From motorbikes to automobiles, BMW has seen and built it all. One of the most recognizable car brands, steeped in history, BMW has paved the way in the automotive industry for a few car brands to follow suit. BMW is in fact so popular, that the carmaker sold an incredible 2.5 million units in 2021.
Did you know that the first-ever BMW engine was created in 1917? Read on below for a brief look into the history of BMW, one of the world’s best car brands!
History of BMW: Where Did It All Begin?
BMW has had a historic rise through the years, but where did it all begin? How did BMW come about, and even get to the stage of building its first vehicle? And when did it start to fall into the car ownership category?
The official founding dates back to the 7th of March 1916, when the aircraft producer Bayerische Flugzeugwerke was established. The first product that this company set out to produce was straight-six cylinder aircraft engines.
The company was renamed in 1922, Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) as the name we all know today. This being the end of world war I, BMW survived by producing motorbike engines, household items, and railway brakes. The company then went on to produce its first-ever motorcycle, the BMW R-32 in 1923.
Automobile Creation
BMW started as a company producing varying amounts of products, how did the expansion into different types of vehicles take place?
BMW first became an automobile manufacturer in 1928 when it purchased a company that built the Austin Sevens. The first car that was sold was then aptly named the BMW 3/15. BMW further expanded its range in the 1930s to include sports cars and big luxury vehicles.
World War 2 fast approached and BMW concentrated once again on airplane engine production, with motorbikes as a side-line business. Automobile manufacturing ceased during this period.
BMW factories were bombed during the world war and its remaining West-Germany factories weren’t allowed to manufacture any vehicles during this period. In 1948, production started on motorbikes again and in 1952 BMW resumed car production.
The following years were troublesome times for BMW with slow sell rates and low-profit margins in 1959, BMW was nearly taken over by rivals Daimler-Benz, and the history of BMW was ruined forever. However, a large investment from the Quandt brothers saved BMW and they continued trading as a separate entity.
Notable BMW Vehicles
BMW has built some cracking vehicles over the years but which are the most notable ones? The following are some of the best BMW models and if you need anything for these vehicles you can click here.
- BMW E39 M5
- BMW E23 7 Series
- BMW Z8
- BMW M1
- BMW Isetta
- BMW 2002 Turbo
- BMW E30 M3
Stood the Test of Time
From the history of BMW, we can see that is a brand that has truly stood the test of time. Through thick and thin, BMW has always kept on producing vehicles that the world has fallen in love with.
Are you a BMW fanatic? Looking for reviews and pricing on the latest models? Go on over to our BMW page and find the latest happenings in the world of BMW!