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*Misplaced Pages is not a US-only project. AG stands for "Aktiengesellschaft", as alluded to in the infobox; it is indeed a company owned by shareholders, but isn't strictly a PLC. ] ] 08:21, 20 February 2014 (UTC) *Misplaced Pages is not a US-only project. AG stands for "Aktiengesellschaft", as alluded to in the infobox; it is indeed a company owned by shareholders, but isn't strictly a PLC. ] ] 08:21, 20 February 2014 (UTC)
**Misplaced Pages doesn't allude to things, we make it ]. now. --] (]) 15:05, 20 February 2014 (UTC) **Misplaced Pages doesn't allude to things, we make it ]. now. --] (]) 15:05, 20 February 2014 (UTC)

== Semi-protected edit request on 15 March 2014 ==

{{About|the German automobile and motorcycle manufacturer}}
{{pp-vandalism|expiry=17 September 2014|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2012}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Infobox company
|name = Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
|logo = ]
|type = ] (AG)
| traded_as = {{FWB|BMW}}
|foundation = 7 March 1916
|predecessor = Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG (BFW)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bmweducation.co.uk/cofacts/view.asp?docid=185|title=When was BMW founded?|work=BMW Education|publisher=BMW|accessdate=30 September 2012}}{{dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>
|founder = ]
|location_city = ]
|location_country = Germany
|area_served = Worldwide
|key_people = ] <small>(CEO)</small><br>] <small>(Chairman of the ])</small><br>] <small>(Vice-President)</small><br>Karim Habib <small>(Director of Design)</small>
|industry = ]
|products = ], motorcycles, bicycles
|production = 1,861,826 Automobiles (2012)<br>125,284 Motorcycles (2012)
|revenue = ]76.84&nbsp;billion (2012)<ref name="AR2012">{{cite web |url=http://annual-report2012.bmwgroup.com/bmwgroup/annual/2012/gb/English/pdf/report2012.pdf|format=PDF |title=Annual Report 2012 |accessdate=31 July 2013 |publisher=BMW Group}}</ref>
|operating_income = €8.30&nbsp;billion (2012)<ref name="AR2012" />
|net_income = €5.12&nbsp;billion (2012)<ref name="AR2012" />
|assets = €131.85&nbsp;billion (2012)<ref name="AR2012" />
|equity = €30.40&nbsp;billion (2012)<ref name="AR2012" />
|num_employees = 105,876 (2012)<ref name="AR2012" />
|subsid = {{Collapsible list|title=List|
'''Transportation'''
* ]
* BMW China
** ] (50%)
* ]
* BMW of America LLC
** ]
'''Sports'''
* ]
'''Automotive Design'''
* ]
International
* BMW South Africa
* BMW Japan
* ]
* BMW of Canada
* BMW Egypt
* ]
* ]}}
|divisions = ]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]
|homepage = {{URL|bmwgroup.com}}
|intl = yes
}}

'''Bayerische Motoren Werke AG''' ({{pronunciation|De-Bayerische_Motoren_Werke_Aktiengesellschaft.ogg}}; {{lang-en|Bavarian Motor Works}}), commonly known as '''BMW''' or '''BMW ]''', is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916.

BMW is headquartered in ], ], Germany. It also owns and produces ] cars, and is the parent company of ]. BMW produces motorcycles under ]. In 2012, the BMW Group produced 1,845,186 ] and 117,109 motorcycles across all of its brands. BMW is part of the "German Big 3" luxury automakers, along with ] and ], which are the three best-selling luxury automakers in the world.<ref>https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/pressDetail.html?title=bmw-group-cautiously-optimistic-for-2013&outputChannelId=6&id=T0138199EN&left_menu_item=node__804</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.de/bmw-best-selling-luxury-auto-brand/a-16510066 |title=BMW best-selling luxury auto brand|publisher=DW.DE |date=2012-10-31 |accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of BMW}}
] in Munich. The towers and museum are visible in the back right.]]
]
]) from 1930]]
] engine]]
] engine]]

BMW was established as a business ] following a restructuring of the ] ] manufacturing firm in 1917. After the end of ] in 1918, BMW was forced to cease aircraft-engine production by the terms of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pilotenschule.ch/geschichte.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528021613/http://www.pilotenschule.ch/geschichte.htm |archivedate=28 May 2007 |title= Fliegerschule St.Gallen&nbsp;– history|accessdate=24 August 2008 |language=German }}</ref> The company consequently shifted to motorcycle production in 1923, once the restrictions of the treaty started to be lifted,<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=8XEV3HRlBZ4C|title=BMW Motorcycles|author=Darwin Holmstrom, Brian J. Nelson|isbn=978-0-7603-1098-4|publisher=MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company|year=2002|accessdate=24 August 2008}}</ref> followed by automobiles in 1928–29.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Six men who built the modern auto industry |first=Richard Alan |last= Johnson |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company |year= 2005 |isbn=978-0-7603-1958-1 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=CArfq7tV0OIC&pg=PA62&dq=%22first+bmw+car%22 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Disseminative Capabilities: A Case Study of Collaborative Product Development in the Automotive |first=Kay Oppat |publisher=Gabler Verlag |year=2008 |isbn=978-3-8349-1254-1 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=JfAZD-WHxV4C&pg=PA74&dq=%22first+bmw+car%22 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Driven: inside BMW, the most admired car company in the world |first=David |last= Kiley |publisher=John Wiley and Sons |year= 2004 |isbn=978-0-471-26920-5 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=3LAr-jjuzj8C&pg=PA58&dq=3/15 }}</ref>

The first car which BMW successfully produced and the car which launched BMW on the road to automobile production was the ], it was based on the ] and licensed from the ] in Birmingham, England.

BMW's first significant aircraft engine was the BMW IIIa inline-six liquid-cooled engine of 1918, much preferred for its high-altitude performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19710908000 |title=BMW Model IIIA – Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum |publisher=Nasm.si.edu |accessdate=18 April 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100408190510/http://nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19710908000| archivedate= 8 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> With German rearmament in the 1930s, the company again began producing aircraft engines for the ]. Among its successful World War II engine designs were the ] and ] air-cooled ], and the pioneering ] ] ], which powered the tiny, 1944–1945–era jet-powered "emergency fighter", the ] ''Spatz''. The BMW 003 jet engine was tested in the A-1b version of the world's first jet fighter, the ], but BMW engines failed on takeoff, a major setback for the ] until successful testing with Junkers engines.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://books.google.com/?id=dSLBdP22fq0C&pg=PA31 |title=The Jet Race and the Second World War |first=Sterling Michael |last=Pavelec |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year= 2007 |isbn=978-0-275-99355-9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Radinger |first=Will |first2= Walter |last2=Schick. |title=Me262 (in German) |location=Berlin |publisher=Avantic Verlag GmbH |year=1996 |isbn=978-3-925505-21-8 |page=23 }}</ref> Towards the end of the Third Reich BMW developed some military aircraft projects for the ''Luftwaffe'', the ], the ] and the ], but none of them were built.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nevingtonwarmuseum.weebly.com/bmw-strahljager-project-i.html |title=BMW Strahljager Project I |publisher=Nevingtonwarmuseum.weebly.com |date=1944-11-03 |accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Dan Johnson |url=http://www.luft46.com/bmw/bmw.html |title=BMW Aircraft |publisher=Luft46.com |date= |accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref>

By the year 1959, the automotive division of BMW was in financial difficulties and a shareholders meeting was held to decide whether to go into liquidation or find a way of carrying on. It was decided to carry on and to try to cash in on the current economy car boom enjoyed so successfully by some of Germany's ex-aircraft manufacturers such as ] and ]. The rights to manufacture the Italian ] were bought; the tiny cars themselves were to be powered by a modified form of BMW's own motorcycle engine. This was moderately successful and helped the company get back on its feet. The controlling majority shareholder of the BMW ] since 1959 is the Quandt family, which owns about 46% of the stock. The rest is in ].

BMW acquired the ] company based in ], Germany, in 1966. It was reputed that the acquisition was mainly to gain access to Glas' development of the timing belt with an overhead camshaft in automotive applications.<ref>Toronto Star 3 July 2004</ref> Glas vehicles were briefly badged as BMW until the company was fully absorbed.

]
In 1992, BMW acquired a large stake in California based ] studio ], which they fully acquired in 1995. In 1994, BMW bought the British ]<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://books.google.com/?id=KdbY5QkQ64cC |title=Corporate Cultures And Global Brands |author=Albrecht Rothacher |year=2004 |publisher=World Scientific |isbn=978-981-238-856-8 |page=239}}</ref> (which at the time consisted of the ], ] and ] brands as well as the rights to defunct brands including ] and ]), and owned it for six years. By 2000, Rover was incurring huge losses and BMW decided to sell the combine. The MG and Rover brands were sold to the Phoenix Consortium to form ], while Land Rover was taken over by ]. BMW, meanwhile, retained the rights to build the new ], which was launched in 2001.

Chief designer ] announced his departure from BMW in February 2009, after serving on the design team for nearly seventeen years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat/archives/2009/02/bmws_chris_bangle_designs_his_own_exit.html|title= Chris Bangle|accessdate=24 May 2012}}</ref> He was replaced by ], Bangle's former right hand man. Bangle was known for his radical designs such as the 2002 7-Series and the 2002 Z4. In July 2007, the production rights for ] was purchased by BMW for a reported 93 million euros. ] plans to continue operating Husqvarna Motorcycles as a separate enterprise. All development, sales and production activities, as well as the current workforce, have remained in place at its present location at Varese.

In June 2012, BMW was listed as the #1 most reputable company in the world by Forbes.com.<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Jacquelyn|title=The World's Most Reputable Companies|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/06/07/the-worlds-most-reputable-companies/|publisher=Forbes.com|accessdate=7 June 2012}}</ref> Rankings are based upon aspects such as "people's willingness to buy, recommend, work for, and invest in a company is driven 60% by their perceptions of the company and only 40% by their perceptions of their products."

==Shareholder structure==
''by ownership''<ref name="bmwgroup1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bmwgroup.com/bmwgroup_prod/e/nav/index.html?http://www.bmwgroup.com/bmwgroup_prod/e/0_0_www_bmwgroup_com/home/home.html |title=BMW Group |publisher=BMW Group |accessdate=1 June 2011| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110430032949/http://www.bmwgroup.com/bmwgroup_prod/e/nav/index.html?http://www.bmwgroup.com/bmwgroup_prod/e/0_0_www_bmwgroup_com/home/home.html| archivedate= 30 April 2011 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>

* ]: 17.4%
* ]: 16.7%
* ]: 12.6%
* ]: 53.3%

''by types''
* Strategic investors: 46.7%
* Institutional investors:
** North America: 15.8%
** United Kingdom and Ireland: 11.8%
** Other Europe: 5.7%
** Germany: 4.8%
** Rest of the world: 2.5%
* Other investors: 12.7%

==Production==
] of BMW 3 series car bodies with ] ]. ]]
In 2006, the BMW group (including Mini and Rolls-Royce) produced 1,366,838 four-wheeled vehicles, which were manufactured in five countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oica.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/bmw.pdf |title=World Motor Vehicle Production, OICA correspondents survey 2006 |format=PDF |accessdate=28 August 2010}}</ref> In 2010, it manufactured 1,481,253 four-wheeled vehicles and 112,271 motorcycles (under both the BMW and Husqvarna brands).<ref name="AR2010">{{cite web |url=http://annual-report.bmwgroup.com/2010/gb/files/pdf/en/BMW_Group_AR2010.pdf |format=PDF |title=Annual Report 2010 |accessdate=16 March 2011 |publisher=BMW Group}}{{dead link|date=September 2012}}</ref>

The BMW X3 (E83) was made by Magna Steyr, a subsidiary of Magna of Canada, in Graz, Austria under license from BMW until 2010. More than 45,973 were produced in 2009.
Starting October 2010, the new BMW X3 (F25) is produced at BMW US Manufacturing Co., Greer, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA

It is reported that about 56% of BMW-brand vehicles produced are powered by petrol engines and the remaining 44% are powered by diesel engines. Of those petrol vehicles, about 27% are four-cylinder models and about nine percent are eight-cylinder models.<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 |author=Hilton Holloway |publisher=Autocar }}</ref> BMW also has local assembly operation using complete ] in Thailand, Russia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, for 3, 5, 7 series and X3.<ref name="bmwgroup1"/>

===Worldwide sales===
Vehicles sold in all markets according to BMW's annual reports.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year!!BMW!!MINI!!Rolls-Royce!!Motorcycle*
|-
|2005||1,126,768 ||200,428 ||796 ||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<ref name="AR2012" />||1,540,085 ||301,525 ||3,575 ||117,109
|}
<sub><nowiki>*</nowiki>Since 2008, motorcycle productions and sales figures include ] models.</sub>

===Annual production===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year!!BMW!!MINI!!Rolls-Royce!!Motorcycle*
|-
|2005||1,122,308 ||200,119 ||692 ||92,012
|-
|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 ||118,865
|-
|2012||1,547,057 ||311,490 ||3,279 ||125,284
|}

==Motorcycles==
{{See also|BMW Motorrad|History of BMW motorcycles}}
] ], the first BMW ]]]
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, Sep. 2008, p. 10.</ref> Its motorcycle brand is now known as ]. Their first successful motorcycle, after the failed Helios and Flink, was the "]" in 1923. This had a "]" twin engine, in which a cylinder projects into the air-flow from each side of the machine. Apart from their single-cylinder models (basically to the same pattern), all their motorcycles used this distinctive layout until the early 1980s. Many BMWs are still produced in this layout, which is designated the ].

During the Second World War, BMW produced the ] motorcycle with a ] attached. Having a unique design copied from the ] KS750, its sidecar wheel was also motor-driven. Combined with a lockable ], this made the vehicle very capable off-road, an equivalent in many ways to the ].

In 1982, came the ], 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 ] and ] series with single and parallel twin ] engines.

]]]
In the early 1990s, BMW updated the ] Boxer engine which became known as the ]. In 2002, the oilhead engine had two spark plugs per cylinder. In 2004 it added a built-in balance shaft, an increased capacity to 1,170&nbsp;cc and enhanced performance to {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} for the ], compared to {{convert|85|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} of the previous ]. More powerful variants of the oilhead engines are available in the R1100S and R1200S, producing {{Convert|98|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and {{Convert|122|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, respectively.

In 2004, BMW introduced the new K1200S Sports Bike which marked a departure for BMW. It had an engine producing {{Convert|167|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, 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 ] on production motorcycles starting in the late 1980s. The generation of anti-lock brakes available on the 2006 and later BMW motorcycles pave the way for the introduction of ], 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 they switched to an ], 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 ]).
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.

BMW Group, on 31 January 2013 announced that Pierer Industrie AG has bought Husqvarna 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.

==Automobiles==
{{Main|List of BMW vehicles}}

===New Class===
{{Main|BMW New Class}}

The ''New Class'' (German: ''Neue Klasse'') was a line of compact ] and coupes starting with the 1962 1500 and continuing through the last 2002s in 1977. Powered by BMW's celebrated ] ] engine, the New Class models had a fully ], ]s in front, and front disc brakes. Initially a family of four-door sedans and two-door coupes, the New Class line was broadened to two-door sports sedans with the addition of the ''02 Series'' 1600 and 2002 in 1966.

Sharing little in common with the rest of the line beyond power train, the sporty siblings caught auto enthusiasts' attention and established BMW as an international brand. Precursors to the famed BMW ], the two-doors' success cemented the firm's future as an upper tier performance car maker. New Class four-doors with numbers ending in "0" were replaced by the larger ] in 1972. The upscale 2000C and 2000CS coupes were replaced by the ] ], introduced in 1969 with the 2800CS. The 1600 two-door was discontinued in 1975, and the 2002 was replaced by the 320i in 1975.

===Current models===
] (F10)]]
The ], originally launched in 2004, is BMW's smallest car. Currently available are the second generation hatchback (F20) and first generation coupe/convertible (E82/E88). The ], a ] manufactured since ] 1975, is currently in its sixth generation (]); models include the sport sedan (F30), and fourth generation station wagon (F30), and convertible (E93), and the ]. In 2014, the ] will be released and replace the 3 Series Coupe and Convertible. The ] is a ] ], available in sedan (F10) and station wagon (F11) forms. The ] (F07), which debuted in 2010, created a segment between station wagons and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newbmwseries.com/2009/05/bmw-5-series-gran-turismo/ |title=BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo |accessdate=22 October 2009 |work=reported by newBMWseries.com}}</ref>

] (E89)]]
BMW's ] flagship executive ] is the ]. Typically, BMW introduces many of their innovations first in the 7 Series, such as the ] system. The 7 Series Hydrogen, having one of the world's first ] fueled internal combustion engines, is fueled by liquid hydrogen and emits only clean water vapor. The latest generation (F01) debuted in 2009. Based on the 5 Series' platform, the ] is BMW's ] ] sport coupe/convertible (F12/F13). A 2-seater ] and ] which succeeded the ], the ] has been sold since 2002.

]]]
The ] (F25), BMW's second ] (called ] or "Sports Activity Vehicle" by BMW) debuted in 2010 and replaced the ], which was based on the E46 3 Series' platform, and had been in production since 2003. Marketed in Europe as an off-roader, it benefits from BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system. The all-wheel drive ] (E53) was BMW's first crossover SUV (SAV), based on the 5 Series, and is a mid-size luxury SUV (SAV) sold by BMW since 2000. A 4-seat crossover SUV released by BMW in December 2007, the ] is marketed as a "Sports Activity Coupe" (SAC) by BMW. The ] extends the BMW Sports Activity Series model lineup.

In 2013, the company announced that it was to launch its first fully electric car range. This would begin with the launch of the ] in the second quarter of 2014.<ref name=BMWi3>{{cite web|title=BMW i3 Official Page|url=http://www.bmw.co.uk/en/new-vehicles/bmw-i/i3/2013/start.html|publisher=BMW|accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref>

* ] (2004–present) Coupe and convertible
* ] (2014-present) Coupe and wagon
* ] (2007–present) convertible
* ] (2014-present) Coupe and convertible
* ] (2008–present) Sedan
* ] (2009–present) Sedan and wagon
* ] (2010–present) Coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe
* ] (2011–present) Hatchback
* ] (2012–present) Sedan and wagon
* ] (2014–present) Coupe
* ] (2013–present) Progressive Activity Sedan
* ] (2009–present) Progressive Activity Sedan
* ] (To be launched 2014) Sedan
* ] (2009–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
* ] (2010–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
* ] (2006–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
* ] (2008–present) Sports Activity Coupe
* ] (2009–present) Sports Roadster

===M models===
{{main|BMW M}}
]
BMW produce a number of high-performance derivatives of their cars developed by their ] (previously BMW Motorsport GmbH) subsidiary.

The current M models are:
* ] – F80 Sedan, (2013 to present)
* ] – F82 Coupé, (2013 to present)
* ] – F10 Saloon (2011 to present)
* ] - F06/12/13 (2012 to present)
* ] – E70 ] (2010 to present)
* ] – E71 ] (2010 to present)

==Motorsport==
{{Main|BMW in motorsport}}
BMW has been engaged in ] activities since the dawn of the first BMW motorcycle in 1923.

===Motorsport sponsoring===
* ]&nbsp;– A Junior racing ] category.
* ]&nbsp;– A BMW-exclusive championship run in the United Kingdom.

===Motorcycle===
]
* ] - ] won the 1939 running of the Grand Prix.
* ] – BMW motorcycles have won the Dakar rally six times. In 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1999, and 2000.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.dakar.com/2009/DAK/presentation/docs/histo_1979_2007_us.pdf | format= PDF | title= History of Dakar – RETROSPECTIVE 1979–2007 | publisher=Dakar | accessdate=16 February 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2012}}</ref>
* ] – BMW returned to premier road racing in 2009 with their all new superbike, the ].

===Formula One===
{{Main|BMW in Formula One}}
] F1 Team Logo.]]
] as a full-fledged team in {{F1|2006}}.]]
BMW has a history of success in ]. BMW powered cars have won 20 races. In 2006 BMW took over the ] team and became Formula One constructors. In 2007 and 2008 the team enjoyed some success. The most recent win is a lone constructor team's victory by ], on 8 June 2008, at the ] with ] driving. Achievements include:
* Driver championship: 1 (1983)
* Constructor championship: 0 (Runner-up 2002, 2003, 2007)
* Fastest laps: 33
* Grand Prix wins: 20
* Podium finishes: 76
* Pole positions: 33

BMW was an engine supplier to ], ], ], and ]. Notable drivers who have started their Formula One careers with BMW include ], ], ] and ].

In July 2009, BMW announced that it would withdraw from Formula One at the end of the 2009 season.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8173865.stm |publisher=BBC News | date= 29 July 2009 | accessdate=29 July 2009 | title=
BMW to quit F1 at end of season
| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090729101228/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8173865.stm| archivedate= 29 July 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> The team was sold back to the previous owner, Peter Sauber, who kept the BMW part of the name for the 2010 season due to issues with the ]. The team has since dropped BMW from their name starting in 2011.

===Sports car===
* ] – BMW won Le Mans in 1999 with the ] designed by Williams Grand Prix Engineering. Also the Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing team won the ] with a BMW-engined ] race car.
* ] – BMW won the ] 19 times and the ] twice (1976 and 1981).
* ] – BMW won three times (1976, 2011, 2013)
* ] – BMW won 21 times
* A BMW works team E36 320d was the first diesel-powered overall winner ever at the 24 Hours Nürburgring.<ref>http://www.thedieseldriver.com/2009/11/bmw-diesel-wins-1998-24-hours-nurburgring/</ref>
* ] – Successful mid-1990s GT racing car with a BMW designed engine. It won the ] in 1995 and 1996 and the ] in ].
* ] – BMW has won three (2001, 2010, 2011) GT Team Championships and GT Automobile Manufacturer titles. Twice (2010, 2011) with ] in the Crowne Plaza V8 powered M3 GT coupe and once (2001) with the BMW Motorsport team in the V8 powered M3 GTR.

===Touring car===
BMW has a long and successful history in ].
* ] (BTCC) – BMW won the drivers' championship in 1988, 1991, 1992 and 1993 and manufacturers' championship in 1991 and 1993.
* The DRM (]) was won by ] in a ] ] in 1978
* DTM (]) – the following won the DTM drivers' championship driving BMWs:
** 1987: ], BMW M3
** 1989: ], BMW M3
** 2012: ], BMW M3 DTM
* ] (ETCC) – Since 1968, BMW won 24 drivers' championships{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}} along with several manufacturers' and teams' titles.
* ] (JTCC) – BMW (]) flew from Europe to Japan to compete in the JTCC and won the championship in 1995.
* ] – BMW won the 1940 Brescia Grand Prix with a ] Touring Coupé. Previously in 1938 the 328 sport car won the Mille Miglia 2000 litre class.
* ] Touring Car Series(WC) – BMW won the manufacturer's championship in 2001 and Bill Auberlen, driving a Turner Motorsport BMW 325i, won the 2003 and 2004 Driver's Championships.
* ] (WTCC) – BMW won four drivers' championship (], ], ] and ]) and three manufacturers' titles (2005–2007).

BMW announced on 15 October 2010 that it will return to ] during the 2012 season. Dr. Klaus Draeger, director of research and development of the BMW Group, who was in charge of the return to DTM racing (]), commented that "The return of BMW to the DTM is a fundamental part of the restructuring of our motorsport activities. With its increased commitment to production car racing, BMW is returning to its roots. The race track is the perfect place to demonstrate the impressive sporting characteristics of our vehicles against our core competitors in a high-powered environment. The DTM is the ideal stage on which to do this."<ref>https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/pressDetail.html?title=bmw-to-return-to-dtm-in-2012&outputChannelId=6&id=T0086976EN&left_menu_item=node__5699</ref>

===Rally===
* ] – The ] won this event in 1939.
* ] – BMW motorcycles have won this event 6 times total including 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1999, 2000.
* ] – The ] won this event in 1987.

==Sponsorships==

In ], BMW sponsors ] club ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/german_champions_borussia_dortmund_join_solar_trend/|title=German champions Borussia Dortmund join solar trend}}</ref>

It is an official sponsor of the ] olympics providing 4000 BMWs and Minis in a deal made in November 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/london_2012/article6922432.ece|title=BMW chosen to provide official Minis for 2012 London Olympics|publisher=The Times|date=18 November 2009|accessdate=28 July 2011}}</ref> The company also made a six-year sponsorship deal with the ] (USOC) in July 2010.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/more/07/26/usoc.ap/index.html |publisher=CNN | title=BMW, USOC make 6-year sponsorship deal official | date=26 July 2010}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>

BMW has sponsored various European golf events such as the ] at Wentworth, the ] and the ] in Germany.<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 |date= |accessdate=28 July 2011}}{{dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>

==Environmental record==
The company is a charter member of the ]'s (EPA) National Environmental Achievement Track, which recognizes companies for their environmental stewardship and performance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Performance Track Final Progress Report|url=http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/downloads/PT_ProgRprt_2009_web.pdf|publisher=EPA|accessdate=25 December 2013|date=May 2009}}</ref> It is also a member of the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sauer|first=Paul|title=Ultimate Factories|url=http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/ultimate-factories/articles/facts-bmw/|work=Facts: BMW|publisher=National Geographic|accessdate=24 December 2013}}</ref>

In 2012, BMW was named the world's most sustainable automotive company for the eighth consecutive year by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. The BMW Group is the only automotive enterprise in the index since its inception in 1999. In 2001, the BMW Group committed itself to the United Nations Environment Programme, the UN Global Compact and the Cleaner Production Declaration. It was also the first company in the automotive industry to appoint an environmental officer, in 1973.<ref>https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/pressDetail.html?title=bmw-group-once-again-sector-leader-in-dow-jones-sustainability-index&outputChannelId=6&id=T0131942EN&left_menu_item=node__805</ref> BMW is a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.<ref>http://www.wbcsd.org/about/members/members-list-region.aspx</ref>

BMW is industry leader in the Carbon Disclosure Project's Global 500 ranking and 3rd place in Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index across all industries.
BMW is listed in the FTSE4GoodIndex.
The BMW Group was rated the most sutainable DAX 30 company by Sustainalytics in 2012.<ref>http://www.bmwgroup.com/bmwgroup_prod/e/0_0_www_bmwgroup_com/verantwortung/svr_2012/nachhaltiges_wirtschaften.html</ref>

BMW has taken measures to reduce the impact the company has on the environment. It is trying to design less-polluting cars by making existing models more efficient, as well as developing environmentally friendly fuels for future vehicles. Possibilities include: electric power, hybrid power (combustion engines and electric motors) hydrogen engines.<ref>Bird, J and Walker, M: "BMW A Sustainable Future? ", page 11. Wild World 2005</ref>

BMW offers 49 models with EU5/6 emissions norm and nearly 20 models with CO2 output less than 140 g/km, which puts it on the lowest tax group and therefore could provide the future owner with eco-bonus offered from some European countries.

However, there have been some criticisms directed at BMW, and in particular, accusations of ] in reference to their BMW Hydrogen 7. Some critics claim that the emissions produced during ] production outweigh the reduction of tailpipe emissions, and that the Hydrogen 7 is a distraction from more immediate, practical solutions for car pollution.<ref>{{cite web|author=By Christian Wüst |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,448648,00.html |title=BMW's Hydrogen 7: Not as Green as it Seems - SPIEGEL ONLINE |publisher=Spiegel.de |date=2006-11-17 |accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref>

==Bicycles==
BMW has created a range of high-end bicycles sold online and through dealerships. They range from the Kid's Bike to the EUR 4,499 Enduro Bike.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://shop.bmwgroup.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/Store-BMWShop-Site/en_GB/-/EUR/ViewStandardCatalog-Browse?CategoryName=LSMOBI&CategoryDomainName=Store-Storefront |title=BMW Online Shop |publisher=Shop.bmwgroup.com |date=21 March 2009 |accessdate=11 April 2009}}</ref> In the United States, only the Cruise Bike and Kid's Bike models are sold.

==BMW nomenclature==
]
]
]
]
]
BMW vehicles follow a certain ]; usually a 3 digit number is followed by 1 or 2 letters. The first number represents the series number. The next two numbers traditionally represent the ] in cubic centimeters divided by 100.<ref>{{cite web|author=Interone Worldwide GmbH |url=http://www.bmw.ca |title=BMW Canada – The Ultimate Driving Experience |publisher=Bmw.ca |date= |accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref> However, more recent cars use those two numbers as a performance index, as e.g. the 116i, 118i and 120i (all 2,0L gas-powered), just like the 325d and 330d (both 3,0L diesel) share the same motor block while adjusting engine power through setup and turbocharging. A ] is used by ] for their motorcycles.

The system of letters can be used in combination, and is as follows:
* A = ]
* C = ], last used on the ] and the ] (dropped after 2005 model year)
* c = ]
* d = ]<sup>†</sup>
* e = ] (efficient economy, from the ])
* g = ]
* h = ]
* i = ]
* L = ]
* s = sport, also means "2 dr" on E36 model<sup>††</sup>
* sDrive = ]
* T = ]
* Ti = ] for the ]
* x / xDrive = ] ]

<sup>†</sup> historic nomenclature indicating "td" refers to "Turbo Diesel", not a diesel hatchback or touring model (524td, 525td)

<sup>††</sup> typically includes sport seats, spoiler, aerodynamic body kit, upgraded wheels and Limit Slip Differential on pre-95 model etc.

For example, the BMW 750iL is a fuel-injected 7 Series with a long wheelbase and 5.4 &nbsp;litres of displacement. This badge was used for successive generations, E65 and F01, except the "i" and "L" switched places, so it read "Li" instead of "iL".

When 'L' supersedes the series number (e.g. L6, L7, etc.) it identifies the vehicle as a special luxury variant, having extended leather and special interior appointments. The L7 is based on the E23 and E38, and the L6 is based on the E24.

When 'X' is capitalised and supersedes the series number (e.g. X3, X5, etc.) it identifies the vehicle as one of BMW's Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV), their brand of ], with ]. The second number in the 'X' series denotes the platform that it is based upon, for instance the X5 is derived from the 5 Series. Unlike BMW cars, the SAV's main badge does not denote engine size; the engine is instead indicated on side badges.

The 'Z' identifies the vehicle as a two-seat roadster (e.g. Z1, Z3, Z4, etc.). 'M' variants of 'Z' models have the 'M' as a suffix or prefix, depending on country of sale (e.g. 'Z4 M' is 'M Roadster' in Canada).

Previous X & Z vehicles had 'i' or 'si' following the engine displacement number (denoted in litres). BMW is now globally standardising this nomenclature on X & Z vehicles by using 'sDrive' or 'xDrive' (simply meaning rear or all-wheel drive, respectively) followed by two numbers which vaguely represent the vehicle's engine (e.g. Z4 sDrive35i is a rear-wheel-drive Z4 roadster with a 3.0&nbsp;L twin-turbo fuel-injected engine).<ref>FAQ from the BMW Z4 Press Conference, as reported by BMWBLOG, 8 May 2009. http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/05/08/faq-from-the-recent-bmw-press-conference</ref>

BMW last used the 's' for the E36 328is, which ceased production in 1999. However, the 's' nomenclature was brought back on the 2011 model year BMW 335is and BMW Z4 sDrive35is. The 335is is a sport-tuned trim with more performance and an optional ] that slots between the regular 335i and top-of-the-line ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posteddriving/archive/2010/01/25/preview-2011-160-bmw-335is-coupe.aspx |title=Preview: 2011 BMW 335is Coupe – Posted Driving |publisher=Network.nationalpost.com |accessdate=28 August 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cunningham |first=Wayne |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-10863_7-10004093.html |title=2011 BMW 335is (photos) – CNET Reviews |publisher=Reviews.cnet.com |date=13 July 2010 |accessdate=28 August 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100827174943/http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-10863_7-10004093.html?| archivedate= 27 August 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>

The 'M' – for ] – identifies the vehicle as a high-performance model of a particular series (e.g. M3, M5, M6, etc.). For example, the M6 is the highest performing vehicle in the 6 Series lineup. Although 'M' cars should be separated into their respective series platforms, it is very common to see 'M' cars grouped together as its own lineup on the official BMW website.

===Exceptions===
There are exceptions to the numbering nomenclature.<ref>http://www.mrbimmer.com/bmw.information</ref>

The M version of the ] was named the ] rather than the traditional style "M1" due to the possible confusion with BMW's former ] homologation sports car.

The M versions of the Sports Activity Vehicles, such as the ], could not follow the regular naming convention since MX5 was used for ]'s ].

For instance in the 2008 model year, the BMW 125i/128i, 328i, and 528i all had 3.0 naturally aspirated engines (]), not a 2,500&nbsp;cc or 2,800&nbsp;cc engine as the series designation number would lead one to believe. The '28' is to denote a detuned engine in the 2008 cars, compared to the 2006 model year '30' vehicles (330i and 530i) whose 3.0 naturally aspirated engines are from the same N52 family but had more output.

The 2008 BMW 335i and 535i also have 3.0-litre engine; however the engines are ] (]) which is not identified by the nomenclature. Nonetheless the '35' indicates a more powerful engine than previous '30' models that have the ]. The 2011 BMW 740i and 335is shares the same twin-turbo 3.0 engine from the N54 family but tuned to higher outputs, although the badging is not consistent ('40' and 's'). The 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe's twin-scroll single turbo 3.0L inline-6 engine makes similar output to the older twin turbo inline-6 engines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1205_2013_bmw_640i_gran_coupe/ |title=First Drive: 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe - Automobile Magazine |publisher=Automobilemag.com |date= |accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref>

The E36 and E46 323i and E39 523i had 2.5-litre engines. The E36 318i made after 1996 has a 1.9&nbsp;L engine (]) as opposed to the 1.8&nbsp;L (]) used in the 1992 to 1995 models. The E39 540i had a 4.4&nbsp;L ] engine, instead of a 4.0&nbsp;L as the designation would suggest.

The badging for recent V8 engines (] and ]) also does not indicate displacement, as the 2006 750i and 2009 750i have 4800&nbsp;cc (naturally aspirated) and 4400&nbsp;cc (twin-turbocharged) engines, respectively.

==Carsharing services==
In June 2011, BMW and Sixt launched ], a joint-venture that provides carsharing services in several cities in Europe and North America. As of December 2012, DriveNow operates over 1,000 vehicles, which serve five cities worldwide and over 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=2012-10-30 |accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref>

==Community==
]]]
From the summer of 2001 until October 2005, BMW hosted ], showcasing sporty models being driven to extremes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bmwfilms.com|title=BMW Films |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927185229/http://www.bmwfilms.com/ |archivedate=27 September 2007}}</ref> These videos are still popular within the enthusiast community and proved to be a ground-breaking online advertising campaign.

Annually since 1999, BMW enthusiasts have met in Santa Barbara, CA to attend ]. One of the largest brand-specific gatherings in the U.S., over 3,000 people attended in 2006, and over 1,000 BMW cars were present. In 2007, the event was held on 5 May.

===BMW slang===
The initials BMW are pronounced {{IPA-de|ˈbeː ˈɛm ˈveː|}} in German.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://books.google.com/?id=qOAYAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1 |title=A short German grammar for high schools and colleges|first=Edward |last=Stevens Sheldon |publisher=Heath |year=1891 |page=1 }}</ref> The model series are referred to as "Einser" ("One-er" for 1 series), "Dreier" ("Three-er" for 3 series), "Fünfer" ("Five-er" for the 5 series), "Sechser" ("Six-er" for the 6 series), "Siebener" ("Seven-er" for the 7 series). These are not actually slang, but are the normal way that such letters and numbers are pronounced in German.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://books.google.com/?id=Cj4uMZybXuYC&pg=PA195&dq=BMW++Dreier++F%C3%BCnfer++Siebener |title=Langenscheidt Fachwörterbuch Technik und Angewandte Wissenschaften: Englisch – Deutsch / Deutsch – Englisch |first=Peter A |last=Schmitt |edition=2nd |publisher=Langenscheidt Fachverlag |year=2004 |isbn=978-3-86117-233-8}}</ref>

The English slang terms Beemer, Bimmer and Bee-em are variously used for BMWs of all kinds,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/3913069|title=Bee em / BMW Motorcycle Club of Victoria Inc|publisher=] |accessdate=23 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/auto/autoreview/24915/no-toupees-allowed|title=No Toupees allowed|publisher=]|date=209–10–02|accessdate=24 October 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2012}}</ref> 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=126–7 |quote='''Beemer''' ''n.'' <nowiki></nowiki> a BMW automobile. Also '''Beamer.''' '''1982''' S. Black ''Totally Awesome'' 83 BMW ("Beemer"). '''1985''' ''L.A. Times'' (13 April) V 4: Id much rather drive my Beemer than a truck. '''1989''' L. Roberts ''Full Cleveland'' 39: Baby boomers... in... late-model Beemers. '''1990''' ''Hull High'' (NBC-TV): You should ee my dad's new Beemer. '''1991''' ''Cathy'' (synd. cartoon strip) (21 April): Sheila... <nowiki></nowiki> multi-grain snack chips crumbs into the back seat of my brand-new Beamer! '''1992''' ''Time'' (18 May) 84: Its residents tend to drive pickups or subcompacts, not Beemers or Rolles.}}</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=159 |quote='''Bimmer''' ''n.'' <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Beemer.</span> }}</ref>

In the US, specialists have been at pains to ] that a distinction must be made between using Beemer exclusively to describe BMW motorcycles, and using Bimmer only to refer to BMW cars,<ref name="boston-bmwcca.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/reference/Bimmer-Beemer.aspx|title=Bimmer vs. Beemer|accessdate=23 June 2007|work=boston-bmwcca.org| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070701003929/http://boston-bmwcca.org/reference/bimmer-beemer.aspx| archivedate= 1 July 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=The Savvy Guide to Motorcycles |first=Shirley |last=Duglin Kennedy |publisher=Indy Tech Publishing |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-7906-1316-1 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=kEX7Ncd3hO4C&pg=PA230 |quote='''Beemer''' – BMW motorcycle; as opposed to Bimmer, which is a BMW automobile. }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Brock |last=Yates |quote='Bimmer' is the slang for a BMW automobile, but 'Beemer' is right when referring to the company's motorcycles. |url=<!-- http://ezproxy.spl.org:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=73786061&Fmt=3&clientId=11206&RQT=309&VName=PQD --> |date=12 March 1989 |title=You Say Porsch and I Say Porsch-eh |periodical=The Washington Post |page= w45}}{{Dead link|date=September 2009}}</ref> in the manner of a "true aficionado"<ref>{{Cite book |title=Doing Good |first=Pamela |last=Morsi |publisher=Mira |year=2002 |isbn=978-1-55166-884-0 |page=18 |quote=True aficionados know that the nickname Beemer actually refers to the BMW motorcycle. Bimmer is the correct nickname for the automobile }}</ref> and avoid appearing to be "uninitiated."<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://books.google.com/?id=Jn4n9199Y7cC&pg=PA2&dq=bimmer+beemer |title=Selling Air: A Tech Bubble Novel |first1=Dan |last1=Herchenroether |last2=SellingAir, LLC |publisher=SellingAir, LLC |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-9754224-0-3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Hydrogen & fuel cell letter |first=Peter |last=Hoffmann |year=1998 |quote=For the uninitiated, a Bimmer is a BMW car, and a Beemer is a motorcycle. |url=http://books.google.com/?id=9kZWAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Peter Hoffmann }}</ref>
The Canadian '']'' prefers Bimmer and calls Beemer a "yuppie abomination,"<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |quote=If you're a Bimmer enthusiast (not that horrible leftover 1980s yuppie abomination Beemer), you've undoubtedly read the reviews, |url=http://www.driftuniversity.com/why-wait-for-spring-lease-it-now/ |title=Why wait for spring? Lease it now |first=Bob |last=English |date=7 April 2009 |periodical=Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, CA |publisher=CTVglobemedia Publishing }}{{dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref> while the '']'' says it is a distinction made by "auto snobs."<ref>THE NOSE: FWay students knew who they were voting for in school poll :. 25 October 2002. The News Tribune,p. B01. Retrieved 6 July 2009, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 223030831) |quote=We're told by auto snobs that the word 'beemer' actually refers to the BMW motorcycle, and that when referring to a BMW automobile, the word's pronounced 'bimmer.'</ref> Using the wrong slang risks offending BMW enthusiasts.<ref>{{Cite news |quote=I was informed a while back that BMW cars are 'Bimmers' and BMW motorcycles are 'Beemers' or 'Beamers.' I know that I am not here to change the world's BMW jargon nor do I even own a BMW, but I thought I would pass along this bit of info as not to offend the car enthusiast that enlightened me. |date= 25 May 2005 |periodical =Las Vegas Review-Journal |title=ROAD WARRIOR Q&A: Freeway Frustration |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/May-25-Wed-2005/news/26427972.html }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=GWINNETT VENT.(Gwinnett News) |periodical=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |location=Atlanta, GA |date=11 February 2006 |page=J2 |quote=It is Bimmers people, Bimmers. Not Beamers, not Beemers. Just Bimmers. And start pronouncing it correctly also.<br />No, it's BMWs, not Bimmers.<br />WOW! Some Beamer driver must be having a bad hair day. |url= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |quote=Bimmers (yes, it's 'Bimmer' for cars—the often misused 'Beemer' refers only to the motorcycles). |title=Why Is BMW Driving Itself Crazy? The Rover deal was a dog, but it didn't cure BMW's desire to be a big-league carmaker—even if that means more risky tactics |periodical=Fortune Magazine |first= Sue |last=Zesiger |date=26 June 2000 |url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2000/06/26/282975/index.htm |publisher=CNN }}</ref> An editor of '']'' was satisfied in 2003 that the question was resolved in favor of Bimmer by noting that a Google search yielded 10 times as many hits compared to Beemer.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_26/c3839103_mz030.htm |quote=Editor's note: Both nicknames are widely used, though Bimmer is the correct term for BMW cars, Beemer for BMW motorcycles. A Google search yields approximately 10 times as many references to Bimmer as to Beemer. |title=International – Readers Report. Not All BMW Owners Are Smitten | date=30 June 2003 | periodical=Business Week |publisher=The McGraw-Hill Companies }}</ref>

===The arts===
]

Manufacturers employ ]s for their cars, but BMW has made efforts to gain recognition for exceptional contributions to and support of the arts, including art beyond motor vehicle design. These efforts typically overlap or complement BMW's marketing and branding campaigns.<ref>{{Cite news |title=BMW Commissions Artists for Auto Werke Art Project |periodical=Art Business News| year= 2000 |volume=27 |issue=13 |page=22 }}</ref> ] designed in 1972 by Karl Schwanzer has become a European icon,<ref name=Patton2009/> and artist ] created his ''Red, Yellow, Blue'' series of paintings for the building's lobby.<ref>{{Cite book |url=<!-- http://www.stoutbooks.com/cgi-bin/stoutbooks.cgi/76418.html --> |last1=Friedel |first1= Helmut |first2= Robert|last2= Storr |title=Gerhard Richter: Red – Yellow – Blue |publisher=Prestel |isbn=978-3-7913-3860-6 |year=2007}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Action Painting, motorized |first= Christopher |last=Shea |date=27 March 2009 |url=http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/2009/03/action_painting.html | newspaper=] }}</ref> In 1975, ] was commissioned to paint the ] driven by Hervé Poulain at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This led to more ]s, painted by artists including ], ], ], and others. The cars, currently numbering 17, have been shown at the ], ], and, in 2009, at the ] and New York's ].<ref name=Patton2009>{{Cite news
|last=Patton |first=Phil |date=12 March 2009 |title=These Canvases Need Oil and a Good Driver |periodical=] |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/automobiles/collectibles/15artcars.html |page=AU1}}</ref> BMW was the principal sponsor of the 1998 '']'' exhibition at the ] and other Guggenheim museums, though the financial relationship between BMW and the Guggenheim was criticised in many quarters.<ref>{{Cite journal
| author=""Economist, The (US)''|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 |publisher=The Economist Newspaper and The Economist Group |authorlink=The Economist}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
|last=Vogel |first=Carol| date=3 August 1998 |title=Latest Biker Hangout? Guggenheim Ramp |periodical=] |page=A1 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/03/arts/latest-biker-hangout-guggenheim-ramp.html}}</ref>

In 2012, BMW brought out the BMW Art Guide by ], which had, amongst others, the ].
It is the first global guide to private and publicly accessible collections of contemporary art world wide.{{cn|date=February 2014}}

{{Commons category|BMW Art Cars}}The 2006 "BMW Performance Series" was a marketing event geared to attract black car buyers, and included the "BMW Pop-Jazz Live Series," a tour headlined by jazz musician Mike Phillips, and the "BMW Blackfilms.com Film Series" highlighting black filmmakers.<ref>{{Cite news |title=BMW arts series aims at black consumers |periodical=Automotive News |volume=80 |issue=6215 |date=7 August 2006 |page=37 }}</ref>

===April Fools===
BMW has garnered a reputation over the years for its ] pranks, which are printed in the British press every year. In 2010, they ran an advert announcing that customers would be able to order BMWs with different coloured badges to show their affiliation with the political party they supported.

==Overseas subsidiaries==

===Canada===
In October 2008, BMW Group Canada was named one of ] by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the ] newspaper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eluta.ca/top-employer-bmw-group-canada |title=Reasons for Selection, 2009 Greater Toronto's Top Employers Competition |publisher=Eluta.ca |date=2013-09-24 |accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref>

===China===
{{Main|BMW Brilliance}}
Signing a deal in 2003 for the production of sedans in China,<ref> Brilliance Auto Official Site</ref> May 2004 saw the opening of a factory in the North-eastern city of ] where ] produces BMW-branded automobiles<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.testdriven.co.uk/news.cfm/bmw-opens-china-factory |title=BMW opens China factory – TestDriven.co.uk |publisher=Testdriven.co.uk |date=21 May 2004 |accessdate=11 April 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090321202512/http://www.testdriven.co.uk/news.cfm/bmw-opens-china-factory| archivedate= 21 March 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> in a joint venture with the German company.<ref name="bmw sub"> Brilliance Auto Official Site</ref>

===Egypt===
] is a multinational group of companies established in March 2003 when it was appointed as the sole importer of BMW and Mini in Egypt, with monopoly rights for import, assembly, distribution, sales and after-sales support of BMW products in Egypt. Since that date, BAG invested a total amount of US$100 million distributed on seven companies and 11 premises in addition to three stores.

===India===


] was established in 2006 as a sales subsidiary in ] (National Capital Region). A state-of-the-art assembly plant for BMW 3 and 5 Series started operation in early 2007 in ]. Construction of the plant started in January 2006 with an initial investment of more than one billion Indian Rupees. The plant started operation in the first quarter of 2007 and produces the different variants of ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|author=Interone Worldwide GmbH |url=http://www.bmw.in/in/en/index_narrowband.html |title=International BMW website |publisher=Bmw.in |date=11 December 2006 |accessdate=11 April 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090417153657/http://www.bmw.in/in/en/index_narrowband.html| archivedate= 17 April 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>

===Japan===
] is the exclusive retailer of all imported BMW (passenger cars and motorcycles) products to Japanese consumers, and has had the exclusive rights to do so since the end of World War II.

===South Africa===
BMWs have been assembled in South Africa since 1968,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bmw.co.za/products/automobiles/bmw_insights/history.asp|publisher=BMW South Africa|title=Corporate Information: History}}</ref> when Praetor Monteerders' plant was opened in ], near ]. 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. Three unique models that ] created for the South African market were the ] M745i (1983), which used the ] engine from the ], the BMW 333i (1986), which added a six-cylinder 3.2-litre ] engine to the ],<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 |accessdate=11 April 2009}}</ref> and the ] BMW 325is (1989) which was powered by an ]-derived 2.7-litre engine.

Unlike U.S. manufacturers, such as ] and ], which divested from the country in the 1980s, BMW retained full ownership of its operations in South Africa. Following the end of ] 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 ] markets including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as well as ]. Since 1997, BMW South Africa has produced vehicles in ] for export to ], the United States and ], as well as South America.

BMWs with a ] starting with "NC0" are manufactured in South Africa.

===United States===
] factory]]

The ] opened in 1994 and has been manufacturing all ] and ] models, and more recently the ] and ], including those for export to Europe, on the same assembly line in ] near ], South Carolina, USA.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.worldcarfans.com/10609256128/last-of-first-generation-bmw-x5-manufactured |title=Out with the old, in with the new|publisher=BMW AG|date=16 October 2006|accessdate=4 September 2008}}</ref> In an average work day the company builds 600 vehicles: 500 X5s and 100 Z4s. The engines for these vehicles are built in Munich, Germany. BMWs with a ] starting with "4US and 5US" are manufactured at Spartanburg.

In 2010 BMW announced that it would spend $750&nbsp;million to expand operations at the Greer plant. This expansion will allow production of 240,000 vehicles a year and will make the plant the largest car factory in the United States by number of employees.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bennett|first=Jeff|title=BMW to Expand Plant in South Carolina|newspaper=]|date=14 October 2010|page=B5}}</ref> USA market is BMW's biggest single market.

Currently, the facility produces all BMW X3, X5 and X6 models. The X4, which will be launched in 2014, will also be produced in Spartanburg.<ref>http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634733</ref>

==Marketing==

===Audio logo===
In 2013, BMW replaced the 'double-gong' sound used in TV and Radio advertising campaign since 1998 with to represent the future identity of BMW, which was described as "introduced by a rising, resonant sound and underscored by two distinctive bass tones that form the sound logo's melodic and rhythmic basis."<ref>{{cite web|author=Sofia Johansson|url=http://www.psfk.com/2013/03/bmw-sound-logo.html |title=BMW Updates Their Iconic Sound Logo |publisher=PSFK |date=2013-03-22 |accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref> The new sound was first used in BMW 4 Series Concept Coupe TV commercial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autoevolution.com/bmw-blog/bmw-introduces-new-sound-logo-video-56578.html |title=BMW Introduces New Sound Logo |publisher=Autoevolution.com |date=2013-03-19 |accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref> The sound was produced by Thomas Kisser of HASTINGS media music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/new-sound-logo-for-bmw-revealed-21692.aspx |title=New sound logo for BMW revealed |publisher=Motortorque.com |date=2013-03-19 |accessdate=2013-09-29}}</ref>

===Roundel logo===
The circular blue and white BMW logo or ] evolved from the circular ] company logo, from which the BMW company grew, combined with the blue and white colors of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znBnNJ1Fv08 |title=The origin of the BMW logo |accessdate=29 December 2011|author=BMW }}</ref> The logo has been portrayed as the movement of an aircraft propeller with the white blades cutting through a blue sky—first used in a BMW advertisement in 1929, twelve years after the roundel was created—but this is not the origin of the logo itself.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/bmw-roundel-not-born-from-planes/ |title=BMW Roundel: Not Born From Planes |accessdate=29 December 2011|author=Stephen Williams }}</ref>

==Theft using OBD==
In 2012, BMW vehicles were stolen by programming a blank key fob to start the car through the ] (OBD) connection.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2169857/Alarming-moment-thieves-silently-steal-BMW-programming-blank-key-cost-just-70.html|title=Alarming moment thieves silently steal BMW by programming a blank key that cost just £70 in new crime trend sweeping Britain|date=6 July 2012|accessdate=23 August 2012|publisher=Daily Mail|first=James|last=Titcomb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pistonheads report into thefts via obd|url=http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=25953|accessdate=2 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://jalopnik.com/5923802/watch-hackers-steal-a-bmw-in-three-minutes|title=Watch Hackers Steal A BMW In Three Minutes|first=Jason|last=Torchinsky|date=6 July 2012|accessdate=28 August 2012|publisher=Jalopnik}}</ref> The primary causes of this vulnerability lie in the lack of appropriate ] and ] in the OBD specifications, which rely largely on ].<ref>{{cite paper|url=https://isc.sans.edu/presentations/sansfire2012-Rob_Vandenbrink-obd-preso.pdf|format=PDF|title=Dude, Your Car is Pwnd|first=Rob|last=Van den Brink|publisher=]}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Bavaria|Companies|Cars}}
{|
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* ]
* ]
* ]
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* ]
* ] - BMW Skateboard
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==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|BMW}}
{{wikinews|BMW announces 7.6% sales rise as US, China demand grows}}
*
*
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* {{dmoz|Recreation/Autos/Makes_and_Models/BMW|BMW autos}}
* {{dmoz|Recreation/Motorcycles/Makes_and_Models/BMW|BMW motorcycles}}
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======================= {{No more links}} ====================-->
{{BMW}}
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{{BMW motorcycles}}
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{{BMW early cars}}
{{BMW cars}}
{{BMW aeroengines}}
{{Euro Stoxx 50 Companies}}
{{DAX companies}}
{{Automotive industry in Germany}}

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BMW History - 1959 to 1995 period is empty !!

Almost thirty years including first export of cars, etc, is not covered. Someone should update this, as it's pretty bad. Sadly, I don't know enough. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.21.43.245 (talk) 19:05, 29 October 2010 (UTC)

Origin of BMW logo "has all changed in the last year"

Article should probably be updated; apparently BMW museum has come upon documents recently that prove the 1917 design was solely a version of the colors, and the propeller connection wasn't made until 1929. At least, that seems to be the official BMW version now. --Dbratland (talk) 05:06, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Based on this video from BMW it's clear that BMW has concretely identified its logo as being a modification of the Rapp logo. Any association with an airplane propeller has to be a later addition to the BMW lore, and should be removed as the inspiration of the logo. ShinySteelRobot (talk) 23:39, 29 December 2011 (UTC)

Nazi connections

I have made this section smaller due to undue weight, this is not a BMW bashing witch hunt article, and neither is it a Quandt article - considering what BMW are notable for, you should not devote so much of the article to whining about the Nazis, otherwise any article relating to Germany could have an extensive whining Nazi past section. 119.173.81.176 (talk) 05:24, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I undid your edit. If you scroll up you can see this has been discussed more than once, and the undue weight argument has failed to win consensus. It's too bad those who want to reduce or eliminate the Nazi section want to edit anonymously. It's impossible to tell if this is three editors or one, but that's not my problem.

My advice would be to create an account and/or to then make a proposal here on the talk page to refactor the Nazi section. The sense I get is that most editors don't see undue weight here, and your best bet would be to come armed with numerous good sources that support the argument to remove material in question. Or just let it go; it really is a small part of a big article. --Dbratland (talk) 05:54, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

just letting it go is probably the wise choice, removing cited information when there are no BLP issues is always hard, I don't agree with the amount of space taken up by that section, but if people take the time to read it they will realise the extent of BMW's Nazi past - afterall it is not as if BMW was making Zyklon B or running death camps. 119.173.81.176 (talk) 06:07, 10 January 2010 (UTC)
This danish freedom fighter section in the company history is rediculous. There might have been thousands of claims against BMW after the war, it´s plain cherry picking to just list one in detail in a brief summary, that doesn´t even try to cover the whole history. There is a separate article for this purpose, namely the history of BMW. I seriously doubt that a random reader of this article would appreciate such trivial remarks. Let´s try to make this article coherent. I want this article to explain the history of BMW, not the nazi past of Quandt family. Instead, there should be a separate article for that purpose. My suggestion for the structure of this article is, that is should cover the foundation, start up of the different branches, involvement in WWII production (what type of stuff it produced and that slave labour was used) and the history after WWII. If the history section consists of, say 5 paragraphs, I´d say one paragraph dedicated for this purpose is definitely the ceiling. The history from 60´s onwards is much more related to the current business. (Villevav (talk) 09:04, 25 February 2010 (UTC))
I agree that this content is of tenuous relevance to this article. Günther Quandt would be a more appropriate article. Letdorf (talk) 22:04, 7 October 2010 (UTC).
See also this archived discussion, where another user pointed out Misplaced Pages:Coatrack. Is the artilce about BMW or Günther Quandt? Let's say the current CEO of XYZ Enterprises was prosecuted for a crime (e.g. financial fraud) during the 1970s, would that mean that half of the history section of the "XYZ Enterprises" article should be devoted to discussion about the CEO's fraudulent behaviour? I would say no, as the article is about the company, not the unrelated activities of its employees.
Companies tend to work with the respective governments of the day otherwise they would not be in business for much longer. This applies regardless of whether people or other countries find the activities of the government objectionable (take a look at all the Western companies operating in China right now, they do everything they can to comply with the regulations in that country). Almost every major German company operating at the time would have had some Nazi connections as this was required by German law. For the companies involved it was a choice of compliance or perish. Like it or not, ethical compliance is not the primary goal for most corporations. The focus should shift away from Quandt towards the role of BMW as a company in regards to compliance with the laws in place from 1933–1945. OSX (talk • contributions) 01:05, 8 October 2010 (UTC)
The section in question is hardly relevant to this article. The sole link to BMW is that Quandt became a shareholder, 15 years after WWII. The remainder of the section is about the Quandt family, it has nothing to do with BMW. --Sable232 (talk) 18:35, 8 October 2010 (UTC)

Right now all that the article say in relation to the Nazis is that BMW did a super-great job building super-special jet fighters for the Luftwaffe so that the Germans could keep killing RAF fighters and keep fighting for Hitler and so on-- good for them, right, what clever little Germans they are.

So I guess all you guys who wanted to whitewash that part of the article did a pretty great job, but, I'm pretty suspicious of the whole thing now. I mean, now, all it does is say how GOOD they were and how CLEVER-- like we should DEFEND their work with Hitler, you know.

And I'm not sure that that's the appropriate stance to take on this important issue.

Like, *what* did the article use to say? What did it use to say?

What did they do that was so bad, that, now we can't hear about it anymore?

Did they use slave labor, for example?

Is that what they did that we need to cover up? Did they use slave labor?

If they were *so good* that they didn't use slave labor, then, maybe we should mention that. Or, if they *did* use slave labor, then, maybe we should explain that they supported Hitler and the Nazis, and, not just as a CHARITY EVENT, but, because they wanted some slaves to put to work building cars and everything, right.

After all, as the whitewashers have implied, it was pretty common for Germans to be Nazi fascists who loved Hitler, and, yeah, maybe this is *relevant* in terms of.... business ethics, maybe? Some business books say that ethics are important-- business ethics. And I guess that whether or not you think that Hitler is a fucking fascist or not is an important part of that.

Or else we can just revert to pro-Nazi apologetics: all Germans were Nazis, and, therefore, because all Germans did that, *because that's the way that Germans acted*, it must have been okay, because it just is, because Germans are.... always okay!*

And, you know, since we know that it's not okay, let's just not talk about it, right.

But, why don't we talk about this? No need to get *mealy-mouthed and vague*, let's talk about specifics.

As good Germans, BMW happily compiled with all the Nazi laws that were in place during Hitler's cheerful administration of 1933-1945.

And we'd expect nothing less from them, right. After all, this is apparently the way that Germans normally behave, there's almost no need to mention it *every* time that Germans were fascist criminals, since they were really *all* like that, huh, whitewashers?

BMW compiled with Hitler's laws for twelve years.

Let's talk about specifics.

What does that mean.

What did they do.

!

Kwiataprilensis (talk) 00:51, 28 January 2013 (UTC)

G Power and Alpina bought by BMW

This is clearly a hoax. Good riddance.

It also serves as an example of why unsourced additions should be reverted immediately, especially if they contain anything but utterly commonplace, perfectly logical and well-known facts. But buying two little accessories companies on the same date, for € 1.3 billion and € 2.7 billion, with not an iota of news and no press releases, is obviously bullshit. --Dbratland (talk) 03:59, 14 January 2010 (UTC)

Change to model line up display

I have simplified the list of current BMWs.

It is far too congested and if someone wanted to find a quick link to all of the BMWs it is far more easier to do it now than before where you had to read three paragraphs. It has worked well on Mercedes-Benz for years now. Wjs.william (talk) 02:06, 23 May 2010 (UTC)

The main tool Misplaced Pages has for that purpose is categories, in this case, Category:BMW vehicles. There is also a page called List of BMW vehicles for anyone who wants the same information in a somewhat different format. Taking the same information, and putting it into yet a third format on BMW is not helpful. --Dbratland (talk) 02:14, 23 May 2010 (UTC)
And on the bottom of the page is the same links to BMW cars formatted in another way, in a timeline. If a reader can't find the BMW they want in the category, the list, or the timeline, not to mention the search engine, there's no helping them. --Dbratland (talk) 02:18, 23 May 2010 (UTC)
I have no problem with you putting a short list in the article as it complements the existing prose, but in my opinion the prose is much more useful and should stay and agree with others (like me) who have reinstated it following your repeated deletion. However, I did rework the list (assuming it is going to stay) to use more conventional formatting and a single link on each line. --Biker Biker (talk) 07:31, 23 May 2010 (UTC)
Thanks for your work. I just had used it and I thought that it was too cluttered if you just wanted to quickly find a model. Looks much better now.Wjs.william (talk) 08:41, 23 May 2010 (UTC)

Largest luxury car maker claim

I have twice removed the claim in the intro that BMW is the largest luxury car manufacturer - the first time it was uncited, the second time it was cited but with nothing more than a passing reference in an article about a different company. I have issues with these "largest" claims. Firstly by what measure is the largest claim being made? i.e. by units produced, by revenue? What portion of BMW's vehicles can be classed as luxury cars? Certainly the 1 series and the MINI aren't, nor are their bikes which make up a proportion of their revenue. I think the claim is so riddled with potential pitfalls that it is best to omit it unless really clear comparison criteria and supporting data can be produced. --Biker Biker (talk) 10:40, 9 June 2010 (UTC)

I think this is pretty definitive. Gr1st (talk) 17:50, 9 June 2010 (UTC)
It isn't though. I does separate MINI and Rolls Royce, but does not make any other model distinctions. I would challenge anyone who says that the 1 series is a luxury vehicle. "Luxury" is a purely subject term and as such I think it should be avoided when making claims of "biggest in the world". By all means include data on BMW's sales - that is a great reference, and even compare them with its competitors, but I'd prefer if it was left at that.--Biker Biker (talk) 18:03, 9 June 2010 (UTC) (EDIT of course I meant "subjective term" not "subject term". --Biker Biker (talk) 20:24, 9 June 2010 (UTC))
I agree the business week article is insufficient. Looking at the 2008 production numbers at OICA , it's not clear at all whether Mercedes or BMW makes more cars -- subtracting the Minis and the Smart Cars, retrospectively -- you end up with about the same number for each, in the neighborhood of 1 to 1.2 million. Subtract the non-luxury cars from the remainder and its anybody's guess which one comes out ahead. And that was in 2008, and a lot has changed since then. The top 5 car makers, Toyota, GM, VW, Ford and Honda, each made 3 to 5 times as many cars as BMW, and any one of them could have made more than the 1 to 1.2 million (theoretically) luxury cars as BMW.

So what data we have suggests its too close to call without very definite numbers. And I see no urgent need to have any superlative about the top luxury car maker without strong support -- how does it really make the article better, anyway? --Dbratland (talk) 19:13, 9 June 2010 (UTC)

And I did not even think of BMW as a luxury car. I have tried a BMW, that was like driving a dodgem car. --82.134.28.194 (talk) 09:13, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Clean up of Bimmer and Beemer?

Any explanation for deleting this paragraph? It's well sourced and relevant. "Clean up" doesn't tell us much. --Dbratland (talk) 02:20, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

Porm industry, marc williams

Appears that the page has been hijacked. Founder is inexplicably a "marc williams," and the company was established in 19177777777777777777777?

I can't help right now, but entire article might need a readover. Luckily, looks like the hijacker doesn't like to use capital letters.

Somebody help!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.111.29.12 (talk) 13:59, 24 March 2011 (UTC)

Arts section addition

BMW Guggenheim Lab is to be a multidisciplinary exhibition, forum, think tank, etc. --Dennis Bratland (talk) 03:35, 6 September 2011 (UTC)

Year of establishment

The year of establishment in this article could not be right(in box). If you switch to the german version of this article you could see that it have another foundation date: 7. März/March 1916 I think this should be changed because as Germans they better know when one of their companies was founded. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.218.186.196 (talk) 19:26, 5 December 2011 (UTC)

According to BMW's own website: 1917. BFW was formed in 1916. Warren (talk)

A bad image

That picture at the box in this article is bad - I think we all know what that picture is the Jon Woods one, but it's not related to the BMW article at all. I think a removing this unrelated picture. --Jason 07:17, 9 April 2006 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jason sanez (talk • contribs)

'WikiProject: BMW Motorcycle' Proposal

Dear all,

I am currently proposing this new WikiProject would have the primary aim of creating and developing a page for each model (both old and new) of BMW motorcycle produced in the company's history. This would enable a highly valuable resource to be for both enthusiasts and restorers such as myself to be created, where extensive information about specifications, development, modifications and the history behind could be found. Not only this, but it would encourage motorcycle enthusiasts, who would not normally have used Misplaced Pages, to both use its resources and to contribute to the project's pages, becoming part of the motorcycle fraternity which would be the driving force behind this community. Once this task has been completed of English Misplaced Pages, I, with help of other editors and members of the project, would like to then translate the pages into other languages (particularly German, in order to make the resources available in Germany, where many BMW enthusiasts and restorers are concentrated), and so contribute to the wider Misplaced Pages group. The WikiProject, would also contribute large numbers of pictures to Wikimedia, as part of its galleries.

In order to promote the group and encourage the growth of the articles in our scope, the WikiProject is not only being promoted to present editors who are currently active editing articles on BMW itself and motorcycles in general, but also notify groups such as the Vintage Motor Cycle Club and the BMW Club in the U.K., which would encourage members (20,000+) to contribute some of the extensive knowledge of the topic which is demonstrated by members of these clubs. Members of the WikiProject who are active in clubs outside of the U.K., would also be encouraged to promote the Project to their respective society, making the WikiProject multinational. Current, more experienced editors, would then help the 'new boys' to use Misplaced Pages and share their knowledge, which has often been built up during the course of a lifetime of passion for BMW motorcycles. This would enable us, together, to produce a resource which will help generations long into the future and help preserve and catalogue BMW's legacy in the motorcycle industry.

Currently, there are no such WikiProjects which would be dedicated solely to the BMW motorcycles (not even BMW itself) and the development of pages on each individual model, in opposed to the current situation where some models are briefly referred on a BMW related page. This WikiProject would allow this community of people who are highly knowledgeable about this specific topic to develop articles in extreme depth, something not possible with larger groups, which could then be published on the world wide web, available gratis, as with all Misplaced Pages articles, to the public.

If successful, the idea could serve as a blueprint and be replicated for other motorcycle manufacturers.

Please visit the project proposal page, in order to see more details of the project and to join. Any questions or queries can be posted either on the proposal page, or I can be contacted directly on my talk page.

Many thanks and any help from fellow enthusiasts on this project would be greatly appreciated.

DAFMM (talk) 15:35, 16 June 2012 (UTC)

Theft using OBD

Is it just me or does this section seem woefully out of place and just odd given the overall content and context of the article?--Scalhotrod - Just your average banjo playing, drag racing, cowboy... (talk) 16:44, 25 December 2012 (UTC)

It got a lot of press footage in the UK. I don't think it needs its own section, but the information is nevertheless useful and relevant IMO. --Biker Biker (talk) 16:59, 25 December 2012 (UTC)
I remember it getting press in the US as well. I mainly just think its out of place in the article. Is it significant (WP Notable) enough that it deserves its own article?--Scalhotrod - Just your average banjo playing, drag racing, cowboy... (talk) 00:08, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

WP is not a newspaper, but...

Hi Folks, Let me start by saying that although I'm an auto enthusiast, I wouldn't say that BMW vehicles do or do not have any special interest for me (OK, the 850 series were just plain cool, but that's about the extent of my fan interest). That said, there appears to be 2 items that are more "current events" than encyclopedic information. The OBD theft section, if nothing else just appears to be out of place in the article, and the "I'd rather cry in a BMW" (although strange that it has its own article) link in the "See also" just seems completely out of character and context for the rest of the article. The article does not have a "BMW in popular culture" section and maybe it needs one. This doesn't resolve what to do with the OBD section, but maybe someone's suggestion will. What are your thoughts? --Scalhotrod - Just your average banjo playing, drag racing, cowboy... (talk) 00:28, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

A pop culture section is a dumping ground for lazy editors. The OBD stuff should be merged up into a more appropriate section of the article. The thing that makes it hard to merge up is the question, "How does this affect BMW?" Were sales harmed? Were cars redesigned? If it had not effect, then it is of no importance and should just be deleted rather than consigned to a pop culture dumping ground. I would rather cry in a BMW isn't really about BMW, it's about China. I'd lean towards removing it from the See also section if it has had no effect or influence on BMW itself. If it is important to the BMW community/culture of China, then move it to the Community section. Possibly broaden "community" by renaming it "culture". --Dennis Bratland (talk) 04:15, 28 April 2013 (UTC)

Remove S1000RR from Motorsport victories, add Isle of Man TT and land speed records

The S1000RR Superbike racer is nice and all, but the Motorsport section is a roster of victories and championships, isn't it? Shouldn't that be removed until something substantial is achieved? In its place, shouldn't things like IOM victories be listed? BMW once dominated the 500 cc sidecars, for example. Similarly, the 1930-1937 Motorcycle land-speed records were significant and should be listed here. I think there were other motorcycle championships in the early period as well. --Dennis Bratland (talk) 04:05, 28 April 2013 (UTC)

Supercars/Concept Cars

I'm not a car guy, but when I am interested in cars I want to see their super cars and concepts cars. Why is there no mention of that? I know for a fact BMW has an i8 concept car that was introduced at a car show somewhere, why isn't that on this page?

StainlessSteelScorpion (talk) 20:22, 3 November 2013 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 27 January 2014

This edit request has been answered. Set the |answered= or |ans= parameter to no to reactivate your request.

Changes to current models should include the updated lineup


Before:

1 Series (E81) (2004–present) Coupe and convertible
3 Series (E93) (2007–present) convertible
7 Series (F01) (2008–present) Sedan
5 Series (F10) (2009–present) Sedan, wagon
6 Series (F12) (2010–present) Coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe
1 Series (F20) (2011–present) Hatchback
3 Series (F30) (2012–present) Sedan, wagon
4 Series (2014–present) Coupe
3 Series Gran Turismo (2013–present) Progressive Activity Sedan
5 Series Gran Turismo (2009–present) Progressive Activity Sedan
BMW i3 (To be launched 2014) Sedan
X1 (2009–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
X3 (F25) (2010–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
X5 (E70) (2006–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
X6 (E71) (2008–present) Sports Activity Coupe
Z4 (E89) (2009–present) Sports Roadster


After:
1 Series (F20) (2011–present) Hatchback
2 Series (F22) (2013-present) Coupe and convertible
3 Series (F30) (2012-present) Sedan and wagon
4 Series (F32) (2014-present) Coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe
5 Series (F10) (2009–present) Sedan, wagon
6 Series (F12) (2010–present) Coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe
7 Series (F01) (2008–present) Sedan
3 Series Gran Turismo (2013–present) Progressive Activity Sedan
5 Series Gran Turismo (2009–present) Progressive Activity Sedan
BMW i3 (i1) (2013-present) Sedan
BMW i8 (i12) (2013-present) Sports Car
X1 (2009–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
X3 (F25) (2010–present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
X4 (F26) (2014-present) Sports Activity Coupe
X5 (F15) (2013-present) Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
X6 (E71) (2008–present) Sports Activity Coupe
Z4 (E89) (2009–present) Sports Roadster


On a side note, under M Models the M3/M4 start production in 2014 not 2013.

A.a.tawab (talk) 23:31, 27 January 2014 (UTC)

Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. — {{U|Technical 13}} 18:59, 15 February 2014 (UTC)


AG

What does the AG in the name mean? The page doesn't say, or link to an article that tells what this means. I think to U.S. readers this would not be known, my guess is that it is like Private company limited by shares Limited, Ltd., or Incorporation_(business), Inc. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.39.140.96 (talk) 07:08, 20 February 2014 (UTC)

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