BMW

BMW

BMW
Name:BMW
Year of foundation:1916
Founders:Karl Friedrich RappCamillo Castiglioni
Who owns:FwbBMWISE:BMW
Location: GermanyMunich
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Body type: SUVHatchbackSedanConvertibleEstateMinivanCoupeLiftback

BMW

History of the BMW car brand

Contents FounderEmblemCar history in modelsQuestions and answers: Among the most famous automobile manufacturers, whose products are respected all over the world, is BMW. The company is engaged in the production of passenger cars, crossovers, sports cars and motor vehicles. The brand is headquartered in Germany - the city of Munich. Today, the group includes such well-known brands as Mini, as well as the premium division for the production of luxury cars - Rolls-Royce. The company's influence extends all over the world. Today it is included in the list of the three leading automotive companies in Europe, which specialize in exclusive and premium cars. How did a small factory for the creation of motors for aircraft manage to climb almost to the very top of the "Olympus" in the world of automakers? Here is his story. Founder It all started in 1913 with the creation of a small enterprise with a narrow specialization. The company was founded by Gustav Otto, the son of an inventor who made a significant contribution to the development of the internal combustion engine. The production of aircraft engines at that time was in demand, given the conditions of the First World War. In those years, Karl Rapp and Gustav decided to create a joint company. It was a combined enterprise, which consisted of two small firms that existed a little earlier. In 1917, they registered the company bmw, the abbreviation of which was deciphered very simply - the Bavarian Motor Plant. From this moment begins the history of the already well-known automaker. The company was still engaged in the manufacture of power units for German aviation. However, everything changed with the entry into force of the Treaty of Versailles. The problem was that Germany, under the terms of the Treaty, was forbidden to create such products. At that time, it was the only niche in which the brand developed. To save the company, employees decided to change its profile. Since that moment, they have been developing motors for motorcycle transport. After a short period of time, they expanded the scope of activities, and began to create their own motorcycles. The first model rolled off the assembly line in 1923. It was an R32 two-wheeler. The motorcycle fell in love with the public, not only because of the quality assembly, but by and large due to the fact that it was the first BMW motorcycle to set a world record. One of the modifications of this series, which was driven by Ernst Henne, overcame the milestone of 279,5 kilometers per hour. No one could take this bar for the next 14 years. Another world record belongs to the development of an aircraft engine, Motor4. In order not to violate the terms of the peace treaty, this power unit was created in other parts of Europe. This ICE was installed on an aircraft that in 19 overcame the maximum altitude limit for production models - 9760m. Impressed by the reliability of this model of the unit, Soviet Russia concludes an agreement on the creation of the latest motors for it. The 30s of the 19th century are known for the flights of Russian aircraft over record distances, and the merit of this is precisely the internal combustion engine of the Bavarians. Already in the early 1940s, the company had already acquired a good reputation, however, as in the case of other car companies, this manufacturer suffered serious losses due to the outbreak of World War II. So, the production of aircraft engines gradually expanded with the development of high-speed and reliable motorcycles. The time has come for the brand to expand even further, and become an automobile manufacturer. But before going through the main historical milestones of the company, which left their mark on car models, it is worth paying attention to the brand emblem. Emblem Initially, when the company was created, the partners did not even think about developing their own logo. There was no need for this, since only one structure used the products - the German military forces. There was no need to somehow distinguish their products from competitors, since there were no rivals at that time. However, when a brand was registered, management needed to specify a specific logo. It didn't take long to think. It was decided to leave the Rapp factory label, but instead of the previous inscription, three gloriously famous bmw letters in a golden edging were placed in a circle. The inner circle was divided into 4 sectors - two white and two blue. These colors allude to the origin of the company, as they belong to the symbolism of Bavaria. The first advertisement of the company had the image of a flying aircraft with a rotating propeller, and the inscription BMW was placed along the rim of the resulting circle. This poster was created in order to advertise a new aircraft engine - the main profile of the company. From 1929 to 1942, only product users associated the spinning propeller with the company logo. Then the company's management officially confirmed this connection. Since the creation of the emblem, its design has not changed as dramatically as it was the case with other manufacturers, such as Dodge, as described a little earlier. The company's specialists do not refute the idea that the BMW logo today has a direct connection with the symbol of a rotating propeller, but at the same time does not confirm it. The history of the car in models The automotive history of the concern begins in 1928, when the company's management decides to buy several car factories in Thuringia. Together with the production facilities, the company also received licenses for the production of the small car Dixi (an analogue of the English Austin 7). This turned out to be a wise investment, as a small car came in handy during a period of financial instability. Buyers were more interested in just such models that allowed them to move comfortably, but at the same time did not consume so much fuel. 1933 - is considered the starting point in the production of cars on its own platform. The 328 acquires the famous distinctive element still present in all cars of Bavarian origin - the so-called grille nostrils. The sports car turned out to be so effective that all other products of the brand began to receive the status of reliable, stylish and fast cars by default. Under the hood of the model was a 6-cylinder engine, with a cylinder head made of light-alloy material and a modified gas distribution mechanism. 1938 - a power unit (52), created under license from Pratt, called Whitney, is installed on the Junkers Yu132 model. At the same time, a sports motorcycle comes off the assembly line, the maximum speed of which was 210 kilometers per hour. The following year, the racer G. Mayer. 1951 - after a long and difficult period of recovery after the war, the first post-war car model is released - 501. But it was a failed series that remained in the historical archives. 1955 - The company again expands the line of motorcycle models with improved chassis. In the same year, a certain hybrid of a motorcycle and a car appeared - Isetta. This idea was again received with enthusiasm, as the manufacturer provided affordable mechanical vehicles to the poor. In the same period, the company, anticipating the rapid growth of popularity, is focusing its efforts on the creation of limousines. However, this idea almost leads the concern to collapse. The brand barely manages to avoid being taken over by another concern - Mercedes-Benz. For the third time, the company starts almost from scratch. 1956 - the appearance of the iconic car - model 507. An aluminum cylinder block for 8 “bowlers”, the volume of which was 3,2 liters, was used as the power unit of the roadster. A 150-horsepower engine accelerated the sports car to 220 kilometers per hour. It was a limited edition - in three years only 252 cars rolled off the assembly line, which are still the desired prey for any car collector. 1959 - the release of another successful model - 700, which was equipped with air cooling. 1962 - The appearance of the next sports car (model 1500) delighted the world of motorists so much that the factories did not have time to fulfill pre-orders for the car. 1966 - the concern revives a tradition that had to be forgotten for many years - 6-cylinder engines. The BMW 1600-2 appears, on the basis of which all models were built until 2002. 1968 - The company introduces the 2500 and 2800 large sedans. Thanks to successful developments, the 60s turned out to be the most profitable for the concern for the entire existence of the brand (until the beginning of the 70s). 1970 - In the first half of the decade, the auto world receives a third, fifth, sixth and seventh series. Starting with the 5-Series, the automaker expands its activities, releasing not only sports cars, but also comfortable luxury sedans. 1973 - the company releases the then invincible 3.0 csl car, equipped with advanced developments of Bavarian engineers. The car took 6 European championships. Its power unit was equipped with a special gas distribution mechanism, in which there were two intake and exhaust valves per cylinder. The brake system received an unprecedented ABS system (what is its peculiarity, read in a separate review). 1986 - another breakthrough takes place in the world of motorsport - the new M3 sports car appears. The car was used both for highway circuit racing and as a road version for ordinary motorists. 1987 - The Bavarian model wins the main prize in the circuit races of the World Championship. The pilot of the car is Roberto Raviglia. For the next 5 years, the model did not allow other automakers to establish their own racing rhythm. 1987 - Another car appears, but this time it was the Z-1 roadster. 1990 - Release of the 850i, which was equipped with a 12-cylinder power unit with electronic regulation of the internal combustion engine power. 1991 - German reunification contributes to the birth of BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH. The company remembers its roots, and creates another aircraft engine BR700. 1994 - the concern acquires the Rover industrial group, and with it it manages to absorb a huge complex in England, specializing in the production of the MG, Rover, and Land Rover brands. With this lucrative deal, the company is further expanding its product portfolio to include SUVs and ultra-compact city cars. 1995 - Autoworld receives a touring version of the 3-Series. A feature of the car was a completely aluminum chassis. 1996 - The Z3 7-Series gets a diesel powertrain. The story repeats with the 1500th model of 1962 - production facilities can not cope with orders for a car from buyers. 1997 - motorcyclists saw a special and truly unique road bike model - 1200 C. The model was equipped with the largest boxer engine (1,17 liters). In the same year, a roadster, classic in every sense of the word, appeared - the open sports car BMW M. 1999 - start of sales of the car for outdoor activities - X5. 1999 - Fans of elegant sports cars receive a magnificent model - the Z8. 1999 - The Frankfurt Motor Show unveils the futuristic Z9 GT concept car. 2004 - the start of the sale of the 116i model, under the hood of which there was an internal combustion engine of 1,6 liters and a capacity of 115 hp. 2006 - at an automobile exhibition, the company introduces the audience to the M6 ​​convertible, which received an internal combustion engine for 10 cylinders, a 7-position SMG sequential transmission. The milestone of 100 km / h was able to take the car in 4,8 seconds. 2007-2015 the collection is gradually replenished with modern models of the first, second and third series. Over the next decades, the automotive giant has been upgrading existing models, annually introducing new generations or facelift options. Innovative technologies for active and passive safety are also gradually being introduced. The production facilities of the company use only manual labor. This is one of the few companies that does not use a robotic conveyor. And here is a short video presentation of the concept of an unmanned vehicle from the Bavarian concern: Questions and Answers: Who is in the BMW Group? Leading world brands: BMW, BMW Motorrad, Mini, Rolls-Royce. In addition to the manufacture of power units and various vehicles, the company provides financial services. In which city is the BMW produced? Germany: Dingolfing, Regensburg, Leipzig. Austria: Graz. Russia, Kaliningrad. Mexico: San Luis Potosi.

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