BMW

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This article is about the German automobile and motorcycle manufacturer. For other uses, see BMW (disambiguation).

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

Type

Aktiengesellschaft

Traded as

FWB: BMW

Industry

Automotive industry

Founded

1916

Founder(s)

Franz Josef Popp

Headquarters

Munich, Germany

Area served

Worldwide

Key people

Norbert Reithofer (CEO), Joachim Milberg (Chairman of the supervisory board)

Products

Automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles

Revenue

60.48 billion (2010)[1]

Operating income

5.094 billion (2010)[1]

Profit

3.218 billion (2010)[1]

Total assets

108.87 billion (end 2010)[1]

Total equity

23.10 billion (end 2010)[1]

Employees

95,450 (end 2010)[1]

Subsidiaries

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars BMW Motorrad Husqvarna

Website

bmw.com

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (info) (BMW), (literally English: Bavarian Motor Works) is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini brand, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands. BMW is known for its performance and luxury vehicles, and is a global leader in premium car sales.
[2]

Contents
[hide]

1 Company history 2 Shareholders structure 3 Production

3.1 Worldwide sales

4 Motorcycles 5 Automobiles

o o o

5.1 New Class 5.2 Current models 5.3 M Models

6 Motorsport

o o o o o o o

6.1 Motorsport sponsoring 6.2 Motorcycle 6.3 Formula One 6.4 Sports car 6.5 Touring car 6.6 Rally 6.7 Sport sponsorship beyond motor sport

7 Environmental record 8 Bicycles 9 BMW nomenclature

9.1 Exceptions

10 Community

o o o

10.1 BMW slang 10.2 The arts 10.3 April Fools

11 Overseas subsidiaries

o o o o o o

11.1 South Africa 11.2 United States 11.3 India 11.4 China 11.5 Canada 11.6 Egypt

12 Related companies 13 See also 14 References 15 External links

[edit]Company

history

BMW Headquarters in Munich, Germany

Main article: History of BMW BMW entered existence as a business entity following a restructuring of the Rapp Motorenwerkeaircraft engine manufacturing firm in 1917. BMW was founded by Sir T.M.Q.After the end of World War I in 1918, BMW was forced to cease aircraft engine production by the terms of the Versailles Armistice Treaty.
[3]

The company consequently

[4]

shifted to motorcycle production in 1923 once the restrictions of the treaty started to be lifted, automobiles in 192829.
[5][6][7]

followed by

The circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel is portrayed by BMW as the movement of an aircraft propeller, to signify the white blades cutting through the blue sky an interpretation that BMW adopted for convenience in 1929, twelve years after the roundel was created.
[8][9]

The emblem evolved from the circular Rapp Motorenwerke company

logo, from which the BMW company grew, combined with the blue and white colours of the flag of Bavaria, reversed to produce the BMW roundel. However, the origin of the logo being based on the movement of a propeller is in dispute, according to an article posted in 2010 by the New York Times, quoting "At the BMW Museum in Munich, Anne Schmidt-Possiwal, explained that the blue-and-white company logo did not represent a spinning propeller, but was meant to show the colours of the Free State of Bavaria."
[10][unreliable source?]

BMW's first significant aircraft engine was the BMW IIIa inline-six liquid-cooled engine of 1918, much preferred for its high-altitude performance.
[11]

With German rearmament in the 1930s, the company again began producing aircraft

engines for the Luftwaffe. Among its successful World War II engine designs were the BMW 132 andBMW 801 aircooled radial engines, and the pioneering BMW 003 axial-flow turbojet, which powered the tiny, 1944-1945-era jetpowered "emergency fighter", the Heinkel He 162 Spatz. The BMW 003 jet engine was tested in the A-1b version of

the world's first jet fighter, theMesserschmitt Me 262, but BMW engines failed on takeoff, a major setback for the jet fighter program until successful testing with Junkers engines.
[12][13]

By 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 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. The controlling majority shareholder of the BMW Aktiengesellschaft since 1959 is the Quandt family, which owns about 46% of the stock. The rest is in public float. BMW acquired the Hans Glas company based in Dingolfing, Germany, in 1966. It was reputed that the acquisition was mainly to gain access to Glas' development of the timing belt with an overhead camshaft in automotive applications.
[14]

Glas vehicles were briefly badged as BMW until the company was fully absorbed.

In 1992, BMW acquired a large stake in California based industrial design studio DesignworksUSA, which they fully acquired in 1995. In 1994, BMW bought the British Rover Group
[15]

(which at the time consisted of the Rover, Land

Rover and MG brands as well as the rights to defunct brands including Austin and Morris), and owned it for six years. By 2000, Rover was making 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. Chief designer Chris Bangle announced his departure from BMW in February 2009, after serving on the design team for nearly seventeen years. He was replaced by Adrian van Hooydonk, Bangle's former right hand man. Bangle was known for his radical designs such as the 2002 7-Series and the 2002 Z4. In July 2007, the production rights for Husqvarna Motorcycles was purchased by BMW for a reported 93 million euros. BMW Motorrad plans to continue operating Husqvarna Motorcycles as a separate enterprise. All development, sales and production activities, as well as the current workforce, have remained in place at its present location at Varese.

[edit]Shareholders
by ownership
[16]

structure

Stefan Quandt: 17.4% Johanna Quandt: 16.7% Susanne Klatten: 12.6% Free Float: 53.3%

by types

Strategic investors: 46.7% Institutional investors:

North America: 15.8% United Kingdom and Ireland: 11.8% Other Europe: 5.7% Germany: 4.8% Rest of the world: 2.5%

Other investors: 12.7%

[edit]Production
In 2006, the BMW group (including Mini and Rolls-Royce) produced 1,366,838 four-wheeled vehicles, which were manufactured in five countries.
[17]

In 2010, it manufactured 1,481,253 four-wheeled vehicles and 112,271 motorcycles

[1]

(under both the BMW and Husqvarna brands).

The BMW X3 (E83) was made by Magna Steyr, a subsidiary of Magna of Canada, in Graz, Austria under license from BMW until 2010. Over 45.973 were produced in 2009. Starting October 2010 the new BMW X3 (F25) is produced in BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S.A. From September 2010, the plant is producing MINI Countryman. It is reported that about 56 per cent BMW brand vehicles produced are powered by petrol engines and the remaining 44 per cent are powered by diesel engines. Of those petrol vehicles, about 27 per cent are four cylinder models and about nine per cent are eight-cylinder models. Annual Production
[18]

Year

BMW

MINI Rolls-Royce Motorcycle

2005

1,122,308 200,119

692

92,012

2006

1,179,317 186,674

847

103,759

2007

1,302,774 237,700

1,029

104,396

2008

1,203,482 235,019

1,417

104,220

2009

1,043,829 213,670

918

82,631

2010[1] 1,236,989 241,043

3,221

99,236

Production by country

Country

Make

2006

2008

Models

Germany

BMW

905,057

901,898 Others

Mexico

BMW

1,500 100,000[19] BMW X3, X5, 3, 5, 7-series

Russia

BMW

1,500

2,000 BMW X5, X6, 5-series

United Kingdom Mini

187,454

235,019 All Minis

Rolls-Royce

67

1,417 All Rolls-Royce

Austria

BMW

114,306

82,863 BMW X3

USA

BMW

105,172

170,741 BMW X3, X5, X6

South Africa

BMW

54,782

47,980 BMW 3-Series

Total

1,366,838 1,439,918

BMW also has local assembly operation using complete knock down components in Thailand, Russia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Chennai, India for 3, 5, 7 series and X3.
[16]

[edit]Worldwide

sales

Vehicles sold in all markets according to BMW's annual reports.

Year

BMW

MINI Rolls-Royce Motorcycle

2000

822,181

2001

880,677

2002

913,225

2003

928,151

2004 1,023,583

2005 1,126,768 200,428

796

97,474

2006 1,185,088 188,077

805

100,064

2007 1,276,793 222,875

1,010

102,467

2008 1,202,239 232,425

1,212

101,685

2009 1,068,770 216,538

1,002

87,306

2010 1,224,280 234,175 [edit]Motorcycles

2,711

98,047

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2008)
See also: BMW Motorrad and History of BMW motorcycles

The R32 motorcycle, the first BMW motor vehicle.

BMW began building motorcycle engines and then motorcycles after World War I. Its motorcycle brand is now known as BMW Motorrad. Their first successful motorcycle, after the failed Helios and Flink, was the "R32" in 1923. This had a "boxer" twin engine, in which a cylinder projects into the air-flow from each side of the machine. Apart from their single cylinder models (basically to the same pattern), all their motorcycles used this distinctive layout until the early 1980s. Many BMWs are still produced in this layout, which is designated the R Series.

BMW roundel in 1939

BMW K1200GT

BMW 1955 R67/3 was the last of the "plunger" models

During the Second World War, BMW produced theBMW R75 motorcycle with a sidecar attached. Featuring a unique design copied from the ZndappKS750, its sidecar wheel was also motor-driven. Combined with a lockable differential, this made the vehicle very capable off-road, an equivalent in many ways to the Jeep. In 1982, came the K Series, shaft drive but water-cooled and with either three or four cylinders mounted in a straight line from front to back. Shortly after, BMW also started making the chain-driven F and G series with single and parallel twin Rotax engines. In the early 1990s, BMW updated the airhead Boxer engine which became known as the oilhead. In 2002, the oilhead engine had two spark plugs per cylinder. In 2004 it added a built-in balance shaft, an increased capacity to 1,170 cc and enhanced performance to 100 hp (75 kW) for theR1200GS, compared to 85 hp (63 kW) of the previous R1150GS. More powerful variants of the oilhead engines are available in the R1100S and R1200S, producing 98 hp (73 kW) and 122 hp (91 kW), respectively. In 2004, BMW introduced the new K1200S Sports Bike which marked a departure for BMW. It features an engine producing 167 hp (125 kW), derived from the company's work with the Williams F1 team, and is lighter than previous K models. Innovations include electronically adjustable front and rear suspension, and a Hossack-type front fork that BMW calls Duolever. BMW introduced anti-lock brakes on production motorcycles starting in the late 1980s. The generation of anti-lock brakes available on the 2006 and later BMW motorcycles pave the way for the introduction of electronic stability control, or anti-skid technology later in the 2007 model year. BMW has been an innovator in motorcycle suspension design, taking up telescopic front suspension long before most other manufacturers. Then they switched to an Earles fork, front suspension by swinging fork (1955 to 1969). Most modern BMWs are truly rear swingarm, single sided at the back (compare with the regular swinging fork usually, and wrongly, called swinging arm). Some BMWs started using yet another trademark front suspension design, the Telelever, in the early 1990s. Like the Earles fork, the Telelever significantly reduces dive under braking. In July 2007, the Italian-made Husqvarna Motorcycles was purchased by BMW for a reported 93 million. BMW Motorrad plans to continue operating Husqvarna Motorcycles as a separate enterprise. All development, sales and

production activities, as well as the current workforce, have remained in place at its present location at Varese.
[20]

Husqvarna manufactures motocross, enduro and supermoto motorcycles.

[edit]Automobiles
Main article: List of BMW vehicles

[edit]New

Class

Main article: BMW New Class The New Class (German: Neue Klasse) was a line of compact sedans and coupes starting with the 1962 1500 and continuing through the last 2002s in 1977. Powered by BMW's celebrated four-cylinder M10 engine, the New Class models featured a fully independent suspension,MacPherson struts in front, and front disc brakes. Initially a family of four-door sedans and two-door coupes, the New Class line was broadened to two-door sports sedans with the addition of the 02 Series 1600 and 2002 in 1966. Sharing little in common with the rest of the line beyond power train, the sporty siblings caught auto enthusiasts' attention and established BMW as an international brand. Precursors to the famed BMW 3 Series, the two-doors' success cemented the firm's future as an upper tier performance car maker. New Class four-doors with numbers ending in "0" were replaced by the larger BMW 5 Series in 1972. The upscale 2000C and 2000CS coupes were replaced by the six-cylinder BMW E9, introduced in 1969 with the 2800CS. The 1600 two-door was discontinued in 1975, the 2002 replaced by the 320i in 1975.

[edit]Current

models

BMW 3-Series (E90)

The 1 Series, launched in 2004, is BMW's smallest car, and is available in coupe/convertible (E82/E88) and hatchback (E81/E87) forms. The 3 Series, a compact executive car manufactured since model year 1975, is currently in its fifth generation (E90); models include the sport sedan (E90), station wagon (E91), coupe (E92), and convertible (E93). The 5 Series is a mid-sizeexecutive car, available in sedan (F10) and station wagon (F11) forms. The 5 Series Gran Turismo(F07), beginning in 2010, will create a segment between station wagons and crossover SUV.
[21]

BMW 7-Series (F01)

BMW's full-size flagship executive sedan is the 7 Series. Typically, BMW introduces many of their innovations first in the 7 Series, such as the somewhat controversial iDrive system. The 7 Series Hydrogen, featuring one of the world's first hydrogen fueled internal combustion engines, is fueled by liquid hydrogen and emits only clean water vapor. The latest generation (F01) debuted in 2009. Based on the 5 Series' platform, the 6 Series is BMW's grand touring luxury sport coupe/convertible (E63/E64). A 2-seater roadster and coupe which succeeded the Z3, the Z4 (E85) has been sold since 2002.

BMW X3 SUV (F25)

The X3 (E83), BMW's first crossover SUV (called SAV or "Sports Activity Vehicle" by BMW) debuted in 2003 and is based on the E46/16 3 Series platform. Marketed in Europe as an off-roader, it benefits from BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system. The all-wheel drive X5 (E70) is a mid-size luxury SUV (SAV) sold by BMW since 2000. A 4-seat crossover SUV released by BMW in December 2007, the X6 is marketed as a "Sports Activity Coupe" (SAC) by BMW. The upcoming X1 extends the BMW Sports Activity Series model lineup.

1 Series (E81) (2004present) Hatchback, coupe and convertible 3 Series (E90) (2005present) Sedan, coupe, convertible and wagon 5 Series (F10) (2010present) Sedan and Wagon 5 Series Gran Turismo (2009present) Progressive Activity Sedan 6 Series (E63) (2003present) Coupe and convertible 7 Series (F01) (2008present) Sedan

X1 (2009present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) X3 (F25) (2010present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) X5 (E70) (2006present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) X6 (2008present) Sports Activity Coupe Z4 (E89) (2009present) Sports Roadster

[edit]M

Models

A race-ready production vehicle. Since its debut, the M3 is heralded in enthusiast circles, in large part due to its unique geometry and award winning engines. The newest V8-powered platform became available the Autumn of 2007 in Europe, and second quarter of 2008 for the U.S. in coupe (E92), and later the cabriolet (E93), and sedan (E90) variants. Based on the 5 Series, the M5 is the M division's V10-powered version of the E60 5 Series.
[22]

The M6 is the M division's version of the 6 Series, and shares its drivetrain with the M5. The Z4 M, or M

Coupe/M Roadster, is the M division's version of the Z4. The X5M is the M division's version of the X5, and the X6M is the M division's version of the X6. Both the X5M and X6M share the same V8 twin scroll twin turbo.

1M 1M 1M Based on 1 Series (E81) (2011present) coupe M3 BMW M3 Based On The 3 Series (E90) (2005present) Sedan, coupe and convertible M5 BMW M5 Based On The 5 Series (F10) (2010present) Sedan and Wagon M6 BMW M6 Based On The 6 Series (E63) (2003present) Coupe and convertible X5-M BMW_X5_(E70) Based On The X5 Series (E70) (2006present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)

X6-M BMW X6 Based On The X6 Series (2008present) Sports Activity Coupe

[edit]Motorsport This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2008)
Main article: BMW in motorsport BMW has been engaged in motorsport activities since the dawn of the first BMW motorcycle.

[edit]Motorsport

sponsoring

Formula BMW A Junior racing Formula category. Kumho BMW Championship A BMW-exclusive championship run in the United Kingdom.

[edit]Motorcycle

BMW S1000RR

Isle of Man TT in 1939 BMW became the first foreign manufacturer to win the Isle of Man TT race with Georg Meier

Dakar Rally BMW motorcycles have won the Dakar rally six times. In 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1999, and 2000.
[23]

Superbike World Championship BMW returned to premier road racing in 2009 with their all new superbike, the BMW S1000RR.

[edit]Formula

One

Main article: BMW in Formula One

BMW Sauber F1 Team Logo.

BMW first entered Formula One as a fully-fledged team in 2006.

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 win is a lone constructor team's victory by BMW Sauber F1 Team, on 8 June 2008, at the Canadian Grand Prix with Robert Kubica driving. Achievements include:

Driver championship: 1 (1983) Constructor championship: 0 (Runner-up 2002, 2003, 2007) Grand Prix wins: 20 Podium finishes: 76 Pole positions: 33 Fastest laps: 33

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.
[24]

The team

was sold back to the previous owner, Peter Sauber, who kept the BMW part of the name for the 2010 season due to issues with the Concorde Agreement. The team has since dropped BMW from their name starting in 2011.

[edit]Sports

car

Le Mans 24 Hours BMW won Le Mans in 1999 with the BMW V12 LMR designed by Williams Grand Prix Engineering. Also the Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing team won the 1995 edition with a BMW-engined McLaren F1 GTR race car.

Nrburgring BMW won the 24 Hours Nrburgring 18 times and the 1000km Nrburgring twice (1976 and 1981).

24 Hours of Daytona BMW won 2 times (1976, 2011) Spa 24 Hours BMW won 21 times McLaren F1 GTR Successful mid-1990s GT racing car with a BMW designed engine. It won the BPR Global GT Series in 1995 and 1996 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995.

[edit]Touring

car

BMW has a long and successful history in touring car racing.

European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) Since 1968, BMW won 24 drivers' championships
needed]

[citation

along with several manufacturers' and teams' titles.

World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) BMW won four drivers' championship (1987, 2005, 2006 and 2007) and three manufacturers' titles (20052007).

DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft) the following won the DTM drivers' championship driving BMWs:

1989: Roberto Ravaglia, BMW M3 1987: Eric van der Poele, BMW M3

The DRM (Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft) was won by Harald Ertl in a BMW 320i Turbo in 1978

British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) BMW won the drivers' championship in 1988, 1991, 1992 and 1993 and manufacturers' championship in 1991 and 1993.

SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge Touring Car Series(WC) BMW won the manufacturer's championship in 2001 and Bill Auberlen, driving a Turner Motorsport BMW 325i, won the 2003 and 2004 Driver's Championships.

Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTCC) BMW (Schnitzer) flew from Europe to Japan to compete in the JTCC and won the championship in 1995.

Mille Miglia BMW won Mille Miglia in 1940 in with a 328 Touring Coup. Previously in 1938 the 328 sport car also obtained a class victory.

BMW announced on 15 October 2010 that it will return to touring car racing during the 2012 season. Dr. Klaus Draeger, who is 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. With its increased commitment to production car racing, BMW is returning to its roots. The race track is the perfect place to demonstrate the impressive sporting characteristics of our vehicles against our core competitors in a high-powered environment. The DTM is the ideal stage on which to do this.
[citation needed]

[edit]Rally
RAC Rally The 328 sport car won this event in 1939. Paris Dakar Rally BMW motorcycles have won this event 6 times. Tour de Corse The BMW M3 E30 won this event in 1987

[edit]Sport

sponsorship beyond motor sport

[25]

BMW sponsors many other sports beyond motorsport. It is an official sponsor of the London 2012 olympics providing 4000 BMWs and Minis in a deal made in November 2009. The company also made a six-year sponsorship deal
[26]

with the United States 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.
[27]

[edit]Environmental

record

The company is a charter member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Environmental Achievement Track, which recognises companies for their environmental stewardship and performance. It is also a member of the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program and is on the Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index, which rates environmentally friendly companies.
[28]

BMW has taken measures to reduce the impact the

company has on the environment. It is trying to design less-polluting cars by making existing models more efficient, as well as developing environmentally friendly fuels for future vehicles. Possibilities include: electric power, hybrid power (combustion, engines and electric motors) hydrogen engines.
[29]

BMW offers 49 models with EU5/6 emissions norm and nearly 20 models with CO2 output less than 140 g/km, which puts it on the lowest tax group and therefore could provide the future owner with eco-bonus offered from some European countries. However, there have been some criticisms directed at BMW, and in particular, accusations of greenwash in reference to their BMW Hydrogen 7. Some critics claim that the emissions produced during hydrogen fuel production outweigh the reduction of tailpipe emissions, and that the Hydrogen 7 is a distraction from more immediate, practical solutions for car pollution.
[30]

[edit]Bicycles
BMW has created a range of high-end bicycles sold online and through dealerships. They range from the Kid's Bike to the EUR 4,499 Enduro Bike.
[31]

In the United States, only the Cruise Bike and Kid's Bike models are sold.

[32]

[edit]BMW

nomenclature

BMW vehicles follow a certain nomenclature; usually a 3 digit number is followed by 1 or 2 letters. The first number represents the series number. The next two numbers traditionally represent the engine displacement in cubic centimeters divided by 100.
[33]

However, more recent cars use those two numbers as a performance index, as e.g.

the 116i, 118i and 120i (all 2,0L gas-powered), just like the 325d and 330d (both 3,0L diesel) share the same motor block while adjusting engine power through setup and turbocharging. A similar nomenclature is used byBMW Motorrad for their motorcycles. The system of letters can be used in combination, and is as follows:

A = automatic transmission C = coup, last used on the BMW E46 and the BMW E63 (dropped after 2005 model year) c = cabriolet d = diesel

e = eta (efficient economy, from the Greek letter '') g = compressed natural gas/CNG h = hydrogen i = fuel-injected L = long wheelbase s = sport, also means "2 dr" on E36 model sDrive = rear wheel drive T = touring (wagon/estate) Ti = hatchback for the BMW 3 Series hatchback

x / xDrive = BMW xDrive all wheel drive historic nomenclature indicating "td" refers to "Turbo Diesel", not a diesel hatchback or touring model (524td, 525td) typically includes sport seats, spoiler, aerodynamic body kit, upgraded wheels and Limit Slip Differential on pre-95

model etc. For example, the BMW 750iL is a fuel-injected 7 Series with a long wheelbase and 5.4 liters of displacement. This badge was used for successive generations, E65 and F01. When 'L' supersedes the series number (e.g. L6, L7, etc.) it identifies the vehicle as a special luxury variant, featuring extended leather and special interior appointments. The L7 is based on the E23 and E38, and the L6 is based on the E24. When 'X' is capitalised and supersedes the series number (e.g. X3, X5, etc.) it identifies the vehicle as one of BMW's Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV), their brand of crossovers, featuring BMW's xDrive. The second number in the 'X' series denotes the platform that it is based upon, for instance the X5 is derived from the 5 Series. Unlike BMW cars, the SAV's main badge does not denote engine size, the engine is instead indicated on side badges. The 'Z' identifies the vehicle as a two seat roadster (e.g. Z1, Z3, Z4, etc.). 'M' variants of 'Z' models have the 'M' as a suffix or prefix, depending on country of sale (e.g. 'Z4 M' is 'M Roadster' in Canada). Previous X & Z vehicles had 'i' or 'si' following the engine displacement number (denoted in liters). BMW is now globally standardising this nomenclature on X & Z vehicles by using 'sDrive' or 'xDrive' (simply meaning rear or all wheel drive, respectively) followed by two numbers which vaguely represent the vehicle's engine (e.g. Z4 sDrive35i is a rear wheel drive Z4 roadster with a 3.0 L twin-turbo fuel-injected engine).
[34]

BMW last used the 's' for the E36 328is, which ceased production in 1999. However, the 's' nomenclature was brought back on the 2011 model year BMW 335is and BMW Z4 sDrive35is. The 335is is a sport-tuned trim with more performance and an optional dual clutch transmission that slots between the regular 335i and top-of-the-line M3.
[35][36]

The 'M' for Motorsport identifies the vehicle as a high-performance model of a particular series (e.g. M3, M5, M6, etc.). For example, the M6 is the highest performing vehicle in the 6 Series lineup. Although 'M' cars should be separated into their respective series platforms, it is very common to see 'M' cars grouped together as its own lineup on the official BMW website.

[edit]Exceptions
There are exceptions to the numbering nomenclature.
[37]

The M versions of the Sports Activity Vehicles, such as the BMW X5 M, could not follow the regular naming convention since MX5 was used for Mazda's MX-5 Miata.

For instance in the 2008 model year, the BMW 125i/128i, 328i, and 528i all had 3.0 naturally aspirated engines (N52), not a 2,500 cc or 2,800 cc engine as the series designation number would lead one to believe. The '28' is to denote a detuned engine in the 2008 cars, compared to the 2006 model year '30' vehicles (330i and 530i) whose 3.0 naturally aspirated engines are from the same N52 family but had more output. The 2008 BMW 335i and 535i also have 3.0-liter engine; however the engines are twin-turbocharged (N54) which is not identified by the nomenclature. Nonetheless the '35' indicates a more powerful engine than previous '30' models that have the naturally aspirated N52 engine. The 2011 BMW 740i and 335is shares the same twin-turbo 3.0 engine from the N54 family but tuned to higher outputs, although the badging is not consistent ('40' and 's'). The E36 and E46 323i and E39 523i had 2.5-liter engines. The E36 318i made after 1996 has a 1.9 L engine (M44) as opposed to the 1.8 L (M42) used in the 1992 to 1995 models. The badging for recent V8 engines (N62 and N63) also does not indicate displacement, as the 2006 750i and 2009 750i have 4800 cc (naturally aspirated) and 4400 cc (twin-turbocharged) engines, respectively.

[edit]Community

BMW logo sign in Dsseldorf

From the summer of 2001 until October 2005, BMW hosted the "BMW Films". Archived fromthe original on 27 September 2007. website, showcasing sporty models being driven to extremes. These videos are still popular within the enthusiast community and proved to be a ground-breaking online advertising campaign. Annually since 1999, BMW enthusiasts have met in Santa Barbara, CA to attend Bimmerfest. One of the largest brand-specific gatherings in the U.S., over 3,000 people attended in 2006, and over 1,000 BMW cars were present. In 2007, the event was held on 5 May.

[edit]BMW

slang

The initials BMW are pronounced [be m ve] in German.

[38]

The model series are referred to as "Einser" ("One-er"

for 1 series), "Dreier" ("Three-er" for 3 series), "Fnfer" ("Five-er" for the 5 series), "Sechser" ("Six-er" for the 6 series), "Siebener" ("Seven-er" for the 7 series). These are not actually slang, but are the normal way that such letters and numbers are pronounced in German.
[39]

The English slang terms Beemer, Bimmer and Bee-em are variously used for BMWs of all kinds, motorcycles.
[42][43]

[40][41]

cars, and

In the US, specialists have been at pains to prescribe that a distinction must be made between using Beemer exclusively to describe BMW motorcycles, and using Bimmer only to refer to BMW cars, "true aficionado"
[47] [44][45][46]

in the manner of a

and avoid appearing to be "uninitiated."

[50]

[48][49]

The Canadian Globe and Mail prefers Bimmer and

calls Beemer a "yuppie abomination," snobs."

[51]

while the Tacoma News Tribune says it is a distinction made by "auto

[52][53][54]

Using the wrong slang risks offending BMW enthusiasts.

An editor ofBusiness Week was satisfied

in 2003 that the question was resolved in favor of Bimmer by noting that a Google search yielded 10 times as many hits compared to Beemer.
[55]

[edit]The

arts

1975 BMW 3.0CSL painted by Alexander Calder.

Manufacturers employ designers for their cars, but BMW has made efforts to gain recognition for exceptional contributions to and support of the arts, including art beyond motor vehicle design. These efforts typically overlap or complement BMW's marketing and branding campaigns. Schwanzer has become a European icon, paintings for the building's lobby.
[58][59] [57] [56]

Theheadquarters building, designed in 1972 by Karl

and artist Gerhard Richter created his Red, Yellow, Blue series of

In 1975, Alexander Calder was commissioned to paint the 3.0CSL driven by

Herv Poulain at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This led to more BMW Art Cars, painted by artists includingDavid Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Roy Lichtenstein, and others. The cars, currently numbering 16, have been shown at the Louvre, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and, in 2009, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and New York's Grand Central Terminal.
[57]

BMW was the principal sponsor of the 1998 The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition at

the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museumand other Guggenheim museums, though the financial relationship between BMW and the Guggenheim was criticised in many quarters.
[60][61]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: BMW Art Cars

The 2006 "BMW Performance Series" was a marketing event geared to attract black car buyers, and featured the "BMW Pop-Jazz Live Series," a tour headlined by jazz musician Mike Phillips, and the "BMW Blackfilms.com Film Series" highlighting black filmmakers.
[62]

[edit]April

Fools

BMW has garnered a reputation over the years for its April Fools pranks, which are printed in the British press every year. In 2010, they ran an advert announcing that customers would be able to order BMWs with different coloured badges to show their affiliation with the political party they supported.

[edit]Overseas [edit]South

subsidiaries

Africa
[63]

BMWs have been assembled in South Africa since 1968,

when Praetor Monteerders' plant was opened in Rosslyn,

near Pretoria. BMW initially bought shares in the company, before fully acquiring it in 1975; in so doing, the company became BMW South Africa, the first wholly owned subsidiary of BMW to be established outside Germany. Three unique models that BMW Motorsport created for the South African market were the E23 M745i (1983), which used the M88 engine from the BMW M1, the BMW 333i (1986), which added a 6-cylinder 3.2 litre M30 engine to the E30,
[64]

and the E30 BMW 325is (1989) which was powered by an Alpina-derived 2.7 litre engine.

Unlike U.S. manufacturers, such as Ford and GM, which divested from the country in the 1980s, BMW retained full ownership of its operations in South Africa. Following the end of apartheid in 1994, and the lowering of import tariffs, BMW South Africa ended local production of the 5-Series and 7-Series, in order to concentrate on production of the 3-Series for the export market. South Africanbuilt BMWs are now exported to right hand drive markets including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1997, BMW South Africa has produced vehicles in left hand drive for export to Taiwan, the United States and Iran, as well as South America. BMW's with a VIN number starting with "NC0" are manufactured in South Africa.

[edit]United

States

BMW Spartanburg factory

BMW Manufacturing Co has been manufacturing the X5 and, more recently, the X6 in Greer nearSpartanburg, South Carolina, USA.
[65]

The smaller X3 has began production in Spartanburg. BMW's with a VIN number starting with "4US

and 5US" are manufactured in Spartanburg. In 2010 BMW announced that it would spend $750 million to expand operations at the Spartanburg plant. This expansion will allow production of 240,000 vehicles a year and will make the plant the largest car factory in the United States by number of employees.
[66]

[edit]India
BMW India was established in 2006 as a sales subsidiary in Gurgaon (National Capital Region). A state-of-the-art assembly plant for BMW 3 and 5 Series started operation in early 2007 in Chennai. Construction of the plant started in January 2006 with an initial investment of more than one billion Indian Rupees. The plant started operation in the first quarter of 2007 and produces the different variants of BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series.
[67]

[edit]China
Main article: Brilliance Automotive Signing a deal in 2003 for the production of sedans in China,
[68]

May 2004 saw the opening of a factory in the North[69]

eastern city of Shenyangwhere Brilliance Automotive produces BMW-branded automobiles the German company.
[70]

in a joint venture with

[edit]Canada
In October 2008, BMW Group Canada was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the Toronto Star newspaper.
[71]

[edit]Egypt
Bavarian Auto Group is a multinational group of companies established in March 2003 when it was appointed as the sole importer of BMW and Mini in Egypt, with monopoly rights for import, assembly, distribution, sales and after-sales

support of BMW products in Egypt. Since that date, BAG invested a total amount of 100 Million US Dollars distributed on 7 companies and 11 premises in addition to 3 stores. Currently, the facility enables Bavarian Auto the opportunity to offer a full range of locally assembled models; including the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and X3 which. In combination with a new range of imported models; including the BMW 1 Series, 6 Series, X5, X6 and various Mini models.

[edit]Related

companies

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2008)

A Combined BMW Mini dealership inMoncton, Canada

AC Schnitzer: A tuning company specialising in BMW vehicles. Alpina: A Motor Manufacturer in its own right, who creates vehicles based on BMW cars. Automobilwerk Eisenach BMW Group Forschung und Technik: The research and development arm of BMW Group headed by Dr. Raymond Freymann.

Breyton: A tuning manufacturer specialising in BMW cars. Dinan Cars: A tuning company specialising in BMW and Mini cars G-Power: A tuning company specialising in BMW vehicles. Glas Hamann Motorsport: A Motor Styling and Tuning Specialist who creates vehicles based on BMW cars. Hartge: A tuning company specialising in BMW, Mini and Range Rover cars.

MK-Motorsport: A tuning company specialising in BMW cars. Racing Dynamics: A tuning company and motor manufacturer specialising in BMW Group vehicles. Turner Motorsport: A North American-based company specialising in tuning BMW vehicles for road and racetrack. Behind the factory-supported Schnitzer Motorsport team, Turner Motorsport has entered the highest number of professional races with BMW models.

[edit]See

also

Companies portal

BMW Central Building BMW CleanEnergy BMW films BMW Headquarters

iDrive

History of BMW motorcycles List of BMW engines Streetcarver BMW Street Carver Skateboards

BMW in motorsport BMW Motorrad History of BMW

[edit]References
a b c d e f g h

1. 2. 3.

"Annual Report 2010" (PDF). BMW Group. Retrieved 16 March 2011.

^ "BMW Beats Audi, Mercedes in May 2011 Global Sales". Retrieved 29 June 2011. ^ "Fliegerschule St.Gallen history" (in German). Archived fromthe original on 28 May 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2008.

4.

^ Darwin Holmstrom, Brian J. Nelson (2002), BMW Motorcycles, MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company, ISBN 076031098X, retrieved 24 August 2008

5.

^ Johnson, Richard Alan (2005), Six men who built the modern auto industry, MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company,ISBN 0760319588, 9780760319581

6.

^ Disseminative Capabilities: A Case Study of Collaborative Product Development in the Automotive, Gabler Verlag, 2008,ISBN 3834912549, 9783834912541

7.

^ Kiley, David (2004), Driven: inside BMW, the most admired car company in the world, John Wiley and Sons, ISBN 0471269204,