What's that logo (automotive)

April 19, 2023 9:05 PM

I've noticed this logo occasionally. Using Miata's as a starting point, imagine that Miata seagull-swoosh rotated 90° and overlying an ellipse, like the Hyundai logo, or Toyota's. So now it resembles a capital "R", maybe? What kind of car?
posted by Rash to Grab Bag (7 answers total)

Response by poster: Er, I guess my starting point is the Mazda logo (Miata being a type of Mazda).
posted by Rash at 9:08 PM on April 19, 2023

Could this help?
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 9:11 PM on April 19, 2023

Response by poster: Very comprehensive, a good reference; but I don't see it there. It must be something special?
posted by Rash at 9:30 PM on April 19, 2023

Best answer: Bet it's the Korean Kia logo.
posted by rodlymight at 9:43 PM on April 19, 2023 [3 favorites]

(FWIW, rebadging American-market Kias is a thing.)
posted by box at 5:21 AM on April 20, 2023

Response by poster: So these aren't domestic-market KIAs which have somehow found their way to California; rather, they're export models modified by their owners (because that older? KIA logo is more attractive).
posted by Rash at 9:32 AM on April 20, 2023

Best answer: There's probably a non-zero number of KDM (Korean Domestic Market) Kias in California, but I would guess that the vast majority of cars that you see with those badges are American-market Kias whose owners prefer the Korean-market logo to either the old (KIɅ) or new (Kia Inch Nails) American ones.
posted by box at 10:00 AM on April 20, 2023 [1 favorite]