What Does BMW Stand For

BMW is probably one of the biggest brands in the world. One look at the front grille and the blue, white and black logo on the hood and you know that the lucky person who zoomed past you is driving one of those German beasts known as the BMW. And along with its robust motorcycle arm, it is not merely a 'car maker'. It is an 'automobile maker'. But do you know what does BMW stand for? No? Well read on to know more about the company which claims to make 'the ultimate driving machine'.

Full-Form and Details for BMW

BMW is the abbreviation of 'Bayerische Motoren Werke'. Most people think BMW is short for 'Bavarian Motor Works' which is the English translation of the actual name. But the name under which this company is registered is the German name.

BMW today produces a plethora of automobiles ranging from luxury sedans to SUVs to Race Rally cars, to Formula One cars. And it produces a range of bikes as well!

It is interesting to follow the naming pattern of the BMW types of cars. The name of any BMW car has three basic parts. In the luxury sedan range, the first part is numerically identifying the series of the car. The next two numbers show the engine displacement divided by 100. The third part may contain one letter or two which tells you a bit more about the car. Let us take the example of a car which the BMW has named the 730 Ld. This means that the car belongs to the '7' series of the BMW luxury sedan, has a displacement of 3000 cc. 'L' stands for long-wheel based and 'd' stands for diesel. Other common nomenclatures used at the end of the numerical part include: a = automatic, h = hydrogen, I = fuel injected, sDrive = rear wheel drive and xDrive = four wheel drive.

Other common ranges under the BMW umbrella includes the 'M' range for motorsport range, 'L' for a super luxury car, 'X' for the SUVs and 'Z' for the two-seater roadsters.

BMW History Timeline

So I hope you got the answer to your question 'what does BMW stand for?' Now let me continue this article with a brief history of the company.

1913: Karl Rapp established Rapp Motorenwerke which manufactured aircraft engines. He begins manufacturing aircraft engines which have some mechanical problems. Karl Rapp is removed and is replaced by Max Friz. Rapp Motorenwerke is renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH.

Not too far away in Bavaria itself, Gustav Otto runs an aircraft manufacturing factory Bayerische Flugzeugwerke. Bayerische Flugzeugwerke and Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH combine to form a company known as Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH. Or BMW as it is known today.

1918: Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH becomes a public company after the roaring success of the very first aircraft engine, the Type IIIA.

1921: BMW produces its first motorized bicycle called 'Flink'.

1929: BMW's 750cc motorcycle sets the world speed record (216.74 km/hr) in Munich.

1935: BMW K 12 becomes the first motorcycle built with the revolutionary telescopic front fork hydraulic shock absorber.

1938: The BMW 328 wins the Mille Miglia race which ran between Brescia and Rome.

1945: BMW produce their first ever bicycle with a lightweight aluminum frame for easier riding.

1953: BMW produce their 100,000th motorcycle, the R 67/2.

1956: BMW produces its first ever small car, the Isetta.

1961: BMW launch their first sports based family sedan, the 1500.

1967: BMW launch the limited edition BMW 1600.

1976: BMW produce the world's first bike with full fairing, the R 100 RS.

1978: BMW launches its first racing model, the BMW M1.

1981: BMW becomes the first European automobile company to have a subsidiary in Japan.

1983: Nelson Piquet drives the BMW powered car to its first ever Formula 1 series championship.

1986: BMW's 745i becomes the first car of European make with a liquid hydrogen tank and internal fuel preparation.

1990: BMW gets the rights to produce the engine for the legendary Rolls Royce cars.

So this was all about what does BMW stand for and a brief history of the BMW car and company. BMW is the dream car of so many people around the world. I know I would love to own one of those Bavarian beauties!