The automotive sector has a complicated family tree. Partnerships, sales, separations, bankruptcies, and entire divisions have been killed off during the last decade, making it tough to keep track of who owns various automobile brands. In this article, we’ll discover one such automobile company BMW and certain facts like who owns BMW now or who is the BMW owner.
1. Who Owns BMW or Who is the BMW Owner?
BMW is owned by the BMW Group, which also owns luxury brands. The BMW Group is a group of stockholders who have invested in this Bavarian firm. The corporation in German is owned by multiple shareholders and members of the Quandt family maintain a substantial stake in the corporation. Continue reading further to know more about the first BMW car. (See Who Owns Audi?)
2. Who Owns BMW Shares Now at Present?
The Quandt family is your long-awaited answer to who owns BMW. They are long-time stockholders and own half of the BMW Group, while the public owns the other half.
- 29% by Stefan Quandt a German industrialist and engineer.
- 21% by Susanne Klatten, successful investor and Stefan Quandt’s sister
- 50% by Public Float, or the general public.
3. Is BMW Owned by Volkswagen?
No. If you were wondering if is BMW owned by Volkswagen then you might be surprised to know this. BMW today, owns BMW, Rolls-Royce, Mini, and BMW Motorrad. (Also read Where is BMW Made?)
4. Which was the very first BMW Car?
Since you know who owns BMW, let us talk about its very first car model. The BMW Dixi was the first BMW car ever produced. The Dixi had a top speed of 75mph, which was fairly quick considering that the car had only 15 bhp. The acceleration time from a running start of 8mph to 25mph was 10 seconds, and the mileage was a very efficient 51 miles per gallon. While most BMWs were tourers, the Dixi was offered in a variety of body configurations, including coupes, roadsters, and sedans. As you read through the article, you will find more about how BMW name was created. (See Who Owns Kia?)
5. Give a Brief Account of BMW History
Now that you are aware of who owns BMW now, let us dig deeper into the magnificent BMW history.
- 1916: March 7, the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW), a manufacturer of aviation engines, is created.
- 1917: The BMW logo is established, integrating the Bavarian state colors.
- 1923: Previously, the company had just supplied engines rather than entire automobiles. The original Motorrad model’s configuration, a boxer engine with longitudinally positioned cylinders and shaft drive – is still used in BMW motorbikes today.
- 1928: BMW acquires the automotive firm Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenac.
- 1929: BMW purchased its first automotive product, an automobile made under licence from the Austin Motor Co.
- 1922: Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) purchases the BFW facility and transfers its engine construction operations, including the company and brand identities, to BFW. BMW was founded on the same day as BFW.
- 1932: BMW builds its first self-designed automobile, the 3/20 PS.
- 1945: Because BMW was designated as an arms business, the Allies removed much of its production equipment after the war. BMW survives by producing a variety of goods, including kitchen utensils.
- 1948: BMW releases its first postwar vehicle, the R 24 motorbike. With German consumers desperate for products following the war, it quickly becomes a best-seller.
- 1952: Following the R 24, BMW introduces its first postwar automobile, the 501, a six-seater. Despite its lack of sales success, the 501 restores BMW’s image as a premium automobile manufacturer.
- 1959: The unibody vehicle, which is powered by a BMW motorbike engine, is dubbed the lion-hearted weasel. The success of the car prevents a takeover attempt by Daimler-Benz, which is opposed by small stockholders and employees. This caused Herbert Quandt to increase his investment, and BMW is reformed under Quandt’s leadership.
- 1961: BMW introduces the 1500 four-door touring car, which re-establishes BMW as a successful automaker. Orders outnumber production capacity. The company returns to profitability by 1963.
- 1967: At full capacity, BMW acquires carmaker Hans Glas GmbH, as well as plants in Dingolfing and Landshut. In the following decades, the Dingolfing facility grows to become BMW’s largest.
- 1970: Eberhard von Kuenheim takes over as CEO of BMW Group.
- 1971: BMW Kredit GmbH is established as a subsidiary company to provide financing for the company’s transactions and dealerships.
- 1972: BMW launches its first facility outside of Germany in Pretoria, South Africa.
- 1973: BMW begins building an administrative tower complex in north Munich in 1970. Because of its distinctive shape, it is known as the four-cylinder building, and it is now a landmark. The BMW Museum is located nearby. In May 1973, the building complex officially opens.
- 1990: BMW establishes its Research and Innovation Centre, or FIZ, in Munich, integrating all research and development efforts under one roof. The FIZ now employs 9,000 people.
- 1994: BMW builds its first facility in the United States in Spartanburg, South Carolina, initially producing 3-series automobiles. The plant was later extended and now produces the X3, X4, X5, and X6.
- 1998: BMW purchases the Rolls-Royce brand and naming rights from Rolls-Royce PLC, however, Volkswagen outbids BMW for the Crewe, England, manufacturing and other assets. Following talks, BMW obtains complete ownership of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2003, with VW retaining the Bentley name. BMW then constructs a Rolls-Royce facility and a new business headquarters in Goodwood, England.
- 1999: BMW introduces the X5 crossover at the Detroit car show, ushering the company into a new market category.
- 2001: The BMW Group introduces the new Mini in Europe.
- 2003: The new Phantom is the first model constructed at the Goodwood Rolls-Royce facility.
- 2004: BMW introduces the 1 series in Europe, a small with traditional rear-wheel drive.
- 2011: BMW partners with Sixt AG to launch DriveNow. The car-sharing plan, which began in Munich, has since expanded to cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, and San Francisco. DriveNow is available under the new BMW I subbrand.
- 2014: BMW introduces the i3 electric vehicle, the first in the new I series dedicated to environmentally friendly vehicles.
6. How BMW Name was Created?
Despite the everlasting popularity of BMW owner and BMW history, people often find themselves wondering how BMW name was created. In full it stands for Bavarian Motor Works.
- Rapp Motorenwerke, based in Munich, Germany, was founded in 1913 by Karl Rapp.
- In 1917, they changed their name to Bayerische Motoren Werke, but only after Karl Rapp departed the company.
- The term Bayerische (Bavarian) indicates that the company’s headquarters are located in Bavaria, a state in southeast Germany bordering Austria and the Czech Republic.
- BMW AG is the full name of the firm. The abbreviation AG stands for Aktiengesellschaft, which signifies the corporation is owned by its shareholders.
These are some background facts about how the company got its famous name. (Also read Who is the Honda Company Owner?)
