BMW.

The very characters are symbolic to an extent where there is no explanation necessary, unless you are a growing child of course. Beyeriche Motoren Werke AG is one of the most popular names in the automotive industry. Originating from Germany, it turned out to be one of the largest luxury car companies in existence. it wasn't always like this though, BMW started in 1917 as a motorcycle and engine company. The engines it specialized in? Mostly airplane engines. Today BMW is iconic, BMW's aim is to be the ultimate driving machine. Through the years they have successfully pitched themselves as the company that sold the ultimate driving machine, and even today BMW continues to produce millions of cars and sell them to customers around the world. BMW's dominance comes from its capability to market its vehicles as the best machines to drive. It covers all categories; sedans, coupes, sports cars, SUV's, and all of them are fine tuned to reach expectations of customers as well as BMW themselves. BMW is also the parent company to Mini Cooper and Rolls Royce. Mini Cooper being their division to target customers who love small compact cars that are sporty and Rolls Royce being their luxury division. The History of BMW BMW was started in 1917 officially after the first World War. It was originally Rapp Motorenwerke that created aircrafts. In 1918 after the Versailles Armistice Treaty, BMW was forced to cease production of aircraft engines, and instead moved into creating motorcycles. in 1923 when the restrictions of the treaty started to be lifted and moved into automobile manufacturing in 1928-1929. During World War 2, BMW resumed making aircraft engines for fighter jets and continued to do so throughout the war, however in 1959 BMW began having financial difficulties and had to decide with its shareholders if it wanted to go into liquidation or

find a way to carry on. It found a means of making a profit and continuing operations after gaining the right to produce Italian Iso Isetta. BMW kept itself up through the manufacturing of the Isetta's, along with other ex airplane manufacturing companies that prospered from car demand. In 1959, 46% of BMW was owned by the Quandt family and is the controlling majority share holder, the rest was publicly afloat. An event that contributed to the success of BMW and its aim at becoming the ultimate driving machine was the acquisition of Hans Glas in 1966. At the time Hans Glas was developing the technology for the timing belt with an overhead cam shaft. After total acquisition, BMW incorporated this mechanism into their already successful engines and kept progressing from there. In 1992-1995 BMW had a few major acquisitions; Designworks USA and British Rover Group. In 2000 however, the Rover Group was suffering from huge losses, and BMW sold off the Rover group. It was a split purchase where MG and Rover were sold and formed the MG Rover company, and Ford had purchased Land Rover. BMW though kept the rights to building the new Mini which was launched in 2001 with BMW as the parent company. BMW had radical design engineers. and the man behind the cars and as chief designer for 17 years was Chris Bangle. He was well known for his radical designs in the 2002 7 series and the Z4. BMW also produces motorcycles but their major market is in cars. BMW was recently listed as the #1 most reputable company in the world. The rankings were created on aspects such as willingness to buy, recommend, work for and invest in. BMW had not only established its moniker of its cars being the ultimate driving machine, it had left a positive image in the eyes of the public as well, leading it to be the most well known company in the world.

The Culture Behind BMW BMW is known to create some of the most excellent performing vehicles out there, without the expense of high costs compared to others. It has become symbolic with performance and luxury. Examples can be seen in the use of BMW's in movies and real life. Examples of the use of BMW's