Here in Asia Leica is sold in high end fashion malls, not in the photography equipment or electronics area of town. In fact in Japan there's a Leica counter in the men's fashion accessories area of Mitsukoshi Mens in Ginza. In Hong Kong there's one in Harbour City, a high end fashion mall. In Singapore there's one in ION Orchard, another fashion mall. Where as if you want any other brand of camera in all those cities you go to the electronics area of town. Akihabara or Shinjuku's Yodobashi Camera in Japan, Mong Kok in HK, Sim Lim or Funan Digitallife Mall in SG

In other words, Leica themselves are positioning their cameras as fashion accessories. Something to show you have $$$$$$

I notice the more serious Leica shooters, especially street photogs, tape the lettering. Probably to stay inconspicuous to both their subjects and watchful thieves. IIRC, Leica has a couple of recent models where the red dot has been removed from the face of the camera.

I'm guessing most status shooters leave the face untouched to show the world that they're using a Leica.

Taping the logo is an anti-theft measure.