BMW Group Background: A Legacy of Innovation and Luxury

With a legacy spanning over a century, the BMW Group stands as a global icon of engineering excellence, luxury, and driving passion—shaping the future of mobility since its founding.

Founded in 1916 as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke, BMW transitioned from aircraft engines to motorcycles and automobiles, establishing a reputation for precision engineering that continues to define the brand today.

Today, the BMW Group encompasses BMW, Rolls-Royce, MINI, and BMW Group Research & Innovation, offering a diverse portfolio that merges performance, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology across luxury and premium segments.

Driving forward, BMW prioritizes electrification with its i-series, advanced driver-assistance systems, and sustainable manufacturing practices, positioning itself at the forefront of the automotive industry’s transformation.

The BMW Group’s enduring legacy is built on innovation, quality, and vision. As it leads the charge into a new era of mobility, the group remains dedicated to inspiring drivers worldwide. Discover how BMW continues to redefine excellence—explore its latest models and sustainable initiatives today.

The history of the BMW Group reaches back to 1916. Today, the four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad make the BMW Group one of the world's leading premium suppliers of automobiles, motorcycles, as well as mobility services. Since the beginning of its history, the company has kept its sight firmly set on the future and has consequently put sustainability and efficient resource.

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (BMW AG), [4] trading as BMW Group (commonly abbreviated to BMW (German pronunciation: [ˌbeːʔɛmˈveː] ⓘ), sometimes anglicised as Bavarian Motor Works), is a German multinational conglomerate manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Germany. BMW was firmly established as a premium automobile brand by the end of the 20th century. In a failed attempt to gain market share as a sport-utility vehicle company, BMW purchased the Rover Group in 1994 but lost roughly $4 billion before selling the Land Rover brand to Ford in 2000.

Key Stats BMW Group generated revenue of $142.4 billion in fiscal year 2024. The company's market capitalization stands at $57.42 billion as of November 2025. BMW Group employs 159,104 people worldwide as of December 2024.

The automaker delivered 2.45 million vehicles globally in 2024. BMW Group was founded on March 7, 1916 in Munich, Germany. With BMW Group Classic, the BMW Group can look back on a long tradition.

Founded in 1994, BMW Group Classic organises and coordinates all activities relating to the history of the company and the brands BMW, BMW Motorrad, MINI, and Rolls. The BMW Group is a globally successful manufacturer of automobiles and motorbikes in the premium and luxury sector. Comprising BMW, BMW Motorrad, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the company owns three of the best-known brands in the automotive industry.

In addition, the company also holds a strong market position in the premium motorbike industry. BMW history involves strife during the wars but survival in the long run. Read on to learn the history of this venerated company.

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world's leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries. In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4.

BMW Group financial reports, other important dates and publications as well as current BMW share price, dividend and bond information can be found on the BMW Group Investor Relations website. Debuting in 1961, the BMW 1500 jump-started the Neue Klasse and rescued BMW from financial collapse, defining the brand we know today. Sixty-five years later, its influence still shapes BMW's.