BMW Heritage
BMW was founded in 1916 and has its headquarters in Munich, Bavaria. BMW began as an aircraft engine manufacturer and subsequently produced motorcycles before entering the world of cars. BMW currently produces motor vehicles in Germany, Brazil, China, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
BMW's production of automobiles began in 1928, when the company purchased the Automobilwerk Eisenach car company. Automobilwerk Eisenach's current model was the Dixi 3/15, a licensed copy of the Austin 7 which had begun production in 1927. Following the takeover, the Dixi 3/15 became the BMW 3/15, BMW's first production car.
In 1932, the BMW 3/20 became the first BMW automobile designed entirely by BMW. It was powered by a four-cylinder engine, which BMW designed based on the Austin 7 engine.
BMW's first automotive straight-six engine was released in 1933, in the BMW 303. Throughout the 1930s, BMW expanded its model range to include sedans, coupes, convertibles and sports cars.
