BMW Logo, History Timeline and List of Latest Models

BMW, short for ‘Bayerische Motoren Werke’, which means ‘Bavarian Motor Works’ in English, has come a long way since its inception and has become one of the most popular sports, luxury, and family car manufacturers today. BMW’s history started with the efforts of Karl Rapp, who incorporated Rapp Motorenwerke near Oberwiesenfeld.

The company used to manufacturer aircrafts and had contracts with Gustav Otto and Austro-Daimler to manufacturer V12 engines for its airplanes. Let’s learn more about the BMW Logo, the company’s history timeline, and their latest models.

BMW Logo

BMW logo

In 1916, after gaining considerable success in the airplane industry, the company was renamed to Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH. It was during this time, Franz Josef Popp, became the supervisor of airplane engines. Within a few weeks, Max Friz was assigned as the designer of airplanes and a new aircraft engine was created, which would be given the name ‘BMW IIIa’.

Soon enough, the company became popular by the name BMW and the owners decided to design a new logo. This is how the famous blue and white trademark of the company was created.

However, in 1918, BMW was forced to cease production of aircraft engines. Therefore, the company shifted its attention to manufacturing motorcycles by 1923. Soon enough, BMW saw huge potential in the field of automobile manufacturing and then began producing automobiles in 1928. The first automobile produced by the company was the ‘BMW Dixi’.

Important Events in the History of BMW

1930-1960

In the 30s, BMW introduced a new car, the ‘Wartburg’ DA3, which was also incredibly successful. Soon enough, the company attempted to introduce a new front axle on both their Dixi and Wartburg models, but due to construction faults most of the prototypes ended up in series accidents. However, in 1933, the company got back in the game and manufactured the 303 which used the new M78 engine.

Later on, throughout the 30s, newer models of the 303 were created, including the 326, 320, 329, 327 and the most popular being the 328 Brescia Grand Prix. However, due to the impending war in 1940, BMW shifted its interest to manufacturing military vehicles. By the 50s, BMW re-entered the automobile field and introduced the 501, the first post-war BMW.

By 1954, the most famous vehicle of all time, the BMW 502 V8 super made its debut, which allowed the company to enhance its reputation worldwide. In 1956, BMW introduced a muscle 507 car, which made the company the largest money earner at that time.

1960-1980

The 60s were an incredibly successful time in BMW’s History. In fact, the company had become so popular that the Munic Plant couldn’t handle the production and consumer demands. Therefore, in 1967, the company shifted to a new location with a larger plant and began production of motorcycles in Berlin. In the 70s, BMW began production of its vehicles in South Africa.

A few years later, the BMW Motorsport GmbH was founded. Additionally, BMW established its own museum of aircraft engines and traditional hit cars. Not to mention, it was during this time the 5 series, 3 series, 7 series, and 6 series vehicles were introduced in the market, which is still in production.

1980-2000+

In the 80s, BMW began production in Regensburg and the company was operating efficiently all over the world. In the 90s, BMW entered the US and soon acquired the British Rover Group. This brought the active Land Rover, Rover, and MINI brands under BMW ownership along with rights of numerous dormant marques, such as Wolseley, Triumph, Riley, Morris, and Austin.

In the 2000s, BMW took over MINI and Rolls-Royce and the company introduced its famous 1 series. Soon enough, the company established a plant in Shenyang and even created a joint-venture with China. By 2013, the BMW launched the all-new I3, which kick-started the new era of electric mobility.

BMW Automobiles Today

The history of BMW shows the prestige and still exists as one of the three best luxury automobile manufacturers in the world. Additionally, the company holds a high place in motorcycle production. Not to mention, BMW has four new divisions namely BMW Motorrad, BMW I, BMW Motorsport, and MINI. Moreover, the company has a yearly output of 2,117,965 automobiles and 120,000 motorcycles.

Interesting News

In 1956, BMW introduced the 507 sports car, which was purely hand-made. Only 252 units were built, but each of the cars produced was personalized to meet each buyer’s wishes.
The BMW Z3 made its debut in 1996, after making an appearance in the famous James Bond Film, “GoldenEye”
In the 90s, BMW made a joint venture with Rolls-Royce to continue its long legacy of manufacturing aircraft engines.

List of all Current BMW Car Models

BMW Sedans

2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan
2022 BMW 330i xDrive Sedan
2022 BMW M340i xDrive Sedan
2022 BMW 330e xDrive Sedan
2022 BMW M340i Sedan
2022 BMW 330e Sedan
2022 BMW 5 Series Sedan
2022 BMW 530i xDrive Sedan
2022 BMW 530e xDrive Sedan
2022 BMW 540i xDrive Sedan
2022 BMW M550i xDrive Sedan
2022 BMW 530i Sedan
2022 BMW 530e Sedan
2022 BMW 540i Sedan
2022 BMW 7 Series Sedan
2022 BMW 740i xDrive Sedan
2022 BMW 745e xDrive
2022 BMW 750i xDrive Sedan
2022 BMW M760i xDrive Sedan
2022 ALPINA B7 xDrive
2022 BMW 740i Sedan

BMW Coupes & Gran Coupes

2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe
2022 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
2022 BMW M240i xDrive Coupe
2022 BMW 230i sDrive Coupe
2022 BMW 228i xDrive Gran Coupe
2022 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe
2022 BMW 228i Gran Coupe sDrive
2022 BMW 4 Series Coupe
2022 BMW 430i xDrive Coupe
2022 BMW M440i xDrive Coupe
2022 BMW 430i sDrive Coupe
2022 BMW M440i sDrive Coupe
2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
2022 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe
2022 BMW 430i sDrive Gran Coupe
2022 BMW 8 Series Coupe
2022 BMW 840i xDrive Coupe
2022 BMW M850i xDrive Coupe
2022 BMW 840i sDrive Coupe
2022 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
2022 BMW 840i xDrive Gran Coupe
2022 BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe
2022 BMW 840i sDrive Gran Coupe
2022 ALPINA B8 xDrive Gran Coupe

BMW Convertibles & Roadsters

2022 BMW 4 Series Convertible
2022 BMW 430i xDrive Convertible
2022 BMW 440i xDrive Convertible
2022 BMW 430i Convertible
2022 BMW 440i Convertible
2022 BMW 8 Series Convertible
2022 BMW 840i xDrive Convertible
2022 BMW M850i xDrive Convertible
2022 BMW 840i Convertible
2022 BMW Z4 Roadster
2022 BMW Z4 sDrive30i
2022 BMW Z4 M40i

BMW SUVs

2022 BMW X1
2022 BMW X1 xDrive28i
2022 BMW X1 sDrive28i
2022 BMW X2
2022 BMW X2 xDrive28i
2022 BMW X2 M35i
2022 BMW X2 sDrive28i
2022 BMW X3
2022 BMW X3 xDrive30i
2022 BMW X3 M40i
2022 BMW X3 sDrive30i
2022 BMW X3 M
2022 BMW X4
2022 BMW X4 xDrive30i
2022 BMW X4 M40i
2022 BMW X4 M
2022 BMW X5
2022 BMW X5 xDrive40i
2022 BMW X5 M50i
2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e
2022 BMW X5 sDrive40i
2022 BMW X5 M
2022 BMW X6
2022 BMW X6 xDrive40i
2022 BMW X6 M50i
2022 BMW X6 M
2022 BMW X7
2022 BMW X7 xDrive40i
2022 BMW X7 M50i
2022 ALPINA XB7

Electric BMW Models

2022 BMW iX
2022 BMW iX xDrive50
2022 BMW i4 Gran Coupe
2022 BMW i4 eDrive40
2022 BMW i4 M50

BMW M Models

2022 BMW M3 Sedan
2022 BMW M3 Competition Sedan
2022 BMW M3 Competition xDrive Sedan
2022 BMW M4 Coupe
2022 BMW M4 Competition Coupe
2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive Coupe
2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive Convertible
2022 BMW M5 Sedan
2022 BMW M5 Competition Sedan
2022 BMW M5 CS Sedan
2022 BMW M8 Competition Coupe
2022 BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe
2022 BMW M8 Competition Convertible

As you can see from the BMW history, the company has an incredibly long journey. And even though it faced numerous challenges during the Second World War, the company managed to stay strong and become one of the largest car manufacturers in the world today.

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