BMW
The Bayerische Motoren Werke AG commonly known as BMW AG or BMW is a company automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing German founded in 1916, BMW is based in Munich, Bavaria. It also owns and produces cars Mini, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles BMW Motorrad. In 2012, BMW Group produced 1,845,186 cars and 117,109 motorcycles across all its brands. BMW is part of the “German Big 3″ automakers luxury with Audi and Mercedes–Benz, which are the three best selling luxury car in the world.
BMW History
BMW was established as a business entity following a restructuring of the company aircraft manufacturing Rapp Motorbike in 1917 after the end of World War I in 1918, BMW was forced to cease production of aircraft-engine terms Versailles Armistice Treaty. The company therefore went to motorcycle production in 1923 once the restrictions of the treaty started to be lifted, followed by automobiles in 1928-1929. The first car which BMW successfully produced and the car which launched BMW on the road to automobile production was the Dixi, is based on the Austin 7 and licensed from the Austin Motor Company in Birmingham, England.
For the year 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 to carry out. It was decided to continue and try to capitalize on the current economy car boom enjoyed so successfully by some of the ex–aircraft manufacturers such as Messerschmitt and German Heinkel. The rights to manufacture the Italian Iso Isetta of were purchased; the tiny cars themselves were to be powered by a modified form of BMW motorcycle engine itself. This was moderately successful and helped the company get back on its feet. The controlling majority shareholder of the BMW Aktiengesellschaft since 1959 is the Quandt family, which owns about 46% of the shares. The rest is held by the public.
BMW acquired the company based in Dingolfing, Germany Hans Glas in 1966 Glas vehicles were briefly badged as BMW until the company was fully absorbed. It was reputed that acquisition was mainly to gain access to Glas ‘development of the timing belt with an overhead camshaft in automotive applications, although some saw the Glas‘ Dingolfing plant as another incentive. However, this factory was outdated and BMW greatest immediate gain was, according to them, a stock of highly qualified engineers and other staff. The plants continued to build Glas a limited number of existing models, while making the addition of front and rear axles BMW until they could be incorporated close to BMW.
Industrial design studio in 1992, BMW acquired a large stake in California-based Design works USA, which fully acquired in 1995 In 1994, BMW bought the British Rover Group (which at that time consisted of the Rover, Land Rover and MG brands well as the rights to defunct brands including Austin and Morris), and owned for six years. In 2000, Rover was incurring huge losses and BMW decided to sell the combine. The MG and Rover brands were sold to the Phoenix Consortium to form MG Rover, while Land Rover was taken over by Ford. BMW, meanwhile, retained the rights to build the new Mini, which was launched in 2001.
In June 2012, BMW was ranked as the # 1 most reputable company in the world by Forbes.com. [20] The rankings are based on aspects such as “will of the people to buy, recommend, work, and invest in a company is driven 60% on their perceptions of the company and only 40% in their perceptions of their products “.
BMW Automobile Production
In 2006, the BMW group (including Mini and Rolls-Royce) produced 1,366,838 four-wheeled vehicles, which were manufactured in five countries. In 2010, it manufactured 1,481,253 four-wheeled vehicles and 112,271 motorcycles. The BMW X3 (E83) was made by Magna Steyr, a subsidiary of Magna of Canada, in Graz, Austria under license from BMW until 2010 more than 45,973 were produced in 2009 Beginning in October 2010 the new BMW X3 (F25) is BMW produced in US Manufacturing Co., Greer, Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
It is reported that about 56% of BMW brand vehicles produced are powered by petrol engines and the remaining 44% are powered by diesel engines. Petrol vehicles, about 27% are four-cylinder models and about nine per cent are eight-cylinder models. BMW also has local assembly operation using complete knock down components in Thailand, Russia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and India for 3, 5, 7 series and X3.
Current BMW Models
The BMW 1 Series, originally released in 2004, is BMW‘s smallest car. Currently available are the second generation hatchback (F20) and first generation coupe / convertible (E82 / E88). The 3 Series, a compact executive car manufactured since model year 1975, is currently in its sixth generation (F30); models include the sport sedan (F30) and station wagon fourth generation (F30) and convertible (E93), and Gran Turismo. In 2014, Series 4 will be announced and replace the 3 Series Coupe and Convertible. 5 Series is a mid-size executive car, available in sedan (F10) and station wagon (F11) forms. The 5 Series Gran Turismo (F07), which debuted in 2010, created a segment between SUVs and crossover SUV.
The BMW X3 (F25) BMW’s second crossover SUV (called SAV or “Sports Activity Vehicle” by BMW) debuted in 2010 and replaced the X3 (E83), which is based on the E46 platform of the 3 Series‘, and had been in production since 2003 sold in Europe as an off-roader, it benefits from xDrive all-wheel drive BMW. The X5 AWD (E53) was the first crossover BMW SUV (SAV) based on the 5-Series, and is a luxury mid-size SUV (SAV) sold by BMW since 2000 April 1 seater crossover SUV launched by BMW in December 2007, the X6 is marketed as a “Sports Activity Coupe” (SAC) by BMW. The BMW X1 extends the BMW model range Sports Activity Series. In 2013, the company announced that it would launch its first range of fully electric cars. This would begin with the launch of the BMW i3 in the second quarter of 2014.
BMW 1 Series (E81) (2004-present) Coupe and convertible
BNW 2 Series (F22) (2014-present) Coupe and wagon
BMW 3 Series (E93) (2007-present) convertible
BMW 4 Series (F32 / F33 / F36) (2014-present) Coupe and convertible
BMW 7 Series (F01) (2008-present) Sedan
BMW 6 Series (F12) (2010-present) Coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe
BMW 1 Series (F20) (2011-present) Hatchback
BMW 3 Series (F30) (2012-present) Sedan and wagon
BMW Series 4 (2014-present) Coupe
BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo (2013–present) Progressive Activity Sedan
BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo (2009–present) Progressive Activity Sedan
BMW i3 (to be released 2014) Sedan
BMW X1 (2009-present) Compact Crossover SUV / Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
BMW X3 (F25) (2010-present) Compact Crossover SUV / Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
BMW X5 (E70) (2006-present) mid-size Crossover SUV / Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
BMW X6 (E71) (2008-present) Sports Activity Coupe
BMW Z4 (E89) (2009-present) Sports Roadster
BMW produce a series of high-performance derivatives of their cars developed by the BMW M GmbH (previously BMW Motorsport GmbH) subsidiary. Current models of M are:
BMW M3 – Sedan F80, (2013 to present)
BMW M4 – F82 Coupe (2013 to present)
BMW M5 – F10 Saloon (2011 to present)
BMW M6 – F06 / 12/13 (2012-present)
BMW X5 M – E70 SAV (2010 to present)
BMW X6 M – E71 SAV (2010 to present)
BMW in Formula One
BMW has a history of success in Formula One. BMW powered cars have won 20 races. In 2006 BMW took over the Sauber team and became Formula One constructors. In 2007 and 2008 the team enjoyed some success. The most recent victory is the victory of a lone constructor team BMW Sauber F1 Team, on 8 June 2008, at the Canadian Grand Prix with Robert Kubica driving. BMW was an engine supplier to Williams, Benetton, Brabham, and Arrows. Notable drivers who have started their Formula One careers with BMW include Jenson Button, Juan Pablo Montoya, Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel.
In July 2009, BMW announced that it would withdraw from Formula One at the end of the 2009 season the team was sold back to the previous owner, Peter Sauber, who kept the name part of BMW for the 2010 season due to problems with the Concorde Agreement. The team has already dropped BMW from their name starting in 2011.
BMW Touring car
BMW announced on 15 October 2010 will return to touring car racing during the 2012 season Dr. Klaus Draeger, head of research and development for BMW Group, who was in charge of the return to DTM racing (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) commented that “the return of BMW to the DTM is a fundamental part of the restructuring of our motorsport activities. their increased commitment to production car racing, BMW is returning to its roots. racetrack is the perfect place to demonstrate the impressive sporting characteristics of our vehicles against our core competitors in a high-powered environment. DTM is the ideal stage on which to do this. “
BMW Sponsorship
In football, BMW sponsors Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt. It is an official sponsor of the Olympic Games in London 2012 providing 4,000 BMW and Mini in a deal made in November 2009. The company also made a sponsorship deal six years with the US Olympic Committee (USOC) in July 2010 BMW has sponsored various European golf events such as the PGA Championship at Wentworth, the BMW Italian Open and the BMW International Open in Germany.