BMW is an Automobile Company headquartered in Germany
founded by Franz Josef Popp. BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke in German Or Bavarian Motor Works in
English. BMW was founded in 1916 as an aircraft engine manufacturing company
which was later shifted to motorcycle manufacturing after World War I. Now they
are known for performance and luxury vehicles.
BMW logo denotes the circular movement of the propeller of an aircraft.
It signifies the white blades cutting through blue sky.
BMW's first significant aircraft
engine was the BMW IIIa inline-six liquid-cooled engine of 1918, much preferred
for its high-altitude performance. 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.
BMW started building motorcycle after World War I. It’s motorcycle
brand is known as BMW Motorrad. Their first successful motorcycle was R32. BMW
introduced anti-lock brakes in production motorcycles starting in late 1980s.
This paved the way for electronic stability control and anti-skid technology in
2007.
Formula
One
BMW has a successful history in Formula One racings. 20 races have
been won by BMW Engine driven cars. However, in
July 2009, BMW announced that it would withdraw from Formula One at the end of
the 2009 season.
