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BMW History


Karl Friedrich Rapp is the name of the founder of BMW - one of the biggest world wide car manufacturing companies. BMW or Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works) was founded in 1916 as a successor to the Rapp Motor.

Many people think that the logo of BMW comes from a spinning white propeller seen in the background of the blue sky. This may be so but in fact it is known that it also comes from the white and blue flag of Bavaria - the largest state of Germany. The capital city of the state is Munich and this is the place where even today we can find the BMW Headquarters.

In 1916 with the foundation of the company a contract was secured for building V12 engines. These engines were about to be used in the creation of the automobiles from Austro-Daimler. These 12 cylinders V engines were at first used in aircraft which is the original plan of the BMW Company. Taking in account the time when the company was founded it was very likely for them to continue like that.

However in 1919 after the World War I and the Treaty of Versailles the production of aircraft in Germany was prohibited and that quickly changed the politics of BMW. They began making brakes for the Rail transport. Soon after that BMW was able to design a motorcycle engine which was used for the creation of a motorcycle called with the model name Victoria. However Victoria was not built by BMW but by another company in Nuremberg.

In 1924 BMW made a model of a motorcycle which was the first one they built - the R32. This was a turning point in the BMW history because it was a major achievement and for decades they used its technology - 500 cc engines cooled down by the air. Soon after that BMW added one new innovation - the driveshaft. It came to replace the chain for driving the rear wheel and became a mark of BMW for quite some time.

In the German city Eisenach in 1927 began the production of Dixi - under license but only a year after that the Dixi Company was bought by BMW and they began mass production together with the model Austin Seven.

When the World War I began BMW took its place in it because of the German army's motorized division. They used BMW R75 together with BMW R12. Because of the high need of engines BMW note that period as highly profitable. BMW was the main supplier and even today words like Luftwaffe and Wehrmacht brings many memories. Some of the best planes in that historical time used the BMW aero-engines and till the 1945 more than 30 000 planes with these engines were manufactured.

BMW even made researches which enabled the company to make different jet engines for weapons. With the use of some men power consisting mainly by prisoners of the war BMW made many rocket-based weapons that were used in the war.

Soon after the creation of the rocket-based weapons parts of the company were bombed. Soviets razed to the ground most of the company located in eastern Germany and the base factory in Munich was almost completely destroyed.

After the war BMW was not able to quickly recover because of the need to rebuild the factory in Munich. After that when the restrictions from the Allies applied BMW was banned for three long years in which the company was forbidden from producing motorcycles until 1948 and cars until 1952.

In 1951 the Bavarian company was able to regain all trademarks and it looked like it was finally able to recover and start again from what was left. In 1959 Herbert Quandt became the "wheel" which turned the BMW around because he denied a deal with Daimler-Benz and soon after that he increased his share in the BMW Company up to 50%.

The name of Kurt Golda is stated as the man who incited Quandt to do this step and in the same year BMW began production of the BMW 700 which was based on the BMW 600. This small car used 2-cylinder, air-cooled engines and some years later it was renamed to "LS". Coupe and some cabriolet series were also manufactured.

In 1963 BMW offered dividends to the shareholders of the company and in 1966 the factory in Munich reached its maximum capacity and BMW bought Hans Glas GmbH. This deal enabled BMW to use factories in Landshut and Dingolfing.

With some new style provided by Bertone in 1972 BMW began production of 5 new series and in the years to follow the company made a big progress in the market. For 6 years under the leadership of Bernd Pischetsrieder BMW was able to expand its deal in the market by buying from British Aerospace the Rover Group. Rover Group's history starts in 1986 and till the moment when BMW owned it this company was able to achieve many things like for example the Rover 400 in 1990.

However the Rover was sold to Phoenix Venture Holdings and Ford Motor Company because of some years of losses for BMW. Jokingly the press called the Rover "The English Patient" after the release of the namesake film. This however was not very hard on BMW and they were spared from taking the blame. It looks like that even the British press was not very enthusiastic about the Rover.

BMW began production outside of Germany in 1994. New factories were made in South Carolina and even today the manufacturing of BMW X5 and BMW Z4 is made there. There are factories in some other places too like Oxford, Goodwood and others. After some time of assembly BMW began production in South Africa. Today BMW exports more than 50 000 3 Series vehicles yearly to Japan, USA, Africa, Australia and the Middle East.

In order to serve the market in Eastern Europe and Middle East BMW are planning to begin construction of a new plant located in Cyprus or Greece. A plant in Chennai, India already opened production in 2007.

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BMW

BMW is headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It also owns and produces the Mini car, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad. In 2014, BMW Group produced 2,117,965 automobiles and 120,000 motorcycles in all brands. BMW is part of the car "German Big 3" luxury, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz, which is a three-selling luxury car in the world.

History

BMW Headquarters in Munich. Tower and museum that looks at right back.
BMW Isetta with a front opening door
BMW 3 / 15ps (BMW Dixi) from 1930
BMW 132 engine
BMW 801 engine

BMW was founded as a business entity following a restructuring of Rapp Motorenwerke aircraft manufacturing company in 1917. After the end of World War I in 1918, BMW was forced to cease production-engine aircraft with the provisions of the Versailles Armistice Treaty. Company consequently shifted to motorcycle production in 1923, after the restriction the agreement began to emerge, followed by cars in 1928-29.

The first car BMW successfully produced and launched BMW car on the way to production cars is Dixi, it is based on the Austin 7 and licensed from the Austin Motor Company in Birmingham, England.

The first BMW engine plane that significant (and any commercial product) BMW IIIa engine is liquid-cooled inline-six in 1918, much preferred for high-altitude performance. With German rearmament in the 1930s, the company again began producing aircraft engines for the Luftwaffe. Among the engine design is the successful World War II BMW 132 and BMW 801 air-cooled radial engines, and the pioneering BMW 003 axial-flow turbojet, which powered, small-1944-1945-era jet-powered "emergency fighter", the Heinkel He 162 Spatz. BMW 003 jet engine was first tested as the main powerplant in the first prototype of the Messerschmitt Me 262, Me 262 V1, but in 1942 the prototype BMW engine test failed to take off with only standby Junkers Jumo 210 engine powering the nose-mounted pistons for a safe landing. Some Me 262 A-1b test sample is built using a more advanced version of the 003 jet, an official top speed record of 800 km / h (497 mph). The first time the four jet aircraft ever flown, sixth and eighth prototypes of reconnaissance Arado Ar 234 jet bomber, used BMW 003 jet power. The increase reliability lasted 003 1944, intended as a powerplant that is necessary to compete to airframe design Jägernotprogramm 's light combat the production contract, won by the Heinkel He 162 Spatz design. BMW 003 turbojet flight also find himself under consideration as a basic starting point for pioneers turboshaft powerplant for the German armored fighting vehicles in 1944-1945, as the GT 101. Towards the end of the Third Reich BMW developing some military aircraft projects for the Luftwaffe, the BMW Strahlbomber, the BMW and BMW Schnellbomber Strahljäger, but none of them were built.

In 1958, the automotive division of BMW in financial difficulties and a shareholders meeting was held to decide whether to go into liquidation or find a way of carrying on. It was decided to continue and try to cash in on the current economy car boom enjoyed so successfully by some of the former German aircraft manufacturers such as Messerschmitt and Heinkel. The right to produce Italian Iso Isetta was purchased; own small car that will be powered by a modified form of BMW's own motorcycle engine. It is quite successful and helped the company get back on its feet. The majority controlling shareholder of the BMW Aktiengesellschaft since 1959 is the Quandt family, which owns about 46% of the shares. The rest is in public float.

BMW acquired the Hans Glas company based in Dingolfing, Germany, in 1966. Glas vehicle briefly badged as BMW until the company was fully absorbed. It was well known that the acquisition was mainly to gain access to Glas 'development of the timing belt with an overhead camshaft in automotive applications, although some see Glas' plant in Dingolfing as other incentives. However, this plant is outdated and most direct benefit BMW, according to them, the stock of highly qualified engineers and other personnel. Glas factory continues to build a number of existing models, while adding the manufacture BMW front axle and the rear until they could be closer incorporated into the BMW.

 

BMW 3-Series (F30)

In 1992, BMW acquired a large stake in California based industrial design studio DesignworksUSA, which they fully acquired in 1995. In 1994, BMW bought the British Rover Group (which at that time consisted of the Rover, Land Rover and MG brands as well as the right to dead brands including Austin and Morris), and owned it for six years. In 2000, Rover incurring huge losses and BMW decided to sell the combine. MG Rover and the brands sold to the Phoenix Consortium to form MG Rover, while Land Rover was taken over by Ford. BMW, meanwhile, retained the rights to build the new Mini, which was launched in 2001.

Chief designer Chris Bangle announced his departure from BMW in February 2009, after serving on the design team for nearly seventeen years. He was replaced by Adrian van Hooydonk, Bangle's former right-hand man. Bangle is known for radical designs such as the 2002 7-Series and the 2002 Z4. In July 2007, the production rights for Husqvarna Motorcycles was purchased by BMW for a reported 93 million euros. BMW Motorrad plans to continue operating Husqvarna Motorcycles as a separate enterprise. All development, sales and production activities, as well as the current workforce, remain in place at its present location at Varese.

In June 2012, BMW is listed as the # 1 most leading companies in the world by Forbes.com. The rankings are based on aspects such as the "people's willingness to buy, recommend, work for, and invest in companies driven 60% by their perceptions of the company and only 40% by their perception of their product."
Shareholder structure

by ownership

    Stefan Quandt: 17.4%
    Johanna Quandt: 16.7%
    Susanne Klatten: 12.6%
    Free Lampung: 53.3%

by type

    Strategic investors: 46.7%
    Institutional investors:
        North America: 15.8%
        UK and Ireland: 11.8%
        Other Europe: 5.7%
        Germany: 4.8%
        Around the world: 2.5%
    Other investors: 12.7%

Production
BMW factory in Leipzig, Germany: Spot welding BMW 3 series car body with KUKA industrial robots.

In 2006, the BMW group (including Mini and Rolls-Royce) produced 1,366,838 four-wheeled vehicle, which is produced in five countries. In 2010, it produced 1,481,253 four-wheeled vehicles and motorcycles 112 271 (under both the BMW and Husqvarna brand).

BMW X3 (E83) is made by Magna Steyr, a subsidiary of Magna of Canada, in Graz, Austria under license from BMW until 2010. More than 45 973 were produced in 2009. Starting in October 2010, BMW X3 (F25) is produced in BMW US Manufacturing Company, Greer, Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

It is reported that approximately 56% of BMW-brand vehicles produced are powered by a gasoline engine and the remaining 44% are powered by diesel engines. Of those petrol vehicles, about 27% are four-cylinder models and about nine percent is an eight-cylinder models. BMW also has a local assembly operations using the complete knock-down components in Thailand, Russia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, for 3, 5, 7 series and X3.
Sales worldwide

Vehicles sold in all markets according to BMW's annual report.
Year BMW MINI Rolls Royce Motorcycles *
200 428 97 474 797 2005 1.126.768
2006 1.185.088 188 077 805 100 064
222 875 1010 102 467 2007 1.276.793
232 425 1212 115 196 2008 1.202.239
216 538 1002 100 358 2009 1.068.770
234 175 2711 110 113 2010 1.224.280
2011 1.380.384 3538 285 060 113 572
301 525 3575 117 109 2012 1.540.085

* Since 2008, motorcycle production and sales figures including the Husqvarna models.
China sales

BMW sells vehicles in China through "more than 440 sales outlets and 100 stores BMW Mini," give this network to 415 200 units between January and November 2014.
Annual production
Year BMW MINI Rolls Royce Motorcycles *
200 119 92 013 692 2005 1.122.308
186 674 847 103 759 2006 1.179.317
237 700 1029 104 396 2007 1.302.774
235 019 1417 118 452 2008 1.203.482
213 670 93 243 918 2009 1.043.829
241 043 3221 112 271 2010 1.236.989
294 120 3725 118 865 2011 1.440.315
311 490 3279 125 284 2012 1.547.057
303 177 3354 110 129 2013 1.699.835
Motorcycle
The R32 motorcycle, the first BMW motor vehicles.

BMW started production of motorcycle engines and then motorcycles after World War I. Its motorcycle brand is now known as BMW Motorrad. The first motorcycle to their success, after the failed Helios and Flink, was the "R32" in 1923. It has a "boxer" twin engine, in which a cylinder projects into the air flow from each side of the machine. Apart from their single cylinder models (basically to the same pattern), all their motorcycles used this distinctive layout until the early 1980s. Many BMW is still produced in this layout, which is designated the R Series.

During World War II, BMW produces the BMW R75 motorcycle with a sidecar attached. Has a unique design copied from the Zündapp KS750, the sidecar wheel was also motor-driven. Combined with a lockable differential, this made the vehicle very capable off-road, which is similar in many ways to the Jeep.

In 1982, came the K Series, shaft drive but water-cooled and with three or four cylinders mounted in a straight line from front to back. Shortly after, BMW also started making the chain-driven F and G series with single and parallel twin Rotax engines.

In the early 1990s, BMW Boxer update the gumball machine that became known as oilhead. In 2002, oilhead engine has two spark plugs per cylinder. In 2004 it added a built-in balance shaft, the capacity increased to 1170 cc and enhanced performance to 100 hp (75 kW) for the R1200GS, compared to 85 hp (63 kW) of the previous R1150GS. A more powerful variant of the machine oilhead available in R1100S and R1200S, producing 98 and 122 hp (73 kW and 91), respectively.

In 2004, BMW introduced the new Sports K1200S bikes which marks a departure for BMW. That engine produces 167 hp (125 kW), which is derived from the company's work with the Williams F1 team, and lighter than previous K models. Innovations include electronically adjustable front and rear suspension, and a Hossack-type front fork that BMW calls Duolever.
BMW S1000RR

BMW introduced the anti-lock brakes on production motorcycles starting in the late 1980s. Generation anti-lock brakes available on the 2006 and later BMW motorcycles pave the way for the introduction of electronic stability control, or anti-skid technology later in the 2007 model year.

BMW has been an innovator in motorcycle suspension design, taking telescopic front suspension long before most other manufacturers. Then they switched to Earles fork, front suspension by swinging fork (1955 to 1969). Most modern BMW right rear swingarm, one hand on the back (compare with the regular swinging fork usually, and incorrectly, called the swing arm). Some BMW started using another trademark front suspension design, Telelever, in the early 1990s. Like the Earles fork, the Telelever significantly reduces dive under braking.

BMW Group, on January 31, 2013 announced that Pierer Industrie AG has bought Husqvarna for an undisclosed amount, which will not be disclosed by either party in the future. The company is led by Stephan Pierer (CEO KTM). Pierer Industrie AG is the owner of 51% of KTM and the owner of 100% of Husqvarna.
Car
New Class

The New Class (German: Neue Klasse) is a line of compact sedans and coupes starting with the 1962 1500 and continuing through the last 2002s in 1977. Powered by BMW's celebrated four-cylinder M10 engine, the new model class has a fully independent suspension, MacPherson struts at the front , and front disc brakes. Originally a family four-door sedan and two-door coupe, the New Class line was expanded to a two-door sports sedan with the addition of 02 Series 1600 and 2002 in 1966.

Share little in common with the rest of the outside line of the power train, the sporty siblings caught the attention of auto enthusiasts' and established BMW as an international brand. Precursors to the famous BMW 3 Series, a successful two-door 'cemented the company's future as a top-level performance car maker. The new class four-door with numbers ending in "0" were replaced by the larger BMW 5 Series in 1972. The upscale 2000C and 2000CS coupes were replaced by the six-cylinder BMW E9, introduced in 1969 with the 2800CS. 1600 two-door was discontinued in 1975, and in 2002 was replaced by a 1975 320i.
The latest models
BMW X1 sDrive 18I
BMW 5-Series (F10)

The Series 1, originally launched in 2004, is the smallest BMW cars. Currently available is a second generation hatchback (F20) and the first generation coupe / convertible (E82 / E88). The 3 Series, a compact executive car manufactured since model year 1975, is currently in its sixth generation (F30); models include the sport sedan (F30), and the fourth-generation station wagon (F30), and convertible (E93), and Gran Turismo. In 2014, 4 series has been released and replaced 3 Series Coupe and Convertible. The 5 Series is a mid-size executive car, available in sedan (F10) and station wagon (F11) forms. The 5 Series Gran Turismo (F07), which debuted in 2010, created a segment between station wagons and crossover SUV.
BMW Z4 (E89)

BMW's full-size flagship executive sedan is the 7 Series. Typically, BMW introduces many of their innovations first in the 7 Series, such as the iDrive system. 7 Series Hydrogen, has one of the world's first hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine, fueled by liquid hydrogen and emits only clean water vapor. The latest generation (F01) debuted in 2009. Based on the 5 Series platform ', the 6 Series is BMW's grand touring luxury sport coupe / convertible (F12 / F13). A 2-seater roadster and coupe which succeeded the Z3, the Z4 has been sold since 2002.
BMW X3 (F25)

The X3 (F25), the second BMW crossover SUV (called SAV or "Sports Activity Vehicle" by BMW) debuted in 2010 and replaced the X3 (E83), which is based on the E46 3 Series platform ', and has been in production since 2003. Marketed in Europe as an off-roader, the benefits of the system xDrive all-wheel drive BMW. The all-wheel drive X5 (E53) BMW is the first crossover SUV (SAV), based on the Series 5, and a mid-size luxury SUV (SAV) sold by BMW since 2000. A 4-seat crossover SUV released by BMW in In December 2007, the X6 is marketed as a "Sports Activity Coupe" (SAC) by BMW. The expanded model lineup BMW X1 Sports Activity Series.

In 2013, the company announced that it is to launch its first fully electric car variety. This will begin with the launch of the BMW i3 in the second quarter 2014.

    Series 1 (F20) (2011-present) 5-door hatchback
    Series 1 (F21) (2011-present) 3-door Hatchback
    2 Series (F22) (2014-present) Coupe and convertible
    2 Series Active Tourer (F45) (2014-present) Compact MPV
    3-Series (F30) (2012-present) Sedan and wagon
    4 Series (F32 / F33 / F36) (2014-present) Coupe and convertible
    5 Series (F10 / F11) (2009-present) Sedan and wagon
    6 Series (F12) (2010-present) Coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe
    7 Series (F01) (2008-present) Sedan
    3 Series Gran Turismo (2013-present) Progressive Activity Sedan
    5 Series Gran Turismo (2009-present) Progressive Activity Sedan
    BMW i3 (2014-present) Electric Vehicles
    BMW i8 (2014-present) Hybrid sports car
    X1 (E84) (2009-present) Compact Crossover SUV / Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
    X3 (F25) (2010-present) Compact Crossover SUV / Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
    BMW X4 (F26) (2014-present Sports Activity Coupe
    X5 (F15) (2014-present) Mid-Size Crossover SUV / Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
    X6 (F16) (2014-present) Sports Activity Coupe
    Z4 (E89) (2009-present) Sport Roadster

Model M
BMW M6 (F13)

BMW produced a number of high-performance derivative of the car they are developed by their BMW M GmbH (formerly BMW Motorsport GmbH) subsidiary.

Model M today is:

    M3 - F80 Sedan, (2013 to present)
    M4 - F82 Coupé, (2013 to present)
    M5 - F10 Saloon (2011 to present)
    M6 - F06 / 12/13 (2012 until now)
    X5 M - F15 SAV (2014 to present)
    X6 M - F16 SAV (2014 to present)

Motorsport

BMW has been involved in motorsport activities since the beginning of the first BMW motorcycle in 1923.
Motorsport sponsor

    Formula BMW - A Junior racing Formula category.
    Kumho BMW Championship - A BMW-exclusive championship run in the United Kingdom.

Motorbike
BMW S1000RR

    Isle of Man TT - Georg 'Schorsch' Meier won the 1939 Grand Prix run and Michael Dunlop Senior 2014 and won both Superbike races at the 2014 BMW S1000RR.
    Dakar Rally - BMW motorcycles have won the Dakar rally six times. In 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1999, and 2000.
    Superbike World Championship - BMW returned to road racing in 2009 with the main all their new superbike, the BMW S1000RR.

Formula One - F1
BMW Sauber F1 Team logo.
BMW first entered Formula One as a full team in 2006.

BMW has a history of success in Formula One. BMW powered cars have won 20 races. In 2006 BMW took over the Sauber team and became Formula One constructors. In 2007 and 2008 the team enjoyed some success. Latest victory is the sole constructor team's victory by BMW Sauber F1 Team, on June 8, 2008, at the Canadian Grand Prix with Robert Kubica driving. Accomplishments include:

    Championship racer: 1 (1983)
    Constructors championship: 0 (Runner-up 2002, 2003, 2007)
    Fastest lap: 33
    Grand Prix wins: 20
    Podium: 76
    Pole positions: 33

BMW is the engine supplier for Williams, Benetton, Brabham, and Arrows. Notable drivers who have started their Formula One careers with BMW include Jenson Button, Juan Pablo Montoya, Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel.

In July 2009, BMW announced that it would withdraw from Formula One at the end of the season 2009. The team sold back to the previous owner, Peter Sauber, who continued BMW part of the name for the 2010 season because of problems with the Concorde Agreement. The team have since dropped BMW from their name beginning in 2011.
Sports car

    Le Mans 24 Hours - BMW won Le Mans in 1999 with the BMW V12 LMR designed by Williams Grand Prix Engineering. Also the Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing team won the 1995 edition with a BMW-engined McLaren F1 GTR race car.
    Nürburgring - BMW won the 24 Hours Nürburgring 19 times and the 1000km Nürburgring twice (1976 and 1981).
    24 Hours of Daytona - BMW won three times (1976, 2011, 2013)
    Spa 24 Hours - BMW won 21 times
    A work team E36 BMW 320d is the first diesel-powered champion ever at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
    McLaren F1 GTR - Successful mid-1990s GT racing car with a BMW designed engine. It won the BPR Global GT Series in 1995 and 1996 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995.
    American Le Mans Series - BMW has won three (2001, 2010, 2011) GT Team Championship and GT Automobile Manufacturers title. Twice (2010, 2011) with Team RLL at the Crowne Plaza V8-powered M3 GT coupe and once (2001) with a team of BMW Motorsport in the V8-powered M3 GTR.

Touring car

BMW has a long and successful history in touring car racing.

    British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) - BMW won the championship in 1988, 1991, 1992 and 1993 and manufacturers' drivers championship in 1991 and 1993.
    DRM (Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft) was won by Harald Ertl in a BMW 320i Turbo in 1978
    DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft) - the following championship winning DTM drivers' driving BMW:
        1987: Eric van der Poele, BMW M3
        1989: Roberto Ravaglia, BMW M3
        2012: Bruno Spengler, BMW M3 DTM
    European Touring Car Championship (etcc) - Since 1968, BMW won 24 drivers' championships along with several manufacturers' title and the team '.
    Japan Touring Car Championship (JTCC) - BMW (Schnitzer) flew from Europe to Japan to compete in JTCC and won the championship in 1995.
    Mille Miglia - the BMW Brescia won the 1940 Grand Prix with 328 Touring Coupé. Earlier in 1938 the 328 sport car won the Mille Miglia 2000 liter class.
    SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge Touring Car Series (WC) - BMW won the manufacturers championship in 2001 and Bill Auberlen, driving a Turner Motorsport BMW 325i, won the 2003 and 2004 Drivers Championship.
    World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) - BMW won the championship (four drivers 1987, 2005, 2006 and 2007) and three manufacturers' titles (2005-2007).

BMW announced on October 15, 2010, which will be returned to touring car racing during the summer of 2012. Dr. Klaus Draeger, director of research and development of the BMW Group, in charge of returning to racing DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), commented that "The return of BMW to the DTM is a fundamental part of the restructuring of our motorsport activities. With its commitment to increase to production car racing, BMW is returning to its roots. The race track is the perfect place to demonstrate the impressive sporting characteristics of our vehicles against our major competitors in a high-powered environment. DTM is stage ideal in which to do this. "
Rally

    RAC Rally - The 328 sport car won this event in 1939.
    Paris Dakar Rally - BMW motorcycles have won this event six times total including 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1999, 2000.
    Tour de Corse - The BMW M3 - E30 won this event in 1987.

Sponsor

In football, BMW sponsored the Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt.

This is the official sponsor of the London 2012 Olympic Games provide a 4000 BMW and Minis in the agreement made in November 2009. The company also made a six-year sponsorship deal with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) in July 2010.

BMW has sponsored various European golf events such as the PGA Championship at Wentworth, the BMW Italian Open and the BMW International Open in Germany.
 Notes environment

The company is a charter member of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Environmental Achievement Track, which recognizes companies for environmental management and performance. It is also a member of the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program.

In 2012, BMW was named the most sustainable automotive company in the world for the eighth consecutive year by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. BMW Group is the only automotive company in the index since its inception in 1999. In 2001, the BMW Group is committed to the United Nations Environment Programme, the UN Global Compact and the Declaration on Cleaner Production. It is also the first company in the automotive industry to appoint an environmental officer, in 1973. BMW is a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

BMW is the industry leader in the Global 500 ranking places and 3 Carbon Disclosure Project The Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index in all industries. BMW listed in FTSE4GoodIndex. BMW Group considered the most sustainable DAX 30 company with Sustainalytics in 2012.

BMW has taken measures to reduce the company's impact on the environment. It is trying to design less polluting cars by making existing models more efficient, as well as developing environmentally friendly fuels for future vehicles. Possibilities include :. Electric, hybrid power (combustion engines and electric motors) hydrogen engines
BMW offers 49 models with EU5 / 6 emissions norm and nearly 20 models with CO2 output of less than 140 g / km, which puts on the lowest tax group and therefore could provide the future owner with eco-bonus offered from some European countries.

However, there are some criticisms directed at BMW, and in particular, allegations of greenwash reference to their BMW Hydrogen 7. Some critics claim that the emissions produced during hydrogen fuel production outweigh the reduction of tailpipe emissions, and that the Hydrogen 7 is a distraction from more solutions fast, practical for car pollution.

 Bicycle

BMW has created a variety of high-end bicycles sold online and through dealers. Ranging from Kid Bike to EUR 4,499 Enduro bikes. In the United States, only the Cruise Bike and Kid's Bike models are sold.
BMW nomenclature
BMW M5 (F10)
BMW 730d xDrive (F01)
BMW X5 (E70)
BMW X6 (E71)

BMW vehicles follow a certain nomenclature; usually 3-digit number followed by 1 or 2 letters. The first number indicates the number of series. The next two numbers traditionally represent the engine displacement in cubic centimeters divided by 100. However, newer cars use two numbers as a performance index, for example 116i, 118i and 120i (2.0 L gas-powered all), such as 325d and 330d (both 3, 0L diesel) share the same motor block while adjusting engine power through the setup and turbocharging. A similar nomenclature is used by BMW Motorrad for their motorcycles.

Font system can be used in combination, and are as follows:

    A = automatic transmission
    C = coupé, last used on BMW E46 and BMW E63 (dropped after the 2005 model year)
    c = cabriolet
    d = diesel †
    e = eta (efficient economy, from the Greek letter 'η')
    g = compressed natural gas / CNG
    h = hydrogen
    i = fuel injection
    L = long wheelbase
    s = sport, also means "2 dr" on E36 models ††
    sDrive = rear-wheel drive
    T = touring (wagon / estate)
    Ti = hatchback for the BMW 3 Series hatchback
    x / xDrive = BMW xDrive all-wheel drive

† historic nomenclature indicating "td" refers to "Turbo Diesel", not a diesel hatchback or touring model (524td, 525td)

†† typically includes sport seats, spoiler, aerodynamic body kit, upgraded wheels and Slip Differential limits on pre-95 Model etc.

For example, the BMW 750iL is a fuel-injected 7 Series with a long wheelbase and 5.4 liters of displacement. This badge is used for generations, E65 and F01, except the "i" and "L" switch places, so read "Li" instead of "iL".

When the 'L' replaces the serial number (eg L6, L7, etc) identifies the vehicle as a special luxury variant, has extended leather and special interior appointments. L7 is based on the E23 and E38, and the L6 is based on the E24.

When 'X' is capitalized and supersedes the series number (eg X3, X5, etc.) identifies the vehicle as one of BMW Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), their brand of crossover, with BMW xDrive. The second number in the series 'X' indicates that the platform is based on, for example, is derived from the X5 Series 5. Unlike BMW, SAV's main badge does not indicate the size of the engine; the machine is not shown in the badge.

The 'Z' identifies the vehicle as a two-seat roadster (eg Z1, Z3, Z4, etc). Varian 'M' from 'Z' model has the 'M' as a suffix or prefix, depending on the country of sale (eg 'Z4 M' is 'M Roadster' in Canada).

Previous X & Z vehicles had 'i' or 'si' following the engine displacement number (denoted in liters). BMW is now globally standardizing this nomenclature on X & Z vehicles by using the 'sDrive' or 'xDrive' (simply meaning rear or all-wheel drive, respectively) followed by two numbers which vaguely represent the vehicle's engine (eg Z4 sDrive35i is behind a -wheel-drive Z4 roadster with a 3.0 L twin-turbo fuel-injection).
Last BMW using the 's' for the E36 328is, which ceased production in 1999. However, the 's' nomenclature was brought back to the 2011 model year BMW 335is and BMW Z4 sDrive35is. 335is is a sport-tuned trim with more performance and optional dual clutch transmission which slots between the regular 335i and the top-of-the-line M3.

The 'M' - for Motorsport - identifies the vehicle as a high-performance model of a particular series (eg M3, M5, M6, etc.). For example, the M6 ​​is the highest performing vehicle in the 6 Series lineup. Although the car 'M' should be separated into their respective series platforms, it is common to see cars 'M' are grouped together as its own lineup of BMW's official website.
Exclusion

There are exceptions to the numbering nomenclature.

M versions of the BMW 1 Series named BMW 1 Series M Coupe rather than the traditional style "M1" because of possible confusion with the former BMW M1 sports car homologation.

M version of the Sports Activity Vehicle, as the X5 M, can not follow the naming convention used to regularly since MX5 Mazda's MX-5 Miata.

For example in the 2008 model year, the BMW 125i / 128i, 328i, 528i and all have a 3.0 naturally aspirated engine (N52), instead of 2,500 cc or 2,800 cc as the series designation number would lead us to believe. The '28' is to show the detuned engine car in 2008, compared with the 2006 model year '30 'vehicles (330i and 530i) the 3.0 engine is naturally aspirated N52 from the same family but have more output.

2008 BMW 335i and 535i also has a 3.0-liter engine; But the twin-turbocharged engine (N54) which is not identified by the nomenclature. Nevertheless '35' indicates a more powerful engine than the previous models '30' which is naturally aspirated N52 engine. 2011 BMW 740i and 335is shares the same twin-turbo 3.0 engine from N54 family but tuned to higher output, although badging inconsistent ('40' and 's'). Twin-scroll single-turbo 3.0L inline-6 ​​engine 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe create output similar to the twin turbo inline-6 ​​engine that is older.
The E36 and E46 323i and 523i E39 has a 2.5-liter engine. The E36 318i made after 1996 has a 1.9 L engine (M44) as opposed to the 1.8 L (M42) used in the 1992 to 1995 models. The E39 540i has a 4.4 L M62 engine, instead of the 4.0 L as the designation would suggest.

The badging for V8 engine recently (N62 and N63) also showed no displacement, as in 2006 and 2009 750i 750i has a 4800 cc (naturally aspirated) and 4400 cc (twin-turbocharged) engine, respectively.
Carsharing Service

In June 2011, BMW and Sixt launched DriveNow, a joint venture that provides carsharing services in several cities in Europe and North America. On 2012, DriveNow operates more than 1,000 vehicles, which serves five cities around the world and more than 60,000 customers.
Light and Charge

BMW has developed a street lamp is equipped with a socket to charge an electric car, called Light and Charge.
Community
BMW logo mark in Düsseldorf

From the summer of 2001 until October 2005, BMW hosted Hire The, featuring sporty model is driven to extremes. These videos are still popular within the enthusiast community and proved to be an online advertising campaign ground-breaking.

Every year since 1999, BMW enthusiasts have met in Santa Barbara, CA to attend Bimmerfest. One of the biggest meeting specific brand in the US, more than 3,000 people attended in 2006, and over 1,000 BMW cars are present. In 2007, the event was held on May 5th.
BMW slang

BMW initials pronounced in German.] Model series called "Einser" ("One-er" for 1 series), "Dreier" ("Three-er" for 3 series), "Fünfer" ("Five-er" for the series 5), "Sechser" ("Six-er" for the 6 series), "Siebener" ("Seven-er" for the 7 series). It does not actually slang, but in the normal way that letters and numbers are pronounced in German.

English slang terms Beemer, Bimmer and Bee-em is used for a wide range of BMW of all kinds, cars and motorcycles.

In the US, specialists have taken pains to prescribe that the distinction must be made between using Beemer exclusively to describe BMW motorcycles, and using Bimmer only to refer to BMW cars, by way of "true aficionado" and avoid appearing to be "do not know yet." The Canadian Globe and Mail like Bimmer and calls Beemer a "yuppie abomination," while the Tacoma News Tribune says it is a distinction that is made by "auto snobs." Using the wrong slang risks offending BMW enthusiasts. An editor of Business Week satisfied in 2003 that the question was resolved in favor of Bimmer by noting that a Google search produces 10 times more hits than the Beemer.
Art
1975 BMW 3.0CSL painted by Alexander Calder

Manufacturers employ designers for their cars, but BMW has made efforts to obtain recognition of outstanding contributions and support of the arts, including art beyond motor vehicle design. These efforts typically overlap or complement BMW's marketing and branding campaign. BMW Headquarters designed in 1972 by Karl Schwanzer has become a European icon, and artist Gerhard Richter created his Red, Yellow, Blue series of paintings for the lobby of the building. In 1975, Alexander Calder was commissioned to paint 3.0CSL driven by Hervé Poulain at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This led to more BMW Art Cars, painted by artists including David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Roy Lichtenstein, and others. The cars, currently numbering 17, have been shown at the Louvre, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and, in 2009, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the New York Grand Central Terminal. BMW is the main sponsor of the 1998 The Art Motorcycle exhibition at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and other Guggenheim museums, though the financial relationship between BMW and the Guggenheim was criticized in many places.

In 2012, BMW issued a BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors, which has, among others, the Dikeou Collection. This is the first global guide to private collections and publicly accessible contemporary art world wide.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to BMW Art Car.

2006 "BMW Performance Series" was a marketing event geared to attract black car buyers, and including the "BMW Pop-Jazz Live Series," a tour headlined by jazz musician Mike Phillips, and "BMW Blackfilms.com Film Series" highlighting black filmmakers.
April Mop

BMW has garnered a reputation over the years for its April Fools pranks, which are printed in the British press every year. In 2010, they ran an advertisement announcing that customers will be able to order BMW with different colored badges to show their affiliation with a political party they supported.
Children abroad
Brazil

On October 9, 2014, the new BMW car plant in Araquari South America, Santa Catarina produced the first car. BMW intends to increase production capacity to more than 30,000 vehicles per year. The new site is intended to create approximately 1,300 new jobs, of which 500 have been filled.
Canada

In October 2008, BMW Group Canada as one of the greater Toronto Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the Toronto Star newspaper.
Chinese

Signed an agreement in 2003 for a production sedan in China, May 2004 saw the opening of a factory in the north-eastern city of Shenyang where Brilliance Auto produces BMW-brand cars in a joint venture with the German company.
Egypt

Bavarian Auto Group is a multinational group of companies was established in March 2003 when it was designated as the sole importer of BMW and Mini in Egypt, with a monopoly for the importation, assembly, distribution, sales and after sales support of BMW products in Egypt. Since that date, BAG invested a total amount of US $ 100 million distributed in seven companies and 11 places in addition to the three stores.
India
BMW X1 sDrive 18I - Chennai, India

BMW India was established in 2006 as a sales subsidiary in Gurgaon (National Capital Region). A state-of-the-art assembly plant for BMW 3 and 5 Series started operation in early 2007 in Chennai. Construction of the plant began in January 2006 with an initial investment of over one billion Indian Rupees. The plant began operating in the first quarter of 2007 and produces the different variants of the BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X1, BMW X3, Mini Cooper S, Mini and Mini Cooper D Countryman.
Japan

Yanase Co., Ltd is the exclusive retailer of all BMW (car and motorcycle passenger) imported products to Japanese consumers, and has had exclusive rights to do so since the end of World War II.
Mexico

BMW announced in July 2014 set up factories in Mexico, in the city and state of San Luis Potosi involves an investment of $ 1 billion. Taking advantage of lower wages in this country, and Mexico has a free trade agreement with a number of other countries, the factors motivating the company said. The factory will employ 1,500 people and produce 150,000 cars per year, starting in 2019.
South Africa

BMW has been assembled in South Africa since 1968, when the plant Praetor Monteerders' opened in Rosslyn, near Pretoria. BMW initially bought shares in the company, before fully acquired in 1975; thus, the company became BMW South Africa, the first wholly owned subsidiary of BMW to be established outside Germany. Three unique models that BMW Motorsport created for the South African market is E23 M745i (1983), which uses M88 engine from the BMW M1, BMW 333i (1986), which adds a 3.2-liter six-cylinder M30 engine to the E30, and E30 BMW 325is (1989 ) supported by Alpina -derived 2.7-liter engine.

Unlike US manufacturers, such as Ford and GM, which divested from the country in the 1980s, BMW remains full ownership of its operations in South Africa. Following the end of apartheid in 1994, and a decrease in import tariffs, BMW South Africa ended local production of the 5-Series and 7-Series, to concentrate on the production of 3-Series for the export market. South African-built BMW is now exported to right-hand drive markets including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, England, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1997, BMW South Africa has produced vehicles in left-hand drive for export to Taiwan, the United States and Iran, as well as South America.

BMW with the VIN starts with "NC0" produced in South Africa.
USA
BMW Spartanburg plant

The BMW Manufacturing Company opened in 1994 and has been producing all Z4 models and X5, and X6 recently and X3, including for export to Europe, on the same assembly line in Greer near Spartanburg. In an average working day the company to build 600 vehicles: 500 100 X5s and Z4s. Engines for vehicles built in Munich, Germany. BMW's with a VIN starting with "4US and 5US" manufactured in Spartanburg.

In 2010 BMW announced that it would spend $ 750 million to expand operations in Greer plant. This expansion will enable the production of 240,000 vehicles per year and will make the plant the largest car factory in the United States with a number of employees. BMW's largest single market is the United States.

Currently, the facility produces all BMW X3, X5 and X6 models. X4, which will be launched in 2014, will also be produced in Spartanburg.
Marketing

BMW started using the slogan "The Ultimate Driving Machine 'in the 1970s. In 2010, long-lived campaign was largely replaced by the 'Joy', the campaign is intended to make the brand more "approachable" and better appeal to women, but in 2012 they returned to "The Ultimate Driving Machine", which has a strong relationship with the community of BMW.
Audio logo

In 2013, BMW replaced the sound of 'double-gong' used in TV and Radio advertising campaign since 1998. New Voice, which was developed to represent the identity of the future of BMW, described as "introduced by riding, resonant sound and confirmed by a two-tone distinctive bass form the melodic and rhythmic sound foundation logo. "New Voice was first used in the BMW 4 Series Coupe Concept of commercial TV. The sound produced by Thomas Kisser of HASTINGS media music.
Roundel logo
BMW logo round were used for all models

Circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel evolved from the circular Rapp Motorenwerke company logo, from which the BMW company grew, combined with blue and white colors of the flag of Bavaria. The logo has been described as the movement of a propeller plane with white blades cutting through the blue sky-first used in ads BMW in 1929, twelve years after the roundel was created-but this is not the origin of the logo itself.
Theft using OBD

In 2012, BMW vehicles are stolen by programming a blank key fob to start the car through an on-board diagnostic (OBD) connection. The primary cause of this vulnerability lies in the lack of appropriate authentication and authorization in OBD specifications, which rely mostly on security through obscurity.
Article source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW