BMW

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This article is about the German automobile and motorcycle manufacturer. For other uses, see
BMW (disambiguation).
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

Type Aktiengesellschaft (FWB: BMW)

Industry Automotive industry
Founded 1916
Founder(s) Franz Josef Popp
Headquarters Munich, Germany
Area served Worldwide
Norbert Reithofer (CEO), Joachim Milberg
Key people
(Chairman of the supervisory board)

Products Automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles

Revenue €50.68 billion (2009)[1]
Operating
€289 million (2009)[1]
income
Profit €204 million (2009)[1]
Employees 96,230 (2009)[1]
Subsidiaries Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Website bmw.com
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (info) (BMW), (literally English: Bavarian Motor Works) is a
German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also
owns and produces the MINI brand, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands. BMW is known for
its performance and luxury vehicles.
Contents
[hide]
• 1 Company history
• 2 Production
○ 2.1 Sales (BMW-brand)
• 3 Motorcycles
• 4 Automobiles
○ 4.1 New Class
○ 4.2 Current models
○ 4.3 BMW M models
• 5 Motorsport
○ 5.1 Motorsport sponsoring
○ 5.2 Motorcycle
○ 5.3 Formula One
○ 5.4 Sports car
○ 5.5 Touring car
○ 5.6 Rally
○ 5.7 Sport sponsorship beyond motor sport
• 6 Environmental record
• 7 Bicycles
• 8 BMW nomenclature
○ 8.1 Exceptions
• 9 Community
○ 9.1 BMW slang
○ 9.2 The arts
○ 9.3 April Fools
• 10 Overseas subsidiaries
○ 10.1 South Africa
○ 10.2 United States
○ 10.3 India
○ 10.4 China
○ 10.5 Canada
○ 10.6 Austria
 ○ 10.7 Egypt
• 11 Related companies
• 12 See also
• 13 References
• 14 External links

[edit] Company history

BMW Headquarters in Munich, Germany

Main article: History of BMW
After World War I, BMW was forced to cease aircraft (engine) production by the terms of the
Versailles Armistice Treaty.[2] The company consequently shifted to motorcycle production in
1923 once the restrictions of the treaty started to be lifted,[3] followed by automobiles in 1928–
29.[4][5][6]
The circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel is portrayed by BMW as the movement of an
aircraft propeller, to signify the white blades cutting through the blue sky – an interpretation that
BMW adopted for convenience in 1929, twelve years after the roundel was created.[7][8] The
emblem evolved from the circular Rapp Motorenwerke company logo, from which the BMW
company grew, combined with the white and blue colors of the flag of Bavaria, reversed to
produce the BMW roundel. However, the origin of the logo being based on the movement of a
propeller is in dispute, according to an article recently posted by the New York Times, quoting
"At the BMW Museum in Munich, Anne Schmidt-Possiwal, explained that the blue-and-white
company logo did not represent a spinning propeller, but was meant to show the colors of the
Free State of Bavaria." [9]
BMW's first significant aircraft engine was the BMW IIIa inline-six liquid-cooled engine of
1918, much preferred for its high-altitude performance.[10] With German rearmament in the
1930s, the company again began producing aircraft engines for the Luftwaffe. Among its
successful World War II engine designs were the BMW 132 and BMW 801 air-cooled radial
engines, and the pioneering BMW 003 axial-flow turbojet, which powered the tiny, 1944-1945-
era jet-powered "emergency fighter", the Heinkel He 162 Spatz. The BMW 003 jet engine was
tested in the A-1b version of the world's first jet fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 262, but BMW
engines failed on takeoff, a major setback for the jet fighter program until successful testing with
Junkers engines.[11][12]
By 1959 the automotive division of BMW was in financial difficulties and a shareholders
meeting was held to decide whether to go into liquidation or find a way of carrying on. It was
decided to carry on and to try to cash in on the current economy car boom enjoyed so
successfully by some of Germany's ex-aircraft manufacturers such as Messerschmitt and
Heinkel. The rights to manufacture the Italian Iso Isetta were bought, the tiny cars themselves
were to be powered by a modified form of BMW's own motorcycle engine. This was moderately
successful and helped the company get back on its feet. The controlling majority shareholder of
the BMW Aktiengesellschaft since 1959 is the Quandt family, which owns about 46% of the
stock. The rest is in public float.
In 1992, BMW acquired a large stake in California based industrial design studio
DesignworksUSA, which they fully acquired in 1995. In 1994, BMW bought the British Rover
Group[13] (which at the time consisted of the Rover, Land Rover and MG brands as well as the
rights to defunct brands including Austin and Morris), and owned it for six years. By 2000,
Rover was making huge losses and BMW decided to sell the combine. The MG and Rover
brands were sold to the Phoenix Consortium to form MG Rover, while Land Rover was taken
over by Ford. BMW, meanwhile, retained the rights to build the new MINI, which was launched
in 2001.
Chief designer Chris Bangle announced his departure from BMW in February 2009, after serving
on the design team for nearly seventeen years. He was replaced by Adrian van Hooydonk,
Bangle's former right hand man. Bangle was famously (or infamously) known for his radical
designs such as the 2002 7-Series and the 2002 Z4. In July 2007, the production rights for
Husqvarna Motorcycles was purchased by BMW for a reported 93 million euros. BMW
Motorrad plans to continue operating Husqvarna Motorcycles as a separate enterprise. All
development, sales and production activities, as well as the current workforce, have remained in
place at its present location at Varese.
[edit] Production
In 2006, BMW produced 1,366,838 four-wheeled vehicles, which were manufactured in five
countries.[14] In 2009, it manufactured 1,258,417 four-wheeled vehicles.[1] In 2009, BMW
Motorrad produced 82,631 motorcycles.[1]
Country Make Cars (2006) Cars (2008) Models
Germany BMW 905,057 901,898 Others
United Kingdom Mini 187,454 235,019 All Minis
Rolls-Royce 67 1,417 All Rolls-Royce
Austria BMW 114,306 82,863 BMW X3
USA BMW 105,172 170,741 BMW X5, X6
South Africa BMW 54,782 47,980 BMW 3-Series
Total 1,366,838 1,439,918
[edit] Sales (BMW-brand)
Vehicles sold in all markets according to BMW's annual reports.
Year Total
2000 822,181
2001 880,677
2002 913,225
2003 928,151
2004 1,023,583
2005 1,126,768
2006 1,185,088
2007 1,276,793
2008 1,202,239
2009 1,068,770

[edit] Motorcycles
This section does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be
challenged and removed. (June 2008)
See also: BMW Motorrad and History of BMW motorcycles

The R32 motorcycle, the first BMW motor vehicle.

BMW began building motorcycle engines and then motorcycles after World War I. Its
motorcycle brand is now known as BMW Motorrad. Their first successful motorcycle, after the
failed Helios and Flink, was the "R32" in 1923. This had a "boxer" twin engine, in which a
cylinder projects into the air-flow from each side of the machine. Apart from their single cylinder
models (basically to the same pattern), all their motorcycles used this distinctive layout until the
early 1980s. Many BMWs are still produced in this layout, which is designated the R Series.
BMW roundel in 1939

BMW K1200GT

BMW 1955 R67/3 was the last of the "plunger" models

During the Second World War, BMW produced the BMW R75 motorcycle with a sidecar
attached. Featuring a unique design copied from the Zündapp KS750, its sidecar wheel was also
motor-driven. Combined with a lockable differential, this made the vehicle very capable off-
road, an equivalent in many ways to the Jeep.
In 1983, came the K Series, shaft drive but water-cooled and with either three or four cylinders
mounted in a straight line from front to back. Shortly after, BMW also started making the chain-
driven F and G series with single and parallel twin Rotax engines.
In the early 1990s, BMW updated the airhead Boxer engine which became known as the oilhead.
In 2002, the oilhead engine had two spark plugs per cylinder. In 2004 it added a built-in balance
shaft, an increased capacity to 1,170 cc and enhanced performance to 100 hp (75 kW) for the
R1200GS, compared to 85 hp (63 kW) of the previous R1150GS. More powerful variants of the
oilhead engines are available in the R1100S and R1200S, producing 98 hp (73 kW) and 122 hp
(91 kW), respectively.
In 2004, BMW introduced the new K1200S Sports Bike which marked a departure for BMW. It
features an engine producing 167 hp (125 kW), derived from the company's work with the
Williams F1 team, and is lighter than previous K models. Innovations include electronically
adjustable front and rear suspension, and a Hossack-type front fork that BMW calls Duolever.
BMW introduced anti-lock brakes on production motorcycles starting in the late 1980s. The
generation of anti-lock brakes available on the 2006 and later BMW motorcycles pave the way
for the introduction of electronic stability control, or anti-skid technology later in the 2007 model
year.
BMW has been an innovator in motorcycle suspension design, taking up telescopic front
suspension long before most other manufacturers. Then they switched to an Earles fork, front
suspension by swinging fork (1955 to 1969). Most modern BMWs are truly rear swingarm,
single sided at the back (compare with the regular swinging fork usually, and wrongly, called
swinging arm). Some BMWs started using yet another trademark front suspension design, the
Telelever, in the early 1990s. Like the Earles fork, the Telelever significantly reduces dive under
braking.
In July 2007, the Swedish Husqvarna Motorcycles was purchased by BMW for a reported €93
million. BMW Motorrad plans to continue operating Husqvarna Motorcycles as a separate
enterprise. All development, sales and production activities, as well as the current workforce,
have remained in place at its present location at Varese.[15] Husqvarna manufactures motocross,
enduro and supermoto motorcycles.
[edit] Automobiles
Main article: List of BMW vehicles
[edit] New Class
Main article: BMW New Class
The New Class (German: Neue Klasse) was a line of compact sedans and coupes starting with
the 1962 1500 and continuing through the last 2002s in 1977. Powered by BMW's celebrated
four-cylinder M10 engine, the New Class models featured a fully independent suspension,
MacPherson struts in front, and front disc brakes. Initially a family of four-door sedans and two-
door coupes, the New Class line was broadened to two-door sports sedans with the addition of
the 02 Series 1600 and 2002 in 1966.
Sharing little in common with the rest of the line beyond power train, the sporty siblings caught
auto enthusiasts' attention and established BMW as an international brand. Precursors to the
famed BMW 3 Series, the two-doors' success cemented the firm's future as an upper tier
performance car maker. New Class four-doors with numbers ending in "0" were replaced by the
larger BMW 5 Series in 1972. The upscale 2000C and 2000CS coupes were replaced by the six-
cylinder BMW E9, introduced in 1969 with the 2800CS. The 1600 two-door was discontinued in
1975, the 2002 replaced by the 320i in 1975.
[edit] Current models

BMW 3-Series (E90)

The 1 Series, launched in 2004, is BMW's smallest car, and is available in coupe/convertible
(E82/E88) and hatchback (E81/E87) forms. The 3 Series, a compact executive car manufactured
since model year 1975, is currently in its fifth generation (E90); models include the sport sedan
(E90), station wagon (E91), coupe (E92), and convertible (E93). The 5 Series is a mid-size
executive car, available in sedan (E60) and station wagon (E61) forms. The 5 Series Gran
Turismo (F07), beginning in 2010, will create a segment between station wagons and crossover
SUV.[16]

BMW 7-Series (F01)

BMW's full-size flagship executive sedan is the 7 Series. Typically, BMW introduces many of
their innovations first in the 7 Series, such as the somewhat controversial iDrive system. The 7
Series Hydrogen, featuring one of the world's first hydrogen fueled internal combustion engines,
is fueled by liquid hydrogen and emits only clean water vapor. The latest generation (F01)
debuted in 2009. Based on the 5 Series' platform, the 6 Series is BMW's grand touring luxury
sport coupe/convertible (E63/E64). A 2-seater roadster and coupe which succeeded the Z3, the
Z4 (E85) has been sold since 2002.

BMW X3 SUV (E83)

The X3 (E83), BMW's first crossover SUV (called SAV or "Sports Activity Vehicle" by BMW)
debuted in 2003 and is based on the E46/16 3 Series platform. Marketed in Europe as an off-
roader, it benefits from BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system. The all-wheel drive X5 (E70) is a
mid-size luxury SUV (SAV) sold by BMW since 2000. A 4-seat crossover SUV released by
BMW in December 2007, the X6 is marketed as a "Sports Activity Coupe" (SAC) by BMW. The
upcoming X1 extends the BMW Sports Activity Series model lineup.
• 1 Series (E81) (2004–present) Hatchback, coupe and convertible
• 3 Series (E90) (2005–present) Sedan, coupe, convertiblen and wagon
• 5 Series (F10) (2010–present) Sedan and Wagon
• 5 Series Gran Turismo (2009–present) Progressive Activity Sedan
• 6 Series (E63) (2003–present) Coupe and convertible
• 7 Series (F01) (2008–present) Sedan
• X1 (2009–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
• X3 (E83) (2003–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
• X5 (E70) (2006–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
• X6 (2008–present) Sports Activity Coupe
• Z4 (E89) (2009–present) Sports Roadster
[edit] BMW M models
Main article: BMW M

BMW M3 Coupé (E92)

Based on the 3 Series, the M3 defined an entirely new market for BMW: a race-ready production
vehicle. Since its debut, the M3 is heralded in enthusiast circles, in large part due to its unique
geometry and award winning engines. The newest V8-powered platform became available the
Autumn of 2007 in Europe, and second quarter of 2008 for the U.S. in coupe (E92), and later the
cabriolet (E93), and sedan (E90) variants. Based on the 5 Series, the M5 is the M division's V10-
powered version of the E60 5 Series.[17] The M6 is the M division's version of the 6 Series, and
shares its drivetrain with the M5. The Z4 M, or M Coupe/M Roadster, is the M division's version
of the Z4. The X5M is the M division's version of the X5, and the X6M is the M division's
version of the X6. Both the X5M and X6M share the same V8 twin scroll twin turbo.
• M3 Sedan, Coupe, Convertible and Wagon
• M5 Sedan and Wagon
• M6 Coupe and Convertible
 • X5 M SAV
• X6 M SAV
[edit] Motorsport
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Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (June 2008)
Main article: BMW in motorsport
BMW has been engaged in motorsport activities since the dawn of the first BMW motorcycle.
[edit] Motorsport sponsoring
• Formula BMW – A Junior racing Formula category.
• Kumho BMW Championship – A BMW-exclusive championship run in the United
Kingdom.
[edit] Motorcycle

BMW S1000RR
• Isle of Man TT – in 1939 BMW became the first foreign manufacturer to win the Isle of
Mann TT race with Georg Meier
• Dakar Rally – BMW motorcycles have won the Dakar rally six times. In 1981, 1983,
1984, 1985, 1999, and 2000.[18]
• Superbike World Championship – BMW returned to premier road racing in 2009 with
their all new superbike, the BMW S1000RR.
[edit] Formula One
Main article: BMW in Formula One

BMW Sauber F1 Team Logo.

BMW first entered Formula One as a fully-fledged team in 2006.
BMW has a history of success in Formula One. BMW powered cars have won 20 races. In 2006
BMW took over the Sauber team and became Formula One constructors. In 2007 and 2008 the
team enjoyed some success. The most recent win is a lone constructor team's victory by BMW
Sauber F1 Team, on 8 June 2008, at the Canadian Grand Prix with Robert Kubica driving.
Achievements include:
• Driver championship: 1 (1983)
• Constructor championship: 0 (Runner-up 2002, 2003, 2007)
• Grand Prix wins: 20
• Podium finishes: 76
• Pole positions: 33
• Fastest laps: 33
BMW was an engine supplier to Williams, Benetton, Brabham, and Arrows. Notable drivers who
have started their Formula One careers with BMW include Jenson Button, Juan Pablo Montoya,
and Sebastian Vettel.
In July 2009, BMW announced that it would withdraw from Formula One at the end of the 2009
season.[19] The team was sold back to the previous owner, Peter Sauber, who still at the beginning
of the 2010 season has yet to drop the BMW part of the name of the team.
[edit] Sports car
• Le Mans 24 Hours – BMW won Le Mans in 1999 with the BMW V12 LMR designed by
Williams Grand Prix Engineering. Also the Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing team won the 1995
edition with a BMW-engined McLaren F1 GTR race car.
• Nürburgring – BMW won the 24 Hours Nürburgring 18 times and the 1000km
Nürburgring twice (1976 and 1981).
• 24 Hours of Daytona – BMW won 1 time (1976)
• Spa 24 Hours – BMW won 21 times
• McLaren F1 GTR – Successful mid-1990s GT racing car with a BMW designed engine.
It won the BPR Global GT Series in 1995 and 1996 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in
1995.
[edit] Touring car
BMW has a long and successful history in touring car racing.
 • European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) – Since 1968, BMW won 24 drivers'
championships[citation needed] along with several manufacturers' and teams' titles.
• World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) – BMW won four drivers' championship
(1987, 2005, 2006 and 2007) and three manufacturers' titles (2005–2007).
• DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft) – the following won the DTM drivers'
championship driving BMWs:
○ 1989: Roberto Ravaglia, BMW M3
○ 1987: Eric van der Poele, BMW M3
• The DRM (Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft) was won by Harald Ertl in a BMW 320i
Turbo in 1978
• British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) – BMW won the drivers' championship in
1988, 1991, 1992 and 1993 and manufacturers' championship in 1991 and 1993.
• Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTCC) – BMW (Schnitzer) flew from Europe to
Japan to compete in the JTCC and won the championship in 1995.
• Mille Miglia – BMW won Mille Miglia in 1940 in with a 328 Touring Coupé. Previously
in 1938 the 328 sport car also obtained a class victory.
[edit] Rally
• RAC Rally – The 328 sport car won this event in 1939.
• Paris Dakar Rally – BMW motorcycles have won this event 6 times.
• Tour De Corse – The BMW M3 - E30 won this event in 1987
[edit] Sport sponsorship beyond motor sport
BMW does more than just motor sport sponsorship. It sponsors international polo matches
played at Shongweni in Durban and Illovo in Johannesburg, South Africa.[citation needed] BMW and
the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) made six year sponsorship deal official in July
2010. Those at BMW and the USOC officials see nothing contradictory about a German
company sponsoring Olympians in the USA in this global economy.[20]
[edit] Environmental record
The company is a charter member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)
National Environmental Achievement Track, which recognizes companies for their
environmental stewardship and performance. It is also a member of the South Carolina
Environmental Excellence Program and is on the Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index, which
rates environmentally friendly companies.[21] BMW has taken measures to reduce the impact the
company has on the environment. It is trying to design less-polluting cars by making existing
models more efficient, as well as developing environmentally friendly fuels for future vehicles.
Possibilities include: electric power, hybrid power (combustion, engines and electric motors)
hydrogen engines.[22]
BMW offers 49 models with EU5/6 emissions norm and nearly 20 models with CO2 output less
than 140 g/km, which puts it on the lowest tax group and therefore could provide the future
owner with eco-bonus offered from some European countries.
However, there have been some criticisms directed at BMW, and in particular, accusations of
greenwash in reference to their BMW Hydrogen 7. Some critics claim that the emissions
produced during hydrogen fuel production outweigh the reduction of tailpipe emissions, and that
the Hydrogen 7 is a distraction from more immediate, practical solutions for car pollution.[23]
[edit] Bicycles
BMW has created a range of high-end bicycles sold online and through dealerships. They range
from the Kid's Bike to the EUR 4,499 Enduro Bike.[24] In the United States, only the Cruise Bike
and Kid's Bike models are sold.[25]
[edit] BMW nomenclature
BMW vehicles follow a certain nomenclature; usually a 3 digit number is followed by 1 or 2
letters. The first number represents the series number. The next two numbers traditionally
represent the engine displacement in cubic centimeters divided by 100.[26] A similar
nomenclature is used by BMW Motorrad for their motorcycles.
The system of letters can be used in combination, and is as follows:
• A = automatic transmission
• C = coupé, last used on the BMW E46 and the BMW E63 (dropped after 2005 model
year)
• c = cabriolet
• d = diesel†
• e = eta (efficient economy, from the Greek letter 'η')
• g = compressed natural gas/CNG
• h = hydrogen
• i = fuel-injected
• L = long wheelbase
• s = sport, also means "2 dr" on E36 model††
• sDrive = rear wheel drive
• T = touring (wagon/estate)
• Ti = hatchback for the BMW 3 Series hatchback
• x / xDrive = BMW xDrive all wheel drive
†
historic nomenclature indicating "td" refers to "Turbo Diesel", not a diesel hatchback or touring
model (524td, 525td)
††
typically includes sport seats, spoiler, aerodynamic body kit, upgraded wheels, etc.
For example, the BMW 760iL is a fuel-injected 7 Series with a long wheelbase and 6.0 liters of
displacement. This badge was used for successive generations, E65 and F01.
When 'L' supersedes the series number (e.g. L6, L7, etc.) it identifies the vehicle as a special
luxury variant, featuring extended leather and special interior appointments. The L7 is based on
the E23 and E38, and the L6 is based on the E24.
When 'X' is capitalized and supersedes the series number (e.g. X3, X5, etc.) it identifies the
vehicle as one of BMW's Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV), their brand of crossovers, featuring
BMW's xDrive. The second number in the 'X' series denotes the platform that it is based upon,
for instance the X5 is derived from the 5 Series. Unlike BMW cars, the SAV's main badge does
not denote engine size, the engine is instead indicated on side badges.
The 'Z' identifies the vehicle as a two seat roadster (e.g. Z1, Z3, Z4, etc.). 'M' variants of 'Z'
models have the 'M' as a suffix or prefix, depending on country of sale (e.g. 'Z4 M' is 'M
Roadster' in Canada).
Previous X & Z vehicles had 'i' or 'si' following the engine displacement number (denoted in
liters). BMW is now globally standardizing this nomenclature on X & Z vehicles by using
'sDrive' or 'xDrive' (simply meaning rear or all wheel drive, respectively) followed by two
numbers which vaguely represent the vehicle's engine (e.g. Z4 sDrive35i is a rear wheel drive Z4
roadster with a 3.0 L twin-turbo fuel-injected engine).[27]
BMW last used the 's' for the E36 325is, which ceased production in 1995. However, the 's'
nomenclature was revied on the 2011 model year BMW 335is and BMW Z4 sDrive35is. The
335is is a sport-tuned trim with more performance and an optional dual clutch transmission that
slots between the regular 335i and top-of-the-line M3.[28][29]
The 'M' – for Motorsport – identifies the vehicle as a high-performance model of a particular
series (e.g. M3, M5, M6, etc.). For example, the M6 is the highest performing vehicle in the 6
Series lineup. Although 'M' cars should be separated into their respective series platforms, it is
very common to see 'M' cars grouped together as its own lineup on the official BMW website.
[edit] Exceptions
There are exceptions to the numbering nomenclature.[30]
The M versions of the Sports Activity Vehicles, such as the BMW X5 M, could not follow the
regular naming convention since MX5 was used for Mazda's MX-5 Miata.
For instance in the 2008 model year, the BMW 125i/128i, 328i, and 528i all had 3.0 naturally
aspirated engines (N52), not a 2,500 cc or 2,800 cc engine as the series designation number
would lead one to believe. The '28' is to denote a detuned engine in the 2008 cars, compared to
the 2006 model year '30' vehicles (330i and 530i) whose 3.0 naturally aspirated engines are from
the same N52 family but had more output.
The 2008 BMW 335i and 535i also have 3.0-liter engine; however the engines are twin-
turbocharged (N54) which is not identified by the nomenclature. Nonetheless the '35' indicates a
more powerful engine than previous '30' models that have the naturally aspirated N52 engine.
The 2011 BMW 740i and 335is shares the same twin-turbo 3.0 engine from the N54 family but
tuned to higher outputs, although the badging is not consistent ('40' and 's').
The E36 and E46 323i and E39 523i had 2.5-liter engines. The E36 318i made after 1996 has a
1.9 L engine (M44) as opposed to the 1.8 L (M42) used in the 1992 to 1995 models.
The badging for recent V8 engines (N62 and N63) also does not indicate displacement, as the
2006 750i and 2009 750i have 4800 cc (naturally aspirated) and 4400 cc (twin-turbocharged)
engines, respectively.
[edit] Community
BMW logo sign in Düsseldorf
From the summer of 2001 until October, 2005, BMW hosted the "BMW Films". Archived from
the original on 2007-09-27.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070927185229/http://www.bmwfilms.com/. website, showcasing
sporty models being driven to extremes. These videos are still popular within the enthusiast
community and proved to be a ground-breaking online advertising campaign.
Annually since 1999, BMW enthusiasts have met in Santa Barbara, CA to attend Bimmerfest.
One of the largest brand-specific gatherings in the U.S., over 3,000 people attended in 2006, and
over 1,000 BMW cars were present. In 2007, the event was held on May 5.
[edit] BMW slang
The initials BMW are pronounced [ˈbeː ˈɛm ˈveː] in German.[31] The model series are referred to
as "Einser" ("One-er" for 1 series), "Dreier" ("Three-er" for 3 series), "Fünfer" ("Five-er" for the
5 series), "Sechser" ("Six-er" for the 6 series), "Siebener" ("Seven-er" for the 7 series). These are
not actually slang, but are the normal way that such letters and numbers are pronounced in
German.[32]
The English slang terms Beemer, Bimmer and Bee-em are variously used for BMWs of all kinds,
[33][34]
cars, and motorcycles.[35][36]
In the US, specialists have been at pains to prescribe that a distinction must be made between
using Beemer exclusively to describe BMW motorcycles, and using Bimmer only to refer to
BMW cars,[37][38][39] in the manner of a "true aficionado"[40] and avoid appearing to be
"uninitiated."[41][42] The Canadian Globe and Mail prefers Bimmer and calls Beemer a "yuppie
abomination,"[43] while the Tacoma News Tribune says it is a distinction made by "auto snobs."[44]
Using the wrong slang risks offending BMW enthusiasts.[45][46][47] An editor of Business Week was
satisfied in 2003 that the question was resolved in favor of Bimmer by noting that a Google
search yielded 10 times as many hits compared to Beemer.[48]
[edit] The arts
1975 BMW 3.0CSL painted by Alexander Calder.
Manufacturers employ designers for their cars, but BMW has made efforts to gain recognition
for exceptional contributions to and support of the arts, including art beyond motor vehicle
design. These efforts typically overlap or complement BMW's marketing and branding
campaigns.[49] The headquarters building, designed in 1972 by Karl Schwanzer has become a
European icon,[50] and artist Gerhard Richter created his Red, Yellow, Blue series of paintings for
the building's lobby.[51][52] In 1975, Alexander Calder was commissioned to paint the 3.0CSL
driven by Hervé Poulain at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This led to more BMW Art Cars, painted
by artists including David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Roy Lichtenstein, and others. The cars,
currently numbering 16, have been shown at the Louvre, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and, in
2009, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and New York's Grand Central Terminal.[50]
BMW was the principal sponsor of the 1998 The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition at the Solomon
R. Guggenheim Museum and other Guggenheim museums, though the financial relationship
between BMW and the Guggenheim was criticized in many quarters.[53][54]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: BMW Art Cars

The 2006 "BMW Performance Series" was a marketing event geared to attract black car buyers,
and featured the "BMW Pop-Jazz Live Series," a tour headlined by jazz musician Mike Phillips,
and the "BMW Blackfilms.com Film Series" highlighting black filmmakers.[55]
[edit] April Fools
BMW has garnered a reputation over the years for its April Fools pranks, which are printed in
the British press every year. In 2010, they ran an advert announcing that customers would be
able to order BMWs with different coloured badges to show their affiliation with the political
party they supported.
[edit] Overseas subsidiaries
[edit] South Africa
BMWs have been assembled in South Africa since 1968,[56] when Praetor Monteerders' plant was
opened in Rosslyn, near Pretoria. BMW initially bought shares in the company, before fully
acquiring it in 1975; in so doing, the company became BMW South Africa, the first wholly
owned subsidiary of BMW to be established outside Germany. Three unique models that BMW
Motorsport created for the South African market were the E23 M745i (1983), which used the
M88 engine from the BMW M1, the BMW 333i (1986), which added a 6-cylinder 3.2 litre M30
engine to the E30,[57] and the E30 BMW 325is (1989) which was powered by an Alpina-derived
2.7 litre engine.
Unlike U.S. manufacturers, such as Ford and GM, which divested from the country in the 1980s,
BMW retained full ownership of its operations in South Africa.
Following the end of apartheid in 1994, and the lowering of import tariffs, BMW South Africa
ended local production of the 5-Series and 7-Series, in order to concentrate on production of the
3-Series for the export market. South African–built BMWs are now exported to right hand drive
markets including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore,
and Hong Kong, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1997, BMW South Africa has produced
vehicles in left hand drive for export to Taiwan, the United States and Iran, as well as South
America.
BMW's with a VIN number starting with "NC0" are manufactured in South Africa.
[edit] United States

BMW Spartanburg factory

BMW Manufacturing Co has been manufacturing the X5 and, more recently, the X6 in Greer
near Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.[58] The smaller X3 is slated to begin production in
Spartanburg in 2009–2010.
BMW's with a VIN number starting with "4US" are manufactured in Spartanburg.
[edit] India
BMW India was established in 2006 as a sales subsidiary in Gurgaon (National Capital Region).
A state-of-the-art assembly plant for BMW 3 and 5 Series started operation in early 2007 in
Chennai. Construction of the plant started in January 2006 with an initial investment of more
than one billion Indian Rupees. The plant started operation in the first quarter of 2007 and
produces the different variants of BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series.[59]
[edit] China
Main article: Brilliance Automotive
Signing a deal in 2003 for the production of sedans in China,[60] May 2004 saw the opening of a
factory in the North-eastern city of Shenyang where Brilliance Automotive produces BMW-
branded automobiles[61] in a joint venture with the German company.[62]
[edit] Canada
In October 2008, BMW Group Canada was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by
Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the Toronto Star newspaper.[63]
[edit] Austria
The BMW X3 is also made by Magna Steyr, a subsidiary of a Canadian company, in Graz,
Austria under license from BMW.[citation needed]
[edit] Egypt
Bavarian Auto Group is a multinational group of companies established in March 2003 when it
was appointed as the sole importer of BMW and MINI in Egypt, with exclusive rights for import,
assembly, distribution, sales and after-sales support of BMW products in Egypt.
Since that date, BAG invested a total amount of 100 Million US Dollars distributed on 7
companies and 11 premises in addition to 3 stores.
Currently, the facility enables Bavarian Auto the opportunity to offer a full range of locally
assembled models; including the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and X3 which. In
combination with a new range of imported models; including the BMW 1 Series, 6 Series, X5,
X6 and various MINI models.
[edit] Related companies
This section does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be
challenged and removed. (June 2008)

A Combined BMW MINI dealership in Moncton, Canada

• AC Schnitzer: A tuning company specialising in BMW vehicles.
• Alpina: A Motor Manufacturer in its own right, who creates vehicles based on BMW
cars.
• Automobilwerk Eisenach
 • Breyton: A tuning manufacturer specialising in BMW cars.
• Dinan Cars: A tuning company specialising in BMW and Mini cars
• G-Power: A tuning company specialising in BMW vehicles.
• Glas
• Hamann Motorsport: A Motor Styling and Tuning Specialist who creates vehicles based
on BMW cars.
• Hartge: A tuning company specialising in BMW, MINI and Range Rover cars.
• Husqvarna Motorcycles
• Land Rover: Sold to Ford, now bought by Indian automaker Tata; the current Range
Rover was developed during BMW's ownership of the company and until recently was
powered by their 4.4 L V8 petrol (gasoline) engine and BMW 3.0 L I6 diesel engine.
• MINI: A small hatchback; inspired by the original Mini.
• MK-Motorsport: A tuning company specialising in BMW cars.
• Racing Dynamics: A tuning company and motor manufacturer specialising in BMW
Group vehicles.
• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited
• Rover: Owned by BMW from 1994 to 2000, BMW retained the Mini after selling off the
rest of the company (see MG Rover Group).
[edit] See also
Companies portal

• BMW Central • iDrive • History of BMW motorcycles

Building • BMW in • List of BMW engines
• BMW CleanEnergy motorsport • Streetcarver BMW Street Carver
• BMW films • BMW Motorrad Skateboards
• BMW Headquarters • History of BMW

[edit] References
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20. ^ "BMW, USOC make 6-year sponsorship deal official". CNN. 2010-07-26.
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25. ^ BMWonline – 1-888-BMW-ONLINE (888-269-6654) BMW, clothes, clothing, shirts,
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33. ^ "Bee em / BMW Motorcycle Club of Victoria Inc". National Library of Australia.
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34. ^ "No Toupees allowed". Bangkok Post. 209-10-02.
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2009-10-24.
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A-G, 1, Random House, pp. 126–7, ISBN 0394544277, 9780394544274, "Beemer n.
[BMW + ''er''] a BMW automobile. Also Beamer. 1982 S. Black Totally Awesome 83
BMW ("Beemer"). 1985 L.A. Times (Apr. 13) V 4: Id much rather drive my Beemer than
a truck. 1989 L. Roberts Full Cleveland 39: Baby boomers... in... late-model Beemers.
1990 Hull High (NBC-TV): You should ee my dad's new Beemer. 1991 Cathy (synd.
cartoon strip) (Apr. 21): Sheila... [ground] multi-grain snack chips crumbs into the back
 seat of my brand-new Beamer! 1992 Time (May 18) 84: Its residents tend to drive
pickups or subcompacts, not Beemers or Rolles."
36. ^ Lighter, Jonathan E. (1994), Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang:
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BEEMER."
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which is a BMW automobile."
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BMW car, and a Beemer is a motorcycle."
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(Toronto, CA: CTVglobemedia Publishing),
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the reviews,"
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a BMW automobile, the word's pronounced 'bimmer.'
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2005/news/26427972.html, "I was informed a while back that BMW cars are 'Bimmers'
and BMW motorcycles are 'Beemers' or 'Beamers.' I know that I am not here to change
the world's BMW jargon nor do I even own a BMW, but I thought I would pass along
this bit of info as not to offend the car enthusiast that enlightened me."
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GA): J2, 11 February 2006, "It is Bimmers people, Bimmers. Not Beamers, not Beemers.
 Just Bimmers. And start pronouncing it correctly also.
No, it's BMWs, not Bimmers.
WOW! Some Beamer driver must be having a bad hair day."
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[edit] External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: BMW

• BMW Group International

• BMW International Website
○ BMW Automobiles International
○ BMW Motorrad International
○ MINI International
○ Rolls-Royce Motors
• BMW autos at the Open Directory Project
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[show][show]
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BMW motorcycles

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BMW road car timeline, 1920s–1950s — next »
1920s 1930s 1940s
Type
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Seri 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s
Type
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BMW aircraft engines

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&
Heal
Donald
ey
Healey
Mar 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200
2010s
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[show][show]
v•d•e
British car industry – companies and marques
Mar 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200
2010s
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Rolls Rolls- Rolls-Royce Ro Rolls- B B
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Royc Limited Bentley Ro Motors W W
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M V
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trong Armstrong Rolls-
y- g Si Royce
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car
Jense Jensen
Jensen Motors Hol
n Cars
din
gs
Relia
Reliant
nt Reliant
Bond Bond
AC Cars (several ownership & company name
AC
changes)
Argy Arg
Argyll
ll yll
Brist
ol Bristol Cars
Cars
Cate
Caterham
rham
Cros
Crossley
sley
Dutt
Dutton Dutton
on
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ta
P
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& n-
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McL
McLaren
aren
M
Marc Marco ar
Marcos
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s
Morg
Morgan
an
Napi
Napier
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Turn Turn
er er
TVR TVR
West P
Westfield
field ot
en
za
S
p
GTM GTM or
ts
C
ar
s
General
Vaux Vauxhal
General Motors Motors
hall l Motors
Europe
Vulc
Vulcan
an
Hill
Hillman Hu
man
mb Rootes
Hum
Humber er Chr
ber
ysle
Singe Root r
Singer
r es Eur Peugeot
Sunb Sunbea Sunb R (as Roote ope (PSA)
eam m eam- o Sun s (Ch
Talb Talbot Talbo ot bea rysl
ot t- es m- er)
Darra Talb
cq ot)
Root
 es
Mar 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200
2010s
que 0s 0s 0s 0s 0s 0s 0s 0s 0s 0s 0s

[show][show]
v•d•e

DAX companies of Germany

Adidas · Allianz · BASF · Bayer ·

Beiersdorf · BMW · Commerzbank ·
Daimler · Deutsche Bank · Deutsche
Börse · Deutsche Post · Deutsche
Telekom · E.ON · Fresenius ·
Fresenius Medical Care ·
HeidelbergCement · Henkel ·
Infineon Technologies · K+S ·
Linde · Lufthansa · MAN · Merck ·
METRO · Munich Re · RWE · SAP ·
Siemens · ThyssenKrupp ·
Volkswagen
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW"
Categories: Companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange | BMW | Companies based in
Munich | German brands | Car manufacturers | Motor vehicle manufacturers of Germany |
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