BMW: the history of the brand. Cars and motorcycles

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

German cars are known worldwide for their functionality and practicality. The BMW brand stands out in particular, which produces not only technological, but also truly luxurious cars. She has a rather interesting and complicated history, which extends over a period of more than a hundred years. It will be useful for every fan of the brand to know it. The journey from aircraft engine manufacturing to high-tech supercars is exciting.

Company launch

BMW is located in Munich. Here is the headquarters where research and development takes place. The beginning of the story also began in this city. In 1913, Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto opened two small firms with workshops on the northern outskirts of Munich. They specialized in the production of aircraft engines. A small enterprise is not well suited to compete in the market, so the firms were soon merged. The name for the new production was Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke, which means "Bavarian aircraft factories". The founder of BMW - Gustav Otto - was the son of the inventor of the internal combustion engine, and Rapp knew a lot about business, so the company promised to be successful.

Changeconcepts

In September 1917, the legendary blue and white round emblem was invented, still used by BMW. The history of creation refers to the aircraft past: the picture symbolizes an aircraft propeller depicted against the background of blue sky. In addition, white and blue are the traditional colors of Bavaria. As mentioned earlier, the concern was originally created for the production of aircraft engines, there was not even a modern name for BMW. The history of the brand took a different path after the First World War. Under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany could not engage in the production of aircraft, and the founders had to re-profile production. Then the brand got a new name. Instead of aviation, the word Motorische appeared in the center, which marked the beginning of the production of another type of equipment. Under this name, fans know the company to this day.

Brand Motorcycles

First, the factory started producing brakes for trains. After that, BMW motorcycles appeared: the first came off the assembly line in 1923. The company's aircraft were previously extremely successful: one of the models even broke the altitude record, so it is natural that the new brainchild captivated the public. The 1923 motorcycle show in Paris was his finest hour: BMW motorcycles proved to be reliable and fast, ideal for racing. In 1928, the founders acquired the first car factories in Thuringia and decided to start a new production - the production of cars. But the production of motorcycles did not stop, on the contrary, new models remain in demand today, just the automotive industry wherelarger and therefore more important for the development of the concern. Nevertheless, fans of the brand, who prefer extreme riding on a two-wheeled horse, follow motorcycles, and such a vehicle on the roads is not at all uncommon.

Subcompact Dixi

The first BMW cars were produced already in 1929. The new model was a subcompact - similar ones were produced in England under the name Austin 7. In the thirties, such cars were in incredible demand among the population of Europe. Economic problems have led to the fact that the small car has become the most reasonable and affordable choice. The first unique model from BMW, completely developed in Germany, was presented to the public in April 1932. The 3/15 PS car was distinguished by a twenty-horsepower engine and developed a speed of up to eighty kilometers per hour. The model became successful, and it was already completely clear that the BMW badge symbolized impeccable quality. The situation will remain unchanged throughout the history of the existence of the Bavarian brand.

The appearance of characteristic details

In 1933, BMW cars were already known, but not yet easily recognizable. The 303 helped to change the situation. This car with a powerful six-cylinder engine was complemented by a distinctive grille, which in the future will become a typical design element of the brand. In 1936, the world recognized the 328. The first BMWs were ordinary cars, and this car was a breakthrough in the field of sports cars. Her appearance helped to formulate the concept of the brand, relevantand now: "The car is for the driver." For comparison, the main German competitor - Mercedes-Benz - follows the idea of "The car is for passengers." This moment became a key moment for BMW. The history of the brand began to develop at an accelerated pace, demonstrating success after success.

World War II period

The 328 has been a winner in various types of races: rally, circuit, hill climb. BMW's ultralight cars were the triumphs of the Italian competition and left behind all other brands that existed at that time. All this led to the fact that by the time the Second World War began, BMW was the most famous and developed company in the world with a focus on sports models. The engines of the Bavarian plant set records. Motorcycles and BMW cars developed speeds never seen before. But the post-war period created critical conditions for the concern. Many bans on production undermined its economic situation. Karl Rapp resolutely started everything from scratch and took up the creation of bicycles and light motorcycles, which were assembled in almost artisanal conditions. The search for new solutions and mechanisms resulted in the first post-war model 501. It did not bring success, but the subsequent version, number 502, turned out to be much more technologically advanced thanks to an aluminum alloy engine. Such a car was in incredible demand: it was maneuverable, roomy enough for its time and offered at an affordable price for the average German buyer.

A new ascent to the top

BIn 1955, the production of small cars called "Isetta" was launched. It was one of the most daring creations of the concern - a mixture of a motorcycle and a car on three wheels, with a door that opens forward. In a poor country after the war, an affordable car made a splash. But rapid economic growth led to a demand for large machines, and the firm was again under threat. The Mercedes-Benz company began to make plans to buy the concern, but this did not happen. Already in 1956, the sports model 507, created by designer Hertz, rolled off the assembly line. The market was offered several configuration options: with a hardtop and in the format of a roadster. An eight-cylinder engine with a capacity of one hundred and fifty horsepower allowed the car to accelerate to two hundred and twenty kilometers per hour. A successful model returned success to the company and is still considered one of the best and most expensive collectible cars. BMW, whose history has already included several difficulties, continued successfully again.

New car models and classes

The BMW badge was associated with both success and failure. The beginning of the sixties was not cloudless for the concern. An acute crisis after failures in the large car sector gave way to stability with the introduction of the 700 model, which for the first time uses an air cooling system. This machine was another major success and helped the concern finally overcome a difficult period. In the coupe version, such BMW cars helped the brand to regain records: sports victories were just around the corner. In 1962, the concern released a new class model that combinesin itself sports and compact options. This was a step to the top of the global automotive industry. The 1500 concept was accepted with such demand that the production capacity simply did not allow new machines to be delivered to the market on time. The success of the new class led to the development of the range: in 1966, the two-door version of the 1600 was introduced. This was followed by a successful turbocharged series. Economic stability allowed the concern to restore the first versions of BMW. The history of models began with six-cylinder engines, and in 1968 their production began again. The 2500 and 2800 were presented to the public, which became the first sedans in the brand line. All this made the sixties the most successful period in the entire previous history of the German concern, but there were numerous well-deserved triumphs and further growth ahead.

Development in the 70s and 80s

In the year of the Olympic Games in Munich, namely in 1972, the concern developed new BMW cars - already the fifth series. The concept was revolutionary: before the brand was best at sports cars, but the new approach allowed it to succeed in the sedan segment. The 520 and 520i models were presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new car was distinguished by smooth, elongated lines, large windows and a low landing. The recognizable body design was developed by the Frenchman Paul Braque. The deformation process was calculated using computer technology in the BMW concern. The history of the models of this series continued with the release of 525 - the first model of a comfort sedan with a six-cylinderengine, obedient and powerful, with 145 horsepower.

A new chapter began in 1975. The first BMWs in the sporty compact sedans segment were introduced in lineup number three. Stylish design with a characteristic radiator does not interfere with the compact look, while the car looks extremely serious. Under the hood of the novelty, four-cylinder engines of the latest models are located, and a year later, leading experts called this car the best in the world. In 1976, a large coupe was presented in Geneva, and Braque was again involved in the work on it. The predatory outline of the hood provided the novelty with the nickname "shark".

By the beginning of the eighties, the equipment of the Bavarian concern's cars included a new traction control system and automatic boxes, as well as electric seats. There was a seventh series with a six-cylinder injection engine. Over two years, more than seventy-five thousand models were sold. Updated the third and fifth series, releasing the most popular options in the new configuration. High power, excellent aerodynamics, functional roominess and a choice of engine options and bodywork were excellent ways to improve successful models.

In 1985, a convertible was released. A technological novelty was the suspension, which allows comfortable travel over long distances. By the end of the eighties, the BMW concern, whose history was already known to the whole world, began production of four new models with gasoline engines and electronic injection and one diesel. New leader- a gifted designer and simply talented manager Klaus Lute - was able to achieve the preservation of a characteristic look with recognizable details such as the radiator grille, which has been present in models for several decades, with its constant modernization and implement the most relevant technological solutions at once in several series that exist in the production range of the Bavarian firms.

Production in the 90s

In 1990, another new car from BMW was introduced. The history of the third series included ups and downs, but the novelty definitely belonged to the first. The roomy car captivated buyers with its elegance and manufacturability. In 1992, several coupes with improved six-cylinder engines were introduced to the public. A few months later, a new convertible and sporty M3 model appeared. In the middle of the decade, each car that appeared in the lines of the concern was supplemented with unique details. Reviews of BMW cars noted the ideal equipment corresponding to the class: the models featured climate and cruise control, they were equipped with on-board computers and electric windows and mirrors, power steering and much more.

In 1995, the fifth series model underwent significant changes in appearance: twin headlights appeared under a transparent cap, and the interior became even more comfortable and spacious. The 5 Touring was released in 1997 and featured a multi-function steering wheel, active seats, navigation and dynamic stabilization. The next year the series wassupplemented by diesel variants with engines in six and eight cylinders, in addition, they could be ordered in extended bodies. In addition, the Z3 model appeared on the screen in one of the Bond films, and the concern again faced demand that exceeded production capacity.

The first BMW SUV

The history of the creation of many models goes far into past decades. Only SUVs appeared in the lines of the concern relatively recently - at the turn of the millennium. The debut of a sports car for outdoor activities, the first in the history of the automotive industry, occurred in 1999. In the same period, the company returned to Formula 1 racing and announced itself with several variants of the coupe and station wagon, and also introduced a car for the new part of the Bond. The last year of the twentieth century was a truly record-breaking year in terms of sales. The Russian market alone recorded an eighty-three percent increase in demand.

The new millennium began for the brand with the premiere of the upgraded model of the seventh series. BMW 7 opened a new horizon for the famous Bavarian concern and allowed it to claim first place in the luxury segment. Once the sphere of representative limousines undermined the position of the company with its development and led it to the worst position in history: the company was on the verge of being sold. Now, BMW cars have conquered her too, remaining impeccable champions in all other areas and continuing to work endlessly on improvement and modernization, as well as the development of new technologies that are not available to other brands around the world.

The principle “A car is for the driver” remains the main thing that the designers and engineers of the concern are guided by, which ensures popularity with buyers: the unique driving comfort justifies the price of each of the available models and conquers more and more motorists. The regular appearance of brand new products on the movie screen allows you to attract the attention of even those who still have not appreciated the amazing beauty and manufacturability of German cars famous throughout the world.