The History and Style of the BMW

Whether you are looking for a sporty car or a mini car, the Bavarian Motor Works company, otherwise known as BMW, may have the exact style model that you are looking for. The company originated in Germany and made airplane engines, motorcycles, and automobiles. It is also the parent company for the mini and the luxurious high end Rolls Royce. The company also makes motorcycles and is the parent of the Husqvarna brand name. Its automobile and motorcycle models are considered premium and are in high demand all over the world. 

The German aircraft that were used in World War I were made by the Rapp Motorenwerke engine manufacturing company. This aircraft engine manufacturing was ground to a halt at the end of the war in accordance with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. It then changed its name to Bavarian Motor Works and started manufacturing motorcycles in 1923 when the treaty was lifted. They then began to produce small automobiles in 1928. 

BMW made a name for itself with the Illa engine as it was one of the first liquid engines that were manufactured. It was successful because it performed well in the air. When Germany began to prepare for World War II, BMW once again began building engines for aircraft such as the Luftwaffe, Heinkel He, otherwise known as the spatz, and the Messerschmidt Me 262. However, the company took a huge step backwards when its airplanes couldn’t get off the ground and then hit huge competition in the fighter jet industry from the Junkers company. 

By 1959 the company started getting into the hole financially and stockholders in the company decided to go away from making airplane engines, but back to making automobiles once again as many of their competitors had begun to do. The first cars were small, but were somewhat successful. The engines on these small cars were powered by the same engines that were on the motorcycles from the company’s earlier days. BMW later bought the Hans Glas company which enabled them to get the timing devices necessary in the modern market. It then became partial owners of Designworks USA of Los Angeles and the Rover Group, based in Great Britain, which made the Land Rover, Rover, and the MG. It later sold the Rover brand to Ford, but still kept the rights to the mini, which was introduced by BMW in 2001. Husqvarna was also purchased by Bavarian Motor Works, but is still operated separately. 

The circular emblem on the Bavarian Motor Works logo supposedly resembles a white rotating airplane prop seen against the black night sky, which takes the company back to its airplane engine making roots of war times. The blue and white colors represent the country that the company is located in, the Free state of Bavaria. 

From sporty and luxurious, to mini and economical, Bavarian Motor Works has the style of car to meet the needs of the modern person, no matter where in the world he resides.