Brand reputation matters when it comes to cars. But across time, BMW’s consistently stood out for its rich history of excellent vehicles and reliability.
In this article, we'll talk about the German manufacturer, what the letters BMW stand for, and discuss the company’s path towards building this brand.
The abbreviation “BMW” stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, or, translated into English, Bavarian Motor Works. Bavaria is a state in southern parts of Germany where BMW originally started making airplane engines around 1917. Today it’s part of the BMW group, composed of BMW, Mini, and Roll-Royce, with its headquarters in Munich, Bavaria.
The luxury models they produce are nicknamed Beemers, while the company confidently calls itself “the ultimate driving machine”. BMW has a presence in the US in BMW of North America, LLC.
BMW, as we know it today, has its origin in Rapp-Motorenwerke GmbH, which began producing aircraft engines in 1913. During that time, it supplied the air force of the German Empire in the First World War. The cars were not as mainstream back then, and if you wanted to travel long distances, going by train would be your best bet.
Rapp Motowerke had its headquarters in the Bavarian capital, Munich - as did the factory where workers installed engines into the aircraft, Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik. When the latter company went bankrupt in 1916, it became known as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG (BFW). In 1917, Rapp changed its name to Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH, which kickstarted the BMW brand. Traces of Rapp Motorwerke's origins can even be seen in the modern logo.
Around August 1918, Bayerische Motoren Werke Gmb became a stock corporation. However, the end of the First World War halted the construction of aircraft engines, as the Treaty of Versailles forbade Germany from building them. BMW had to shift its focus to railway brakes and built-in motors. This endeavor was successful, so another company, Knorr-Bremse AG, took majority ownership in 1920, integrated the company, and relocated it to Munich, relieving it of its independence.
In 1922, the major investor and aircraft construction pioneer Camillo Castiglioni was the main shareholder of Knorr-Bremse AG. He decided to buy out the BMW company name and took over engine construction operations, employees, production facilities, and the logo, transferring everything to BFW, Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG. In the same year, the company changed factory building and moved to Lerchenauer Strasse, changing its name to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG.
All this makes BMW AG the legal successor of BFW, and the corporate headquarters and parent plant of the BMW Group are still located in Milbertshofen, Munich, to this day.
Today, the brand is highly valued for the vehicles it produces. Praised for performance and exceptional handling, a customer could fall in love with various models. So, among many others, we suggest you look into the following Top 3.
Being the current best-selling model in the lineup, the 3 Series is a go-to model for business people or someone looking for a car with a little class. It is a solid all-around executive vehicle with sporty rear-wheel drive and modern equipment.
Its performance on the road rivals the Audi A4. The 3 Series also has impressive handling, especially if you choose a model with the M suspension. The car also has a 50/50 weight distribution, helping it stay grounded on turns.
A direct successor to the 3 Series, the fourth iteration is a definite improvement. Having received bits of negativity for similarities, today, it stands as a separate model, filled to the brim with various features.
This model has brought a new and more aggressively-styled face and a wider rear. Improved aerodynamics and upgraded suspension and chassis allow for a smooth driving experience, including variable steering.
It makes the 4 Series a prime contender and an excellent vehicle for any customer to pick and drive.
Having similar troubles to BMW 4 Series, X1 stands just as strong today. It has a stiff suspension setup, making turning corners extremely easy. X1 also boasts loads of headroom and legroom, with highly adjustable seats that allow you to get comfy.
You can fit a couple of six-foot-tall passengers for longer journeys and allow your three kids to sit in the back comfortably. The latest X1 comes with a plug-in hybrid engine, which is the quickest and most fuel-efficient model. It is also a great option for a business lease due to cheaper BiK (Benefit-in-Kind) rates.
BMW is a brand with a storied reputation and a wide range of models. Whether you’re thinking about buying a BMW or just interested in knowing a bit more about the German manufacturer, we hope this article’s been helpful!
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