BMW - Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), An independent German company and manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles - The Early years.

Interestingly, BMW was initially established as an aircraft engine manufacturer. In fact, many people believe the BMW logo of a black circle with alternating a blue and white propeller-like interior pattern is traced to the company's origin. If this is the case, you would be wrong, and I have also just learned something there! Have a look at the BMW logo to the right and youll see it quite clearly why this is a common misconception.

Despite its move into ground vehicle production, the company returned to its aircraft production roots in the early 1930s as Germany began to rearm itself. BMW's first significant aircraft power plant was the BMW IIIa inline-six liquid-cooled engine of 1918, and with German rearmament in the during the war years they began producing aircraft engines for the Luftwaffe. Among its successes was the pioneering BMW 003 turbojet, which powered the Messerschmitt Me. This was to be the world's first operational jet fighter. However, after World War I, all aircraft production was forced to end in Germany. The company responded by "shifting gears" into motorcycle manufacture in 1923, and it followed that with an expansion into luxury cars in 1928.BMW developed many of the most effective German aircraft fighter jets flown during World War II.

Looking at the company's early development in its motorcycle products, the first successful motorcycle produced by the came in 1923, with the R32. This was the third attempt at a successful motorcycle launch for the company. The "R Series", based on a twin engine layout, stayed popular for a long time. The basic style of the original R32 was used until the 1980s. Some of the new cycles developed by the company are influenced by its initial 1923 cycle.

During World War II, BMW developed a motorcycle that included a side car. The BMW R75 was designed as a substitute for other types of off-road vehicles and gave it the on-road benefits of a traditional cycle, with the off-road capabilities of a larger vehicle, like a jeep.

In the mid-1980s, BMW developed its K Series motorcycles which offered updated engine features and cooling processes, including Rotax engines. BMW was also an innovative safety leader developing the first anti-lock brakes for its cycles during the late 1980s. During the 1990s, BMW developed its "oil head" engines, which were an update to its previous airhead boxer engines.

Pressured by new competition from motor sports bike manufacturers like Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and others, BMW delved into the sports bike arena itself in 2004, with production of a lighter, powerful bike, the K1200S.

If the warranty on your new or Approved Used BMW is about to come to an end in the near future, there are several options available to you as the vehicle owner in terms of extended car warranties. You could contact BMW's Insured Warranty team as this product will help to protect you financially against the cost of repairs and replacement parts should something unexpectedly go wrong with your car. They offer a choice of three levels of cover; Comprehensive, Named Component or DriveLine. Alternatively you could simply give Click4Warranty a call on 0844 5090303 and we could offer you a great price with 3 levels of cover to suit your pocket today. We are here to help.

Bookmark This Page

Copyright © 2008 Click4Warranty
The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily held by the Click4Group unless specifically stated. The material is for general information only. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.