What Does BMW Stand For?

It’s easy to identify the iconic BMW logo as you are shopping for a new luxury vehicle or see one drive by on Philadelphia roads. However, have you ever wondered, “What does BMW stand for?” In German, BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, or Bavarian Motor Works. Even in German, BMW is unique; the term Motorenwerke is generally written as a single word. Explore what BMW means and learn a little bit about their history with BMW of Turnersville. Contact us if you have any questions about your BMW.

BMW Name History

The expansive BMW history begins over 100 years ago. Take a look at this storied brand got its start:

• The company that would become BMW originally manufactured aircraft engines in Munich, Germany. It was founded in 1913 by Karl Rapp, and when Rapp left the company, the name officially changed from Rapp Motorenwerke to Bayerische Motoren Werke.
• The company’s headquarters is located in Bavaria, a federal state in the southeastern part of Germany, bordering Austria and the Czech Republic.
• Since part of BMW does mean Bavarian, it’s no surprise that in 1917, the iconic blue and white circular BMW logo was created to resemble the Bavarian flag, which features a blue and white checkered diamond pattern.
• Sewell BMW enthusiasts may see the company referred to with its full name, BMW AG. The AG stands for Aktiengesellschaft, which means it’s a corporation owned by shareholders.

The BMW Logo

Eagle-eyed drivers may think that the blue-and-white checkered pattern could resemble a turning propeller — hinting at the aircraft manufacturer history. It’s a great connection, but what BMW stands for is linked to its logo. Since its creation in 1917, the BMW has only been updated five times, and all iterations have represented and honored the Bavarian flag.

Williamstown drivers might have noticed that the most recent update keeps the same blue-and-white pattern, but now a clear outer circle surrounds the pattern instead of a black circle. The added font change of the BMW lettering leads to a cleaner and simpler design.

The BMW Slogan

We’ve seen what BMW stands for, but what is the BMW slogan? Since 1974, the North American BMW slogan has been “The Ultimate Driving Machine”. However, there was a brief time from 2010 to 2012 when the slogan was changed to simply “Joy”.

Learn More About Your BMW with BMW of Turnersville! 

Now that you know what BMW stands for and the history behind the brand, take a or explore BMW models that fit your lifestyle with BMWGenius. Talk to our product experts to walk the different models, take a personalized tour of your next BMW, and use the helpful app to find product info and how-to videos.