Timeline: BMW's first century

1916

• Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW), a maker of airplane motors, is founded on March 7. Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) acquires the BFW plant in 1922, transferring its engine construction operations -- including the company and brand names -- to BFW. BMW dates its founding from the founding of BFW. 

1917

• BMW's logo is created, incorporating the state colors of Bavaria. 
• The company's modern name comes into existence on July 21, as Rapp-Motorenwerke is renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH. The company grows quickly, building aircraft engines during World War I. 

1923

• BMW announces plans for its first motorcycle, the R 32. Until then, the company had supplied engines rather than complete vehicles. The layout of the original Motorrad model -- a boxer engine with longitudinally positioned cylinders and shaft drive -- continues in BMW motorcycles today. 

1928

• BMW purchases automobile manufacturer Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach. In the purchase, BMW acquired its first automotive product, a car built under license from the Austin Motor Co., in 1929.

1932 

• BMW begins building cars of its own design, starting with the 3/20 PS. 

1941

• During World War II, BMW primarily builds aircraft engines for the German air force. 

1942

• During the war, convicts, Eastern European prisoners of war and predominantly Western European forced laborers work at BMW alongside concentration camp prisoners. During the Third Reich, forced laborers work in what BMW terms "deeply distressing conditions." Today, the company says, "BMW is painfully aware of the great human suffering caused by this, and deeply regrets the fate of the forced laborers." 

1945

• Because BMW had been classified as an armaments company, after the war, the Allies remove much of its production equipment. BMW survives by making various products, including kitchen utensils. 
• In October, the U.S. military government issues a command to dismantle BMW plants in Munich and Allach. BMW loses power over its assets until 1949. Much of its machinery is shipped abroad as reparations. 

1948

• BMW puts its first postwar vehicle on sale: the R 24 motorcycle. With German consumers hungry for products after the war, it becomes a hot seller. 

1952

• BMW follows the R 24 with its first postwar automobile, the 501, a six-seater. Although not a sales success, the 501 revives BMW's image of upscale cars. 

1959

• The success of the BMW 700 small car saves the company from being sold. The unibody car, powered by a BMW motorcycle engine, is nicknamed "the lion-hearted weasel." The car's success averts a takeover proposed by Daimler-Benz, which is rejected by small shareholders and employees. That prompts Herbert Quandt to expand his stake, and BMW is restructured under Quandt's management. 

1961

• BMW debuts the 1500 four-door touring car, the model that re-established BMW as a successful carmaker. Orders exceed production capacities. By 1963, the company returns to profitability. 

1967

• Running at full capacity, BMW purchases automaker Hans Glas GmbH together with plants in Dingolfing and Landshut. The Dingolfing plant becomes BMW's biggest in subsequent decades. 

1970

• Eberhard von Kuenheim becomes BMW Group CEO, a post he will hold until 1993, leading the company to growth and increased global reputation. 

1971

• BMW Kredit GmbH is set up as a subsidiary company to provide finance for the company's transactions and for dealerships. 

1972

• BMW opens its first plant outside Germany in Pretoria, South Africa. 

1973

• Starting in 1970, BMW begins construction of an administrative tower block in north Munich. Its unusual shape leads to it being described as the "four-cylinder building," and it is now a landmark. The BMW Museum is installed next to it. The building complex officially opens in May 1973. 
• Sales director Bob Lutz initiates a policy for BMW to take sales responsibility for all major markets away from importers. France is the first country where BMW establishes its own sales company. 

1990

• BMW opens its Research and Innovation Centre, or FIZ, in Munich, bringing all r&d activities under one roof. Today 9,000 staffers work at the FIZ. 

1994

• BMW opens the Spartanburg, S.C., plant, its first in the U.S., initially building some 3-series vehicles. The plant later was expanded and today builds the X3, X4, X5 and X6. 
• In an ill-fated move, BMW purchases the Rover Group in the United Kingdom, which includes the Land Rover, Rover, MG, Triumph and Mini brands. But the combination is not successful; BMW sells the Rover Group in 2000 for £10, retaining only the Mini brand. 

1998

• BMW acquires the brand and naming rights for Rolls-Royce cars from Rolls-Royce PLC, although Volkswagen outbids BMW for the Crewe, England, factory and other assets. After negotiations, BMW gains all rights for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2003, with VW retaining the Bentley brand. BMW then builds a Rolls-Royce plant and a new company headquarters in Goodwood, in southern England. 

1999

• BMW unveils the X5 crossover at the Detroit auto show, entering a new segment. 

2001

• The new Mini is launched by the BMW Group in Europe. 

2003

• The first model built at the Goodwood Rolls-Royce plant is the new Phantom. 

2004

• BMW launches the 1 series in Europe, a compact with traditional rear-wheel drive. 
• BMW and joint venture partner Brilliance China Automotive Holdings, as BMW Brilliance Automotive, open a plant in Shenyang, China, producing cars exclusively for the local market. 

2011

• BMW teams with Sixt AG to launch DriveNow. Introduced initially in Munich, the car-sharing scheme is extended to cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and San Francisco. DriveNow is offered under the new subbrand BMW i. 

2014

• BMW launches the i3 electric vehicle, first in the new i series dedicated to sustainable vehicles. 
• BMW announces $1 billion, 100,000-unit expansion to the Spartanburg plant to 450,000 annual capacity, primarily to add the seven-seat X7 crossover. 

Source: BMW