Did the Volvo logo change?

Those apparently experiencing the Mass Memory Discrepancy Effect remember the Volvo symbol as a simple circle, yet all references to it today show the male "arrow" has been added pointing to the upper right hand corner.

The waters are muddied with this one. On their hubcaps, the logo didn't have the arrow until 2006.

It also is interesting to note the arrow is also the symbol for iron, so any kind of sexism reference might be misguided.

On a general point, arguing that companies tinker with their brand logos is always suspect. Volvo are over a hundred years old. Their instant brand recognition is of utmost importance to them, so claiming they changed their logo when it's been out there in the public consciousness for decades, without any major fanfare, is a lot to take in.

Car logos

The other well-known Mandela Effects when it comes to car logos is the curly pig-tail in the Ford logo and the gap in the Volkswagon logo.

It's been pointed out that the Nissan logo is structurally very similar to the Volvo one, in that both are outer circles with a central horizontal bar running through it, and at first glance they could be confused.

Most people associate the arrow with the male symbol, but it's actually also the one for iron, and Volvo would be quick to point out the gender neutrality of their products.

Iron, Mars & the Roman Empire

Volvo explains in detail on their website:

At the same time as VOLVO was reactivated, the ancient chemical symbol for iron, a circle with an arrow pointing diagonally upwards to the right, was adopted as a logotype.
This is one of the oldest and most common ideograms in Western culture and originally stood for the planet Mars in the Roman Empire. Because it also symbolised the Roman god of warfare, Mars, and the masculine gender (as every bird-watcher can tell), an early relationship was established between the Mars symbol and the metal from which most weapons were made at the time, iron.
As such, the ideogram has long been the symbol of the iron industry, not least in Sweden. The iron badge on the car was supposed to take up this symbolism and create associations with the honoured traditions of the Swedish iron industry: steel and strength with properties such as safety, quality and durability. The new car also got its name VOLVO written in its own typeface, Egyptian.
Today, the iron logo also stands for a brand that radiates modern and exciting design and has a strong emotive connection with the customers.

-- Volvo

Of course, this explanation won't wash with those who are certain it never had one since they claim to have a "dual memory" of both situations.