It's undeniable: of the handful of acclaimed car manufacturers worldwide, none compare to BMW. I realize this may not sit well with some luxury car aficionados, espcially those of the MErcedes bent. Despite the fact BMWs have become synonymous with LA Law and reckless drivers that cut in and out of lanes without using those luminous turn signals " not to mention driving on the shoulder during gridlock on the 405, the Bavarian beast has been unstoppable. They have undergone, and continue to experience, an evolution in design, power, and luxury.
Sporting one of the most recognizable logos in the world, BMW came from truly humble origins. This modern automotive giant began as a small manufacturer of aircraft engines. Gustav Otto, an avid aviator, started his company, Otto-Flugzeugwerke, in 1913. Though his four-stroke engines were well-crafted, his company was absorbed by AEG (Allgemeine Elektrizitts-Gesellschaftits for all you Germanophiles) in 1918.
Under the aegis of AEG, BMW supplied aircraft engines to the German war effort during World War I. Though they made powerful engines, the Treaty of Versailles forced the closure of all their ventures. These were hard times, indeed. The first true BMW vehicle would not meet the market until the 1923 release of the R32 Motorcycle. This popular motorcycle would leave a lasting design feature for all subsequent BMW motorcycles. Its innovative driveshaft, rather than the chain on most motorcycles, propels BMW motorcycles to this day.
Following the success of the R32, BMW was emboldened to build their first automobile. Following a series of starts and stops and failed prototypes, BMW released the BMW 3/20, its first automobile, in 1933. Just as the company was about to ride the rising tide of their success, the outbreak of World War II forced them, against the will of the company president, Josef Popp, back into airplane engine manufacturing. The German armys demands for more R32 motorcycles and the air forces demand for engines forced BMW to cease all automotive manufacturing.
During the war, most of BMW's plants were destroyed outright. Following the fall of Berlin, the Allies forbade them from manufacturing anything for years following the armistice. It would not be until 1948 that they would be allowed to produce the R24 motorcycle. Their reemergence into the automotive world would come in 1952 with a series of unsuccessful makes and models. It was not until the 1968 release of the New Six body style that BMW would begin its ascendancy. The rest, as they say, is luxury car history. - 16069
Sporting one of the most recognizable logos in the world, BMW came from truly humble origins. This modern automotive giant began as a small manufacturer of aircraft engines. Gustav Otto, an avid aviator, started his company, Otto-Flugzeugwerke, in 1913. Though his four-stroke engines were well-crafted, his company was absorbed by AEG (Allgemeine Elektrizitts-Gesellschaftits for all you Germanophiles) in 1918.
Under the aegis of AEG, BMW supplied aircraft engines to the German war effort during World War I. Though they made powerful engines, the Treaty of Versailles forced the closure of all their ventures. These were hard times, indeed. The first true BMW vehicle would not meet the market until the 1923 release of the R32 Motorcycle. This popular motorcycle would leave a lasting design feature for all subsequent BMW motorcycles. Its innovative driveshaft, rather than the chain on most motorcycles, propels BMW motorcycles to this day.
Following the success of the R32, BMW was emboldened to build their first automobile. Following a series of starts and stops and failed prototypes, BMW released the BMW 3/20, its first automobile, in 1933. Just as the company was about to ride the rising tide of their success, the outbreak of World War II forced them, against the will of the company president, Josef Popp, back into airplane engine manufacturing. The German armys demands for more R32 motorcycles and the air forces demand for engines forced BMW to cease all automotive manufacturing.
During the war, most of BMW's plants were destroyed outright. Following the fall of Berlin, the Allies forbade them from manufacturing anything for years following the armistice. It would not be until 1948 that they would be allowed to produce the R24 motorcycle. Their reemergence into the automotive world would come in 1952 with a series of unsuccessful makes and models. It was not until the 1968 release of the New Six body style that BMW would begin its ascendancy. The rest, as they say, is luxury car history. - 16069
About the Author:
Fans of luxury cars would be serving their own best interests by purchasing a new or used BMW. The proof is in the pudding, as they say. Of all the luxury cars on the market, except for Mercedes and Porsche, BMWs have a phenomenal resell value.
