BMW in Munich

You can probably guess from the title that this post is about “the ultimate driving machine.” It is no joke when the company brags about their customers creating a special bond with their cars because I have a friend who would have a panic attack if something happened to his precious BMW M3. Although BMW cars are a bit luxurious for my taste, I feel like royalty being a passenger in one.

Bayerische Motoren Werke (translates to “Bavarian Motor Works”) started as a manufacturer of aircraft engines that then transitioned into cars. Below, I share with you the history timeline behind the company.

Rapp engineering his motors.

• 1913: Karl Friedrich Rapp established his own aircraft engines in a former bicycle factory near Munich. Unfortunately, the business didn't do so well.

• 1913: Gustav Otto set up a business building small aircrafts. Otto’s father was the inventor of the four-stroke internal engine.

• 1916: Rapp’s and Otto’s companies merged to form Bayerische Flugzeug-Were (translated to “Bavarian Aircraft Works”). Soon after, the company’s name became what it is today, BMW.

• 1917: BMW’s first aircraft engine went into production. The Type lIla featured a water-cooled six-cylinder inline engine.

• 1918: The German government bought the BMW engines due to Illa’s impressively strong performance.

• 1919: During WWI, the Allies prohibited German military to produce aircraft engines. As a result, BMW turned to boat and truck engines.

• 1920: The current BMW logo was introduced. Its blue and white design represented the whirling circular aircraft propeller.

• 1923: BMW’s first motorcycle (BMW R32) was released.

• 1928: BMW started producing cars.

• 1973: BMW headquarters and the Museum opened.

• 1994: BMW started selling overseas to the USA.

• 2007: The BMW Welt opened in Munich. It is 5 times larger than the old BMW Museum and has fun, interactive features for youngsters and car gurus.  You get insight into the BMW history by their wide variety of models. The Welt also offers music, art, political, and business events at their facilities.

This video gives you an idea of the precision behind the BMW production in their factory. The Germans take great pride behind their products.

By learning about BMW’s history and present-day factory, I’ve grown a greater appreciation for their products. I won’t be able to afford an "ultimate driving machine" any time soon, but I will be able to talk to BMW owners with an educated knowledge of the cars. Will most cars parked in Germany will be a BMW? I will have to let you know.