With only three letters, BMW has conquered global success. This German auto manufacturer is synonymous with prestige and prosperity, and they have experienced many achievements over the years, but they have also had their struggles to contend with as well. At their foundation, BMW represents superior engineering and dependability. Over the years, they have become a premium brand that drivers strive to own.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of BMW.
Overview
As a business, being an overnight success is the ultimate dream, but the success of BMW didn’t happen right away. The company went through many changes but eventually was renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) or Bavarian Engine Works (in English). The official establishing date was March 1916 in Munich.
Their first product that was manufactured was aircraft engines, not cars. Afterward, they built automobiles and motorcycles (on top of the aircraft engines), and this became business as usual until the Second World War.
Founding Fathers
Karl Rapp is the man who created BMW. Born in Germany in 1882, he attended the Royal Bavarian Polytechnic School where he studied engineering. After his schooling, he was an employee of many companies until 1913 when he founded Rapp Motorenwerke. He acted as the business’s managing director and was at the helm of manufacturing BMW airplane engines. Later, he played a huge part in evolving the company to automobiles (from airplane engines).
Gustav Otto was another person who played a crucial part in the early development of BMW. Born in Germany in 1893, he went to school at the Technical University of Munich where he learned about mechanical engineering. In 1915, after his schooling, he worked as chief engineer at Rapp Motorenwerke. His duties included creating the original BMW airplane engines and he also helped transition the brand to manufacturing automobiles.
Another essential person at the beginning of BMW was Franz Josef Popp. Born in Germany in 1875, he went to the University of Berlin where he studied law. He also worked at Rapp Motorenwerke after his schooling in 1913 and acted as the brand’s financial director. His job was to take care of the business finances, but he became well known for playing a crucial part in turning BMW into a lucrative brand.
These men were the founding fathers, and their influence has left an enduring impression on BMW’s worldwide success.
The Logo
The iconic blue and white logo of BMW was invented in 1917. The colors of the symbol represent the state colors of Bavaria. In the late 1920s, the logo was advertised as a rotating propeller and has since been reinterpreted over the years. Regardless, this symbol has become one of the most recognizable logos worldwide.
Breakthrough Achievements
In 1923, at the Berlin Motor Show, the very first BMW motorcycle was introduced. It was the BMW R 32, and its success stemmed from the quality design of the motorcycle. The man responsible for the outstanding design was Max Friz and this quality-built motorcycle stands out in the history of motorbikes.
In 1952, the BMW 501 was the very first car that was built after the war. It was a big sedan that seats six people. The horsepower behind this vehicle was a six-cylinder engine that was also used in the BMW 326 (before the war). It wasn’t a financial success, but this luxury car reclaimed BMW as a top-notch, quality manufacturer.
At the German Motor Show in 1963, BMW showcased its 1500 model. This is credited as filling a rift that was taking place in the marketplace and restoring the brand to success and glory. Orders for the vehicle surpassed manufacturing abilities. BMW became profitable once again.
With advancements in the electric-powered vehicle, the BMW 13 was introduced in 2013. It was completely emission-free because it was powered by an electric motor. This model was nimble and sustainable and was a completely brand-new experience for drivers.
In 2015, BMW set its aim on the worldwide market by manufacturing motorcycles outside of Germany. Different models were built globally, most notably in South America and Asia.
2020 was the year that the BMW R 18, a cruiser motorcycle was launched in Germany by BMW Motorrad. The design of the R 18 joined classic values with technological advancements. Since the pandemic hit that year, it had to be presented online instead of as a personal and official introduction.
A brand needs to stay on trend. In this case, electric vehicles are becoming more mainstream, and BMW is responding by increasing the variety of electric vehicles available to consumers. As of 2022, BMW had eleven varieties of electric cars available in eight different models. Besides having more to offer than their competitors, the electric drive systems for the cars are built in-house at BMW.
In Conclusion
If you operate a BMW dealership, you might want to consider using Addendum Stickers. They are Dealer Window Stickers used in conjunction with the manufacturer’s factory window stickers (Monroney Stickers) to list dealer-installed options as well as no-charge items that are being included by the dealer with the vehicle. These labels help customers compare the installed options on different vehicles. Car Dealer Addendum Stickers can be purchased from MBR Marketing at: https://mbrmarketing.com/dealer-supplies/addendum-stickers.
BMW has done anything to survive. They even manufactured pots and pans at one time to get them through the lean times. They aren’t afraid to explore and expand either. BMW M Motorsport (used to be BMW Motorsport) is a branch of BMW that is involved with motorsport activities like sports car and motorcycle racing as well as Formula E.
BMW seems to stand the test of time since it’s been around for over a century. Their determination and creativity have made the company evolve and grow over the years.They have excelled and have built an amazing reputation worldwide. Presently, they have over thirty manufacturing plants along with a worldwide sales network.
They have surpassed their competitors and have become the number one manufacturer of quality motorcycles and vehicles as well as a producer of exceptional mobility and financial services. BMW creates quality and luxury vehicles that are dependable. The brand continues to innovate and grow and that’s why they remain on top.
Also read: More European Cities Can Connect with The Eurostar High-Speed Rail
