As you probably noticed, new cars often have aesthetic elements that highlight one or more light beams.

This applies, for example, to light strips that now cross the entire trunk of some cars, as, for example, in the case of the recent restyling of the Porsche Macan or Seat Leon. Recently we have also seen the appearance of the famous light grille, which can be seen notably in Skoda with the Enyaq or even in BMW on some high-end models such as the X6.

Light, even on the logo

And soon manufacturers will be able to go even further. Indeed, from 1^Er January 2023, manufacturers have the right to highlight the central logo or two logos on the left and right, on the front grill, as well as on the rear trunk of vehicles. Something that was forbidden in the Old Continent before this date.

This is nothing new, as some models sold in China or North America, including Mercedes, already had logos that illustrate the brand even at night.

This new permit was proposed by France and Germany and was adopted in 2022 by the Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, which depends on the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Cars, a new “advertising” tool?

But why was it banned in Europe before? Simply because it’s not about turning cars into excessive advertising vehicles. Nevertheless, manufacturers will have to follow certain rules: At the moment, only the logo of the car brand can be highlighted, the size of which is limited to 100 cm².

Volkswagen should become one of the first manufacturers to take a decisive step in Europe “from 2023”– said the German manufacturer, while at the Paris Motor Show in October 2022, then at the CES in Las Vegas in early January, Renault, Peugeot or RAM presented concept cars with illuminated logos.

But neither the Stellantis group nor Renault have yet planned a serial production date. Ford also said it was working on it. Equipment manufacturer Valeo confirms that it has already designed “several light up logos for major manufacturers that will be mass produced in the coming months”. One of the other major French equipment manufacturers, Forvia, has also received an order for illuminated logos from 2022.