BMW Cars By Jessica Whittaker At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Bavarian Motor Works or BMW originated in 1916, by Karl Friedrich Rapp. Karl Rapp, a Bavarian, was a well-known engineer in Aircraft Company. He formed Rapp Motoren Worke in a suburb in Munich.

Foundation:

The company manufactured aircraft engines. However, it found that, the engines were problematic and suffered from excessive vibrations. There was harsh competition from Gustav Otto, an airplane specialist who used to build small airplanes and had a shop named, Gustav Flugmaschinefabrik.

Rapp Motoren Worke secured a contract from Austro-Daimler and the company expanded quickly. However, due to financial crisis Karl Rapp retired from the company. Franz Josef Popp and Max Friz replaced him. In the same year in March, Rapp Motoren Worke merged with Gustav Flugmaschinefabrik to form Bayersiche Flugmaschinefabrik, it was renamed to Bayersiche Motoren Worke and then to Bavarian Motor Works or BMW as it is known today.

BMW has survived three major crises that threatened its very existence, the World War I, II, and a take over bid from Daimler-Benz. However, the company survived and emerged as one of the well-known brand in vehicle building.

Rapp and Gustav may be considered as fathers of the BMW Company. Josef Popp literally bought the company from rags to riches. He was the Managing Director of BMW. Josef Popp retired from this key position in 1942. He was responsible for shaping the future of BMW.

Achievements:

In 1917, BMW manufactured its first airplane the 6-cylinder Type IIIa. Franz Diemer created a record of reaching an altitude of 9,675 meters, with the prototype of the company’s first plane Type IV in 1917. The BMW logo was based on the circular design of this aircraft’s propeller.

The first BMW motorcycle was R32 was the first production from the company’s Eisenach factory in 1923. The 2-cylinder 434cc bike could reach the maximum speed of 59 miles per hour. They manufactured 3090 R32s in 3 years.

BMW created history by manufacturing Dixie 3/15 PS in 1928. This car was the first one to have a 4-cylinder 743cc engine and an open roof. Dixie had a top speed of a good 50 miles per hour. BMW manufactured around 18.976 units of Dixie 3/15 PS.

In 1935, Ernst Henne set a record of reaching 173 miles per hour on a 500cc streamlined BMW motorcycle. This record was unbreakable for nearly 2 decades.

Setback:

Unfortunately, BMW faced a major setback during the Second World War. The company was banned and dismantled by the Allied Forces for manufacturing aircraft and rockets during the war. However, in 1951, they returned in style by introducing the stylish V8 equipped 501-luxury sedan. However, due to post war poverty and dropping demand 501 did not meet the company’s expectations.

Overview:

BMW has managed to survive all the odds and has emerged as one of the leading manufacturer of vehicles. One of the most popular creations of BMW, the Rolls Royce has become a status symbol for the people. BMW continues to manufacture top of the line cars and motorcycles that are used for pleasure as well as for day-to-day activity.

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