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BMW i Vision Dee -

Unveiled in January 2023 in Las Vegas, the BMW i Vision Dee is a color changing concept vehicle empowered by E-ink technology. Dee stands for Digital Emotional Experience. One version of this remarkable vehicle has literal color-changing body panels.

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Visionary idea -

BMW's idea is to show off how future cars might respond to the moods of their owners, with moods—represented by colors—of their own. And a little over 100 years ago, BMW itself was on the cusp of forever changing the mood of motoring by becoming one of the most innovative and visionary car manufacturers of the modern age.

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Foundation of BMW -

BMW can trace its roots back to Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto. In 1910, Gustav Otto founded Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik, a pioneering German aircraft manufacturer. In 1916 the firm was reorganized into Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW). A year later, in 1917, a Bavarian aircraft engine maker called Rapp Motorenwerke, founded by Karl Rapp, changed its name to Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH (BMW). By 1922 the two operations had merged, retaining the acronym BMW.

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BMW emblem -

From 1917, the company's emblem was identified by the blue and white of Bavaria's state colors designed as a rotating propeller—a logo that has little changed since.

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Camillo Castiglioni (1879–1957) -

BMW's first product was an aircraft engine called the BMW IIIa. In the wake of the First World War and Germany's defeat, BMW survived in business by producing motorcycle engines and farm equipment. In 1920, Italian-Austrian financier Camillo Castiglioni injected considerable capital into the business and is credited with significantly influencing the development of BMW AG in its early years.

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BMW R 32 -

After weathering lean years, BMW's fortunes changed with the launch of its first motorcycle, the R 32, in 1923. Designed by Max Fritz, the R 32 is regarded as a milestone in motorcycle history.

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BMW 3/15 Dixi -

BMW officially became a car manufacturer in 1928 when it purchased Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach, which, at the time, built Austin Sevens under license using the Dixi marque. The following year BMW launched the BMW 3/15, based on the Dixi design. By 1932 the company was designing its own small cars.

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BMW in the 1930s -

Throughout the 1930s, BMW expanded its range into sports cars and larger luxury cars, models such as the BMW 315, launched at the Berlin Motor Show in 1934.

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BMW 328 -

The 1938 BMW 328 is described by automobile enthusiasts as "immortal" and ranks among the most successful and popular sports cars of the era.

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BMW under National Socialism -

The 1930s, however, marked a dark chapter in the history of BMW. Under the era of National Socialism, the manufacturer went from being a mobility company to an armaments firm. Hitler is pictured visiting a plant in 1938.

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Armaments and forced labor -

While the production of motorcycles and automobiles continued, the emphasis was placed on the aero-engine business. To meet demand, new factories sprung up across Germany. Much of the workforce consisted of forced labor.

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Second World War and near-ruin -

BMW manufacturing plants were prime targets for Allied aircraft during the Second World War. Classified as an armaments company, BMW machines and tools were dismantled in 1945, and assets shipped all over the world as reparations. To remain afloat, BMW was forced to produce household items and bicycles.

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BMW R 24 -

In 1948, BMW was once again on the road with its R 24 motorcycle. Sales were exceptional, with over 9,000 units sold in 1949 alone.

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BMW 501 -

But it was automobile manufacture that BMW was looking to salvage. Its first post-war vehicle was the 501, built from 1952 onwards. It restored the company's reputation as a producer of luxury, technically advanced motor cars.

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BMW Isetta -

In 1955 BMW launched the Isetta, which quickly became known as a bubble car. The diminutive vehicle became a top-seller. But despite its popularity, by the end of the 1950s BMW was in serious financial trouble.

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BMW 503 -

Its financial woes notwithstanding, the company introduced one of its most iconic models in 1956, the BMW 503. A two-door gran turismo in both coupé and cabriolet form, the 503 was a pioneer in terms of technology—parts of its bodywork were made of aluminum and the lightweight V8 engine accelerated the coupé to 190 km/h (118 mph).

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BMW 507 -

Introduced on the back of the 503 was the BMW 507 roadster, another classic automobile. Both the 503 and the 507 were an attempt to sell a significant number of luxury cars in the United States. Both, however, cost twice their projected price and plunged the German carmaker further into a financial black hole.

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Herbert and Harald Quandt -

On the brink of bankruptcy, BMW was nearly taken over by rival Daimler Benz in 1959. A large investment by brothers Herbert (pictured) and Harald Quandt in 1959 resulted in the company surviving as a separate entity. The Quandt family today rank as one of Germany's wealthiest industrial dynasties.

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BMW 700 -

In 1959, fueled by this capital, BMW introduced the 700. A small, rear-engine car, the 700 was successful and assisted in the company's revival.

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BMW New Class -

But the model that truly steered BMW towards progress and profit was the 1500 (pictured). Launched at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show, the car introduced the BMW New Class of vehicles, a line of sedans and coupés that reestablished BMW as a successful, modern carmaker.

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Back on the road to success and profit -

The New Class vehicles were compact, sporty, and affordable. Orders far exceeded production capability. BMW showrooms across Germany served as glamorous shop windows for the 1500 and later 1600, 1800, and 2000 models produced throughout the 1960s.

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BMW in the 1970s -

The BMW 5 Series mid-size sedan range was introduced in 1972, the same time as the company unveiled a new series of motorcycles. The BMW 3 Series compact sedans arrived in 1975, the BMW 6 Series luxury coupes in 1976, and the BMW 7 Series large luxury sedans in 1978.

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BMW Motorsport GmbH -

Significantly, BMW Motorsport GmbH was founded in 1972. Today known as BMW M GmbH, this subsidiary was initially created to facilitate BMW's racing program, which saw it earn numerous motorsport successes for the company. It later supplemented BMW's vehicle portfolio with specially modified high-performance models.

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BMW headquarters and museum -

In 1973, BMW's global headquarters in Munich were inaugurated. The distinctive administrative tower block quickly became known as the "four-cylinder building." Set adjacent to the premises is the BMW Museum, one of the most visited museums in Germany.

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BMW and Formula One -

BMW has been associated with Formula One since 1950. It was a BMW M12/13 inline-four turbocharged engine that powered Nelson Piquet towards the 1983 championship driving a Brabham BT52-BMW (pictured).

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BMW Z1 roadster -

BMW's trajectory throughout the 1980s saw a range of high-performance vehicles introduced onto the market. A standout was the BMW Z1 roadster, produced in limited numbers from 1989 to 1991. Its unique design included vertically sliding doors.

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BMW Z3 M coupé -

The BMW Z3 M coupé was one of the surprises of 1997. Effectively a closed version of the Z3 roadster, the Z3 divided opinion amongst the motoring press, but was a hit with those seeking a BMW with a design accent similar to that of the classic 328 from the 1930s, with plenty of kick under the hood.

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BMW X5 -

The company's entry into the competitive SUV market was announced with the introduction of the BMW X5 in 1999, though it was marketed as an all-wheel drive Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV).

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BMW 1 series -

In 2004, the BMW 1 series was introduced. Positioned as an entry level model in the BMW range of products, the hugely popular vehicle is now in its third generation.

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BMW goes electric -

In 2013, the BMW Group embraced the era of electric mobility with the BMW i3 (pictured)—its first all-electric series-production model. It was discontinued in 2022 to make way for the BMW iX and BMW i4 battery electric models.

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BMW R18 -

Meanwhile in 2020, the Group unveiled the R18, the first cruiser motorcycle in BMW history launched as a competitor to Harley-Davidson, Moto Guzzi, and Triumph.

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BMW i4 M50 -

In keeping with its commitment to produce fully electric versions across is vehicle range, BMW has been steadily expanding its choice of electrically driven high-voltage battery powered automobiles, exemplified by the BMW i4 M50.

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Curved dash display -

And BMW's design innovation extends to the stylish one-piece fully digital curved display on the dashboard found in models such as the i4, the 2023 BMW M2 (pictured), and BMW 3 Series.

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BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh -

And back on track, BMW recently announced it will race its M Hybrid V8 LMDh in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2024, including at the much anticipated 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

Sources: (CNN Business) (BMW USA) (Autocar) (Car and Driver) (Top Gear) (HotCars)

See also: Thrills, spills, and tragedy at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

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