15 Facts about BMW you probably didn’t know

The recognition and success of any great brand are typically preceded by the tales, curiosities, and facts that explain them.

Those who work in the automotive industry, full of great names that have delighted drivers from all over the world and generations of drivers over the years, are not in the least bit surprised by this fact.

This time around in Motorbli, we are going to concentrate on BMW, the main protagonist of many of the entries written here.

Previously, we did the same with Audi, Ferrari, and Tesla.

To be more specific, along these lines, we will highlight fifteen things about the Bavarian house that it is highly likely that you were not aware of.

They will take you by surprise: 15 interesting facts about the BMW brand

Following the customary introduction, it is time to move on to the nougat and begin unearthing the two weeks’ worth of anecdotes, curiosities, myths, and unique facts that have contributed to the formation of BMW’s identity throughout its lengthy existence.

1. An earlier name for the company before it was known as BMW

Before 1917, the company was known as Bayerische Motoren Werke; three individuals established this company: Franz Joseph Popp, Karl Rapp, and Camillo Castiglioni.

BMW was not given its current name until 1917; we say it was not given its current name because, before 1917, the company was known as Bayerische Motoren Werke.

The company’s headquarters were located in Munich (Germany), and its owners concluded that changing the company’s name would make it simpler for customers to recognize and keep track of the brand.

2. The first thing that they revealed was an airplane engine.

In the company’s early days, aircraft engines were part of its product line before it began producing automobiles and motorcycles.

The BMW Illa was the company’s first product to be sold to the general public after it was introduced to the market.

However, in the early years of the company’s existence, the company’s primary focus was on producing these kinds of products.

In addition, the company manufactured brakes for railroads, agricultural equipment, engines for buses and trucks, pumps, and even products for the home.

The reason for this was none other than the development of World War I, as well as the urgent requirement for the company to reimagine itself and broaden its product offering in the face of a severe economic downturn.

3. It started shattering records almost immediately after it began.

Along with the aircraft in which it was installed, the BMW Illa aircraft engine reached an altitude of 9,760 meters, which was a significant achievement for the times at that time.

The accomplishment took place on June 17, 1919, and even though the company was only six years old at the time, it had already earned it some fame from many of the public.

4. The Treaty of Versailles created the conditions for the development of automobiles.

Because it forbade German companies from producing aircraft and engines for military use, the historic agreement that was signed in 1919 had a significant influence on BMW’s operations.

As a result, they concentrated their efforts first on motorcycles, then, in 1929, on automobiles.

The beginning of the history of BMW can be explained, at least in large part, by World War I (1914-1918).

In terms of two-wheeled vehicles, it is important to note that in 1922, he began designing the BMW R32, the very first model he manufactured and sold to the public.

The following year was when he first appeared on the market and he did so by making an appearance at the Berlin Exhibition.

5. The BMW Dixi, the manufacturer’s very first automobile

This was the name of the Bavarian company’s first four-wheeled units, produced in the 1930s by the company.

Nevertheless, there is a method to everything which needs to be explained.

In 1928, they purchased Automobilwerk Eisenach, an enterprise that granted them the privilege of producing Dixi automobiles.

The pioneer models were given the name BMW Dixi, but this moniker was eventually dropped from the model lineup.

However, the 3/15 PS, part of the Eisenach series, was the first BMW to see the light of day.

A short time after that, in 1933, the BMW 303 made its debut as one of the first successful models produced by the house. It was invented by Fritz Fiedler and featured a six-cylinder engine that had a cubic capacity of 1.2 liters. At the time, this was considered to be a significant technological advancement.

6. The logo’s colors represent the state of Bavaria.

Many of you have probably wondered precisely what the BMW logo refers to. Others of you may have believed or assumed that it had something to do with aviation because the shape of the lines inside the circle can be described as looking like rotating blades or propellers.

The truth is that the blue and white represent the colors of the flag of the Free State of Bavaria, where the house was founded, and its headquarters are currently located.

Additionally, the circle featured the first iteration of Rapp’s company, which was instrumental in the establishment of BMW.

This indicates that it is also a tribute to his part in the conception of what is now considered to be a standard in the automotive industry.

7. The company released its first electric model a long time before it was cool to do so.

Some people believe that the definition of intelligence is the ability to anticipate future events, and BMW can brag about having this ability.

The BMW 1602e was the first electric vehicle produced by the German company after it finished production in 1972.

The fact that it could only be charged for 20 minutes at a time and had only half the performance of the other models produced by the manufacturer meant that using it would be a real pain for the customer.

As a result, they decided against putting it on the market.

However, this does not mean that it did not play a role in laying the groundwork for the subsequent electric models that BMW would eventually release.

8. The grille of “kidneys” also contributed to the company’s initial success.

We have previously discussed the BMW 303 and its great commercial success due to its mechanical structure’s novelty.

However, it is essential to note that in its design, the BMW 303 incorporated the easily recognizable grille of “kidneys” in its exterior design. This was a significant innovation at the time.

Therefore, the first documented instance of that grille was in 1933, and ever since, its prevalence across various models has shown no sign of abating.

9. It is the owner of both Rolls Royce and Mini.

BMW, much like other automotive behemoths, owns several other major automakers.

In 1994, the company acquired the British Rover Group, the owner of Rolls Royce and Mini Cooper.

As a result of these factors, it has been responsible for producing truly iconic automobiles, such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom in 2003 and the Land Rovers.

Some people are surprised to learn that a German company is in charge of producing well-known British brands, but unfortunately, this is the reality.

10. The company’s headquarters is in the shape of a four-cylinder engine

As if it were a car component, the BMW headquarters building in Munich has the same shape and design as its four-cylinder engine, a heritage that gave them a lot of popularity.

This is one of the reasons why they are so successful.

This structure was designed by a professor of architecture from Austria, and the tower was added to it in 1972, just in time for the Olympic Games to be held in Munich, which was hosting those games at the time.

Because of everything mentioned here, it was straightforward to recognize even though it was surrounded by natural scenery.

1999 marked the year that the structure was designated as a historical one.

11. The BMW Isetta kept the company from going bankrupt.

In the 1950s, BMW was going through a difficult economic time, partly due to the events that were taking place as a direct result of the Cold War.

On the other hand, the introduction of its BMW Isetta averted the worst possible outcome.

Because of its name, it is possible to deduce that an Italian company developed it to produce a cost-effective and convenient model for individuals who desired to make short journeys within the city.

At the time, it served as a significant source of oxygen for the people of Bavaria; however, the region would again face periods of economic difficulty in the 1970s.

12. Daimler-Benz, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, almost succeeded in acquiring BMW in the middle of the 20th century.

To capitalize on the circumstances, Daimler-Benz considered purchasing BMW.

This enterprise was unsuccessful because of the workers’ significant resistance in the form of share buybacks.

In the end, the company was acquired by the Quandt family’s massive and influential family business.

13. You constructed a Lamborghini.

As a result of an understanding between Germans and Italians, BMW was responsible for continuing the development of one of its supercar models.

This is in addition to the fact that the two countries had previously agreed to work together to produce a racing vehicle in the 1970s.

Lamborghini was in charge of the design, but BMW was in the order of the car’s suspensions and engine. This was the situation.

On the other hand, Lamborghini had to back out of this project due to a lack of funding, and they handed over responsibility for the parts to the Bavarian.

They used a private coachbuilder named Baur as a substitute for the Italian house, and the original BMW M1 was the product of this symbiotic relationship.

14. They manufactured the world’s most potent and fastest motorcycle

Another record that BMW established at the time was that of the world’s fastest motorcycle, which they accomplished with their R1 model.

They achieved this feat in 1937 with the help of their BMW Motorrad division, which outfitted the invention with a 500 Kompressor, a supercharged engine that enabled it to achieve a top speed of 237 kilometers per hour.

15. a pioneer in turbocharging for automobiles in Europe

Before I close out this entry, I feel obligated to mention that BMW was the first automaker to market a vehicle equipped with turbo technology, specifically, the BMW 2002. 1973 was the year it was released to the public, and it established a precedent for high-performance automobiles in the years to come.

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