History of the BMW car brand

Among the most renowned car manufacturers, whose products are respected all over the world, is BMW. The company is engaged in the production of cars, crossovers, sports cars and motor vehicles.

The headquarters of the brand is located in Germany - the city of Munich. Today, the group includes such well-known brands as Mini, as well as the premium luxury car division Rolls-Royce.

The company's influence extends to the whole world. Today it is one of the three leading car companies in Europe that specialize in exclusive and premium cars.

How did a small aircraft engine plant manage to climb almost to the very top of 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 significant contributions to the internal combustion engine.

The production of aircraft engines was in demand at that time, given the conditions of the First World War. In those years, Karl Rapp and Gustav decided to create a common company. It was a combined enterprise, which consisted of two small firms that existed a little earlier.

In 1917, they registered the bmw company, the abbreviation of which was very simply deciphered - Bavarian Motor Plant. From this moment on, the history of the already well-known auto concern begins. The company was still engaged in the manufacture of power units for German aviation.

However, everything changed with the entry into force of the Versailles Treaty. The problem was that Germany, under the terms of the Treaty, was prohibited from creating such products. At that time, it was the only niche in which the brand was developing.

To save the company, employees decided to change its profile. Since then, they have been developing motors for motorcycle vehicles. After a short period of time, they expanded their field of activity and began to create their own motorcycles.

The first model rolled off the assembly line in 1923. It was an R32 two-wheeled vehicle. The public liked the motorcycle not only because of the high-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. Nobody could take this bar over 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 on the plane, which in 19 exceeded the maximum altitude limit for production models - 9760m. Impressed by the reliability of this unit model, Soviet Russia enters into an agreement to create 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 just the ICE 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. It's time for the brand to expand further and become an automotive manufacturer. But before going through the main historical milestones of the company that have left their mark on car models, it is worth paying attention to the brand's emblem.

Emblem

Initially, when the company was created, the partners did not even think about developing their own logo. This was not necessary, since the products were used only by one structure - the military forces of Germany. There was no need to somehow distinguish our products from competitors, since there were no rivals at that time.

However, when a brand was registered, management needed to provide a specific logo. It didn't take long to think. It was decided to leave the label of the Rapp factory, but instead of the previous inscription, three famous BMW letters were placed in a circle in a golden edging.

The inner circle was divided into 4 sectors - two white and two blue. These colors hint at the origin of the company, as they belong to the symbolism of Bavaria. The company's first advertisement featured an image of an airplane flying with a rotating propeller, and the inscription BMW was placed along the rim of the resulting circle.

This poster was created to advertise the new aircraft engine, the company's main profile. From 1929 to 1942, the rotating propeller was associated with the company logo only by product users. Then the management of the company officially confirmed this connection.

Since the creation of the emblem, its design has not changed as dramatically as it has been the case with other manufacturers, for example, Dodge, what was told 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.

Vehicle history in models

The automotive history of the concern begins in 1928, when the company's management decides to buy several car factories in Thuringia. Along with production facilities, the company also received licenses for the production of a small car Dixi (analogous to the British Austin 7).

It turned out to be a wise investment, as a subcompact car came in handy in times of financial turmoil. Buyers were more interested in just such models that made it possible to move comfortably, but at the same time did not consume much fuel.

• 1933 - considered the starting point for the production of cars on its own platform. The 328 takes on the famous distinctive feature that is still present in all Bavarian cars - the 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 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 J132 model. At the same time, a sports motorcycle came off the assembly line, the maximum speed of which was 210 kilometers per hour. The following year, racer G. Mayer won the European Championship on it.
• 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 once again expands its range of motorcycle models with improved chassis. In the same year, a hybrid of a motorcycle and a car appeared - Isetta. The idea was again greeted 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 practically from scratch.
• 1956 - the appearance of the iconic car - model 507. As the power unit of the roadster, an aluminum cylinder block for 8 "bowlers" was used, the volume of which was 3,2 liters. The 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 up to 2002.
• 1968 - the company introduces the 2500 large sedans as well as 2800. Thanks to successful developments, the 60s turned out to be the most profitable for the concern over the entire existence of the brand (until the early 70s).
• 1970 - in the first half of the decade, the auto world receives the third, fifth, sixth and seventh series. Starting with the 5-Series, the automaker expands its scope of activities, producing not only sports cars, but also comfortable luxury sedans.
• 1973 - the company produces the 3.0 csl car, unbeatable at that time, equipped with the 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 separate review).
• 1986 - another breakthrough occurs in the world of motorsport - the new M3 sports car appears. The car was used both for circuit races on the highway and as a road version for ordinary motorists.
• 1987 - Bavarian model wins the main prize in the circuit racing world championship. The driver of the car is Roberto Ravilla. 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 roadster Z-1.
• 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 facilitates the establishment of BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH. The company remembers its roots and creates another BR700 aircraft engine.
• 1994 - the concern acquires the industrial group Rover, and with it it manages to take over a huge complex in England, specializing in the production of the brands MG, Rover, and also Land Rover. With this bargain, the company is further expanding its product portfolio to include SUVs and ultra-compact city cars.
• 1995 - the auto world receives a touring version of the 3-Series. A feature of the car was an all-aluminum chassis.
• 1996 - The Z3 7-Series gets a diesel powertrain. The story is repeated with the 1500th model of 1962 - the production facilities cannot cope with orders for the car from buyers.
• 1997 - motorists saw a special and truly unique model of a road bike - 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 sequential SMG transmission. The car was able to take the turn of 100 km / h 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 modernizing existing models, annually introducing new generations or facelifts. Also, innovative technologies for active and passive safety are gradually being introduced.

Only manual labor is used at the company's production facilities. It 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:

BMW unleashes the car of the future for its 100th anniversary (news)

Questions and answers:

Who is the BMW group? Leading global brands: BMW, BMW Motorrad, Mini, Rolls-Royce. In addition to manufacturing powertrains 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. USA: Greer (Southern California).