Introduction

Corporate Logo

Figure 1 BMW logos in different years. Retrieved from: http://www.bmwgroup.com/bmwgroup_prod/e/0_0_www_bmwgroup_com/unternehmen/historie/meilensteine/meilensteine.html

The symbol of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, known as BMW in today, stems from the company’s origins as aeroplane engine manufacturers. From 1917, all of the company’s products displays the BMW emblem, which incorporates the states of colors of Bavaria. The emblem makes its first appearance in the company’s advertising in late 1920s. Since the end of the 1970s, BMW worked to create a standardized international logo that today whenever people encounter the logo they recognize BMW.

Background

In 1916, Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke AG (BFW) had formed at government behest. It was then established as a business entity when the Rapp Motorenwerke aircraft manufacturing firm morphed into BMW in 1917, and was duly converted into a public limited company (AG) in 1918.

Figure 2 BMW plane. Adapted from : http://www.bmwgroup.com/bmwgroup_prod/e/0_0_www_bmwgroup_com/unternehmen/historie/meilensteine/meilensteine.html

After the end of World War I in 1918, BMW manufactured railway brakes and inboard engines because of the prohibition on the production of aircraft-engine production by the terms of the Versailles Armistice Treaty.

After the end of the war, BMW manufactured railway brakes and inboard engines following the prohibition on the production of aero-engine. In 1920, the company was sold to Knorr Bremse AG. The company relocated to the production facilities of BFW at Munich’s Oberwiesenfeld airfield.

In 1923, BMW successfully announced its first motorcycle named as the R32 after a long gradual lifting of the restrictions of the treaty. Before this, the company had only supplied engines rather than complete vehicles. BMW began its automotive construction in 1928 by purchasing Fahrzeugfabrik

Eisenach and start producing cars in Germany before World War II. Furthermore, the first BMW car was built under license from Austin Motor Company in Birmingham, England.

During World War II, BMW became a German armaments and war materials manufacturer, building aircraft engines for the German Air Force. After the war, allied soldiers requisitioned and occupied the BMW plants. Its Munich plant was heavily damaged with all worthwhile machinery taken as war reparation. In 1945, the US military government issued a command for dismantling the BMW plants in Munich and Allach. The company survived by making mainly of kitchen utensils

In March 1948, BMW introduced its first vehicle to take to the road, named the R24 motorcycle. From 1952 onwards, BMW built its first post-war automobile, 501. However, in 1958, BMW faced financial difficulties but it resolved by cashing in on the current economy car. However, in 1959, BMW was in financial crisis. Daimler-Benz submitted a restructuring offer for BMW but small shareholders and the workforce rejected this offer. In the following year, BMW was restructured under Quandt’s management after accepting financial assistance from the government.

At the 1961 German Motor Show, BMW exhibited the 1500 model which re-established BMW as a successful, modern carmaker. The model has re-established BMW as a maker of high quality, sport compact saloons. In 1966, a smaller 2-door range, the 02, was launced together with a large six cylinder BMW 2500. In the mid-1960, BMW purchased Hans Glas GmBH together with its locations in Dingolfing and Landshut. Both sites were restructured and the biggest BMW plant was created at Dingolfing.

In 1969, production of BMW motorcycles was transferred to Berlin-Spandau to meet the demands of expanding automobile production. The following year, BMW launched a series of new models. All of these motorcycles were manufactured completely at the Berlin-Spandau facility. Eberhard V. Kuenheim became the Chairman of the Board of Management. In his time in this role, BMW developed into a brand of global standing.

In 1972, The BMW took over the entire facility constructed by the importer and located in Rosslyn, South Africa. The same year, BMW motorsport GmbH was founded. BMW build an administrative tower block in the north of Munich described as the “four-cylinder building” and officially opened on 18 May 1973. BMW Steyr Motoren Gesellschaft was founded as a joint venture between BMW AG and Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG. An engine plant was built at Steyr, Austria. The first diesel power unit came off the assembly line in 1983.

In 1985, BMW Technik GmbH was set up as a think tank free from the constraints of series development. One of the initial major projects was the Z1 Roadster, which was produced as a small series in 1988. BMW started up its plant in Regensburg in 1987 due to the growing demand and relieve the pressure in the Munich plant.

BMW started to build a plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina after the decision to move its productions to USA. The plant was opened in 1994 for the production of the BMW Z3 Roadster and expanded its facilities for the manufacturing of BMW X3, X5 and X6 models. In 1994, BMW took over the Rover Group in the UK to expand its range of models. With the purchase of Rover, BMW took over its Oxford plant. However, the Rover group was sold in 2000.

In 1998, BMW acquired the brand and naming rights for Rolls-Royce motor cars. The new Rolls-Royce plant and a new company headquarters were built in Goodwood, England. Rolls-Royce unveils the new

Phantom in 2003. In September 2009, the new Rolls-Royce Ghost heralds the arrival of a second model family.

The new MINI is launched by the BMW Group in 2001 as the first premium vehicle in the small-car segment. After the sales of the Rover Group, the Oxford car factory were used to build the MINI since 2001. In May 2005, BMW opened its plan in Leipzig for the production of BMW 1 Series and BMW X1

In June 2012, BMW was proposed as the first most reputable company in the world.

Nature of Business

The BMW group is one of the largest car and motorcycle manufacturers in the world. The BMW group owns three of the strongest premium brands in the automobile industry with BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce. In additions, the BMW group offers a successful ranges of financial services. BMW Financial Services offer an extensive product portfolio which supplies expert information regarding financing and leasing, insurance, asset management, dealer financing and company car pools.