BMW is a German manufacturer of high-end cars and motorcycles. It is
created from the merger of two aircraft engine factories. In 1922, the Bavarian
manufacturer Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke AG (BFW), formerly Gustav Otto
Flugmaschinenfabrik, absorbes the Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH (BMW)
- previously Rapp Motoren Werke GmbH. The historical date of BMW creation
remains that of the BFW : March 7, 1916.
What does the BMW
emblem portray ? From the Rapp's logo, the outer circle includes the BMW letters. In the center, the
blue and white colors evoke the Bavarian colors. It was not until 1929 that, after an
advertisement, a link was made between the logo and a rotating aircraft propeller.
How did BMW become
a car and motorcycle
manufacturer ? In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles bans Germany from any military or aeronautical industrial
activity. Like so, BMW is forced to change its activities and starts manufacturing
motorcycles in 1923 with the BMW R32. The first car is made in 1929, after BMW has
bought the German manufacturer Dixi that was holding the construction license for the
small Austin Seven. That car is the BMW 3/15 PS.
In 1959, BMW decides to stop the production of the sublime BMW 507 to avoid
bankruptcy. It was at that time that Daimler-Benz offered to buy BMW without success,
In the same year, Herbert Quandt became one of the main shareholders and took over
the company management with a new slogan "Die neue klass" ("The new class"). A new
car model is introduced in 1961,the BMW 1500. This vehicle leads BMW into a new era
and guides BMW on the road to prosperity.
How did BMW increase its
motorsport notoriety ?
With multiple competition victories in the 1960s and in order to meet the everincreasing
demands, BMW Motorsport GmbH is created in 1972. The FIA regulations requiring a
minimum of 400 production units for a car to be approved in Group 4 racing series, the
BMW M1 is made in a street version. It is the first car to be stamped with the legendary
"M" logo on the market. The overwhelming success of the M1 and the strong brand
image that it has generated push BMW Motorsport GmbH into producing another
model. It is in1980 that the BMW M535i was launched. It is quickly celebrated as the
queen of the road.
Other models will follow to make BMW a reference in the field of motorsport.
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