An illuminated exterior decorative device for vehicles includes a decorative part and an illuminating part. The illuminating part illuminates the decorative part from behind and includes a light source and a light diffusion portion. The light source of the illuminating part is embedded in the light diffusion portion. The light diffusion portion of the illuminating part is optically transmissive, preferably transparent. The light source is disposed along the edge of the decorative part. The light source includes a plurality of light emitting device (LED). The illuminating part has substantially the same pattern as the decorative part. The decorative part may be provided as metal coating on the illuminating part.