Company Story
1916 - Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) is founded as a manufacturer of aircraft engines
1923 - BMW begins producing motorcycle engines and then its first motorcycle, the BMW R32
1928 - BMW starts manufacturing automobiles, beginning with the Dixi, a small car
1933 - BMW focuses on aircraft engine production during World War II
1945 - Allied bombing during World War II severely damages BMW's facilities
1951 - BMW resumes motorcycle production and begins to plan its return to automobile manufacturing
1956 - BMW re-enters the automobile market with the BMW 507, a high-performance sports car
1962 - Introduction of the New Class compact sedans, which marked a significant turning point for BMW
1972 - Launch of the BMW 3.0CS, a luxury coupe, and the BMW 520, a mid-size sedan
1975 - Introduction of the BMW 3 Series, which becomes a cornerstone of the company's lineup
1982 - BMW acquires the British brand MINI and the rights to produce the MINI
1994 - BMW acquires the Rover Group but later sells MINI and the remainder of Rover
1998 - BMW acquires the Rolls-Royce brand
2000 - BMW sells Rover, keeping only MINI and Rolls-Royce
2011 - BMW launches the i-Series, its line of electric and hybrid vehicles
2014 - BMW celebrates 100 years of history and operations