BMW 5 Series
≡ 12 December 2014 · Category: In the world of BMW
Important milestones in the history of BMW: the concern's path to global success
Ahhh
The German automobile company BMW (an abbreviation of "Bayerische Motoren Werke", which translates as" Bavarian Motor Plants") is a giant concern, whose headquarters are located in Munich.
Currently, BMW products are manufactured at five factories located in Germany, as well as twenty two subsidiaries around the world.
The BMW brand is a guarantee of reliability and the highest quality, proven by time.
The car of this brand emphasizes the high status of its owner and not just speaks, but literally screams about his impeccable taste and financial well being.
The company produces not only magnificent passenger cars and sports cars, but also specializes in the production of motorcycles.
What was the history of BMW and how did the company manage to achieve such an incredible success?
Contents 1 Important milestones in the history of BMW 2 How it all began 3 The First World War and the first collapse of the company 4 The beginning of car production 5 The difficult post war years 6 The development of the brand in the 90s 7 The beginning of the XXI century is the true success and flourishing of the company.
8 The latest history of BMW: eco friendly cars of the future 9 Beautiful and stylish advertising of the BMW i8 (video) 10 The history of BMW on video 11 Photo Gallery legendary BMW models
Important milestones in the history of BMW
Year Event July 20, 1917 Registration of the BMW factory in Munich September 1917 Creation of the BMW logo 1919 The Motor 4 engine was developed 1923 The release of the R32 motorcycle 1928 Acquisition of a license for the production of the Dixi car 1932 The first BMW 3/15 PS 1933 The release of the BMW 303 1936 The release of the BMW 328 1959 The release of the BMW 700 1962 The release of the BMW 1500 1966 The release of the BMW 1600-2 1968 The premiere of the models 2500 and 2800 1990 The release of the BMW 850i 1994 The company acquires the group "Rover Group" 1996 The release of the BMW Z3, famous in the film "Golden Eye" 1997 The release of the motorcycle R1200C 1999 The debut of the BMW X5 - the legendary SUV 2000 Record sales worldwide 2007 The concept of the BMW X6 2009 is presented 1)A sports version of the X6 M is presented
2) The beginning of mass production of sports cars with a hybrid engine
3) New BMW 5 Series sedan (top model BMW 550i) 2011 World premiere of the BMW ActiveE electric car September 2011 Opening of a carbon fiber production plant together with SGL Group 2013 Innovative BMWi sub brand December 2014 The BMW i8 sports car becomes the car of the year 2014 according to the author's glossy publication Top Gear
How it all started
And the path to success was thorny, for its entire history of more than a century, the company experienced several rapid takeoffs and repeatedly teetered on the verge of complete ruin.
The history of the BMW company began back in 1913, when Gustav Otto (the heir of Nikolaus August Otto, the inventor of the internal combustion engine) and entrepreneur Karl Rapp independently opened small firms specializing in the production of aircraft engines in the north of Munich.
In those years, such production was very profitable due to the legendary flight of the Wright brothers and the rapidly increasing popularity of aircraft.
In 1914, the First World War broke out.
The demand for aircraft engines increased, and the firms of Otto and Rapp joined together to extract even greater profits.
The official registration date of the new aircraft engine plant is July 20, 1917.
The plant received the world famous name "Bayerishe Motoren Werke".
Thus, Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto are the founders of the BMW concern.
In September 1917, the BMW logo was invented.
Initially, it depicted a propeller against the sky.
Later, the logo was stylized to four sectors painted in white and blue, symbolizing, according to one version, the Bavarian flag, according to another version — the rotating blades of a helicopter, through which the blue sky is visible.
In 1929, the logo was finally approved and practically no changes were made to it in the future (except for adding volume already at the beginning of the XXI century)
The First World War and the first collapse of the company
the year is 1916.
The end of the First World War and the signed Treaty of Versailles lead the company to the first threshold of collapse, since the production of aircraft engines was prohibited to the Germans — and it was the engines that were the basic products of the young plant!
However, enterprising businessmen find a way out and turn to the production of motorcycle engines first, and later to the serial production of motorcycles themselves.
Gradually, BMW motorcycles are gaining fame as the fastest in the world!
And in 1919, the production of engines for aircraft was resumed.
This is interesting: in 1919, the pilot Franz Diemer on an airplane with an engine "Motor 4", developed by BMW, set the first world record, having conquered an altitude of 9760 meters!
BMW enters into a secret contract with the USSR for the supply of aircraft engines — thus, almost all the record flights in Soviet Russia of those years were carried out on aircraft equipped with BMW engines.
In 1932, the legendary R32 motorcycle was released, in the 20s and 30s, numerous and absolute speed records were set on it in races, and the motorcycle itself gained fame as a reliable and high quality car!
The beginning of car production
In 1928, the company acquired automobile plants in Thuringia, and together with them a license for the production of the Dixi subcompact car, which became one of the most popular cars in Europe during the economic crisis.
Thus, we can say that the history of the BMW car begins with the release of this compact car.
In 1932, BMW began producing its own cars.
In 1933, a BMW 303 car was released, equipped with a six cylinder engine.
The car becomes a real sensation of those years.
The famous radiator grille (the so called "BMW nostrils") has already been installed on it, which later became a distinctive design element of all the children of the concern.
The year 1936 became a real breakthrough in the history of the BMW brand – the company produces the BMW 328 car, which became the most successful sports model capable of reaching speeds of up to 90 km / h.
For those years, the novelty is perceived as a genuine avant garde and causes a true thrill in the soul of every motorist.
The appearance of this model finally formed the company's ideology ("Car - for the driver") and secured the reputation of quality, beauty, style and reliability for the BMW brand.
This is interesting: the concept of BMW's main competitor, Mercedes Benz, sounds like a "Car for passengers"
By the beginning of the Second World War, BMW had already managed to become famous all over the world as a dynamically developing and successful company specializing in sports cars and motorcycles.
On airplanes equipped with BMW engines, world records are set, the same thing happens at motorcycle races.
Cars amaze the imagination with their power, beauty and reliability.
The difficult post war years
The end of the war leads the company to its second collapse.
The German economy is destroyed.
Several factories located in the occupation zone have been completely destroyed.
The British also dismantled the main plant in Munich.
There is a ban on the production of missiles and aircraft engines for a period of three years.
The production of cars is also suspended.
And then the company again turns to motorcycles, which had previously helped it out during the first crisis.
Everything has to start from scratch, but this does not frighten the founding fathers, Otto and Rapp.
They manage to raise the company from its knees — although not immediately.
The first post war BMW product is the R24 motorcycle, assembled almost artistically in workshops.
The first post war car, the 501, was not a success.
An interesting Izetta model is also being produced – a three wheeled subcompact, a kind of symbiosis of a motorcycle and a car.
The new decision was enthusiastically accepted by impoverished Germany, and, it would seem, here it is, the way out!
But the economic potential of the population was estimated incorrectly, and the company mistakenly focused on the promotion of limousines, popular in those years in Europe.
This again led the company to the deepest financial crisis — the third in its history and, perhaps, the most serious.
Mercedes Benz offers to buy out BMW for a lot of money, but shareholders and employees are indignant.
By joint efforts, the company is being brought out of the crisis.
The history of BMW models continued, and soon the company again took a leading place in the global automotive industry.
In 1956, a magnificent beautiful BMW 507 car was released.
The car accelerated to 220 km/h, was offered in two body versions — a roadster and with a hard roof.
The car was equipped with an 8 – cylinder 3.2 l.engine with a capacity of 150 hp.
Currently, the BMW 507 is one of the most rare, expensive and beautiful collectible cars.
In 1959, the BMW 700 car was produced, equipped with an air cooling system.
The machine wins worldwide recognition and lays the foundation for the further stable and confident development of the company, its promotion to permanent world fame.
The 1970s were marked by the appearance of the legendary series 3,5,6 and 7.
The company is entering a fundamentally new level with the release of the 5th series.
Do you remember that before the company specialized in the production of sports cars?
From now on, it has occupied its niche in the segment of high end sedans.
The BMW 3.0 CSL model has won six European championships since 1973.
This car, made in the body of a coupe, was equipped with a six cylinder four valve engine, and this is not the only technical innovation in its device (take, for example, the updated ABS brake system).
1987 the new BMW Z1 roadster, equipped with the latest technology, saw the light.
The exemplary aerodynamics and the latest electronic engine power control system take the car to a fundamentally new level, although it was originally conceived as an experimental model.
This is interesting: the BMW concern is the founder of the "Musica Viva" music award in the field of avant garde musical directions
The development of the brand in the 90s
In the early 90s, BMW opened many representative offices around the world, and also acquired the Rolls Royce brand and signed an agreement on the supply of engines for 8 and 12 cylinders for these cars.
In 1994, BMW acquired the Rover Group industrial group (Rover, Land Rover, MG cars), which allows to replenish the BMW model range with ultra small class cars and SUVs.
In 1990, a new magnificent BMW 850i luxury coupe car was produced, equipped with a powerful 12 cylinder engine a telem that allows the car to instantly take off like a predatory beast.
The year 1995 was marked by the release of the 3rd series station wagon, as well as the release of the new 5th series.
The models are distinguished by modern design and the most advanced technology (for example, the chassis is almost completely made of aluminum for the first time in the history of the automotive industry).
In 1996, BMW equipped the Z3 7 series car with a diesel engine, giving birth to an amazing model that combines a classic design with excellent speed characteristics.
The real glory of this car is brought by the picture "Golden Eye", which is part of the legendary series of films about super agent 007.
James Bond, played by the handsome Pierce Brosnan, drives around in it on a magnificent BMW Z3.
The car was such a success that the plant in Spartanburg simply did not have time to fulfill all the orders received for it!
The spring of 1998 is the debut of the fifth generation of 3 series sedans with improved safety characteristics (not just improved, but the best in its class).
As always, cars delight with unsurpassed technical characteristics and a magnificent appearance.
And in 1999, the legendary BMW X5 was released.
Another success in 1999 is celebrated by the new sports model BMW Z8, which again won the hearts of the audience in the next film "Bond" — "And the whole world is not enough".
This is interesting: BMW models have repeatedly become the heroes of films, and not only about James Bond!
The beginning of the XXI century: the true success and flourishing of the company
The beginning of the 21st century was marked by record sales volumes for BMW.
Compared to 1999, only in the Russian market, the sales of cars of the German concern increased by 83%!
The production of magnificent models continues, each of which becomes a kind of sensation.
So, at the beginning of the 21st century, the BMW 7 car was released – an executive limousine of the "luxury" class.
In 2003, the BMW Z4 was recognized as the best convertible of the year.
This model looks more like a concept car than a production car.
She managed to turn the usual idea of the design of roadsters around.
In 2006, the luxury BMW X6 appears, combining the best technical qualities of an SUV and a coupe design (all wheel drive, increased ground clearance, large wheels and a significant roof slope in the rear of the car).
It became the first four seat SUV equipped with an automatic transmission.
Only in the second half of 2008, the car went on sale.
BMW has produced over a million cars.
More than 100,000 people work for the company.
The group's revenue was over 50 billion euros, and its net profit was 330 million euros.
Did you know that robots are not used in BMW factories?
The models are assembled on conveyors exclusively manually!
The latest history of BMW: eco friendly cars of the future
Today, the BMW concern continues to develop at a rapid pace.
To describe all the achievements and innovations of the company, one article is not enough.
Therefore, in this section we will try to reflect the main points that are worth paying attention to when talking about the recent history of the BMW company.
In 2009, a sports car with a BMW Vision EfficientDynamics hybrid engine made its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.
The premiere was truly stellar and caused a wide response from the public.
The new sports car has gained such fame thanks to its bright design and incredible economy, as well as full compliance with the technologies of the future.
The car has received several prestigious awards for its futuristic appearance and innovative finds.
This is interesting: the height of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics sports car is only 1.24 meters!
Also in 2009, the world premiere of the new sedan of the legendary BMW 5 series took place.
The top model of the line was the magnificent BMW 550i car, which embodied all the best qualities of the brand, which are its hallmark — refined and stylish design, unsurpassed comfort for the driver and efficiency, saturation with innovative technologies.
All this allowed the sixth generation of the BMW 5 Series to act as a true embodiment of the highest quality standards and once again confirm and strengthen its status as one of the most successful manufacturers of premium cars.
In 2011, at the International Geneva Motor Show, BMW presented the innovative BMW ActiveE electric car, the first model that combines a spacious and comfortable interior and a full fledged electric motor.
The car is presented in the body of a coupe.
The thoughtful design of the interior of the electric car leaves the driver and three passengers enough space (the same as in a BMW 1 series coupe).
In September 2011, a significant event for the concern took place — the official launch of an ultra modern carbon fiber production plant together with the SGL Group company.
The plant is located in the USA, Washington, the city of Moses Lake.
The new company produces carbon fiber reinforced ultralight plastic for cars of the BMWi sub brand.
The new sub brand is the latest standard of efficiency and environmental friendliness in the premium class.
Its appearance has earned the BMW concern the fame of the manufacturer of the most environmentally friendly and innovative cars in the world!
This is a new era in the global automotive industry, a real revolutionary breakthrough.
In 2013, the magnificent BMW i3 and BMW i8 were released.
In the future, it is planned to significantly expand the model range of the sub brand, BMWi Ventures JSC has already been opened in New York for this purpose.
In December 2014, the phenomenal BMW i8 received the title of "Car of the Year" according to the influential glossy automotive publication Top Gear.
The competition was held in conditions of serious competition, many of the world's best premium car manufacturers fought for this prestigious title.
But the amazing features of the BMW i8 were appreciated it is both an electric motor, and an absolutely low fuel consumption, a minimum level of emissions, as well as an impressive design!
This is a truly unique car that completely changes our idea of what the cars of the future should be like.
Did you know that the cost of a BMW i8 in Russia is 8 800 000 rubles?
Beautiful and stylish advertising of the BMW i8 (video)
Currently, the company, which started a century ago with a small aircraft engine plant, has turned into the world's largest concern with five plants in Germany, subsidiaries in Malaysia, India, Egypt, Vietnam, Thailand, Russia (Kaliningrad, Avtotor).
The cars that have been produced and continue to be produced throughout the history of BMW are a true symbol of comfortable transport of the highest class.
BMW history on video
Photo Gallery — legendary BMW models
About the author Recent articles
Igor Varlamov
Good afternoon, my name is Igor.
I have not been working in the field of copywriting for so long, and I have never aspired to it.
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