About BMW Cars
 BMW or Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Bavarian Motor Works) was founded in Munich in the early 1900's originally as an aircraft manufacturer. There seems to be some dispute as to whether the famous logo represents white propellor blades against a blue sky, or whether it is simply a combination of the Rapp Motorenwerke logo combined with the colours of the Bavarian flag. Either way the BMW badge became one of the most recognised logos of the 20th century and so it continues to this day.
After World War I aircraft production in Germanty ceased and so BMW began to make motor bikes, but returned to car manufacturing in 1928 with the Dixi, a 747cc straight-4, not unlike the Austin 7. Perhaps their best known car of this time was the Type 328,a two seat roadster that achieved much success in motorsport between 1936 and 1940. However, as Germany prepared itself for World War II, BMW began making aircraft engines again.
After the war BMW returned to motor car production and in early 1950 they launched the BMW 501, a luxury sedan, which was quickly followed by the BMW 502 which used the first light alloy V8. However, the most successful car of that era was the two seat Isetta.
Despite it's success on the track, BMW's car division was in financial difficulties and looked to making an economy car to boost sales. They bought the rights to manufacture the little Iso Isetta in which they used one of their own, modified, motor bike engines. The Iso only had moderate success, but it was enough to help BMW to weather their financial crisis. The famous 3 series, 5 series and 7 series were introduced in the 1970's.
In 1994 BMW AG bought British Rover Group, but by 2000 Rover was running at a loss and so the brands were split up. MG and Rover went to the Phoenix Consortium and Land Rover went to Ford. BMW kept the rights to the famous Mini and launched the new model in 2001.
BMW continues to expand and moved some of it's manufacturing to the US in the 1990's. It continues to build motor bikes and is still the parent company of not only Mini, but also Rolls Royce.
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