BMW is among the premier automobile manufacturers in Germany and offers its top-tier lineup of luxury vehicles and high-performance motorcycle (Beemers). What is BMW? What does BMW stand for? And how did it all start?
In this informative guide, we’ll cover those questions, as well as a quick note on the logo, and cover the difference Bimmer vs. Beemer.
What Does BMW Stand For?
BMW is the abbreviation for Bayerische Motoren Werke in German or Bavarian Motor Works in English, it was founded in 1913 by Karl Rapp as Rapp Motorenwerke. The company’s name was changed to Bayerische Motoren Werke in 1917.
The company was constructed to build aircraft engines when it was forged, and was located in Munich Germany. Karl Rapp resigned from the company in 1917 and they officially changed the name.
Bayerische means Bavarian, which refers to where the company is based, in Bavaria, a federal state in the southeastern region of Germany that borders the Czech Republic and Austria.
Its legal name as an automaker is BMW AG, as the AG simply stands for Aktiengesellschaft, which shows the incorporation is owners by shareholders.
History of BMW
#1. Creation.
The aircraft engine manufacturer started over 100 years ago and lasted only six years before being renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke – BMW, and it was fun fact that the name reflects the company’s German origin as it existed in Germany and created BMW products made in Germany.
In 1916, Rapp left the company, and it was taking on financial problems. After that, two Austrians – Mazz Friz and Franz Josef Popp took over and Gustav Otto took on the small aircraft side of the company.
BMW declared March of 1916 its official founding date. Regardless, since the company was in business aircraft manufacturing happened between 1917-1918 and also in 1933-1945.
At the war time, BMW was producing aircraft engines as its main business and motorcycles started being made on the side. At this time car manufacturing slowed down to almost stop.
As the war was going on, all factories were bombed, which just continued to hurt the manufacturing activity. In these hard times BMW started bicycles and pots and pans – just to stay in business.
After the war BMW began making motorcycle engines and began producing railroad brakes, household items and farm equipment.
The first motorcycle was built in 1923 known as the BMW R 32. In that same time, the company made a world speed record and that record continued until 1937.
#2. Automobile Creation.
In 1928, the company began to shift operations into automobiles. The Dixi was rebadged to be the BMW 3/15. By 1951, BMW was ready to build an entire automobile. It produced a six-passenger luxury saloon, the first car of the post-war period.
This model was designed for the luxury market but didn’t do well despite representing a market segment. It wasn’t a complete failure, however, as the expertise and technology were important for building a good reputation.
In 1951, BMW produced the 501, expanding its line in 1955. When the company attempted to build a smaller car, competition with Volkswagen became overwhelming, and in 1959, BMW was catapulted to near bankruptcy.
#3. Better Times Ahead.
Things began to improve for BMW here as Herbert Quandt acquired some of the controlling equity in the company and is credited with the inception of the 700 Series.
Following It was the 1500 models and the accompaniment of new motorcycles which would continue to appeal.
By 1962, BMW adorned a full line of compacts sedans, allowing the luxury automaker to gain standing amongst the premier brands. In the 1960s, the automaker continued to grow its offerings with new sedans and coupes, regularly.
In 1968, the New Six sedans launched: the 2500, the 2800 and the American Bavaria. As well, new coupes including the 2.5 CS along with the 2800 CS launched.
In 1971, BMW corporate offices moved to the new headquarters of the unique building modeled on a four-cylinder motor. Once at the new building, BMW’s first 5 Series launched, followed by the release of the 3 Series and the 7 Series soon after.
In 1978, The BMW M division launched, that redefined what a supercar was, with the more popular of the M cars, the M3, which debuted in 1986.
Additionally, 1986 marks the year of BMW’s debut V12 engine fitted into the 750i. Also, an M Group facility was established, as part of the work to build BMW’s future, at the Nurburgring in Germany.
#4. Modern Days.
In 1994, BMW started production outside of Germany with a plant in South Carolina where the X5 and X6 are built today, along with a plant in Oxford and facilities in South Africa. This was also the year that the 6 Series first came to market.
As the 20th century came to an end, BMW would become one of the most popular luxury brands on the market, continue to be one of the most popular luxury brands. They purchased the Rover Group only to sell it to Ford in 2000, but they retained control of Rolls Royce and MINI in the process.
BMW continues to be a leader in the latest technologies. In 2011, they released the ActiveHybrid 7, which was the first hybrid for the automaker. In 2013, they announced the i3 electric vehicle.
BMW is still exporting about 50,000 vehicles combined to the Middle East, Australia, Africa, USA and Japan each year.
Today, BMW has a range of sedans, coupes, SUV’s and sports cars that fit into any lifestyle. They also have some lower-dollar options for customers wanting to get into the luxury market.
What Does the BMW Logo Mean?
You’re probably familiar with the blue and white badging from BMW at this point – have you ever thought about what it is, or where it’s from? Yes, the colors are obvious from the Bavarian Flag but what about the logo itself?
Most fans and enthusiasts think the BMW symbol is a spinning airplane propeller, which makes sense, as that’s where the automaker originated. A closer look, and it even looks like a propeller infront of a blue sky.
Conversely, BMW representatives state this is merely a coincidence, but a fun one. The logo has been altered, even very slightly, throughout the years, but has the same feel so that when people first see the logo, it is always recognizable.
Bimmer or Beemer?
Both terms Bimmer and Beemer are slang terms for the BMW brand, but for different aspects.
Today, you will certainly be corrected if you are using the wrong term around someone with passion for the BMW brand, so it is important to know what you are talking about.
Most enthusiasts will tell you that Beemer is meant to talk about all BMW motorcycles, while the Bimmer term is for all the passenger car designs.
However, if you are located in Canada, you will hear Bimmer used for both models. The term, Beamer, was also a term that predated both. It was used in Great Britain to talk about BMW motorcycles, because they needed to separate BMW from Beezer, which sold bicycles.