BMW has been around for much longer than most people realise, but the Bavarian automaker did not begin in the automotive industry.
BMW was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. Its first engine was a straight-six, and that configuration still powers the majority of its vehicles today. The Red Baron, WWI's most successful fighter pilot, referred to BMW's IIIA engine as the greatest engine of all time. Military demand ensured that BMW remained in business and expanded until the Treaty of Versailles.
BMW cars are built from quality materials
BMW is well-known for producing some of the most prestigious luxury vehicles the world has ever seen. Almost all BMW vehicles are constructed with high-quality materials both inside and out. Part of this can be attributed to the fact that BMW began by manufacturing aircraft engines, implying that they have a reputation for attention to detail.
It was the middle of World War One when the company was founded in 1916, and there was a high demand for warplanes and engines. BMW engines became famous because they performed admirably at high altitudes and were fuel-efficient, and Red Baron referred to them as the best engines ever built.
BMW's First Car, the Dixi
BMW has created some of the most iconic vehicles since its inception. However, understanding where they come from is critical. The Dixi was the first BMW vehicle. BMW purchased the Automobilwerk Eisenach in 1928, shortly after entering the automobile business, acquiring the rights to develop the Dixi car.
In 1929, the car was rebadged as the BMW Dixi as a result of the acquisition. And, despite being marketed as a BMW, the Dixi was not designed by BMW. The same car was sold under various nameplates in different countries, including Japan as a Datsun and America as a Bantum. In 1929, BMW dropped the name Dixi and renamed it the 3/15 DA-2.
BMW Company Owns Both Rolls-Royce And MINI
Automobile manufacturers constantly buy and sell their manufacturing rights. When this happens, it can be difficult for drivers to determine which car they are driving, especially when they have different nameplates but are owned by the same group. The majority of these vehicles share design elements and, in some cases, parts.
This is a surprising fact: two automotive behemoths, one from Germany and the other from Italy, collaborated to create a supercar. In the 1970s, BMW and Lamborghini agreed to collaborate on the development of a supercar. The car was designed by Giugiaro, and BMW was in charge of the suspension and powertrain.
In 1959, Mercedes came close to acquiring BMW
In some ways, this is unfortunate, given that BMW almost became Mercedes-Benz sometime in the 1950s. It was a difficult season for BMW, and the Cold War had made things difficult for the beloved BMW — they were on the verge of bankruptcy. Knowing this, Mercedes' parent company, Daimler-Benz, attempted a hostile takeover of BMW.
However, before the hostile takeover could take place, BMW shareholders launched a ````counter-attack by buying back shares, successfully fighting the hostile takeover. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have been fierce competitors since this time.
BMW Company Is Not Just About Cars
While everyone knows BMW as a car manufacturer, the company is also involved in other businesses around the world that many people are unaware of. For example, BMW owns a separate Designworks company that designed the Singapore Airlines first-class cabin. The Designworks team also oversaw the interior design of the new Kuala Lumpur metro trains.
Designworks is not a small subsidiary; it is a global corporation with operations in various parts of the world. The team is headquartered in Newbury Park, California, and has studios in Germany and China.
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