BMW (abbreviation of Bayerische Motoren Werke, or in English, Bavarian Motor Works), is an independent German company and manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. BMW is the parent company of the MINI and Rolls-Royce car brands, and was owner of Rover.

BMW was founded by Karl Friedrich Rapp originally as an engine manufacturer, Rapp Motor. Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH was founded as a successor company to Rapp Motor on July 21, 1917. [1] The Milbertshofen district of Munich was chosen, apparently because it was close to the Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik site. The blue-and-white roundel BMW logo, which is still used (illustrated above right) alludes to the white and blue checkered flag of Bavaria. It is often said to symbolize a spinning white propeller on a blue-sky background, although this interpretation developed after the logo was already in use. [1]
In 1916 the company secured a contract to build V12 engines for Austro-Daimler. Needing extra financing, Rapp gained the support of Camillo Castiglioni, Cornelius Jagdmann and Max Friz, the company was reconstituted as the Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH. Over-expansion caused difficulties; Rapp left and the company was taken over by the Austrian industrialist Franz Josef Popp in 1917, and named BMW AG in 1918. [2]
After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles (1919) prohibited the production of aircraft in Germany. Otto closed his factory and BMW switched to manufacturing railway brakes.[2]
In 1919 BMW designed its first motorcycle engine, used in a model called the Victoria, which was built by a company in Nuremberg. [3]
In 1924 BMW built its first model motorcycle, the R32. This had a 500 cc air-cooled horizontally-opposed engine, a feature that would resonate among their various models for decades to come, albeit with displacement increases and newer technology. The major innovation was the use of a driveshaft instead of a chain to drive the rear wheel. For decades to follow, the shaft-drive boxer engine was the mark of the BMW motorcycle. [3]
In 1927 the tiny Dixi, an Austin Seven produced under licence, began production in Eisenach. BMW bought the Dixi Company the following year, and this became the company’s first car, the BMW 3/15. By 1933 BMW was producing cars that could be called truly theirs, offering steadily more advanced I6 sports and saloons (sedans). The pre-war cars culminated in the 327 coupé and convertible, the 328 roadster, fast 2.0 L cars, both very advanced for their time, as well as the upscale 335 luxury sedan.

Source: Wikipedia

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by Damon Lavrinc

During yesterday’s press conference, BMW confirmed much of what’s already been known or assumed, including the upcoming production of the X6 and its subsequent launch in 2008, as well as its plan to grow the number of diesel-powered vehicles it sells in the US over the next two years.

The soon-to-be-released oil burners will come equipped with BMW’s dual turbocharger (one small snail, accompanied by another larger one) and although BMW was mum on which models will receive this relatively new powerplant, one can assume that the 3-, 5- and X-series vehicles are under development.

The big news was during Tom Purves’ talk, when the U.S. Chairman and CEO said that the automaker intends to bring over 30 new models between now and 2010. This expansion plan includes investing $25 billion over the course of 2005 through 2010 on both research and development, and expanded “business activities.”

More BMWs and better fuel economy was the crux of the press conference, both topics that are easy to get behind if executed well.

[Source: Detroit News]

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by Jonathon Ramsey

The market for MINIs is huge, affirmed today as MINI announced the production of its one-millionth car, a Cooper S hatchback, at BMW’s Plant Oxford.

When the MINI first went on sale in 2001, predictions were for 100,000 per year to find new owners. By 2005 there were more than 200,000 zipping off of dealer lots, and last month, March, a record 7,854 MINIs were sold. The seven-figure MINI, made-to-order for BMW’s Mobile Tradition heritage division, wore a pepper white paint job and a custom color for the roof called almond green, with matching interior leather. A special graphic on the hood keeps everyone aware of the milestone.

With the new Clubman coming, MINI sales are expected to reach 240,000 per year – enough to keep Plant Oxford’s 4,700 workers going round-the-clock building 700 cars per day. For BMW, that means the future looks small, but bright.

[Source: Just Auto]

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by Chris Shunk

Many radio stations have been advertising HD Radio for some time, but until now BMW has been the only volume automaker to implement the technology in production vehicles. Jaguar has decided to enter the fray, offering HD Radio as an option for the 2008 XJ. The suggested retail price is a hefty $500, but we don’t think many XJ owners will buckle at the price.

Within the radio industry, HD Radio is gaining momentum, with 1,200 AM and FM stations broadcasting with digital signals, and 550 of those stations being subscription-free, FM multicast channels. The main stumbling block for HD Radio right now is the cost of the hardware, which is why luxury automakers are the first to adopt the technology.

We got a feel for the power that is HD Radio with some of the cars in the Autoblog Garage, and we are blown away at the quality. We found the quality of the HD radio signal to be extremely clear, and the crispness of talk radio surpasses by far anything offered by XM or Sirius. Hit the jump to read Jaguar’s press release.

[Source: Ford Media]

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Once you’ve decided the old Locomobile or YT-1300 freighter simply isn’t on the cutting edge of technology anymore and are ready to take a mallet to the piggy bank in order to upgrade your motoring experience, you may want to peruse this list from Forbes, which list’s Figrin D’an Lienert’s top technological vehicles. Watch out for Greedo, though. We he hear he hangs out ’round those parts. Dude’ll carjack your Veyron sure as shit. – Davey G. Johnson

Acura RDX
Audi R8
BMW Hydrogen 7
BMW M6 Convertible
Bugatti Veyron
Lexus LS Hybrid
Mercedes E320 Bluetec
Mercedes S600
Porsche 911 Turbo
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead

[Forbes]

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