What Does BMW Stand For?

Auto aficionados around Topeka and Kansas City know that the BMW brand is associated with incredible luxury and world-class engineering, but not everyone knows what BMW stands for. What does BMW mean in German? The answer is Bayerische Motoren Werke, German for Bavarian Motor Works. Get to know this iconic brand from the experts at Aristocrat Motors Topeka, and experience the best of this legendary automaker at our Topeka showroom!

How Did BMW Get Its Name?

Now you know what BMW stands for, but how did the brand get its name in the first place? BMW started over a century ago, growing out of companies that manufactured vehicles and aircraft engines. Learn more about the beginnings of BMW:

• In 1913, Karl Rapp founded the BMW brand. Back then, he was a part of Rapp Motorenwerke – a notable aircraft manufacturer. 
• When Rapp left in 1917, the company was renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke. 
• “Bayerische” (Bavarian) highlights the brand’s Bavarian roots, while the blue and white circular BMW logo pays homage to the Bavarian flag.
• The full name of the company is actually BMW AG. “AG” stands for Aktiengesellschaft, which indicates a company owned by shareholders.

A Closer Look at the BMW Logo

As previously mentioned, the BMW brand honors its Bavarian heritage in several ways. One of the most notable examples is the BMW logo, displaying a blue-and-white checkered pattern on every X3 and X5 you see on the road today. The logo has changed five times since 1917, but it continues to pay tribute to the Bavarian flag with every update. What are the changes to the most recent logo makeover? The outer circle has gone from black to clear, and the BMW font has changed. Both create a more modern and minimalist appearance.

What is The BMW Slogan?

We’ve mentioned what does BMW mean?, but what about its legendary slogan? BMW has been known as “The Ultimate Driving Machine” in North America since 1974. Though the slogan was replaced temporarily in 2010 with the slogan “Joy,” the original slogan returned in 2012 and is still used to this day. 

Experience The Future of BMW at Aristocrat Motors Topeka

Now you know “What does BMW stand for?,” How does it feel to drive a BMW luxury car though Manhattan? Find out at Aristocrat Motors Topeka! Our team can introduce you to the current lineup in person and get the keys in your hand for a test drive. Contact us today with any questions, and apply for financing to get one step closer to your next vehicle.