What's the reason behind car manufacturer's putting the car make badge on the steering wheel?

Question

The steering wheels of most cars have the car make's logo on the centre of the steering wheel - what is the reasoning behind this?

Answer 1

In the early days, manufacturers put their logos only on or near the radiators, so that passers-by would see the mfr's name, and, hopefully, yearn to keep up with the Joneses, and purchase that mfr's vehicle, too! Since there were few cars around, there was no need to plaster the logo all over the vehicle (i.e., the only one behind you was the dairy guy in the horsedrawn carriage, and he probably couldn't afford the consarned thing!). ;)

Furthermore, it was expensive to fabricate logos, which were pretty much for snob appeal only (both the mfr and the owner), since they served no other function (and still don't!). Granted, some vehicles cleverly used their logos as radio buttons or other control buttons or in the headlights, etc., but, that was pretty pricey to do back then, which was paid for by - - guess who? - - the consumer!

Over the years, the assembly line made it easier, faster, and cheaper to produce cars, so the logo (mostly made of cheap plastic, now) was plastered on the front, back, and sides of the vehicle, inside and out! Most steering wheels had a metal spoke and hub, so it was natural to put the logo where most people would first look when "peeking" into someone else's car! The notion carries through, today, even on vinyl and leather clad steering wheels.

Also, consider that many people rent cars, and might fancy them over their current clunker! What better way to keep your product in the consumer's mind than to put it right smack in front of his or her face? Of course, considering how common the automobile is, today, and, especially, how so few vehicles stand-out, physically, from the others (i.e., if you've seen one egg-shaped car, you've seen 'em all!), having logos festooned all over the place is almost as pointless an endeavor as trying to remember what you had for dinner, last night! And, quite frankly, some of the logos are so similar, these days, that I can't tell one from another!

Answer 2

Why not? It's no different that putting the brand logo on the fender or trunk lid...

Answer 3

Since it won't stick to the inside of the windshield, where else would you expect to find the corporate logo and/or the make vehicle you're driving? Thanks for asking. Good luck!

Answer 4

Branding the more you see it the more you'll keep it in mind for next purchase or service

Answer 5

looks good