--- title: "Aston Martin Is Dragging Part-Owner Geely Back to Court Over a Logo With Wings" date: "2026-04-17" modified: "2026-04-17" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/aston-martin-is-dragging-part-owner-geely-back-to-court-over-a-logo-with-wings" categories: - "Aston Martin News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Aston Martin" --- # Aston Martin Is Dragging Part-Owner Geely Back to Court Over a Logo With Wings ![Aston Martin and London EV Company logos.]() *Aston Martin and London EV Company logos. \Aston Martin, London EV Company\* Business is a funny thing. There inevitably comes a point when two parties working together for any length of time don't quite see eye-to-eye. It's how you work through those conflicts can sometime spell the difference between success and failure. It's also probably best that this strife plays out behind the scenes, rather than in the public eye—and especially not in a lawsuit. Unfortunately, that's how things have gone for [Aston Martin]() and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, who owns 18% of the famed British automaker. Aston is taking Geely back to court in the U.K., appealing a decision three years earlier that the winged logo for Geely's London electric taxi subsidiary did not infringe upon the luxury brand's famous emblem, which dates back to 1927. The U.K.'s Intellectual Property Office tribunal ultimately decided after Aston's initial claim that winged insignias are quite common in the automotive industry, citing Mini and Bentley as other prominent examples. Now Aston is seeking to overturn that earlier ruling. And, if you ask Geely, which [increased its stake]() in the company the very same year that first decision was handed down, there's nothing to see here. "This is a routine legal process in trademark confirmation and does not represent an unusual or hostile 'legal battle,'" a spokesperson from the Chinese conglomerate, which majority-owns Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus, told *[The Telegraph]()*, adding that the two firms "operate independently" and that such disputes are "common in the normal course of business and commercial brand protection." ![LEVC black cabs seen in London in February.]() *LEVC black cabs seen in London in February. *Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images** Aston's official line, unexpectedly, comes across slightly more terse. "Aston Martin Lagonda does not comment on ongoing legal proceedings," a representative told the paper. "Protecting our brand and intellectual property is a priority for the company, and we will continue to take appropriate steps to safeguard our trade marks in relevant markets." It's not our place to say whether these logos look legally distinct enough; that's a matter for the U.K.'s IP experts. That said, we will contest Geely's comment that none of this is unusual, precisely because of the corporate affiliation. The London EV Company, as it's officially known, dates back to the early 2010s, when Manganese Bronze Holdings, the previous owner of London Taxi International, entered administration. Geely swooped in and formed what is now LEVC, which previously had a winged logo that is [considerably narrower]() than the new proposal that has provoked Aston's ire. All we can do is propose an easy solution: Aston Martin black cabs. Don't say it would never do such a thing; this was the company that gave the world the inexplicable [Cygnet](), after all. *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()