Berliet Logo

Berliet History and Milestones

Berliet was founded in 1899 by Marius Berliet in Vénissieux near Lyon, France. The company initially focused on high-quality automobiles before shifting toward heavy-duty commercial vehicles. It played a significant role as a major supplier of trucks during World War II.

Ownership changes shaped the later decades of the brand. The company remained under private ownership until 1967. It was acquired by Citroën in 1968, then by Renault in 1974. In 1978 Berliet merged with Saviem to create Renault Trucks, and the Berliet marque was officially phased out by 1980.

Berliet Logo Evolution

1. 1899
2. 1930s–1950s
3. 1950s

1899 – circa 1930: Elegant Script Logo

The first Berliet logo reflected the company's early emphasis on luxury and quality automobiles. This graceful script design conveyed elegance and craftsmanship during the initial decades of car manufacturing.

• Design: Graceful cursive typeface with all letters interconnected
• Colors: Monochrome with high stroke contrast
• Changes: Horizontal line running above the lowercase letters
• Context: Used while Berliet produced high-quality cars

Circa 1930s – 1950s: Train in Circle Logo

During this period the Berliet symbol shifted to reflect the company's growing focus on heavy commercial vehicles. The train imagery symbolized progress and strength as Berliet moved away from luxury cars.

• Design: Drawing of the front of a train inside a circle with curved brand name above
• Colors: Blue circle with golden outline and dark blue lettering
• Changes: Strict sans-serif font with thin golden outline
• Context: Marked the transition to heavy-duty truck and commercial vehicle production

1950s/1960s – 1978: Abstract Train Symbol Logo

The final Berliet logo simplified the previous train motif into a bold geometric form. This abstract design maintained the industrial character of the brand until its discontinuation.

• Design: Geometric circle with downward-pointing triangle and vertical rectangle representing a smoke pipe
• Colors: Thick black outlines on simplified shapes
• Changes: Abstracted and stylized from the earlier train drawing
• Context: Served as the last emblem until the 1978 merger and brand phase-out

The Berliet logo history demonstrates how visual identity evolved alongside the manufacturer’s shift from luxury automobiles to heavy industrial vehicles. Each stage of the Berliet emblem reflected the company’s changing business focus while retaining core symbolism around strength and progress. The abstract train symbol remained in use through the company’s final years under Citroën and Renault ownership until the Berliet name disappeared in 1980.