{{Short description|German automotive manufacturer}} {{About|the German motor vehicle manufacturer}} {{Pp-move}} {{Use British English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox company | name = Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | image = 4 cilindros de BMW, Múnich, Alemania1.jpg | logo = Logo BMW Group 2021.svg | logo_class = logo-nobg | logo_size = 200px | logo_caption = Corporate logotype since 2021 | image_caption = BMW Headquarters in Munich, Germany | type = Public | traded_as = {{unbulleted list| {{FWB|BMW}} |DAX component}} | industry = Automotive | predecessors = {{Plainlist| * Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik * Rapp Motorenwerke * Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach }} | former_name = | founded = {{Start date and age|1916|3|7}}<br>(official date){{Paragraph break}}{{Start date and age|1922|df=y}}<br>(''de facto'' date) | founders = Camillo Castiglioni<ref>{{cite book|first=Tony | last = Lewin|title=The BMW Century: The Ultimate Performance Machines|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vNUsDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA9|date=November 2016|publisher=Motorbooks|isbn=978-0-7603-5017-1|page=10}}</ref><br>Franz Josef Popp<ref>{{cite book|first=Tony | last = Lewin|title=The BMW Century: The Ultimate Performance Machines|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vNUsDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA9|date=November 2016|publisher=Motorbooks|isbn=978-0-7603-5017-1|page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Reuss |first=Eberhard |date=2008 |title=Hitler's Motor Racing Battles: The Silver Arrows Under the Swastika |publisher=Haynes Publishing UK |location= |isbn=9781844254767 |page= |url= |access-date=}}</ref> | hq_location_country = Germany | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = {{Plainlist| * Milan Nedeljković (chairman of management board) * [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas%20Peter Nicolas Peter] (chairman of supervisory board) }} | products = {{Hlist|Cars|motorcycles|bicycles}} | services = Car-sharing services, financing, leasing, insurance and other financial services | production = {{Ubl|class=nowrap|{{Increase}} 2,463,681 cars (2025)|{{Decrease}} 202,563 motorcycles (2025)<ref name="AR2025"/>}} | revenue = {{Decrease}} {{Euro|133.453|link=yes}} billion (2025)<ref name="AR2025">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/report/2025/downloads/BMW-Group-Report-2025-en.pdf|title=BMW Group Report 2025|publisher=BMW AG|pages=328–329|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref> | operating_income = {{Decrease}} {{Euro|10.236}} billion (2025)<ref name="AR2025"/> | net_income = {{Decrease}} {{Euro|7.451}} billion (2025)<ref name="AR2025"/> | assets = {{Decrease}} {{Euro|265.967}} billion (2025)<ref name="AR2025"/> | equity = {{Increase}} {{Euro|97.906}} billion (2025)<ref name="AR2025"/> | owners = {{Ubl|Stefan Quandt (27.7%)|Susanne Klatten (22.5%)|Public float (48.5%)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/investor-relations/bmw-shares.html#shareholder-structure|title=BMW Group shareholder structure. |website=www.bmwgroup.com|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref>}} | num_employees = 154,540 (2025)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/ir/downloads/en/2026/bericht/BMW-Group-Report-2025-en.pdf |title=BMW Group Report 2025 |website=BMW Group |access-date=2026-04-15}}</ref> | brands = {{Unbulleted list|'''Automobiles'''|BMW (i, M, X, Z, Alpina)|Mini|Rolls-Royce|'''Motorcycles'''|BMW Motorrad}} | website = {{ubl|{{URL|bmwgroup.com}} (corporate)|{{URL|bmw.com}} (brand)}} }}
'''Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft''' ('''BMW AG'''),<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 December 1995 |title=Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft |url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/de/D2601V_HRB42243 |access-date=2 July 2025 |website=OpenCorporates}}</ref> trading as '''BMW Group''' (commonly abbreviated to '''BMW''' ({{IPA|de|ˌbeːʔɛmˈveː|–|De-BMW.ogg}}), sometimes anglicised as '''Bavarian Motor Works'''), is a German multinational conglomerate manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Germany. The moniker, "''BMW'' ", first came into use when the German firm ''Rapp Motorenwerke'' changed its name to ''Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH'' (BMW GmbH) in 1917. Thereafter, in 1922, the name and assets of BMW GmbH were transferred to the aircraft manufacturer ''Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG'' (formerly ''Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik''), thereby giving rise to the company known today as BMW AG.<ref name="Lewin2016">{{cite book| first=Tony | last = Lewin|title=The BMW Century: The Ultimate Performance Machines|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vNUsDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA9|date=November 2016|publisher=Motorbooks|isbn=978-0-7603-5017-1|pages=9–10}}</ref><ref name="History">{{cite web |url=https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/company/history.html |title=History |work=BMW AG |access-date=2021-08-10}}</ref>
BMW AG's automobiles are marketed under the BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce brands while its motorcycles are marketed under the BMW Motorrad brand. In 2023, BMW became the world's ninth-largest producer of motor vehicles (with 2,555,341 vehicles made in that year alone)<ref>{{cite web |date=2023 |title=2023 Worldwide Car Sales by Manufacturer |url=https://www.factorywarrantylist.com/car-sales-by-manufacturer.html |access-date=1 May 2024 |publisher=F&I Tools USA}}</ref> as well as the 6th largest automaker by revenue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/30723/umfrage/umsatz-der-weltweit-fuehrenden-automobilhersteller/|title=Umsatz der weltweit führenden Automobilhersteller|website=Statista|access-date=2026-04-28|trans-title=Revenue of the world's leading automobile manufacturers}}</ref> In 2023, it was ranked 46th in the ''Forbes'' Global 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |language=en |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/global2000/?sh=51d599675ac0 |title=The Global 2000 2023 |website=Forbes |access-date=2024-02-07 |archive-date=2024-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129031905/https://www.forbes.com/lists/global2000/?sh=4f5ab07e5ac0}}</ref> The company also has significant motor-sport history, especially in touring cars, sports cars, and the Isle of Man TT. BMW initially focused on aircraft engine production during World War I, a legacy that influenced the company's engineering emphasis on performance and precision. Known as "The Ultimate Driving Machine", the brand is celebrated for engineering vehicles that blend high-end luxury with sharp, driver-focused performance. Following postwar restrictions on aircraft manufacturing, BMW diversified into motorcycle production in the 1920s and later entered the automobile market, establishing itself as a major player in the automotive industry.
BMW AG is headquartered in Munich and produces motor vehicles in Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, India, and China.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2020 |title=Tegenslag voor Nedcar: BMW stopt in 2023 met de productie in Born |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2352434-tegenslag-voor-nedcar-bmw-stopt-in-2023-met-de-productie-in-born |website=nos.nl|trans-title=Setback for Nedcar: BMW to stop production in Born in 2023}}</ref> The {{Interlanguage link|Quandt (family)|lt=Quandt family|de|3=Quandt (Familie)}} is a long-term shareholder of the company, following investments by the brothers Herbert and Harald Quandt in 1959 which saved BMW from bankruptcy, with remaining shares owned by the public.
==History== {{Main|History of BMW}}
BMW traces its origins to aircraft engine manufacturer Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik, founded in 1910 by Gustav Otto in the Kingdom of Bavaria, then part of the German Empire. On 18 August 1916, the firm was reorganized as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW). In 1922, BFW was renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW).
The name BMW, however, had earlier been used by a company founded in 1913 by Karl Rapp as Rapp Motorenwerke. In 1922, the name and engine-production assets of Rapp Motorenwerke were transferred to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke, which adopted the BMW name in the same year.
BMW's first products were aircraft engines for the Luftstreitkräfte. One of its early designs was the BMW IIIa, a straight-six engine developed in 1917 by engineer Max Friz. After World War I, BMW diversified into the production of motorcycle engines, agricultural equipment, household items, and railway brakes. In 1923, the company introduced its first motorcycle, the BMW R32.
BMW became an automobile manufacturer in 1928 following its acquisition of Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach, which produced the Austin 7 under licence from Austin Motor Company, marketed as the Dixi. The first car sold as a BMW was the BMW 3/15, a rebadged version of the Dixi. During the 1930s, BMW expanded its product range to include sports cars and larger luxury vehicles.
Aircraft engines, motorcycles, and automobiles would be BMW's main products until World War II. During the war, BMW concentrated on building the BMW 801 aircraft engine using as many as 40,000 slave laborers.<ref name="dw.com">{{Cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/horsepower-under-the-hood-and-skeletons-in-the-closet-bmw-celebrates-100-years/a-19095189 |title=Horsepower under the hood and skeletons in the closet: BMW celebrates 100 years |date= 2016 |website=Deutsche Welle}}</ref> These consisted primarily of prisoners from Nazi concentration camps, most prominently Dachau. Motorcycles remained as a side-line and automobile manufacture ceased altogether.
BMW's factories were heavily bombed during the war and its remaining West German facilities were banned from producing motor vehicles or aircraft after the war. The company survived by making pots, pans, and bicycles. In 1948, BMW restarted motorcycle production. BMW resumed car production in Bavaria in 1952 with the BMW 501 luxury saloon. The range of cars was expanded in 1955, through the production of the cheaper Isetta microcar under licence. Slow sales of luxury cars and small profit margins from microcars, meant BMW was in serious financial trouble and in 1959 the company was nearly taken over by rival Daimler-Benz.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-12-20 |title=BMW, Mercedes pivot from enemies to partners in new auto era |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/miscellaneous/bmw-mercedes-pivot-from-enemies-to-partners-in-new-auto-era/articleshow/67176867.cms |access-date=2024-12-17 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mercedes Fully Owned Audi In 1959 When It Nearly Bought BMW |url=https://www.motor1.com/news/699865/mercedes-owned-audi-almost-bought-bmw/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Motor1.com |language=en}}</ref>
A large investment in BMW by Herbert Quandt and Harald Quandt resulted in the company surviving as a separate entity. Günther Quandt was a well-known German industrialist and joined the Nazi Party in 1933; he made a fortune arming the ''Wehrmacht'', manufacturing weapons and batteries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/bmw-and-the-holocaust |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221231192214/https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/bmw-and-the-holocaust |archive-date = 31 December 2022 |title = BMW and the Holocaust |work = Jewish Virtual Library |publisher = American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise }}</ref> Many of his enterprises were appropriated from Jewish owners under duress with minimal compensation. At least three of his enterprises made extensive use of slave laborers, as many as 50,000 in all.<ref name=VartaJVL>{{Cite web |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/varta-battery-factories |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221230130131/https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/varta-battery-factories |archive-date = 30 December 2022 |title=Forced Labor: Varta Battery Factories |work = Jewish Virtual Library |publisher = American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise }}</ref> One of his battery factories had its own on-site concentration camp, complete with gallows. Life expectancy for laborers was six months.<ref name=VartaJVL/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bonstein |first=Julia |last2=Hawranek |first2=Dietmar |last3=Wiegrefe |first3=Klaus |date=2007-10-12 |title=Breaking the Silence: BMW's Quandt Family to Investigate Wealth Amassed in Third Reich |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/breaking-the-silence-bmw-s-quandt-family-to-investigate-wealth-amassed-in-third-reich-a-511193.html |access-date=2026-04-28 |work=Der Spiegel |language=en |issn=2195-1349}}</ref> While Quandt and BMW were not directly connected during the war, funds amassed in the Nazi era by his father allowed Herbert Quandt to buy BMW.<ref name="dw.com"/>
The relative success of the small BMW 700 assisted in the company's recovery, allowing them to develop the New Class sedans.
[[File:Bmw e12 v sst.jpg|thumb|left|1972 BMW 5 Series (1st generation)]] The 1962 introduction of the BMW New Class compact sedans was the beginning of BMW's reputation as a leading manufacturer of sport-oriented cars. Throughout the 1960s, BMW expanded its range by adding coupé and luxury sedan models. The BMW 5 Series mid-size sedan range was introduced in 1972, followed by the BMW 3 Series compact sedans in 1975, the BMW 6 Series luxury coupés in 1976 and the BMW 7 Series large luxury sedans in 1978.
The BMW M division released its first road car, the M1, a mid-engine supercar, in 1978. This was followed by the BMW M5 in 1984 and the BMW M3 in 1986. Also in 1986, BMW introduced its first V12 engine in the 750i luxury sedan. The 1989 BMW Z1 marked BMW's return to making a two-seat roadster, the 1995 BMW Z3 was their first mass-production two-seat roadster, and the 1999 BMW X5 was the company's first entry into the SUV market.
The company purchased the Rover Group in 1994, but the takeover was not successful and caused BMW large financial losses. In 2000, BMW sold off most of the Rover brands, retaining only the Mini brand. In 1998, BMW also acquired the rights to the Rolls-Royce brand from Vickers.
=== 21st century === BMW's first modern mass-produced turbocharged petrol engine was introduced in 2006 (from 1973 to 1975, BMW built 1,672 units<ref>{{Cite web |title=BMW 2002 turbo |url=https://bmw-grouparchiv.de/research/detail/index.xhtml?id=3826800 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425132944/https://bmw-grouparchiv.de/research/detail/index.xhtml?id=3826800 |archive-date=2023-04-25 |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=bmw-grouparchiv.de}}</ref> of a turbocharged BMW M10 engine for the BMW 02 Series), with most engines switching over to turbocharging over the 2010s. The first hybrid BMW was the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7, and BMW's first mass-production electric car was the BMW i3 city car, which was released in 2013, (from 1968 to 1972, BMW built two battery-electric BMW 1602 Elektro saloons for the 1972 Olympic Games).<ref>{{Cite web |title=BMW 1602 Elektro |url=https://bmw-grouparchiv.de/research/detail/index.xhtml?id=3921907 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428080131/https://bmw-grouparchiv.de/research/detail/index.xhtml?id=3921907 |archive-date=2022-04-28 |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=bmw-grouparchiv.de}}</ref> After many years of establishing a reputation for sporting rear-wheel drive cars, BMW's first front-wheel drive car was the 2014 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
In March 2018, Daimler and BMW merged their mobility services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Digitale |first=Usine |date=28 March 2018 |title=BMW et Daimler regroupent leurs services de mobilité |trans-title=BMW and Daimler merge their mobility services |url=https://www.usine-digitale.fr/article/bmw-et-daimler-regroupent-leurs-services-mobilites.N673254 |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=usine digitale}}</ref> In August 2019, Oliver Zipse replaced Harald Krüger as the head of the BMW Group.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oliver Zipse appointed new Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG |url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0298910EN/oliver-zipse-appointed-new-chairman-of-the-board-of-management-of-bmw-ag?language=en |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=www.press.bmwgroup.com |language=en}}</ref>. In May 2026, Milan Nedeljković succeeded Zipse as chairman of the board of management of BMW AG.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0457779EN/106th-annual-general-meeting%3A-oliver-zipse-hands-over-chairmanship-of-the-board-of-management-of-bmw-ag-to-milan-nedeljkovi%C4%87?language=en |title=106th Annual General Meeting: Oliver Zipse hands over Chairmanship of the Board of Management of BMW AG to Milan Nedeljković |publisher=BMW Group PressClub Global |date=13 May 2026 |access-date=14 May 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2021, BMW announced that its sales in 2020 fell by 8.4 percent due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. However, in the fourth quarter of 2020, BMW witnessed a rise of 3.2% in its customers' demands.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 January 2021 |title=BMW sales fall 8.4% in 2020 as coronavirus takes toll |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bmw-results-idUSKBN29H0Y7 |access-date=12 January 2021}}</ref> This recovery was supported by the company's adoption of widely accepted technologies and integration of third-party services such as Apple Pay and on-demand music as well as key partnerships such as its collaboration with Daimler on autonomous driving.<ref name="Haider 119–135">{{Cite journal |last=Haider |first=Martin |date=2020-06-30 |title=Electrifying Times: restructuring and decision-making in an automobile concern in the 21st century – The case of BMW Group |url=https://ojs.mtak.hu/index.php/hungeobull/article/view/3209 |journal=Hungarian Geographical Bulletin |volume=69 |issue=2 |pages=119–135 |doi=10.15201/hungeobull.69.2.3|doi-access=free |bibcode=2020HuGBu..69..119H }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kukkamalla |first1=Prasanna Kumar |last2=Bikfalvi |first2=Andrea |last3=Arbussa |first3=Anna |date=2021-07-07 |title=The new BMW: business model innovation transforms an automotive leader |url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JBS-02-2020-0021/full/html |journal=Journal of Business Strategy |language=en |volume=42 |issue=4 |pages=268–277 |doi=10.1108/JBS-02-2020-0021 |issn=0275-6668|hdl=10256/19355 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Additionally, BMW's strategic investment decisions which include localizing production of its SUVs to the Spartanburg plant in the U.S., placed the group in a position to easily navigate trade challenges and shifting consumer patterns.<ref name="Haider 119–135"/>
On 18 January 2022 BMW announced a BMW 7 Series (G11) special edition simply called "The Final V12",<ref name="Road">{{cite web |last=Silvestro |first=Brian |date=18 January 2022 |title=BMW Waves Goodbye to the V-12 With a Final Edition M760Li |url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a38803898/bmw-m760li-final-edition-v12/ |work=Road & Track |publisher=Hearst Communications}}</ref> the last BMW series production vehicle to be fitted with a V-12 engine.<ref name="Road" />
On 5 October 2023 it was announced that BMW UK CEO Chris Brownridge would succeed Torsten Müller-Ötvös as the CEO of Rolls-Royce starting 1 December 2023, as a result of Müller-Ötvös retiring.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.motor1.com/news/690049/rolls-royce-new-ceo-announcement/ |title=Rolls-Royce CEO Retires, Chris Brownridge Named New Boss |date=October 5, 2023 |first=Angel |last=Sergeev |website=motor1 |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref>
In January 2025, BMW announced the launch of a closed-loop recycling system for the reuse of raw materials from high-voltage batteries used in its range of electric vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BMW Group scores circular economy win with high-voltage batteries |url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0447286EN/bmw-group-scores-circular-economy-win-with-high-voltage-batteries?language=en |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=www.press.bmwgroup.com |language=en}}</ref> In November 2024, BMW launched a partnership in Europe with SK tes,<ref>https://www.sktes.com/press-release/sk-tes-partners-with-bmw-group-on-battery-recycling</ref> a provider of solutions to recover cobalt, nickel and lithium from used batteries for use in making new batteries.{{fact|date=April 2026}} In September 2025, BMW jointly developed an automated driving system with Qualcomm. The system will debut on the BMW iX3.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kharpal |first=Arjun |date=2025-09-10 |title=Qualcomm unveils driverless tech with BMW, sees 'domino effect' of customers |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/10/qualcomm-bmw-launch-driverless-tech-ceo-says-other-carmakers-next.html |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2026, the company was reported to be among the top 30 global investors in research and development (R&D) in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Growth in EU private R&D investment slows {{!}} Science{{!}}Business|url=https://sciencebusiness.net/news/eu-budget/growth-eu-private-rd-investment-slows|access-date=2026-04-01|website=sciencebusiness.net|language=en}}</ref>
== Branding == {{Multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 200 | image1 = BMW Dixi badge.jpg | caption1 = BMW badge on a 1931 Dixi | image2 = Flag of Bavaria (lozengy).svg | caption2 = Flag of Bavaria | image3 = 2002ti-Garmisch 2019-05-26.jpg | caption3 = 1970 Garmisch concept }}
=== Company name === BMW is an abbreviation for ''Bayerische Motoren Werke''. This name is grammatically incorrect (in German, compound words must not contain spaces), which is why the grammatically correct form of the name, ''Bayerische Motorenwerke'' ({{IPA|de|ˈbaɪʁɪʃə moˈtoːʁənˌvɛʁkə|-|GT BMW-AG.ogg}}) has been used in several publications and advertisements in the past.<ref>Hans List: ''Vorwort und Einführung zum Gesamtwerk. Band 1 von Die Verbrennungskraftmaschine'', Springer, Wien, 1949. {{ISBN|9783662294888}}. ''Verzeichnis der Abkürzungen''</ref><ref>Roland Löwisch: ''BMW - Die schönsten Modelle: 100 Jahre Design und Technik' by azar''. HEEL, 2016, {{ISBN|9783958434066}}. p 7.</ref> ''Bayerische Motorenwerke'' translates into English as ''Bavarian Motor Works''.<ref>{{cite web|title=BMW 1970s brochure for the United States|url=https://bmw-grouparchiv.de/research/media/9cc857a2-7fa5-4080-ba54-fd5494794417/web|website=www.bmw-grouparchiv.de|access-date=10 February 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114021349/https://bmw-grouparchiv.de/research/media/9cc857a2-7fa5-4080-ba54-fd5494794417/web|archive-date=14 January 2018}}</ref> The suffix AG, short for ''Aktiengesellschaft'', signifies an incorporated entity owned by shareholders, akin to Inc., "Incorporated" (US) or PLC, "Public Limited Company" (UK).
The terms Beemer, Bimmer and Bee-em are sometimes used as slang for BMW in the English language<ref>{{cite book |title=Bee em / BMW Motorcycle Club of Victoria Inc |publisher=National Library of Australia |url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/3913069 |access-date=23 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728125152/http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/3913069 |archive-date=28 July 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=No Toupees allowed |date=2 October 2009 |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/auto/autoreview/24915/no-toupees-allowed |newspaper=Bangkok Post |access-date=24 October 2009 |archive-date=6 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006040514/http://www.bangkokpost.com/auto/autoreview/24915/no-toupees-allowed |url-status=dead }}</ref> and are sometimes used interchangeably for cars and motorcycles.<ref name=Lighter1>{{Cite book |title=Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang: A-G |first=Jonathan E. |last=Lighter |publisher=Random House |year=1994 |volume=1 |isbn=978-0-394-54427-4 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/randomhousehisto01ligh/page/126 126–27] |quote='''Beemer''' ''n.'' <nowiki>[BMW + ''er'']</nowiki> a BMW automobile. Also '''Beamer.''' |url=https://archive.org/details/randomhousehisto01ligh/page/126 }}</ref><ref name=Lighter2>{{Cite book |title=Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang: A-G |first=Jonathan E. |last=Lighter |publisher=Random House |year=1994 |volume=1 |isbn=978-0-394-54427-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/randomhousehisto01ligh/page/159 159] |quote='''Bimmer''' ''n.'' <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Beemer.</span> |url=https://archive.org/details/randomhousehisto01ligh/page/159 }}</ref><ref>'''1982''' S. Black ''Totally Awesome'' 83 BMW ("Beemer").<br />'''1985''' ''L.A. Times'' (13 April) V 4: Id much rather drive my Beemer than a truck.<br />'''1989''' L. Roberts ''Full Cleveland'' 39: Baby boomers... in... late-model Beemers.<br />'''1990''' ''Hull High'' (NBC-TV): You should ee my dad's new Beemer.<br /> '''1991''' ''Cathy'' (synd. cartoon strip) (21 April): Sheila... <nowiki>[ground]</nowiki> multi-grain snack chips crumbs into the back seat of my brand-new Beamer!<br />'''1992''' ''Time'' (18 May) 84: Its residents tend to drive pickups or subcompacts, not Beemers or Rolles.</ref>
=== Logo === The circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel evolved from the circular ''Rapp Motorenwerke'' company logo, which featured a black ring bearing the company name surrounding the company logo,<ref name="bmw.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/bmw-logo-meaning-history1.html |title=The BMW Logo – meaning and history |publisher=BMW |access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> an image of a horse head on a plinth. BMW retained Rapp's black ring inscribed with the company name, but the interior of the ring is quartered blue and white, reminiscent of the coat of arms and flag of Bavaria (which in turn are based on the arms of the historic House of Wittelsbach, which ruled Bavaria for many centuries).<ref name="bmw.com"/> The logo does not bear the distinctive lozenge shape found on the coat of arms, however, as local laws at the time it was introduced forbade the use of state coats of arms on commercial logos.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znBnNJ1Fv08 |title=The origin of the BMW logo |access-date=29 December 2011 |author=BMW |website=YouTube |date=5 June 2010 |url-status=live |archive-date=2 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202033152/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znBnNJ1Fv08}}</ref>
A persistent myth claims that the logo is based on the image of an airplane propeller spinning in a blue sky. This myth likely stems from a 1929 BMW advertisement that depicted the logo superimposed on a rotating propeller. However, the logo predates that advertisement by 12 years.<ref name="bmw.com"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/bmw-roundel-not-born-from-planes/ |title=BMW Roundel: Not Born From Planes |access-date=29 December 2011 | first=Stephen | last = Williams |work=The New York Times |date=7 January 2010 |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110222011/http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/bmw-roundel-not-born-from-planes |archive-date=10 January 2010 }}</ref>
The current iteration of the logo was introduced in 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |title=BMW changes logo for digital age |url=https://www.autonews.com/automakers/bmw-changes-logo-digital-age/ |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=www.autonews.com |language=en}}</ref> removing 3D effects that had been used in previous renderings of the logo while removing the black outline encircling the roundel. The logo is used for BMW's branding communications but it is not used on vehicles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing BMW's new brand design for online and offline communication |url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0306305EN/introducing-bmw%E2%80%99s-new-brand-design-for-online-and-offline-communication |website=www.press.bmwgroup.com |access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/4/21163766/bmw-new-flat-logo-design-bad-transparent-background-cars |title=BMW's new flat logo is everything that's wrong with modern logo design |last=Gartenberg |first=Chaim |date=4 March 2020 |website=The Verge |access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref> {{Gallery|mode=nolines|height=150|width=150 |File:BMW.svg|Logo used in vehicles since 1997 |File:Squircle (120290377).jpg|The logo on a BMW car |File:BMW logo (gray).svg|Logo used for publicity purposes since March 2020 }}
=== Slogan === The slogan 'Freude am Fahren' (English: 'Sheer Driving Pleasure') has been used by BMW in most markets worldwide since 1972, when it was standardized as the company's official slogan and its English translation set for export markets.<ref>{{cite web |title=The history behind the BMW slogan "Sheer Driving Pleasure" |url=https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/the-history-of-the-bmw-slogan.html |website=BMW.com |access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fifty Five years of "Freude am Fahren": The quintessential BMW slogan |url=https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/03/31/fifty-five-years-of-freude-am-fahren-the-quintessential-bmw-slogan/ |website=BMWBLOG |date=31 March 2020 |access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> The slogan first appeared as 'Aus Freude am Fahren' in 1965 before the opening word was dropped in 1972.<ref>{{cite web |title=The history behind the BMW slogan "Sheer Driving Pleasure" |url=https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/the-history-of-the-bmw-slogan.html |website=BMW.com |access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> In the United States and United Kingdom, BMW instead uses 'The Ultimate Driving Machine'.
The slogan 'The Ultimate Driving Machine' was coined by BMW North America in 1974,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Stories Behind 10 of the Most Iconic Brand Slogans|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/2015/04/07/brand-slogan-history/|website=www.highsnobiety.com|date=7 April 2015|access-date=2 November 2017}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Can Lutz repeat his BMW marketing magic at GM?|url=http://www.autonews.com/article/20090821/COPY02/308209997/can-lutz-repeat-his-bmw-marketing-magic-at-gm|website=www.autonews.com|access-date=2 November 2017}}</ref> and first used in ads celebrating its win at the 1975 12 Hours of Sebring.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2025 |title=The Ultimate Ad Slogan: BMW becomes the Ultimate Driving Machine |url=https://www.bmwusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=4519&searchresult |website=BMW USA News}}</ref> In 2010, this long-lived campaign was mostly supplanted by a campaign intended to make the brand more approachable and to better appeal to women, 'Joy'. By 2012 BMW had returned to 'The Ultimate Driving Machine'.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimhenry/2012/05/31/bmw-still-the-ultimate-driving-machine-not-that-it-ever-wasnt/ |title=BMW Still the Ultimate Driving Machine |magazine=Forbes.com |date=31 May 2012 |access-date=29 September 2013 |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201121816/http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimhenry/2012/05/31/bmw-still-the-ultimate-driving-machine-not-that-it-ever-wasnt/ |archive-date=1 December 2013 }}</ref>
===Marks=== In 2023, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s Madrid Yearly Review ranked BMW's number of marks applications filled under the Madrid System as 2nd in the world, with 124 trademarks applications submitted during 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Madrid Yearly Review 2024 |url=https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo-pub-940-2024-en-madrid-yearly-review-2024.pdf |page=22}}</ref>
== Leadership == * Franz Josef Popp (1922–1942) * Fritz Hille (1942–1945) * Hanns Grewenig (1947–1952) * Heinrich Richter Bronhm (1957–1960) * Herbert Quandt (1960–1970)<ref>{{Cite web |last=GB |first=BMW Car Club |date=2020-04-08 |title=Straight Six Throwback: - BMW: The COMPANY IN THE UK 1960 TO 1980 |url=https://bmwcarclubgb.uk/2020/04/08/straight-six-throwback-bmw-the-company-in-the-uk-1960-to-1980/ |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=BMW Car Club GB |language=en-GB}}</ref> * Eberhard von Kuenheim (1970–1993)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.autonews.com/files/euroauto/inductees/kuenheim2004.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041204103710/https://www.autonews.com/files/euroauto/inductees/kuenheim2004.htm |archive-date=4 December 2004 |title= The Prussian noble who molded BMW |work=Automotive News |access-date=6 August 2025}}</ref> * Bernd Pischetsrieder (1993–1999) * Joachim Milberg (1999–2002)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB918243879975795000 |title=BMW's Chairman Resigns; Milberg Is Named as Successor |work=The Wall Street Journal |last=Coleman |first=Brian |date=8 February 1999 |access-date=6 August 2025 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> * Helmut Panke (2002–2006)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.europeanceo.com/profiles/helmut-panke/ |title=Helmut Panke |website=European CEO |access-date=6 August 2025}}</ref> * Norbert Reithofer (2006–2015)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mwerks.com/artman/publish/bmw_news/printer_1087.shtml |url-status=dead |title=Dr. Norbert Reithofer to Succeed Helmut Panke as BMW Chairman |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170149/http://www.mwerks.com/artman/publish/bmw_news/printer_1087.shtml |archive-date=3 March 2016 |website=mwerks.com}}</ref> * Harald Krüger (2015–2019)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks|title=Stocks|website=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2017-09-05}}</ref> * Oliver Zipse (2019–2026)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/foreign/2019/07/21/bmw-new-ceo-oliver-zipse-charts-electric-vehicle-course/39706711/ |title=BMW's new CEO brings steeliness to chart electric-car course |work=The Detroit News |last=Sachgau |first=Oliver |date=21 July 2019 |access-date=6 August 2025}}</ref> * Milan Nedeljković (2026–present)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0457779EN/106th-annual-general-meeting%3A-oliver-zipse-hands-over-chairmanship-of-the-board-of-management-of-bmw-ag-to-milan-nedeljkovi%C4%87?language=en |title=106th Annual General Meeting: Oliver Zipse hands over Chairmanship of the Board of Management of BMW AG to Milan Nedeljković |publisher=BMW Group PressClub Global |date=13 May 2026 |access-date=14 May 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://zvelta.eu/blog/bmw-ceo-change-oliver-zipse-milan-nedeljkovic |title=BMW CEO change: Oliver Zipse hands over to Milan Nedeljković |website=zvelta |access-date=14 May 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
== Corporate affairs == {| class="wikitable floatright" |+Sales by region (2024)<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=BMW AG: Shareholders Board Members Managers and Company Profile {{!}} DE0005190003 {{!}} MarketScreener |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/BMW-AG-56358353/company/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=www.marketscreener.com |language=en}}</ref> !Region !share |- |Rest of Europe |30.8% |- |United States |20.2% |- |China |18.5% |- |Germany |13.9% |- |Rest of Asia |10.3% |- |Rest of Americas |3.8% |- |Rest of the World |2.4% |} {| class="wikitable floatright" |+Sales by business unit (2024)<ref name=":2" /> !Region !share |- |Automotive |73.3% |- |Financial services |24.7% |- |Motorcycles |2.0% |}
The key trends of the BMW Group are (as at the financial year ending December 31):<ref>{{Cite web |title=BMW St Fundamentalanalyse {{!}} KGV {{!}} Kennzahlen |url=https://www.boerse.de/fundamental-analyse/BMW-St-Aktie/DE0005190003 |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=boerse.de |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-14 |title=BMW Fundamentals (2007-2015) |url=http://www.boerse.de/fundamental-analyse/BMW-St-Aktie/DE0005190003 |access-date=2024-08-02 |archive-date=14 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214203631/http://www.boerse.de/fundamental-analyse/BMW-St-Aktie/DE0005190003 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-08 |title=BMW Fundamentals (2013-2021) |url=https://www.boerse.de/fundamental-analyse/BMW-St-Aktie/DE0005190003 |access-date=2024-08-02 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208225428/https://www.boerse.de/fundamental-analyse/BMW-St-Aktie/DE0005190003 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Company Reports |url=https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/investor-relations/company-reports.html |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=www.bmwgroup.com |language=en}}</ref> {| class="wikitable float-left" style="text-align: center;" !Year !Revenue<br />(€ bn) !Net income<br />(€ bn) !Total assets<br />(€ bn) !Number of<br />sold cars<br />(m)<ref>{{Cite web |title=BMW Group: Car shipments yearly |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/264342/global-sales-volume-of-automobiles-of-bmw-group/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref> !Employees<br />(k) |- |2007 |56.0 |3.1 |88.9 |1.5 |107 |- |2008 |53.1 |0.32 |101 |1.4 |100 |- |2009 |50.6 |0.20 |101 |1.2 |96.2 |- |2010 |60.4 |3.2 |108 |1.4 |95.4 |- |2011 |68.8 |4.8 |123 |1.6 |100 |- |2012 |76.8 |5.0 |131 |1.8 |105 |- |2013 |76.0 |5.3 |138 |1.9 |110 |- |2014 |80.4 |5.7 |154 |2.1 |116 |- |2015 |92.1 | 6.3 |172 |2.2 |122 |- |2016 |94.1 |6.8 |188 |2.3 |124 |- |2017 |98.6 |8.6 |193 |2.4 |129 |- |2018 |97.4 |7.1 |208 |2.4 |134 |- |2019 |104 |4.9 |241 |2.5 |133 |- |2020 |98.9 |3.7 |216 |2.3 |120 |- |2021 |111 |12.3 |229 |2.5 |118 |- |2022 |142 |17.9 |246 |2.3 |146 |- |2023 |155 |11.2 |250 |2.5 |152 |- |2024 |142 |7.3 |268 |2.5 |157 |}
==Motorcycles== {{See also|BMW Motorrad|History of BMW motorcycles}} [[File:R32-pn.jpg|thumb|The R32 motorcycle, the first BMW motor vehicle, at the BMW Museum in Munich]] [[File:2015 R1200RT right.jpg|thumb|The 2015 BMW R1200RT]] BMW began production of motorcycle engines and then motorcycles after World War I.<ref name="artof">Peter Gantriis, Henry Von Wartenberg. "The Art of BMW: 85 Years of Motorcycling Excellence". MotorBooks International, September 2008, p. 10.</ref> Its motorcycle brand is now known as BMW Motorrad. Their first successful motorcycle after the failed Helios and Flink, was the "R32" in 1923, though production originally began in 1921.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reference.com/vehicles/history-bmw-motorcycles-usa-5e17ca6bfcbc7a67?qo=cdpArticles|title=What is the history of BMW motorcycles in the USA?|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824225728/https://www.reference.com/vehicles/history-bmw-motorcycles-usa-5e17ca6bfcbc7a67?qo=cdpArticles|archive-date=24 August 2017|access-date=6 May 2017}}</ref> This had a "boxer" twin engine, in which a cylinder projects into the air-flow from each side of the machine. Apart from its single-cylinder models (basically to the same pattern), all its motorcycles used this distinctive layout until the early 1980s. Many BMW's are still produced in this layout, which is designated the R Series.
The entire BMW Motorcycle production line has, since 1969, been located at the company's Berlin-Spandau factory. During the Second World War, BMW produced the BMW R75 motorcycle with a motor-driven sidecar attached. Combined with a lockable differential, the vehicle was very capable off-road.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vintagebmw.org/v7/model/r75wh|title=R75WH|date=30 November 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204163429/http://www.vintagebmw.org/v7/model/r75wh|archive-date=4 February 2020|access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref>
In 1982 came the K Series, with a shaft drive but water-cooled and with either three or four cylinders mounted in a straight line from front to back. Shortly after, BMW also started making the chain-driven F and G series with single and parallel twin Rotax engines.
In the early 1990s, BMW updated the airhead Boxer engine which became known as the oilhead. In 2002, the oilhead engine had two spark plugs per cylinder. In 2004 it added a built-in balance shaft, an increased capacity to {{convert|1170|cc|0|abbr=on}} and enhanced performance to {{cvt|75|kW|0}} for the R1200GS, compared to {{cvt|63|kW|0}} of the previous R1150GS. More powerful variants of the oilhead engines are available in the R1100S and R1200S, producing {{cvt|73|and|91|kW|0}}, respectively.
In 2004, BMW introduced the new K1200S Sports Bike which marked a departure for BMW. It had an engine producing {{cvt|125|kW|0}}, derived from the company's work with the Williams F1 team, and is lighter than previous K models. Innovations include electronically adjustable front and rear suspension, and a Hossack-type front fork that BMW calls Duolever.
BMW introduced anti-lock brakes on production motorcycles starting in the late 1980s. The generation of anti-lock brakes available on the 2006 and later BMW motorcycles paved the way for the introduction of electronic stability control, or anti-skid technology later in the 2007 model year.
BMW has been an innovator in motorcycle suspension design, taking up telescopic front suspension long before most other manufacturers. Then it switched to an Earles fork, front suspension by swinging fork (1955 to 1969). Most modern BMWs are truly rear swingarm, single sided at the back (compare with the regular swinging fork usually, and wrongly, called swinging arm). Some BMWs started using yet another trademark front suspension design, the Telelever, in the early 1990s. Like the Earles fork, the Telelever significantly reduces dive under braking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BMW Telelever Explained |url=https://www.motorbikestoday.com/features/Articles/bmw_telelever.htm |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=www.motorbikestoday.com}}</ref>
BMW Group, on 31 January 2013, announced that Pierer Industrie AG has bought Husqvarna Motorcycles for an undisclosed amount, which will not be revealed by either party in the future. The company is headed by Stephan Pierer (CEO of KTM). Pierer Industrie AG is 51% owner of KTM and 100% owner of Husqvarna.
In September 2018, BMW unveiled a new self-driving motorcycle with BMW Motorrad with a goal of using the technology to help improve road safety.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17847508/bmw-motorrad-self-driving-motorcycle|title=BMW made a self-driving motorcycle|last=O'Kane|first=Sean|date=12 September 2018|website=The Verge|access-date=30 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601162414/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17847508/bmw-motorrad-self-driving-motorcycle|archive-date=1 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The design of the bike was inspired by the company's BMW R1200 GS model.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeanbaptiste/2018/09/14/bmw-unveils-the-first-driverless-motorcycle/|title=BMW Unveils The First Driverless Motorcycle|last=Su|first=Jean Baptiste|date=14 September 2018|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=30 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530120611/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeanbaptiste/2018/09/14/bmw-unveils-the-first-driverless-motorcycle/|archive-date=30 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Automobiles == === Current models === {{See also|List of BMW vehicles|Mini (marque)|Rolls-Royce Motor Cars}}
The current model lines of BMW cars are: * 1 Series five-door hatchbacks (model code F70). * 2 Series two-door coupes (model code G42), "Active Tourer" five-seat MPVs (U06), four-door "Gran Coupe" sedans (model code F74) and long-wheelbase model exclusive to China (F78). * 3 Series four-door sedans (model code G20), five-door station wagons (G21) and long-wheelbase model exclusive to China (G28). * 4 Series two-door coupes (model code G22), two-door convertibles (model code G23) and five-door "Gran Coupe" fastbacks (model code G26). * 5 Series four-door sedans (model code G60), five-door station wagons (G61) and long-wheelbase model exclusive to China (G68). * 7 Series four-door sedans (model code G70). <gallery mode="packed" heights="120px" style="text-align:left"> File:BMW 120 (F70) IMG 0362.jpg|1 Series (F70) File:BMW 220d (F74) DSC 7359.jpg|2 Series Gran Coupé (F74) File:BMW G42 1X7A0370.jpg|2 Series (G42) File:2019 BMW 318d SE Automatic 2.0 Front.jpg|3 Series (G20) File:2020 BMW 420i Sport Automatic 2.0.jpg|4 Series (G22) File:BMW G60 520d 1X7A1681.jpg|5 Series (G60) File:BMW G70 740d 1X7A7230.jpg|7 Series (G70) </gallery>
The current model lines of the X Series SUVs and crossovers are: * X1 (U11) * X2 (U10) * X3 (G45) * X5 (G05) * X6 (G06) * X7 (G07) * XM (G09) <gallery mode="packed" heights="120px" style="text-align:left"> File:BMW U11 1X7A6826.jpg|X1 (U11) File:BMW U10 1X7A2456.jpg|X2 (U10) File:BMW G45 20 IMG 3794.jpg|X3 (G45) File:2019 BMW X5 M50d Automatic 3.0.jpg|X5 (G05) File:BMW G06 IMG 3715.jpg|X6 (G06) File:BMW G07 (2022) 1X7A6450.jpg|X7 (G07) File:BMW XM (G09) IMG 7778.jpg|XM (G09) </gallery>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="120" style="text-align:left"> </gallery>
==== i models ==== {{Main|BMW i}}
All-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles are sold under the ''BMW i'' sub-brand. The current model range consists of: * i3 D-segment (compact) sedan, exclusive to China * i4 D-segment (compact) liftback * i5 E-segment (executive) sedan * i7 F-segment (full-size) sedan * iX1 C-segment (subcompact) SUV * iX2 C-segment (subcompact) SUV * iX3 D-segment (compact) SUV * iX E-segment (mid-size) SUV
<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align:left"> File:BMW i3 (G28) China (2) (cropped).jpg|i3 File:BMW i4 IMG 6695.jpg|i4 File:BMW i5 1X7A1826.jpg|i5 File:BMW iX1 1X7A6829.jpg|iX1 File:BMW iX2 xDrive30 IMG 1811.jpg|iX2 File:BMW iX3 NA5 IAA 2025 DSC 1285.jpg|iX3 File:BMW iX 1X7A0305.jpg|iX </gallery>
In addition, several plug-in hybrid models built on existing platforms have been marketed as ''iPerformance'' models. Examples include the 225xe using a 1.5 L three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, the 330e/530e using a 2.0 L four-cylinder engine with an electric motor,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=BMW Group |date=November 2016 |title=Electrified by BMW i - BMW iPerformance: Plug-in hybrids with BMW i know-how |url=http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/corporation/iperformance/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031184826/http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/corporation/iperformance/index.html |archive-date=31 October 2016 |access-date=3 November 2016 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Electrification completed: New BMW 5 Series Sedan now also available with plug-in hybrid drive. |url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0437229EN/electrification-completed:-new-bmw-5-series-sedan-now-also-available-with-plug-in-hybrid-drive?language=en |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=www.press.bmwgroup.com |language=en}}</ref> and the 550e/750e using a 3.0 L six-cylinder engine with an electric motor.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Progress and efficiency with added variety: additional drive system variants and innovations for the new BMW 7 Series. |url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0404080EN/progress-and-efficiency-with-added-variety:-additional-drive-system-variants-and-innovations-for-the-new-bmw-7-series?language=en |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=www.press.bmwgroup.com |language=en}}</ref> Also, crossover and SUV plug-in hybrid models have been released using i technology: X1 xDrive25e, X2 xDrive25e, X3 xDrive30e, and X5 xDrive40e.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/topics/discover/electric-and-phev/plug-in-hybrids.html | title=BMW Plug-in Hybrid Models |publisher=BMW UK | date=19 May 2020 | access-date=20 June 2020}} The 330e and 530e are available as sedan or saloon and wagon or touring trims.</ref>
==== M models ==== {{main|BMW M}}
The ''BMW M GmbH'' subsidiary (called BMW Motorsport GmbH until 1993) started making high-performance versions of various BMW models in 1978.
{{As of|November 2024}}, the M lineup is:<ref name="BMW M lineup 2022">{{cite web |url=https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/bmw-m/models.html#electrified-performance-m-models%20 |title=BMW M models |publisher=BMW USA |access-date=2 September 2022}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=July 2023}}
* M2 two-door coupe * M3 four-door sedan and five-door station wagon * M4 two-door coupe/convertible * M5 four-door sedan and five-door station wagon * X5 M mid-size SUV<ref>{{cite web |title=The Next-Generation BMW X5 M Could Debut Early In 2020 |url=https://carbuzz.com/news/the-next-generation-bmw-x5-m-could-debut-early-in-2020 |website=www.carbuzz.com |date=30 December 2017 |access-date=29 July 2019 |language=en-us}}</ref> * X6 M mid-size coupe SUV<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 BMW X6 (G06) Spied In Spartanburg |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2020-bmw-x6-g06-spied-in-spartanburg-126617.html |website=www.autoevolution.com |access-date=29 July 2019 |language=en |date=25 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729103150/https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2020-bmw-x6-g06-spied-in-spartanburg-126617.html |archive-date=29 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> *XM Large SUV
<gallery mode="packed" heights="120px" style="text-align:left"> File:BMW G87 M2 1X7A6663.jpg|M2 File:2021 BMW M3 Competition Automatic 3.0 Front.jpg|M3 File:BMW M4 (G82) IMG 4183.jpg|M4 File:2024 BMW M5 G99 BS O24.jpg|M5 File:BMW X5 M (G05) IMG 3370.jpg|X5 M File:BMW X6 M Competition (G06) IMG 3572.jpg|X6 M </gallery>
The letter "M" is also often used in the marketing of BMW's regular models, for example the F20 M140i model, the G11 M760Li model and various optional extras called "M Sport", "M Performance" or similar.
=== Naming convention for models === {{main|List of BMW vehicles#Nomenclature}}
=== Table of all models of the last 50 years === {{BMW model timeline}}
== Motorsport == {{Further|BMW in motorsport}} {{See also|BMW M Motorsport}}
BMW has a long history of motorsport activities, including: * Touring cars, such as DTM, WTCC, ETCC and BTCC * Formula One * Endurance racing, such as 24 Hours Nürburgring, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona and Spa 24 Hours * Isle of Man TT * Dakar Rally * American Le Mans Series *IMSA SportsCar Championship * Formula BMW, a junior racing Formula category * Formula Two * Formula E * Superbike World Championship
<gallery mode="packed" heights="120" style="text-align:left"> File:16 Timo Glock (27860673816).jpg|2016 BMW M4 DTM File:BMW M6 GT3 of Richards & Twigg 2016.jpg|2016 BMW M6 GT3 File:Christian Iddon BSB Knockhill 2016.jpg|2016 BMW S1000RR File:Nick Heidfeld 2007 Britain 2.jpg|2007 BMW Sauber F1.07 </gallery>
== Involvement in the arts ==
=== Architecture === thumb|right|upright|BMW Headquarters The global BMW Headquarters in Munich is designed after the cylinder head of a four-cylinder engine. It was designed by Karl Schwanzer and was completed in 1972. The building has become a European icon<ref name=Patton2009/> and was declared a protected historic building in 1999. The main tower consists of four vertical cylinders standing next to and across from each other. Each cylinder is divided horizontally in its center by a mold in the facade. Notably, these cylinders do not stand on the ground; they are suspended from a central support tower.
BMW Museum is a futuristic cauldron-shaped building, which was also designed by Karl Schwanzer and opened in 1972.<ref>{{cite news|title=Touring the Temples of German Automaking|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/automobiles/03museums.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=31 December 2009|access-date=21 October 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022085155/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/automobiles/03museums.html|archive-date=22 October 2017|last1=Williams|first1=Stephen}}</ref> The interior has a spiral theme and the roof is a 40-metre diameter BMW logo.
BMW Welt, the company's exhibition space in Munich, was designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au and opened in 2007. It includes a showroom and lifting platforms where a customer's new car is theatrically unveiled to the customer.<ref>{{Citation |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=UPi7nca0jukC&pg=PA64 |page= 64 |title= Happy Customers Everywhere: How Your Business Can Profit from the Insights of Positive Psychology |first1= Bernd |last1= Schmitt |first2= Glenn |last2= Van Zutphen |publisher= Macmillan |year= 2012 |isbn= 9781137000460 |url-status = live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180319230302/https://books.google.com/books?id=UPi7nca0jukC&pg=PA64 |archive-date= 19 March 2018 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> <gallery mode="packed" heights="120" style="text-align:left"> File:BMW Museum Old Wing Interior 200905.jpg|BMW Museum File:BMW Welt, Múnich, Alemania, 2013-04-22, DD 03.jpg|BMW Welt </gallery>
=== Art Cars === {{main|BMW Art Car}}
In 1975, sculptor Alexander Calder was commissioned to paint the BMW 3.0 CSL racing car driven by Hervé Poulain at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which became the first in the series of BMW Art Cars. Since Calder's work of art, many other renowned artists throughout the world have created BMW Art Cars, including David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, and Andy Warhol.<ref name="Patton2009">{{Cite news |last=Patton |first=Phil |date=12 March 2009 |title=These Canvases Need Oil and a Good Driver |periodical=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/automobiles/collectibles/15artcars.html |page=AU1 |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329032117/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/automobiles/collectibles/15artcars.html |archive-date=29 March 2017 }}</ref> To date, a total of 19 BMW Art Cars, based on both racing and regular production vehicles, have been created. <gallery mode="packed" heights="120" style="text-align:left"> File:Calder CSL.jpg|1975 3.0 CSL Art Car by Alexander Calder File:BMW M1.jpg|1979 M1 Art Car by Andy Warhol </gallery>
=== Visual arts === BMW sponsors a number of awards in the visual arts. These include the BMW Art Journey award, which honors a young or mid-career artist in collaboration with Art Basel, and the BMW Painting Award, which was created to promote painting in Spain by finding new talent and showcasing their work.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=21 May 2021 |title=The Short List Is in for the 2021 Edition of the BMW Art Journey Initiative. And the Nominees Are... |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/bmw-art-journey-2021-short-list-1970462 |access-date=19 May 2023 |website=Artnet News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The BMW Painting Award |url=https://cultura.acciona.com/projects/the-bmw-painting-award |access-date=19 May 2023 |website=Acciona Cultura}}</ref>
BMW was the principal sponsor of the 1998 ''The Art of the Motorcycle'' exhibition at various Guggenheim museums, though the financial relationship between BMW and the Guggenheim Foundation was criticised in many quarters.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=21 April 2001 |title=When merchants enter the temple; Marketing museums |url=http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/irvinem/visualarts/museums/Economist-MuseumMarketing-Guggenheim-04-19-01.html |magazine=The Economist |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527132415/http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/irvinem/visualarts/museums/Economist-MuseumMarketing-Guggenheim-04-19-01.html |archive-date=27 May 2010 |access-date=8 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vogel |first=Carol |date=3 August 1998 |title=Latest Biker Hangout? Guggenheim Ramp |work=The New York Times |page=A1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/03/arts/latest-biker-hangout-guggenheim-ramp.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221173720/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/03/arts/latest-biker-hangout-guggenheim-ramp.html |archive-date=21 December 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2012, BMW began sponsoring Independent Collectors production of the ''BMW Art Guide'', which is the first global guide to private and publicly accessible collections of contemporary art worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bmw-art-guide.com/about-the-guide|title=About the Guide – "I don't think anybody has been to all these places."|website=www.bmw-art-guide.com|language=en|access-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227062721/https://www.bmw-art-guide.com/about-the-guide|archive-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The fourth edition, released in 2016, features 256 collections from 43 countries.<ref name="Borowik Collection">{{Cite web |title=HYPERALLERGIC: The Fourth BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors |date=13 December 2016 |url=http://hyperallergic.com/343491/the-fourth-bmw-art-guide-by-independent-collectors/ |access-date=30 June 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630113622/https://hyperallergic.com/343491/the-fourth-bmw-art-guide-by-independent-collectors/ |archive-date=30 June 2019}}</ref>
== Production and sales == [[File:BMW Leipzig MEDIA 050719 Download Karosseriebau max.jpg|thumb|Spot welding 3 Series bodies in Leipzig, Germany]]
BMW produces complete automobiles in the following countries: * Germany: Munich, Dingolfing, Regensburg and Leipzig * United States: Spartanburg<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bmwcca.org/node/8278|title=BMW increasing Spartanburg production to 200,000 yearly|publisher= BMW Car Club of America|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112184101/http://www.bmwcca.org/node/8278|archive-date=12 November 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Contact Us|url=https://www.bmwusfactory.com/contact-us/|website=www.bmwusfactory.com|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217092143/http://www.bmwusfactory.com/contact-us/|archive-date=17 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> * Mexico: San Luis Potosí<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bmwgroup-werke.com/san-luis-potosi/en.html |title=BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosi |access-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225055651/https://www.bmwgroup-werke.com/san-luis-potosi/en.html |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * China: Shenyang * South Africa: Rosslyn
BMW also has local assembly operation using complete knock-down (CKD) components in Brazil, Thailand, Russia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and India.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://archive.org/details/bmw-group-media-information |title= BMW Group Production |author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= May 2005 |page= 3|publisher= BMW Customer Service |access-date=February 17, 2026}}</ref>
In the UK, BMW has a Mini factory near Oxford, plants in Swindon and Hams Hall, and Rolls-Royce vehicle assembly at Goodwood. In 2020, these facilities were shut down for the period from 23 March to 17 April due to the coronavirus outbreak.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51944301|title=Almost all UK car production paused amid virus fears|date=18 March 2020|work=BBC News|access-date=19 March 2020|language=en-GB}}</ref>
The BMW group (including Mini and Rolls-Royce) produced 1,366,838 automobiles in 2006 and then 1,481,253 automobiles in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oica.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/bmw.pdf |title=World Motor Vehicle Production, OICA correspondents survey 2006 |access-date=28 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612040841/http://oica.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/bmw.pdf |archive-date=12 June 2010 }}</ref><ref name="AR2010"/> BMW Motorcycles are being produced at the company's Berlin factory, which earlier had produced aircraft engines for Siemens.
By 2011, about 56% of BMW-brand vehicles produced were powered by petrol engines and the remaining 44% by diesel engines. Of those petrol vehicles, about 27% were four-cylinder models and about nine percent are eight-cylinder models, the overwhelming majority being sixes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/autocarconfidential/archive/2011/02/18/the-future-of-bmw-s-engines.aspx |title=The future of BMW's engines |date=11 February 2011 | first=Hilton | last = Holloway |publisher=Autocar |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117165709/http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/autocarconfidential/archive/2011/02/18/the-future-of-bmw-s-engines.aspx |archive-date=17 January 2012 }}</ref> On average, 9,000 vehicles per day exit BMW plants, and 63% are transported by rail.<ref name="alcl1">{{cite web |url=http://automotivelogistics.media/intelligence/bmw-shaping-self-steering-supply-chain |title=BMW's 'connected' logistics: Shaping a self-steering supply chain | first=Christopher | last = Ludwig |date=22 December 2016 |publisher=Automotive Logistics |access-date=6 April 2017 |quote=logistics as the "heart of BMW's production system": 30m parts per day move from 1,800 suppliers; 7,000 sea freight containers per day, and in a year 84 million cubic metres across ocean, road, rail and air freight. Outbound, around 9,000 vehicles leave BMW plants each day on their way to 4,500 dealers in 160 countries. 63% of cars leave plants by train |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407053706/http://automotivelogistics.media/intelligence/bmw-shaping-self-steering-supply-chain |archive-date=7 April 2017 }}</ref>
Annual production since 2005, according to BMW's annual reports:<ref name="AR2010">{{cite web|url=http://annual-report.bmwgroup.com/2010/gb/files/pdf/en/BMW_Group_AR2010.pdf |title=Annual Report 2010 |access-date=16 March 2011 |publisher=BMW Group |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516025402/http://annual-report.bmwgroup.com/2010/gb/files/pdf/en/BMW_Group_AR2010.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2011 }}</ref> {{sticky header}} {|class="wikitable sortable sticky-header" style="text-align: center;" |- !Year!!BMW!!MINI!!Rolls-Royce!!Motorcycle* |- |2005||1,122,308 ||200,119 ||692 ||92,013 |- |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||1,236,989 ||241,043 ||3,221 ||112,271 |- |2011||1,440,315 ||294,120 ||3,725 ||110,360 |- |2012||1,547,057 ||311,490 ||3,279 ||113,811 |- |2013||1,699,835 ||303,177 ||3,354 ||110,127 |- |2014||1,838,268 ||322,803 ||4,495 ||133,615 |- |2015||1,933,647 ||342,008 ||3,848 ||151,004 |- |2016||2,002,997 ||352,580 ||4,179 ||145,555 |- |2017||2,123,947 ||378,486 ||3,308 ||185,682 |- |2018||2,168,496 ||368,685 ||4,353 ||162,687 |- |2019||2,205,841 ||352,729 ||5,455 ||187,116 |- |2020||1,980,740 ||271,121 ||3,776 ||168,104 |- |2021||2,166,644 ||288,713 ||5,912 ||187,500 |- |2022||2,089,801 ||286,265 ||6,239 ||215,932 |- |2023||2,340,547 ||315,196 ||6,179 ||221,988 |}
Annual sales and deliveries since 1972, according to BMW's annual reports: {{sticky header}} {|class="wikitable sortable sticky-header" style="text-align: center;" |- ! Year !! BMW !! MINI !! Rolls-Royce !! Motorcycle* |- |1972 |182,858 | | | |- |1973 |197,446 | | | |- |1974 |184,330 | | | |- |1975 |226,688 | | | |- |1976 |275,596 | | | |- |1977 |288,260 | | | |- |1978 |321,196 | | | |- |1979 |335,132 | | | |- |1980 |339,232 | | | |- |1981 |348,946 | | | |- |1982 |377,684 | | | |- |1983 |422,500 | | | |- |1984 |434,300 | | | |- |1985 |440,700 | | | |- |1986 |446,100 | | | |- |1987 |459,500 | | | |- |1988 |495,800 | | | |- |1989 |523,000 | | | |- |1990 |525,900 | | | |- |1991 |552,700 | | | |- |1992 |582,493 | | | |- |1993 |534,397 | | | |- |1994 |573,000 | | | |- |1995 |595,000 | | | |- |1996 |644,107 | | | |- |1997 |675,076 | | | |- |1998 |699,378 | | | |- |1999 |751,272 | | | |- |2000 |822,181 | | | |- |2001 |880,677 | | | |- |2002 |913,225 | | | |- |2003 |928,000 | | | |- |2004 |1,023,583 | | | |- | 2005 || 1,126,798 || 200,428 || 797 || 97,474 |- | 2006 || 1,185,088 || 188,077 || 805 || 100,064 |- | 2007 || 1,276,793 || 222,875 || 1,010 || 102,467 |- | 2008 || 1,202,239 || 232,425 || 1,212 || 115,196 |- | 2009 || 1,068,770 || 216,538|| 1,002 || 100,358 |- | 2010 || 1,224,280 || 234,175 || 2,711 || 110,113 |- | 2011 || 1,380,384 || 285,060 || 3,538 || 113,572 |- | 2012 || 1,540,085 || 301,525 || 3,575 || 117,109 |- | 2013 || 1,655,138 || 305,030 || 3,630 || 115,215** |- | 2014 || 1,811,719 || 302,183 || 4,063 || 123,495 |- | 2015 || 1,905,234 || 338,466 || 3,785 || 136,963 |- | 2016 || 2,003,359 || 360,233 || 4,011 || 145,032 |- | 2017 || 2,088,283 || 371,881 || 3,362 || 164,153 |- |2018 |2,114,963 |364,135 |4,194 |165,566 |- |2019 |2,185,793 |347,474 |5,100 |175,162 |- |2020 |2,028,841 |292,582 |3,756 |169,272 |- |2021 |2,213,379 |302,138 |5,586 |194,261 |- |2022 |2,100,689 |292,922 |6,021 |202,895 |- |2023 |2,225,793 |295,358 |6,032 |209,066 |} <nowiki>*</nowiki> In 2008–2012, motorcycle productions figures include Husqvarna models.<br/> <nowiki>**</nowiki> Excluding Husqvarna, sales volume up to 2013: 59,776 units.
== Recalls == In November 2016, BMW recalled 136,000 2007–2012 model year U.S. cars for fuel pump wiring problems possibly resulting in fuel leak and engine stalling or restarting issues.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Atiyeh |first1=Clifford |title=BMW Recalls 136,000 Cars for Fuel Leaks and Stalling |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/bmw-recalls-136000-cars-for-fuel-leaks-and-stalling |website=Car and Driver |date=November 2016 |access-date=14 August 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814040534/https://www.caranddriver.com/news/bmw-recalls-136000-cars-for-fuel-leaks-and-stalling |archive-date=14 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2018, BMW recalled 106,000 diesel vehicles in South Korea with a defective exhaust gas recirculation module, which caused 39 engine fires. The recall was then expanded to 324,000 more cars in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Randewich |first1=Noel |last2=Duguid |first2=Kate |title=BMW recalls 324,000 cars in Europe after Korean engine fires: FAZ |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bmw-recall/bmw-recalls-324000-cars-in-europe-after-korean-engine-fires-faz-idUSKBN1KS1ST |website=Reuters |date=7 August 2018 |access-date=13 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814071324/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bmw-recall/bmw-recalls-324000-cars-in-europe-after-korean-engine-fires-faz-idUSKBN1KS1ST |archive-date=14 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the recall in South Korea, the government banned cars which had not yet been inspected from driving on public roads.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/08/14/news/companies/bmw-korea-fire-recall/index.html |title=BMW Recall: South Korea announces ban after engine fires |first=Jethro |last=Mullen |publisher=CNN |date=14 August 2018 |access-date=16 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016165313/https://money.cnn.com/2018/08/14/news/companies/bmw-korea-fire-recall/index.html |archive-date=16 October 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This affected up to 25% of the recalled cars, where the owners had been notified but the cars had not yet been inspected. BMW is reported to have been aware since 2016 that more than 4% of the affected cars in South Korea had experienced failures in the EGR coolers,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=001&oid=437&aid=0000188659 |title=BMW코리아 '시정계획서'엔…2년 전 결�� 인지→본사 보고까지 : 네이버 뉴스 |website=www.naver.com |language=ko |access-date=30 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824234932/https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=001&oid=437&aid=0000188659 |archive-date=24 August 2019 |url-status=live |trans-title=BMW Korea's 'Correction Plan' includes... defect recognized 2 years ago → reported to headquarters: Naver News}}</ref> leading to approximately 20 owners suing the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.naver.com/main/ranking/read.nhn?mid=etc&sid1=111&rankingType=popular_day&oid=032&aid=0002886392&date=20180808&type=0&rankingSeq=2&rankingSectionId=103 |title=BMW코리아·본사가 결함 은폐해온 의혹" 차주들, 고소 나선다 : 네이버 뉴스 |language=ko |website=www.naver.com |access-date=30 July 2019|trans-title=BMW Korea and headquarters suspected of concealing defects: Car owners to file lawsuits : Naver News}}</ref>
== Industry collaboration == BMW has collaborated with other car manufacturers on the following occasions: * McLaren Automotive: BMW designed and produced the V12 engine that powered the McLaren F1.<ref>{{cite web|title=McLaren F1 Supercar|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/mclaren-f1-supercar-road-test-review|website=www.caranddriver.com|access-date=5 October 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005202323/https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/mclaren-f1-supercar-road-test-review|archive-date=5 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jay Leno Pulls Out McLaren F1's V12 Engine for All to See|url=https://www.carscoops.com/2013/07/jay-leno-pulls-out-mclaren-f1-v12.html|website=www.carscoops.com|access-date=5 October 2017|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211055512/http://www.carscoops.com/2013/07/jay-leno-pulls-out-mclaren-f1-v12.html|archive-date=11 February 2017}}</ref> * Groupe PSA (predecessor to Stellantis): Joint production of four-cylinder petrol engines, beginning in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=PSA, BMW Collaboration Grows|url=https://wardsauto.com/news-analysis/psa-bmw-collaboration-grows|website=www.wardsauto.com|date=19 January 2007|access-date=5 October 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006014858/http://wardsauto.com/news-analysis/psa-bmw-collaboration-grows|archive-date=6 October 2017}}</ref> * Daimler Benz: Joint venture to produce the hybrid drivetrain components used in the ActiveHybrid 7.<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 Review|url=https://www.topspeed.com/cars/bmw/2010-bmw-activehybrid-7-ar77932.html|website=www.topspeed.com|date=13 August 2009|access-date=5 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 – Official Information|url=https://www.bmwblog.com/2009/08/12/2010-bmw-activehybrid-7-official-information/|website=www.bmwblog.com|date=12 August 2009|access-date=5 October 2017|archive-date=6 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006111849/http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/08/12/2010-bmw-activehybrid-7-official-information/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Development of automated driving technology.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.turnto23.com/news/national/bmw-and-daimler-partner-together-to-develop-automated-driving-technology|title=BMW and Daimler to develop automated driving tech|date=5 July 2019|website=KERO|language=en|access-date=8 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705235425/https://www.turnto23.com/news/national/bmw-and-daimler-partner-together-to-develop-automated-driving-technology|archive-date=5 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> * Toyota: Three-part agreement in 2013 to jointly develop fuel cell technology, develop a joint platform for a sports car (for the 2018 BMW Z4 (G29) and Toyota Supra) and research lithium-air batteries.<ref>{{cite web|title=BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation Deepen Collaboration by Signing Binding Agreements|url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0136503EN/bmw-group-and-toyota-motor-corporation-deepen-collaboration-by-signing-binding-agreements?language=en|website=www.bmwgroup.com|access-date=5 October 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006012024/https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0136503EN/bmw-group-and-toyota-motor-corporation-deepen-collaboration-by-signing-binding-agreements?language=en|archive-date=6 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1081864_bmw-to-build-hydrogen-fuel-cell-cars-with-toyota-technology|date=24 January 2013|title=BMW, Toyota Confirm Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Technology Deals|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628173239/http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1081864_bmw-to-build-hydrogen-fuel-cell-cars-with-toyota-technology|archive-date=28 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=BMW and Toyota sign Agreement for Fuel Cell System, Sports Vehicle, Lightweight Technology and Lithium-air Battery|url=https://www.bmwblog.com/2013/01/24/bmw-and-toyota-sign-agreement-for-fuel-cell-system-sports-vehicle-lightweight-technology-and-lithium-air-battery/|website=www.bmwblog.com|date=24 January 2013|access-date=5 October 2017}}</ref> * Audi and Mercedes: Joint purchase of Nokia's Here WeGo (formerly Here Maps) in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nokia sells Here maps unit to Audi, BMW, and Mercedes for $3 billion|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/3/9088727/nokia-sells-here-maps|website=www.theverge.com|date=3 August 2015|access-date=5 October 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006011721/https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/3/9088727/nokia-sells-here-maps|archive-date=6 October 2017}}</ref> *In 2018, Horizn Studios collaborated with BMW to launch special luggage editions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Horizn Studios Introduces New Product Line|url=https://vegconomist.com/products-and-launches/horizn-studios-introduces-new-product-line/|access-date=23 September 2019|publisher=vegconomist.com|date=29 November 2018}}</ref>
== Sponsorships == thumb|right|BMW sponsor car at the London 2012 Olympics BMW made a six-year sponsorship deal with the United States Olympic Committee in July 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=BMW, USOC make 6-year sponsorship deal official|url=https://www.teamusa.org/News/2010/July/26/BMW-USOC-make-6-year-sponsorship-deal-official|website=www.teamusa.org|access-date=7 October 2017|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120657/https://www.teamusa.org/News/2010/July/26/BMW-USOC-make-6-year-sponsorship-deal-official|archive-date=7 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=BMW to sponsor America's Olympic committee|url=https://www.autonews.com/article/20100726/OEM/100729924/bmw-to-sponsor-americas-olympic-committee|website=www.autonews.com|date=23 July 2010|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref>
In golf, BMW has sponsored various events,<ref>{{cite web|title=BMW Int'l Sponsorship Head Eckhard Wannieck Talks About Company's Sports Sponsorships|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2013/04/10/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/BMW-QA-Eckhard-Wannieck.aspx|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com|access-date=7 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007171358/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2013/04/10/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/BMW-QA-Eckhard-Wannieck.aspx|archive-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> including the PGA Championship since 2007,<ref>{{cite web|title=BMW extends sponsorship of BMW Championship|url=https://www.pgatour.com/news/2014/05/27/bmw-extends-title-sponsorship-bmw-championship.html|website=www.pgatour.com|access-date=7 October 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007170058/https://www.pgatour.com/news/2014/05/27/bmw-extends-title-sponsorship-bmw-championship.html|archive-date=7 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sponsors|url=https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/bmw-championship/sponsors.html|website=www.pgatour.com|access-date=7 October 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120237/https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/bmw-championship/sponsors.html|archive-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> the Italian Open from 2009 to 2012, the BMW Masters in China from 2012 to 2015<ref>{{cite web|title=Who Does What: Automobile Manufacturers|url=https://www.sponsorship.com/iegsr/2014/05/12/Who-Does-What--Automobile-Manufacturers.aspx|website=www.sponsorship.com|access-date=7 October 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916212040/http://www.sponsorship.com/iegsr/2014/05/12/Who-Does-What--Automobile-Manufacturers.aspx|archive-date=16 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A Slow And Steady Course: Inside BMW's Sponsorship Strategy|url=https://www.sponsorship.com/IEGSR/2012/11/19/A-Slow-And-Steady-Course--Inside-BMW-s-Sponsorship.aspx|website=www.sponsorship.com|access-date=7 October 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610083234/http://www.sponsorship.com/iegsr/2012/11/19/A-Slow-And-Steady-Course--Inside-BMW-s-Sponsorship.aspx|archive-date=10 June 2017}}</ref> and the BMW International Open in Munich since 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/176850/bmw-extends-sponsorship-of-wentworth-pga-event |title=BMW extends sponsorship of Wentworth PGA event |publisher=Sportbusiness.com |access-date=28 July 2011 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612010703/http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/176850/bmw-extends-sponsorship-of-wentworth-pga-event |archive-date=12 June 2010 }}</ref>
In rugby, BMW sponsored the South Africa national rugby union team from 2011 to 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=BMW named new Springbok sponsor|url=https://www.supersport.com/rugby/article.aspx?Id=418826|website=www.supersport.com|access-date=7 October 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120234/https://www.supersport.com/rugby/article.aspx?Id=418826|archive-date=7 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/bmw-sa-drops-the-springboks-20151123|title=BMW SA drops the Springboks|website=www.wheels24.co.za|access-date=9 March 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222025454/http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/bmw-sa-drops-the-springboks-20151123|archive-date=22 December 2016}}</ref>
== Car-sharing services == DriveNow was a joint-venture between BMW and Sixt that operated in Europe from 2011 until 2019. By December 2012,<ref>{{cite web |title=About DriveNow Car Sharing from BMW & Sixt |url=https://www.drive-now.com/de/en/about |website=www.drive-now.com |language=en |access-date=27 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627144227/https://www.drive-now.com/de/en/about |archive-date=27 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> DriveNow operated over 1,000 vehicles, in five cities and with approximately 60,000 customers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://electricdrive.org/index.php?ht=d/ReleaseDetails/id/33626 |title=BMW Group takes top prize at the 2012 Corporate Entrepreneur Awards for premium car-sharing joint venture DriveNow. Jury impressed by willingness to trial new models of mobility |publisher=Electricdrive.org |date=30 October 2012 |access-date=29 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002050715/http://electricdrive.org/index.php?ht=d%2FReleaseDetails%2Fid%2F33626 |archive-date=2 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2012, the BMW-owned subsidiary Alphabet began a corporate car-sharing service in Europe called AlphaCity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/brands-and-services/alphabet.html|title=Alphabet Business Mobility solutions|website=www.bmwgroup.com|language=en|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517174913/https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/brands-and-services/alphabet.html|archive-date=17 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2012/4/2/corporate-car-sharing-scheme-claims-to-be-a-first/43077/|title=Corporate car sharing scheme claims to be a first|website=www.fleetnews.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702113228/https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2012/4/2/corporate-car-sharing-scheme-claims-to-be-a-first/43077/|archive-date=2 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ReachNow car-sharing service was launched in Seattle in April 2016. ReachNow currently operates in Seattle, Portland and Brooklyn.
In 2018, BMW announced the launching of a pilot car subscription service for the United States called Access by BMW (its first one for the country), in Nashville, Tennessee. In January 2021, the company said that Access by BMW was "suspended".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/14/22231451/bmw-access-subscription-shut-down-nashville-cancel |title=BMW becomes the latest automaker to shut down its subscription service |last=Hawkins |first=Andrew J |work=The Verge |date=14 January 2021 |access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref>
== Overseas subsidiaries ==
=== Production facilities === ==== China ==== {{Main|BMW Brilliance}}
The first BMW production facility in China was opened in 2004, as a result of a joint venture between BMW and Brilliance Auto.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Overview |url=http://www.brillianceauto.com/company/overview.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119193005/http://www.brillianceauto.com/company/overview.html |archive-date=2016-01-19 |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=www.brillianceauto.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BMW opens China factory |url=http://www.testdriven.co.uk/news.cfm/bmw-opens-china-factory |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321202512/http://www.testdriven.co.uk/news.cfm/bmw-opens-china-factory |archive-date=2009-03-21 |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=TestDriven |language=en}}</ref> The plant was opened in the Shenyang industrial area and produces 3 Series and 5 Series models for the Chinese market.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brands and Products – BMW Vehicles & SAVs |url=http://www.brillianceauto.com/brands/bmw.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708093746/http://www.brillianceauto.com/brands/bmw.html |archive-date=2011-07-08 |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=Brilliance Auto}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=People's Daily Online -- BMW launches new plant in Shenyang |url=http://english.people.com.cn/200405/21/eng20040521_144003.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016201904/http://english.people.com.cn/200405/21/eng20040521_144003.html |archive-date=2012-10-16 |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=english.people.com.cn}}</ref> In 2012, a second factory was opened in Shenyang.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schmidt |first=Nico |date=2012-05-24 |title=BMW to Boost China Investment |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304840904577423561102781568 |access-date=2026-04-28 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> Between January and November 2014, BMW sold 415,200 vehicles in China, through a network of over 440 BMW stores and 100 Mini stores.<ref>{{Cite news |title=BMW to Pay $820 Million to China Car Dealers, Group Says |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-05/bmw-to-pay-820-million-to-china-car-dealers-group-says.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107181237/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-05/bmw-to-pay-820-million-to-china-car-dealers-group-says.html |archive-date=2015-01-07 |access-date=2026-04-28 |work=Bloomberg |language=en}}</ref> On 7 October 2021, BMW announced it would begin additional production of the X5 in China.<ref name=":0" /> In February 2022, BMW invested an additional $4.2 billion into the Chinese joint venture, increasing its stake from 50% to 75%, becoming one of the first foreign automakers holding majority stake in China.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryan |first=Cristante |date=2026-04-12 |title=GG88 |url=https://mobisafargov.in.net/ |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=Mobisafargov |language=vi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Waldersee |first=Victoria |date=11 February 2022 |title=BMW pays $4.2 BLN to take control of Chinese JV |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/bmw-receives-license-take-75-stake-china-joint-venture-bmw-brilliance-automotive-2022-02-11/ |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=Reuters}}</ref> In June 2022, BMW announced a new plant project in Lydia, Shenyang designed for electric vehicles. It will become BMW Group's largest single project in China, costing 15 billion yuan (2.13 billion euros).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-23 |title=BMW to open a new factory in Shenyang - electrive.com |url=https://www.electrive.com/2022/06/23/bmw-to-open-a-new-factory-in-shenyang/ |access-date=2026-04-28 |language=en-US}}</ref> The investment amount was raised by a further 10 billion yuan (US$1.4 billion) in November 2022, following German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to China.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-14 |title=BMW confirms it will invest another US$1.4 billion in Chinese EV battery plant |url=https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3199580/bmw-confirms-it-will-invest-another-us14-billion-chinese-ev-battery-plant |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
====Hungary==== On 31 July 2018, BMW announced to build a 1 billion euro car factory in Hungary. The plant, to be built near Debrecen, will have a production capacity of 150,000 cars a year.<ref>{{Cite news|title=BMW to build 1 billion euro car factory in Hungary|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bmw-production-factory/bmw-to-build-1-billion-euro-car-factory-in-hungary-idUSKBN1KL12X|work=Reuters |access-date=31 July 2018 |url-status=live |archive-date=31 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731120013/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bmw-production-factory/bmw-to-build-1-billion-euro-car-factory-in-hungary-idUSKBN1KL12X}}</ref>
==== Mexico ==== In July 2014, BMW announced it was establishing a plant in Mexico, in the city and state of San Luis Potosí involving an investment of $1 billion. The plant will employ 1,500 people, and produce 150,000 cars annually.<ref name="MexicoBMW">{{cite news|title=Joining rivals, BMW to set up $1bn plant in Mexico|url=http://www.mexicostar.com/index.php/sid/223478259/scat/4b980140662cfc90/ht/Joining-rivals-BMW-to-set-up-1bn-plant-in-Mexico|access-date=28 June 2014|work=Mexico Star|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809120810/http://www.mexicostar.com/index.php/sid/223478259/scat/4b980140662cfc90/ht/Joining-rivals-BMW-to-set-up-1bn-plant-in-Mexico|archive-date=9 August 2014}}</ref>
==== Netherlands ==== The Mini Convertible, Mini Countryman and BMW X1 were produced in the Netherlands at the VDL Nedcar factory in Born up until its closure on February 16, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://report.bmwgroup.com/data/pdf/en/BMW-Group-Bericht-2020-EN.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://report.bmwgroup.com/data/pdf/en/BMW-Group-Bericht-2020-EN.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=BMW Group Report 2020 |date=March 2021 |website=BMW Group |page=93 |access-date=23 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2012/10/nedcar_rescue_deal_finalised/ |title=Nedcar rescue deal finalised |date=1 October 2012 |website=Dutch News |publisher= |access-date=23 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NWS |first=VRT |date=2024-02-16 |title=Laatste auto rolt van de band bij Nedcar in Born, ook honderden Belgen verliezen hun baan {{!}} VRT NWS: nieuws |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2024/02/16/laatste-auto-rolt-van-de-band-bij-nedcar-in-born-ook-honderden/ |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=VRTNWS |language=nl}}</ref> The factory was closed after BMW did not renew its contract with VDL Nedcar.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-23 |title=Limburg factory that once built BMWs to become military production hub {{!}} NL Times |url=https://nltimes.nl/2025/03/23/limburg-factory-built-bmws-become-military-production-hub |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=nltimes.nl |language=en}}</ref> Long-term orders for the Mini Countryman ended in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vdlgroep.com/en/news/vdl-nedcar-no-new-follow-up-order-for-mini-countryman |title=VDL Nedcar: no new follow-up order for MINI Countryman |date=15 October 2020 |website=VDL Groep |access-date=23 May 2021}}</ref>
==== South Africa ==== {{main|BMW South Africa}}
BMWs have been assembled in South Africa since 1968,<ref>{{cite web|title=Corporate Information: History |publisher=BMW South Africa|url=http://www.bmw.co.za/products/automobiles/bmw_insights/history.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070425185539/http://www.bmw.co.za/products/automobiles/bmw_insights/history.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 April 2007}}</ref> when Praetor Monteerders' plant was opened in Rosslyn, near Pretoria. BMW initially bought shares in the company, before fully acquiring it in 1975; in so doing, the company became ''BMW South Africa'', the first wholly owned subsidiary of BMW to be established outside Germany. Unlike United States manufacturers, such as Ford and GM, which divested from the country in the 1980s, BMW retained full ownership of its operations in South Africa.
Following the end of apartheid in 1994, and the lowering of import tariffs, BMW South Africa ended local production of the 5 Series and 7 Series, in order to concentrate on production of the 3 Series for the export market. South African–built BMWs are now exported to right hand drive markets including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1997, BMW South Africa has produced vehicles in left-hand drive for export to Taiwan, the United States and Iran, as well as South America.
Three unique models that BMW Motorsport created for the South African market were the E23 M745i (1983), which used the M88 engine from the BMW M1, the BMW 333i (1986), which added a six-cylinder 3.2-litre M30 engine to the E30,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bmwplant.co.za/Content/frame_content.jsp@content=http-3a-2f-2fhaf0gau02~5.htm |title=BMW South Africa – Plant Rosslyn |publisher=Bmwplant.co.za |access-date=11 April 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327080227/http://www.bmwplant.co.za/Content/frame_content.jsp@content=http-3a-2f-2fhaf0gau02~5.htm |archive-date=27 March 2009}}</ref> and the E30 BMW 325is (1989) which was powered by an Alpina-derived 2.7-litre engine.
The plant code (position 11 in the VIN) for South African built models is "N".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Manufacturer's Information Dabase|url=https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/mid/home/displayfile/ae84a23f-b450-43ee-a7ea-ed4ce5e1f0b3 |website=NHTSA|access-date=2026-04-28}}</ref>
==== United States ==== {{main|BMW in the United States}}
[[File:BMW Zentrum Spartanburg.jpg|thumb|BMW Zentrum museum in Spartanburg, South Carolina]]
BMW cars have been officially sold in the United States since 1956<ref>{{cite web|title=Isetta 300 model selection|website=www.realoem.com|url=http://www.realoem.com/bmw/en/select?product=P&archive=1&series=ISE&body=Ise1&model=Isetta+300&market=USA|access-date=26 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026164236/http://www.realoem.com/bmw/en/select?product=P&archive=1&series=ISE&body=Ise1&model=Isetta+300&market=USA|archive-date=26 October 2017}}</ref> and manufactured in the United States since 1994.<ref>{{cite web|title=Company - History |website=www.bmwgroup.com |url=https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/company/history.html|access-date=26 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026163951/https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/company/history.html |archive-date=26 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The first BMW dealership in the United States opened in 1975.<ref>{{cite web|title=This is how BMW became the top selling luxury car company in the U.S. |url=http://fortune.com/2015/05/12/bmw-luxury-sales/ |website=www.fortune.com|access-date=28 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028150210/http://fortune.com/2015/05/12/bmw-luxury-sales/ |archive-date=28 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, BMW was the twelfth highest selling brand in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sales by Manufacturer|url=https://www.edmunds.com/industry-center/data/sales-by-manufacturer.html|website=www.edmunds.com|access-date=26 October 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026163829/https://www.edmunds.com/industry-center/data/sales-by-manufacturer.html|archive-date=26 October 2017}}</ref>
The manufacturing plant in Greer, South Carolina has the highest production of the BMW plants worldwide,<ref name="roundel201504">{{cite journal|title=BMW Plant Spartanburg leads U.S. auto exports|journal=Roundel|date=April 2015|page=30|publisher=BMW Car Club of America|issn=0889-3225}}</ref> currently producing approximately 1,500 vehicles per day.<ref name=BMWfactory>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bmwgroup-plants.com/spartanburg/en/our-plant/site-infos.html |title=Production |publisher=BMW Manufacturing Co. |access-date=27 December 2019 |archive-date=27 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227225722/https://www.bmwgroup-plants.com/spartanburg/en/our-plant/site-infos.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The models produced at the Spartanburg plant are the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM SUV models.
In addition to the South Carolina manufacturing facility, BMW's North American companies include sales, marketing, design, and financial services operations in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Latin America.
=== Complete knock-down assembly facilities === ==== Brazil ==== On 9 October 2014, BMW's new complete knock-down (CKD) assembly plant in Araquari, assembled its first car— an F30 3 Series.<ref>{{cite web |title=BMW Group assembles first car in Brazil |url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/pressDetail.html?title=bmw-group-assembles-first-car-in-brazil&outputChannelId=6&id=T0194443EN&left_menu_item=node__4088 |publisher=press.bmwgroup.com |date=9 October 2014 |access-date=21 December 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=21 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221200532/https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/pressDetail.html?title=bmw-group-assembles-first-car-in-brazil&outputChannelId=6&id=T0194443EN&left_menu_item=node__4088}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=BMW Brazil to export X1 SUVs to US|url=https://www.just-auto.com/news/bmw-brazil-to-export-x1-suvs-to-us_id169279.aspx|website=www.just-auto.com|access-date=28 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028144957/https://www.just-auto.com/news/bmw-brazil-to-export-x1-suvs-to-us_id169279.aspx|archive-date=28 October 2017}}</ref>
The cars assembled at Araquari are the F20 1 Series, F30 3 Series, F48 X1, F25 X3 and Mini Countryman.<ref name="automotivemanufacturingsolutions">{{cite web|title=BMW: Global growth |url=https://automotivemanufacturingsolutions.com/focus/bmw-globally-german|website=www.automotivemanufacturingsolutions.com|access-date=28 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028144647/https://automotivemanufacturingsolutions.com/focus/bmw-globally-german|archive-date=28 October 2017}}</ref>
==== Egypt ==== Bavarian Auto Group became the importer of the BMW and Mini brands in 2003. Since 2005, the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X1 and X3 models sold in Egypt are assembled from complete knock-down components at the BMW plant in Cairo.<ref name="automotivemanufacturingsolutions" />
==== India ==== {{main|BMW India}}
BMW India was established in 2006 as a sales subsidiary with a head office located in Gurugram. A BMW complete knock-down assembly plant was opened in Chennai in 2007, assembling Indian-market 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X1, X3, X5, Mini Countryman and motorcycle models.<ref name="automotivemanufacturingsolutions" /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bmw.in/in/en/index_narrowband.html |title=International BMW website |publisher=Bmw.in |date=11 December 2006 |access-date=11 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417153657/http://www.bmw.in/in/en/index_narrowband.html |archive-date=17 April 2009}}</ref> The 20 Million Euro plant aims to produce 1,700 cars per year.
==== Indonesia ==== PT. BMW Indonesia was established in 2001 as a subsidiary with a head office located in Central Jakarta. It was managed by PT. Astra International. 10 years later in 2011, BMW Group invested more than 100 Billion Indonesian rupiah to expand its production, by establish the complete knock-down (CKD) assembly plant in Gaya Motor's production facility in Sunter, Jakarta. the plant is currently assembling Indonesian-market 2 Series (gran coupé), 3 Series (sedan), 5 Series (sedan), 7 Series, X1, X3, X5, X7, and Mini Countryman.
==== Malaysia ==== BMW's complete knock-down (CKD) assembly plant in Kedah. Assembled Malaysia-market 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6 and Mini Countryman since 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|website=Automotive Manufacturing Solutions |url-status=dead |url=https://www.automotivemanufacturingsolutions.com/bmw-global-growth/33962.article |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011130653/https://www.automotivemanufacturingsolutions.com/bmw-global-growth/33962.article |archive-date=11 October 2019|access-date=28 October 2017|title=BMW: Global growth}}</ref>
==== Russia ==== Russian-market 3 Series and 5 Series cars are assembled from complete knock-down components in Kaliningrad beginning in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newsfromrussia.com/main/2004/03/29/53072.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215095144/http://newsfromrussia.com/main/2004/03/29/53072.html|url-status=dead|date=29 March 2004|title=Production of new BMW 5 series begins in Kaliningrad|website=Pravda.Ru|archive-date=15 February 2009}}</ref> In March 2022, BMW withdrew from the Russian market, ceased new car sales in Russia, and ceased production within Russia, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/business/825576|title=BMW приостанавливает производство и импорт автомобилей в Россию|language=ru|date=1 March 2022|publisher=Интерфакс}}</ref>
==== Uruguay ==== In Uruguay, Spanish-born businessman José Arijón founded Convex (later Camur), which assembled BMW cars from 1965 to 1992. Four models were produced: the 1600, 2002, 3 Series and 5 Series, totalling 12,000 units.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://motorsports.com.uy/2018/11/los-50-del-2002.html |title=Los 50 del 2002 |website=Motorsports El País |date=8 November 2018 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/primer-aniversario-de-la-partida-fisica-de-jose-arijon-rama |title=Primer aniversario de la partida física de José Arijón Rama |website=El País |date=29 April 2019 |language=es|trans-title=First anniversary of the passing of José Arijón Rama}}</ref>
=== Vehicle importers === ==== Canada ==== BMW's first dealership in Canada, located in Ottawa, was opened in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Otto's Story|url=http://www.bmwottos.ca/en/ottos_story.php|website=www.bmwottos.ca|access-date=28 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028093821/http://www.bmwottos.ca/en/ottos_story.php |archive-date=28 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1986, BMW established a head office in Canada.<ref>{{cite web|title=In photos: The evolution and history of BMW as it turns 100 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/in-photos-100-years-of-bmw/article29032892/|access-date=28 October 2017 |website=www.theglobeandmail.com |date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319230610/https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/in-photos-100-years-of-bmw/article29032892/|archive-date=19 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> BMW sold 28,149 vehicles in Canada in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of BMW Canada |url=https://www.bmwlondon.ca/history-bmw-canada/|website=www.bmwlondon.ca|access-date=28 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028094453/https://www.bmwlondon.ca/history-bmw-canada/ |archive-date=28 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==== Japan ==== BMW Japan Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary, imports and distributes BMW vehicles in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|title=About BMW Japan Corp|url=http://bmwcareer.jp/en/bmwjapan/|website=www.bmwcareer.jp|access-date=28 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028093401/http://bmwcareer.jp/en/bmwjapan/|archive-date=28 October 2017}}</ref>
==== Philippines ==== BMW Philippines, an owned subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation, is the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BMW Philippines|url=https://www.bmw.com.ph/en/index.html|access-date=8 March 2020|archive-date=4 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304103746/https://www.bmw.com.ph/en/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> BMW sold 920 vehicles in the Philippines in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Philippine auto industry reports 416,637 unit sales in 2019|date=3 February 2020|url=https://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/philippine-auto-industry-sold-416-637-units-in-2019.html|publisher=autoindustriya.com|access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref>
==== Korea ==== BMW Korea imports BMW vehicles in South Korea with more than fifty service centers to fully cater to South Korean customers. BMW Korea has its own driving center near Incheon International Airport.<ref>{{cite web|title=Introduction to BMW Korea|url=https://www.bmw.co.kr/ko/discover/corporation/BMW-korea-introduction.html|access-date=12 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811181456/https://www.bmw.co.kr/ko/discover/corporation/BMW-korea-introduction.html|archive-date=11 August 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==== Singapore ==== BMW car represented almost 10% of all new cars registered in 2025, making it the third most popular car brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BYD cements lead as Singapore's top-selling car brand as EV sales surge to 45% of new registrations |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/byd-top-selling-car-brand-ev-sales-5878551 |access-date=2026-03-12 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref>
== Criticism == BMW has received criticism for attempting to lock vehicle hardware features behind subscription fees. In 2018, BMW stated at the Detroit Auto Show that it will start charging users a subscription fee for Apple Car Play. After receiving widespread criticism, BMW removed the subscription.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-04 |title=BMW will drop its Apple CarPlay fees (updated) |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019-12-04-bmw-apple-carplay-waives-subscription-fee.html |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Estrada |first=Zac |date=2018-01-16 |title=Is BMW going to make you pay for Apple CarPlay every year? |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/16/16897326/bmw-apple-carplay-subscription-google-alexa-detroit-auto-show-2018 |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, BMW announced that it will start charging owners $18 a month to use heated seats.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vincent |first=James |date=2022-07-12 |title=BMW starts selling heated seat subscriptions for $18 a month |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/12/23204950/bmw-subscriptions-microtransactions-heated-seats-feature |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> They removed the feature in 2023 after it was criticised.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawkins |first=Andrew J. |date=2023-09-07 |title=BMW drops plan to charge a monthly fee for heated seats |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/7/23863258/bmw-cancel-heated-seat-subscription-microtransaction |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Germany}} * BMW Group Classic * List of BMW engines
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== Further reading == <!-- last updated October 2021 --> {{refbegin}} * {{cite book|last1=Grunert |first1=Manfred|last2=Triebe |first2=Florian |title=Das Unternehmen BMW seit 1916 |trans-title=The BMW Company since 1916 |publisher=Heel Verlag |location=Königswinter, Germany |year=2006 |isbn=3932169468 |language=de}} * {{cite book |last1=Hodges |first1=David |title=BMW |series=Suttons Photographic History of Transport series |date=2000 |publisher=Sutton Publishing |location=Stroud, Gloucestershire, England |isbn=0750921447 }} * {{cite book|last=Kiley|first=David|title=Driven: Inside BMW, the Most Admired Car Company in the World|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|year=2004|isbn=978-0-471-26920-5|url=https://archive.org/details/driveninsidebmwm00kile_0/mode/2up}} * {{cite book |last1=Lewandowski |first1=Jürgen |title=BMW: Typen und Geschichte |trans-title=BMW: Types and History |date=2006 |publisher=Delius Klasing |location=Bielefeld |isbn=3768814203 |language=de |edition=3rd}} * {{cite book |last1=Lewin |first1=Tony |title=BMW Century |date=2022 |publisher=Motorbooks |location=Beverly, MA, USA |isbn=9780760373774 |edition=2nd}} * {{cite book |last1=Noakes |first1=Andrew |title=The Ultimate History of BMW: From the innovative 328 sports car and the Isetta bubble car to the 5 Series Gran Turismo |date=2010 |publisher=Parragon Books |location=Bath |isbn=9781407549781}} * {{cite book |last1=Schrader |first1=Halwart |author-link=:de:Halwart Schrader |title=BMW: Passion · Power · Perfektion |trans-title=BMW: Passion · Power · Perfection |date=2011 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |isbn=9783613033788 |language=de}} * {{cite book |last1=Schrader |first1=Halwart |title=BMW: Von 1981 bis heute |trans-title=BMW: From 1981 to today |series=Typenkompass series |date=2016 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |isbn=9783613038721 |language=de |author-mask=8}} * {{cite book |last1=Werner |first1=Constanze |title=Kriegswirtschaft und Zwangsarbeit bei BMW |trans-title=War Economy and Forced Labour at BMW |date=2006 |publisher=Oldenbourg |location=München |isbn=3486577921 |language=de}} {{refend}}
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