Bmw

BMW’s origins lie in the 1910 founding of Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik by Gustav Otto in the Kingdom of Bavaria, then part of the German Empire. This firm was reorganized as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) on 18 August 1916. In 1922, the name and assets of BMW GmbH were transferred to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG, thereby giving rise to the company known today as BMW AG.

Following postwar restrictions on aircraft manufacturing, BMW diversified into motorcycle production in the 1920s, introducing its first motorcycle, the BMW R32, in 1923. BMW entered the automobile market in 1928 with the acquisition of Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach, producing the Austin 7 under licence as the Dixi, which became the first car sold as a BMW – the BMW 3/15.

During the 1930s, BMW expanded its product range to include sports cars and larger luxury vehicles. Aircraft engines, motorcycles, and automobiles would be BMW's main products until World War II, after which the company faced significant challenges. BMW’s factories were heavily bombed during the war, and its remaining West German facilities were banned from producing motor vehicles or aircraft. The company survived by making pots, pans, and bicycles, restarting motorcycle production in 1948 and resuming car production in Bavaria in 1952 with the BMW 501 luxury saloon. A large investment in BMW by Herbert Quandt and Harald Quandt in 1959 saved the company from being taken over by Daimler-Benz. The introduction of the BMW New Class compact sedans in 1962 marked the beginning of BMW’s reputation as a leading manufacturer of sport-oriented cars. Throughout the 1960s, BMW expanded its range with coupé and luxury sedan models, followed by the BMW 5 Series in 1972, the BMW 3 Series in 1975, the BMW 6 Series in 1976, and the BMW 7 Series in 1978.

In 1978, BMW M division released its first road car, the M1, a mid-engine supercar. In 1986, BMW introduced its first V12 engine in the 750i luxury sedan. On 18 January 2022, BMW announced the "The Final V12" edition of the BMW 7 Series (G11), marking the last BMW series production vehicle to be fitted with a V-12 engine.

BMW has a significant history in motorsport, including touring cars, Formula One, endurance racing, and the Isle of Man TT. BMW produces motor vehicles in Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, India, and China. BMW has collaborated with other car manufacturers, including McLaren Automotive, with whom they designed and produced the V12 engine for the McLaren F1. BMW also collaborated with Toyota to jointly develop fuel cell technology and a platform for a sports car, resulting in the BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra.

As of 2024, the key leadership of BMW AG is headed by Oliver Zipse, who replaced Harald Krüger in August 2019. Milan Nedeljkovic is slated to take over as CEO starting May 2026. The Quandt family remains a long-term shareholder of the company, following investments in 1959 that saved BMW from bankruptcy. In 2023, BMW’s trademarks applications were ranked 2nd in the world by the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Madrid Yearly Review, with 124 trademark applications submitted during the year.

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