History of BMW
BMW entered existence as a business entity following a restructuring of the Rapp Motorenwerke aircraft engine manufacturing firm in 1917. 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. The company consequently shifted to motorcycle production in 1923 once the restrictions of the treaty started to be lifted, followed by automobiles in 1928–29
Production
In 2006, the BMW group (including Mini and Rolls-Royce) produced 1,366,838 four-wheeled vehicles, which were manufactured in five countries.[16] In 2010, it manufactured 1,481,253 four-wheeled vehicles and 112,271 motorcycles (under both the BMW and Husqvarna brands).[1]
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
| 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 | 118,452 |
| 2009 | 1,043,829 | 213,670 | 918 | 93,243 |
| 2010[1] | 1,236,989 | 241,043 | 3,221 | 112,271 |
Production by country
| Country | Make | 2006 | 2008 | Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | BMW | 905,057 | 901,898 | Others |
| Mexico | BMW | 1,500 | 100,000[18] | 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 |
Current models
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 sincemodel 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-size executive 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.[20]
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.
The X3 (E83), BMW's second 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) was BMW's first crossover SUV (SAV), based on the 5 series, and 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) (2004–present) Hatchback, coupe and convertible
- 3 Series (E90) (2005–present) Sedan, coupe, convertible and wagon
- 5 Series (F10) (2010–present) Sedan and Wagon
- 5 Series Gran Turismo (2009–present) Progressive Activity Sedan
- 6 Series (F12) (2010–present) Coupe and convertible
- 7 Series (F01) (2008–present) Sedan
- X1 (2009–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
- X3 (F25) (2010–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
- X5 (E70) (2006–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
- X6 (2008–present) Sports Activity Coupe
- Z4 (E89) (2009–present) Sports Roadster
Motorsport sponsoring
- Formula BMW – A Junior racing Formula category.
- Kumho BMW Championship – A BMW-exclusive championship run in the United Kingdom.
[edit]Motorcycle
- 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.[22]
- Superbike World Championship – BMW returned to premier road racing in 2009 with their all new superbike, the BMW S1000RR.
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
 |
| BMW F1.08 |
- 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.[23] 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.
- Nürburgring – BMW won the 24 Hours Nürburgring 18 times and the 1000km Nürburgring 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.
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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 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 (2005–2007).
- 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 Coupé. 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.
Sport sponsorship beyond motor sport
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 with theUnited 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.
BMW concept cars
A glimpse into the future of BMW
BMW concept cars preview new styles or future technologies to prepare public opinion. BMW's relationship with concept cars has always been on-off - and generally more off than on. Ina company which prided itself on getting with the job of building high-quality road cars for curomers to buy, drive and enjoy, it was rarely a priority to waste valuable resources on styling exercises which gave no more than a few moments of corporate glory at a motor show before beeing wheeled into the company museum or, worse, the crusher.
BMW Vision Concept Car
BMW hydrogen-powered concept motorcycle appreciate
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