BMW

German cars are in high demand due to their reliability and functionality. One of the most popular is the BMW brand, whose models have long become a symbol of luxury and sporty style. Now the Bavarian company represents a giant concern with many car factories not only in Germany, but also in other countries of the world: from the USA to Egypt. BMWs are also produced in Russia – they are assembled by the Kaliningrad enterprise Avtotor. This article is devoted to the history of the creation and development of BMW, which has over 100 years and will certainly be of interest to true fans of the brand.

How the company was created

The history of BMW began in the Bavarian Munich, where in 1913 the German industrialists Rapp and Otto opened two small enterprises. The new firms were engaged in the production of aircraft engines, and their leaders soon decided to unite in order to withstand tough market competition together. The joint company was named Bayerische Flugzeugwerke – “Bavarian Aviation Plants”.

Zigzag of fate

In the autumn of 1917, the BMW emblem was created, which has remained unchanged to this day: a circle divided into four parts (two white and two blue). These colors are considered traditionally Bavarian. For a long time it was believed that the drawing symbolized the propeller of an aircraft against a clear sky.

Most likely, the company would have followed the originally defined path, creating aircraft engines, and motorists would never even know its name. But history decreed otherwise. After the surrender of Germany in the First World War, the country’s government signed the Treaty of Versailles, one of the clauses of which was a ban on the production of aircraft.

To save the company, the founders redesigned production and changed the name somewhat: the word Flugzeug (“aircraft”) gave way to Motorische (“motor”), and the abbreviation acquired a modern look, well known to fans.

BMW motorcycles

After the restructuring of production, BMW was engaged for some time in the production of brakes for railway vehicles. In 1923, the company switched to motorcycles, and so successfully that in a matter of months it gained worldwide fame. The reliability and speed qualities of the Bavarian motorcycle technology have earned her fame among the riders.

In 1928, after the purchase of factories in Thuringia, the management made automobile production the main field of activity, but the production of motorcycles has not stopped to this day. Sports models are very popular and are often found on the roads of different countries.

Subcompact BMW

The first BMW car rolled off the assembly line in 1929 – it was a subcompact model produced under license from the British Austin Motor Company. The BMW Dixi 3/15 PS was similar to the English Austin 7, extremely popular in European countries. The car was equipped with a 20-horsepower engine and could reach speeds of up to 80 km / h.

The German manufacturers did not stop there: in the spring of 1932, a unique model of their own design was presented to the general public. Motorists appreciated the novelty: from then until now, the BMW mark has been associated with impeccable quality.

Characteristic details

Despite their fame, in the early 1930s, BMW cars were not recognizable at first sight. A characteristic feature of the Bavarian brand – a double grille – first appeared on the BMW 303, produced since 1933.

The concept of the Bavarian brand – “A car for the driver” – was finally formulated with the advent of the BMW 328, which became a breakthrough in the field of sports cars.

World War II and post-war years

BMW before the outbreak of World War II was the most famous company specializing in the production of sports motorcycles and cars. With their engines, the Bavarian models set records, leaving competitors far behind. For obvious reasons, from 1940 to 1945, the number of international car and motorcycle races is markedly reduced.

The defeat of Germany, as in the First World War, dealt a serious blow to the company. Its economic situation was undermined, many projects had to be closed. In this situation, Karl Rapp focuses on the production of bicycles, as well as light motorcycles, the assembly conditions of which are close to handicraft.

The first step towards overcoming the crisis was the development of the BMW 501. The car could not become successful, but the subsequent 502 model, equipped with an aluminum alloy power unit, gained incredible popularity due to a number of qualities: spaciousness;
maneuverability;
high technology for its time.
Given the affordable price for the average German buyer, the cars were in high demand, which made it possible to develop production.

Through hardship to the stars

In 1955, the company launched the production of subcompact Isetta models, a three-wheeled hybrid of a car and a motorcycle. The Isetta’s low price for a war-ravaged country was a key factor in its popularity. However, the German economy grew rapidly and public interest shifted to large cars. BMW again found itself in a serious crisis: the main competitor Mercedes-Benz began to prepare for the buyout of the company.

The Bavarians were not going to give up. In 1956, the designer of the Hertz company developed the BMW 507 sports car, which was offered in two versions:

with standard hardtop;
roadster.
Equipped with an 8-cylinder engine with a capacity of up to 150 hp. with., the model developed a speed of up to 220 km / h. The development was a tremendous success, allowing the company to overcome the crisis and successfully continue its activities. Since then, the history of the brand has been developing by leaps and bounds, accompanied by enchanting successes. And the BMW 507 is now one of the most expensive collectible cars.

New developments

The next major success of the Bavarian concern was the BMW 700, which was the first to implement an air cooling system. The beginning of the sixties was the most successful time for the company in its entire history:

1962 – release of the 1500 model, which combined the features of the sports and compact classes. The demand for it significantly exceeded the production capacity of the enterprise: the workers simply did not have time to assemble new cars for delivery to the market.
1966 – launch of a series of turbocharged cars, also crowned with success.
1968 – presentation to the general public of the first BMW sedans (2500 and 2800).

Development of production in the 1970s and 1980s

The middle of 1972 was marked in Munich by two events at once – the Olympic Games and the development of the 5 series BMW. Formerly specialized in sports cars, the brand has proved that it can do just as well with sedans.

The new cars presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show made an impression on the public: they were distinguished by elongated body lines, large side windows and low ground clearance. The appearance of the new BMW.