What Does BMW Stand For?
If you have a love of German automotive engineering and European style, you’ve probably wondered what BMW stands for. In German, the letters are an acronym for Bayerische Motoren Werke, which translates to Bavarian Motor Works in English. BMW of Florence has the historical details behind what BMW stands for. Learn more about the history of your favorite motor company, then shop our new BMW inventory.
How Did BMW Get Its Name?
What does BMW mean? It means a history of over a century that’s been dedicated to creating some of the highest-performing cars in the world and bringing them to the streets of Darlington and Sumter. Here’s how it began:
- 1913: Karl Rapp founded Rapp Motorenwerke, a company that made aircraft engines in Munich, Germany.
- 1917: Rapp left the company, which changed its name to Bayerische Motoren Werke. “Bayerische” translates to “Bavarian.” The company was located in the Bavaria region in southeastern Germany near the Austrian and Czech borders. Around this time, they introduced the first version of the blue and white BMW logo to resemble the Bavarian flag.
The full name of the company is now BMW AG. “AG” stands for Aktiengesellschaft, meaning an incorporation owned by shareholders.
What Does the BMW Logo Mean?
There have been five updates to the BMW logo since it first appeared in 1917. Each update has maintained the homage to the Bavarian flag. The most recent update kept the blue and white pattern, but now the outer circle surrounding the pattern is clear instead of black. An updated font is used in the lettering, giving the new logo a more minimalist look.
What is the BMW Slogan?
Marion drivers know what BMW stands for, in terms of the company’s values, expressed in the slogan “The Ultimate Driving Machine.” The slogan made its North American debut in 1974 and was briefly replaced in 2010 with the word “Joy.” The company revived the classic slogan two years later.
See What BMW Stands For at BMW of Florence
BMW of Florence has all the answers you want about BMW the company, along with the vehicles. You can learn more from our BMW research hub or when you contact us or stop by our dealership.