Toyota’s logo introduced in October 1989 features three overlapping ovals.
The emblem consists of one large outer oval surrounding two smaller ovals arranged at right angles. Together, the inner shapes form a stylized “T,” while the complete design also resembles the word Toyota. The company introduced the worldwide logo to mark its 50th anniversary and to distinguish Toyota from the newly launched Lexus luxury brand.
Toyota assigns symbolic meanings to the shapes. The two perpendicular inner ovals represent the relationship and trust between the customer and the company. The larger oval surrounding them represents Toyota’s global reach, technological expansion, and future potential.
The logo’s introduction is sometimes dated incorrectly to the company’s earliest years. Toyota used earlier emblems and wordmarks, and the “TOYOTA” wordmark had already been in use since 1977. The three-oval emblem began appearing on printed materials, advertising, dealer signs, and most vehicles in 1990, after its October 1989 introduction.