terms of style.

1978 Logo

Another change in logo took place in 1978. This time, Toyota Motor Corporation again embraced the red and white colors. And the wordmark that is present in the 1978 logo is much similar to the one that is present in the logo today. Wondering what the difference between the old logo and the 1978 one was?

Well, the 1978 logo had the iconic brand symbol for the first time. But, when it comes to the font, it was pretty similar to the old logos. However, the 1978 logo had greater spacing and reduced spacing.

1989 Logo

In 1989, Toyota decided to update its logo again. However, the team wanted to work on something more than just the wordmark this time. And this is the logo where the first version of the oval emblem appeared. Compared to this emblem version, very little has changed in the current version.

In some branding campaigns, this Toyota logo appeared alongside the wordmark. However, the brand also used the oval badge on its own.

2006 Logo

The 2006 logo took a modern shift. Toyota updated the logo and made it have silver emblems and a chrome touch. It is the emblem that you see in your car today.

Nonetheless, in this version, the separation of the ovals was much clearer. That made the symbol easy to recognize. However, the wordmark remained in this version. And it was still red.

2019 Logo

The 2019 version of the logo had slight changes. This time, the team refined the contours of the iconic logo. And the brand started not to utilize the wordmark along with the logo. In other words, the company now uses the oval logo on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much will it Cost to Install Aftermarket Emblems?

The cost will vary from one mechanic to another. But in general, you will be looking to spend around $60 to remove the current emblem. And when it comes to the price of getting the new emblem in place, it will depend on the aftermarket option.

• Is Debadging the Vehicle Worth It?

By debadging, you will be removing all the emblems from the vehicle. The debadging method removes common emblems, including the vehicle’s model and the manufacturer’s logo. It can give your vehicle a clean look. But without the emblems, the car can look a little off.

• What are Custom Emblems for Cars Made of?

The custom emblems will primarily be of 100 percent 316 stainless steel. This material is exceptionally versatile, and it has high corrosion resistance. Along with that, the 316 stainless steel is exceptionally durable too.

Final Words

Are you still wondering why do some Toyotas have gold emblems? Toyotas with gold emblems are mainly from Japan. Japanese people like to add a touch of gold to every one of their belonging.

However, not all Japanese Toyotas will come with precious metals like a gold emblem. Some will have regular chrome coloring.