Bayerische Motoren Werke
Whatever
you call it, the German-based company is one of the world's most
respected automakers, renowned for crafting luxury cars and SUVs
that offer superior levels of driving enjoyment.
Founded
in Munich, the company began in the early 1910s as an aircraft
manufacturer. BMW's current logo, designed to represent white
propeller blades against a blue sky, reflects these origins; its
blue-and-white color scheme also references Bavaria's
blue-and-white checkered flag.
It wasn't
until 1928 that production began on the first BMW automobile, the
Dixi. The car proved tremendously popular, and its success helped
the manufacturer weather the Depression. BMW's best-known
pre-World War II vehicle was the Type 328 roadster, a supple
two-seater that racked up over 120 victories on the motorsport
circuit between 1936 and 1940. Postwar BMW cars maintained this
tradition, winning several racing, rallying and hill climb
victories.
The early 1950s saw the launch of the BMW 501, a roomy, voluptuous
sedan that was resplendent with all of the hopefulness of that
era. It was soon followed by the 502 which was powered by the
world's first light-alloy V8, foreshadowing BMW's ongoing
commitment to developing new technology. The best-selling BMW of
that decade was the Isetta, a petite two-seat "microcar"
typically powered by a 12- or 13-horsepower engine. The mid-'50s
also saw the debut of the limited production and breathtakingly
beautiful 507 sports car which had an alloy body and used the
502's V8 for propulsion. In the 1960s, BMW sales strengthened
significantly, thanks in part to the immense popularity of the
1500, a sporty family sedan.
By the 1970s, BMW was establishing itself as a full-fledged car
company. It was a pioneer for many emerging technologies,
including turbocharging and advanced vehicle electronics. This was
also the period when BMW of North America was established and
consumers, who coveted both sports and luxury cars became loyal
"Bimmer" owners. The '70s also saw the birth of BMW's
three-tier sport sedan range consisting of the 3 Series, 5 Series
and 7 Series cars and the creation of its performance M division.
More recently, the company has been expanding its reach worldwide.
It opened its first U.S. manufacturing plant in the latter half of
the 1990s and has expanded its brand empire to include Mini and
Rolls-Royce. BMW also continues to build motorcycles, something it
has done since the 1920s.
The automaker's famous advertising slogan describes each of its
vehicles as "the ultimate driving machine," and it's not
mere hyperbole. Over the past couple of decades, BMWs have become
the standard for performance and luxury in most of the "over
$30,000" segments. With family-friendly wagons, crisp sedans,
distinctive coupes, nimble sports cars and spacious SUVs offered,
BMW's model roster is diverse. But its luxury vehicles all share a
common characteristic: the ability to make drivers feel gloriously
connected to the road.