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Early Beginnings
Before BMW was one of the most famous luxury car makers in the world, it produced aircraft engines which were used during World War I. Originally part of the German company Rapp Motorenwerke, BMW was established as its own entity after Rapp was restructured in 1917. In 1918, BMW produced a powerful engine that powered a biplane to 5,000 meters altitude in only 29 minutes, a feat for its day. As you can BMW, BMW is know for their powerful engines from the very beginning, a tradition we are proud to continue.Â
1923 - 1928
When World War I ended, BMW was forced by the Treaty of Versalles to stop making aircraft engines. They switched over to the automotive industry, at first exclusively making motorcycles from 1923 to 1928 before integrating automobiles into its lineup. BMW's first successfully made car was the Dixi, which was based on a car made by an English manufacturer in Birmingham, England.
1929-1950s
With German reamament in the 1930s, BMW began to produce some aircrafts for Germany again, though there were many setbacks and failures along this path since they had been out of the aircraft game for some years. Towards the end of World World II, BMW developed the Strahlbomber, BMW Schnellbomber, and the BMW Strahljager, but none were built. In the mid-1950s, motorcycles were BMW's biggest earner at the time, with their revenue peaking in 1954. When the company faced financial troubles in the late 1950s, they capitalized on the huge need for economy cars to boost sales again.
1963 -1972
BMW got back on its feel by 1963, and in 1966 the BMW Munich plant was at its highest possible production level and BMW had to expand. Finally moving into commercial success in the mid-1960s, BMW decided to move their headquarters to Munich. In 1972, the 5 Series that's still in production today was launched.
1975-1990s
Introducing the still popular 3 Series in 1975, the 7 Series in 1977, and the 6 Series soon after, BMW finally found a winning formual of high performance luxury cars that high all the right notes with the public.
2000s-Present
Since then BMW has found success in acquiring companies which were producing innovative new technologies and designs and integrating them into the designs of BMW cars, such as the Hans Glas Company, DesignWorks USA, and most notably the rights to build the MINI, which has proven to be a hugely successful, quirky line of cars. Recently, in 2007, BMW purchased the rights to Husqvarna Motorcycles, creating the BMW Motorrad division.
Their lineup has evolved into an innovative range of sedans, coupes, SUVs, crossovers, and performance cars with state of the art technology and unmatched luxury. BMW has gained an incredible reputation for business sense and top of the line quality and was even named the most reputable company in the world by Forbes.com in 2012.
Come by P&W BMW at 4801 Baum Blvd to learn more about the history of BMW today and to see that wonderful history in motion in our latest models. Schedule a test drive or just stop by. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Before BMW was one of the most famous luxury car makers in the world, it produced aircraft engines which were used during World War I. Originally part of the German company Rapp Motorenwerke, BMW was established as its own entity after Rapp was restructured in 1917. In 1918, BMW produced a powerful engine that powered a biplane to 5,000 meters altitude in only 29 minutes, a feat for its day. As you can BMW, BMW is know for their powerful engines from the very beginning, a tradition we are proud to continue.Â
1923 - 1928
When World War I ended, BMW was forced by the Treaty of Versalles to stop making aircraft engines. They switched over to the automotive industry, at first exclusively making motorcycles from 1923 to 1928 before integrating automobiles into its lineup. BMW's first successfully made car was the Dixi, which was based on a car made by an English manufacturer in Birmingham, England.
1929-1950s
With German reamament in the 1930s, BMW began to produce some aircrafts for Germany again, though there were many setbacks and failures along this path since they had been out of the aircraft game for some years. Towards the end of World World II, BMW developed the Strahlbomber, BMW Schnellbomber, and the BMW Strahljager, but none were built. In the mid-1950s, motorcycles were BMW's biggest earner at the time, with their revenue peaking in 1954. When the company faced financial troubles in the late 1950s, they capitalized on the huge need for economy cars to boost sales again.
1963 -1972
BMW got back on its feel by 1963, and in 1966 the BMW Munich plant was at its highest possible production level and BMW had to expand. Finally moving into commercial success in the mid-1960s, BMW decided to move their headquarters to Munich. In 1972, the 5 Series that's still in production today was launched.
1975-1990s
Introducing the still popular 3 Series in 1975, the 7 Series in 1977, and the 6 Series soon after, BMW finally found a winning formual of high performance luxury cars that high all the right notes with the public.
2000s-Present
Since then BMW has found success in acquiring companies which were producing innovative new technologies and designs and integrating them into the designs of BMW cars, such as the Hans Glas Company, DesignWorks USA, and most notably the rights to build the MINI, which has proven to be a hugely successful, quirky line of cars. Recently, in 2007, BMW purchased the rights to Husqvarna Motorcycles, creating the BMW Motorrad division.
Their lineup has evolved into an innovative range of sedans, coupes, SUVs, crossovers, and performance cars with state of the art technology and unmatched luxury. BMW has gained an incredible reputation for business sense and top of the line quality and was even named the most reputable company in the world by Forbes.com in 2012.
Come by P&W BMW at 4801 Baum Blvd to learn more about the history of BMW today and to see that wonderful history in motion in our latest models. Schedule a test drive or just stop by. We look forward to seeing you soon.