What Does BMW Stand For?

You’ve seen the iconic BMW brand all over New Haven, but just what does BMW stand for? BMW is a German acronym for Bayerische Motoren Werke, which translates into Bavarian Motor Works in English. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this historic automaker. Dive deeper into what BMW stands for:

BMW Background

You know what BMW stands for, but what does BMW mean? Let’s take a look back in time to see how the brand developed from its earliest days in the 1900s to the present day.

• In 1913, BMW was associated with the Munich-based Rapp Motorenwerke – a manufacturer of aircraft engines.
• Four years later, Rapp Motorenwerke changed its name to Bayerische (Bavarian) Motoren Werke as founder, Karl Rapp, departed.
• The legendary BMW logo was created at this time to pay homage to the Bavarian flag with a blue and white checkered pattern.
• BMW AG becomes the official owner of the brand. The “AG” refers to Aktiengesellschaft, meaning an incorporation owned by shareholders.

Bimmer vs. Beemer

Loyal BMW fans love to talk about new cars, and they even have their own unique lingo. Have you heard the terms “bimmer” or “beemer” around Cheshire and wondered what these terms meant? Generally speaking, most auto enthusiasts use the terms to describe a BMW vehicle of some sort. In the United States, some maintain that a “beemer” is a motorcycle and a “bimmer” is a car. But in Canada, the two terms are often used interchangeably.

BMW Slogan

We’ve been through the BMW name and history, but what about its famous slogan? Starting in 1974, BMW vehicles became known as “The ultimate driving machine” – and the phrase has stuck around ever since. The brand used the slogan “Joy” for a brief period in the early 2010s, but from 2012 and beyond, the original slogan has remained unchanged. 

Test Drive a BMW Vehicle Today

Now that you know the history behind this luxury brand, why not get behind the wheel of a BMW car at BMW of North Haven? We’re located near Branford in neighboring BMW of North Haven, so contact us to set up a test drive. Whether you want to get inside the 2020 BMW X5 or try out the high-performance 2020 BMW X3 M specs, our experts can help you find just the right match for your needs and wants!