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The History and Meaning Behind the International Truck Logo

International Trucks is a leading manufacturer of heavy and medium-duty trucks with a history of over a century. With a commitment to quality and innovation, the company has a presence worldwide and continues to thrive in the trucking and agriculture industries. The company began manufacturing International Trucks in 1909, initially marketed to farmers and has since expanded its reach to various parts of the world. The Rechtien International Trucks team showcases the evolution of the International Trucks logo, depicting the brand’s unique identity over the years. International Trucks has been making waves in the trucking and agriculture industries since 1902, and their reputation for quality and dependability continues to thrive today. At RWC Group, we are proud to carry International Trucks and be a part of their fantastic history.

Brand Overview

 





 

Parent organizations:               Traton, Dusk Inc.

Subsidiaries:                             Navistar Defense LLC, MWM International Motores,

Headquarters:                          Lisle, Illinois, United States

Founded:                                  1902, Chicago, Illinois, United States

President:                                 Persio V. Lisboa

Website:                                    internationaltruck.com

Free Logos download:              PNG&SVG

 





Meaning and history

 

International Harvester was formed in 1902 after the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and the Deering Harvester Company joined forces. The company began manufacturing tractors in 1906 and produced its first truck, the Auto Buggy, the following year. Farmers liked this vehicle because it could easily handle rough terrain and fields.

In 1985, Tenneco, Inc. bought most of International Harvester’s agricultural division and merged it with J.I. Case. This led to the birth of Navistar International Corporation in 1986. The Navistar logo has remained the same since its introduction in 1986. The logo is a simple text-based badge placed above a rhomboid crest with a different style and color palette.

 

Evolution logo of international

Throughout its history, the International Trucks logo has changed and adapted to reflect the growth and evolution of the company. From its humble beginnings in 1902 to today, the logo has undergone numerous changes to keep pace with the times. The first logo was introduced.

In 1902

International Harvester truck company Logo 1902

If you look closely at the logo, you will see that it is a symmetrical monogram created from the first letters of the company name. The letter “I” stands tall in the middle of the letter “H,” which surrounds it in a slightly smaller size. These letters are closed with “C,” almost forming a complete circle. The first two letters represent the company name, “International Harvester,” and are printed in white on the vertical and horizontal strokes of the letters. The last letter, “C,” means “Corporation.”

In 1915

International Harvester truck company Logo 1915

 

It was pretty simple and featured the word “International” in the script. It was seen on sloped nose truck models of the early 20s but disappeared when production ceased.

In 1923

International Harvester truck company Logo 1923

 

The company introduced the “Triple Diamond” logo that kept the word “International” but changed the font to blocky caps and added a blue and white diamond graphic element. Over time, the text on the “International” banner changed size several times, and its pointed edges became more blunt. Initially, this version of the logo was limited to S-Series trucks but became universal by the end of the decade.

In 1938

International Harvester truck company Logo 1938

International Trucks introduced a stylized version of the “Triple Diamond” featuring a distinctive color scheme for the first time. The logo featured a white outer diamond, a blue middle diamond, and black text on a white banner. At the time, two “triple diamond” logo versions were used interchangeably.

 

In 1946

International Harvester truck company Logo 1946

International Truck introduced the simple “Man on Tractor” logo, a red and black version with an uppercase “i” superimposed on an uppercase “H” in block letters. It was initially intended for corporate use and the agricultural division but eventually came to be used by International Harvester Corporation.

 

In 1973

International Harvester truck company Logo 1973

International Truck updated the “Man on Tractor” logo with a subtle and stylish new design. The latest version had more compact design, with curved left and upper right corners on the center bar of the “H” which gave the logo a more dynamic effect.

 

In 1986

International Harvester truck company Logo 1986

International Truck was renamed Navistar, and the occasion called for another logo update. The diamond shape returned this time, and the company adopted separate logos for the Corporation and the International Truck line. The words were printed in black using a font resembling Broadside Heavy Condensed. Next to the words was a black square, but it wasn’t just a plain square. The square had angles that pointed up and down and a white line that started at the bottom and went up, like a road going into the distance. It was a great way to symbolize that the company is about making transportation.

Current logo 2002

International Harvester truck company Logo 2002 to present today 2024

The current International Trucks logo, introduced in 2002, is timeless and was modernized in 2002 with a brighter color palette. The square part of the logo is now bright orange with a black outline. The white line has a black outline that merges with the black outline around the square. A silver frame around the logo complements the banner with the company name. The logo design grabs attention, while the silver elements connect with modern technologies.

Navistar International truck logo symbol and meaning

 The Navistar logo is designed with bold and italicized letters in all caps and a sharp white line running over the first two letters, “A” This line replaces the ” A ” horizontal bars, giving the logo a more vital and sharper look. The blue color of the logo adds a sense of confidence and freshness to the overall design. Additionally, a monochrome version of the logo represents the strength and masculinity of the American brand. When used for Navistar International, the logo is set against a black background over a modern silver badge. The seed has a rhomboid shape with pointed top and bottom angles and rounded side angles. It features an orange body outlined in black with a thin, elongated triangle vertically in black. The medal has a thick silver frame with a light horizontal banner inscribed “INTERNATIONAL” in all caps.

Color and font

The Navistar logo is designed in an all-caps sans-serif font with thick lines and traditional letter shapes. Italic text is based on classic fonts like Helvetica Black Italic and Integral CF Demi Bold Italic but with some modifications.

The international badge is designed with orange, black, and silver, symbolizing masculinity, strength, and energy. They also represent confidence and growth.

 

Conclusion

International Trucks is a well-established and trendy brand in the commercial trucking industry. The company constantly strives to improve itself to meet the rapidly growing demand for performance, safety, reliability, and environmental sustainability. With its constant efforts to adapt to the changing market trends, International Trucks is poised to remain a top name in the industry for years.

 

 

FAQS

What Navistar is known for?

At the heart of their business are trucks and buses. They design, manufacture, and distribute international trucks from class 4 to 8 and buses branded as IC Bus. But they don’t just stop at selling products. Their focus is on providing complete solutions to their customers. They believe their value proposition goes beyond just offering products and towards a more solution-oriented approach.

What country is Navistar?

Navistar, Inc. is an American company founded in 1986 after International Harvester. They have trucks and diesel engines sold under the international brand name.