What Does BMW Stand For?

If you are in the market for a stunning new luxury vehicle, you have likely taken a look at the BMW lineup. Throughout the course of your research, you may have wondered, “What does BMW stand for?” Fortunately, the team at BMW of Brooklyn has the answer. BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, which is German for Bavarian Motor Works. Why is this unique? The term Motorenwerke is typically a single word. If you would like to know more about the BMW name, do not hesitate to ask the BMW experts at BMW of Brooklyn.

Origins of the BMW Name

BMW got its start more than 100 years ago in a few different companies that manufactured vehicles and aircraft engines. What does BMW mean? Learn more about the beginnings of this beloved automotive brand. 

• In 1913, Karl Rapp founded the Rapp Motorenwerke company, which produced aircraft engines in Munich, Germany. A few years later, when Rapp left the company, the name was changed to Bayerische Motoren Werke in 1917.
• “Bayerische” (Bavarian) indicates the company’s headquarters in Bavaria, a federal state in the southeastern part of Germany bordering Austria and the Czech Republic.
• The original development of the BMW logo happened in 1917. It took design cues from the blue and white Bavarian flag.
• The full name of the company is BMW AG. “AG” stands for Aktiengesellschaft. This shows the brand is an incorporation owned by shareholders.

What is a Bimmer? What is a Beemer?

Because of the popularity of the brand, you may have heard the terms “Beemer” and “Bimmer” when the brand is being discussed. What do these terms mean? They are both slang for a BMW motorcycle or BMW automobile in English. There is a debate as to the proper usage of each term. Some Manhattan drivers may argue that “Beemer” only refers to motorcycles and “Bimmer” only refers to cars, however, in Canada, drivers typically use “Bimmer” to mean both motorcycles and cars.

What is the BMW Slogan?

“The Ultimate Driving Machine” is one of the most iconic BMW slogans, and it dates back to 1974. In 2010, BMW temporarily opted for the slogan, “Joy.” However, “The Ultimate Driving Machine,” was once again brought back into use in 2012, and it still remains BMW the slogan since then. 

Explore the BMW Lineup at BMW of Brooklyn

Now that you know more about what BMW stands for, it’s the perfect time to see all that the current lineup has to offer. Contact BMW of Brooklyn with any questions, or stop by to set up a test drive near Queens. You can also take a look at our current vehicle specials.