BMW facts

April 11, 2012 | In: Facts about cars

BMW stands for Bavaria Motor Works, in English. In German, it’s Bayerische Motoren Werke. I’m sure you all recognize one if you see it. It’s one of the world’s most powerful stock cars.

The BMW factory was founded in1916, inMunich,Germany. It was first called the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG. A year later the company adopted the name “BMW” and introduced a logo featuring a stylised propeller in blue and white segments. The logo was said to represent what pilots see when they look through their propellers in flight.

The company’s first motorcar was a version of the Austin Seven built under licence.

Rolls Royce, Husqvarna(a proeminent producer of chainsaws and motorcycle parts), Rover(Range and Land) and Mini are also owned by BMW.

Although the company has its headquarters inGermany, theUKis the only place where all the BMW brands are produced: BMW, MINI, Rover and Rolls Royce.

Most police motorcycles in theUSare BMWs.

Every year, BMW produces a total of 1.3 million vehicles worldwide.

Approximately 110.000 people work at BMW factories all over the World.

In terms of cost effectiveness, in 2009(before the economic crisis), the company generated 4.250.000.000 dollars in profit. That’s almost 3.500.000.000 Euros.

BMW is the only current motorcycle manufacturer to reject the use of telescopic forks on its motorbikes.

The BMW is the only major brand that has a tactical April Fools day advert every year. Here are just 3 of them:

• Windscreen wipers on the esteemed BMW badge;
• Insect-repellent windscreens;
• The “Toot and Calm Horn” system, which creates a noise which manages to calm, rather than aggravate the other driver, so reducing the risk of road rage.

The kids and fathers know: Once a BMW, always a BMW.