Instruct: Given a question, retrieve relevant passages that can help answer the question.
Query: How old is BMW?
The company was founded in 1916 and has its headquarters in Munich, Bavaria. BMW produces motor vehicles in Germany, Brazil, China, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 2015, BMW was the world's twelfth largest producer of motor vehicles, with 2,279,503 vehicles produced.[2] The Quandt family are long-term shareholders of the company, with the remaining shares owned by public float.
The range of BMW Group Financial Services includes merchandise funding and financing stockkeeping of automobile and replacement parts for the BMW and MINI retailers as well as purchase funding and financing for automobiles and motorbikes for the customers of the BMW and MINI retailers (Installments and 3-Options-Financing BMW Select). In addition the range also includes the financing of one year-old-used cars as well as the allocation of cash credits. In the area of asset management services the company offers MobilPlan onTop (savings account with car purchase bonus), MobilPlus (call money), fixed deposit, (savings bond), Multimanager Investmentfonds (investment funds), BMW-Card (credit card for BMW-drivers), Online-Tagesgeld (call money), Fonds-Navigator (funds navigator) and Spar + Invest (save + invest), Bonus on Top.
"I would rather cry in a BMW" is a quotation that became an online sensation in the People's Republic of China in 2010. The old, long-familiar phrase was made famous by Ma Nuo, a 20-year-old female contestant on the television show "Fei Cheng Wu Rao" (also known in English as "If you are the One"). The line was in response to a question by an unemployed suitor who asked if Ma would "ride a bicycle with him" on a date. The series of events have been summed up in the media with the quip "I would rather cry in a BMW than smile on a bicycle."
BMW 2002 Tii - 1975, 1976, 1977
BMW 2800 - 1970
BMW 3.0 S - 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979
BMW 318i - 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999
BMW 320i - 1997, 1998, 1999
BMW 323i - 1986, 1990
BMW 325i - 1998
BMW 530i - 1978
BMW 635CSi - 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
BMW M3 - 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
The electric powertrain is distinguished by a more compact design than that used by the existing BMW i3 with the electric motor, transmission and power electrics grouped together in a single component. It allows BMW to significantly reduce production costs over the old unit. As with the Audi e-tron, the BMW iX3 features a control unit that permits its battery to charged at fast-charging stations generating up to 150 kW, allowing it to be fully charged in just 30 minutes.
Among those who did commit to the championship were the Ford Europe backed Eggenberger Motorsport with their Texaco sponsored Ford Sierra turbo's, Andy Rouse's team who ran their own Sierra Cosworth, the factory backed BMW teams of West Germany's Schnitzer Motorsport and the Italian CiBiEmme and Bigazzi teams racing the new BMW M3 which had replaced the old 635 CSi as BMW's main challenger, and the Alfa Corse team with their factory Alfa Romeo 75 turbo's.
Castiglioni significantly influenced the development of BMW AG in its early years. The granting of a license agreement by Austro-Daimler to the Rapp-Werke in 1917 was partly attributable to Castiglioni. 1918 At Castiglioni's insistence the Wiener Bankverein (Vienna) acquired the majority of BMW's share capital. 1922 Castiglioni purchased all the equipment relating to engine construction, the associated know-how and the rights to the name "Bayerische Motoren Werke AG" from the BMW AG, which was renamed Süddeutsche Bremse AG. Castiglioni in turn renamed the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke to BMW AG and allowed the renamed company to continue production at the BFW plant. From the establishment of BMW AG until November 9, 1922 and then from 1924 to 1929, he was a member of the Supervisory Board and President of BMW AG. 1928 Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
The BMW 303 was a small family saloon produced by BMW in 1933 and 1934. It was the first BMW motor car with a six-cylinder engine and the first BMW motor car with the "kidney grille" associated with the brand. The platform developed for the 303 was used for several other BMW cars, including the BMW 309, a four-cylinder version of the 303, the BMW 315, a 1.5-litre version of the 303 which replaced it in 1934 and was built until 1937, the BMW 319, a 1.9-litre version of the 303 produced alongside the 315 from 1935 to 1937, and the BMW 329, a development of the 319 with styling based on the newer, larger BMW 326, that briefly replaced the 319 in 1937.
The BMW P66 engine in the BMW M4 DTM generates approx. 480 bhp with the air restrictor specified in the technical regulations. It is made up of 800 different components, consisting of 3,900 individual parts. When designing the DTM drivetrain, BMW Motorsport took full advantage of the technological know-how within the BMW Group. The high-tech foundry connected to BMW Plant Landshut accounts for the large cast parts, such as the cylinder head and crankcase – just as it does in the production of the six-cylinder in-line engine for the BMW M4 Coupé. The cast parts are coated and given the necessary heat treatment within the appropriate departments in Munich. The BMW V8 for the DTM is both a sprinter and a marathon runner. It allows the BMW M4 DTM to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about three seconds. Only ten engines are permitted for all eight BMWs over the course of the entire season. Therefore, reliability is a prerequisite to success.
The BMW Car Club Championship was started in 1987 by husband and wife team, John and Linda McVicker. The Championship was an amateur club series, for BMW owners who wished to race their BMW's at all the national circuits in the UK. The championship was open to all types of BMW from 2002s to CSLs, Bat Mobiles, new or old. The first race meeting took place on a cold and overcast Saturday at Silverstone where it the club managed to field a full grid.
JPS Team BMW is a former Australian motor racing team that ran from 1981-1987. The team's main focus was touring car racing but also ran in sports sedans and GT cars as well. The team, under the management of former British Touring Car Champion and Formula One racer Frank Gardner, was based in Sydney and completed almost all of their testing at the old Amaroo Park circuit with Gardner himself doing most of the test miles in the various BMW's the team raced.
In 2005, when he was sixteen years old, Wickens started his formula racing career. Thanks to Junior Scholarship from BMW, he participated in Formula BMW USA for Team Apex Racing USA. He scored five podiums including two wins, which brought him third place and best rookie's title. Also he competed in Formula BMW World Final, where he finished sixth.
By the end of the 1940s BMW had returned to motorcycle manufacture but still had not restarted automobile manufacture. Kurt Donath, technical director of BMW and general manager of the Milbertshofen factory, solicited manufacturers, including Ford and Simca, to produce their vehicles under licence. In particular, Donath was looking to produce old models under licence, so that he could buy tooling along with the licence.
The rise of BMW to one of Bavaria’s and Germany’s big industrial companies began in 1922 under Popp’s management. The product range of BMW AG was expanded and soon it extended beyond engines for the aircraft industry to include motorcycles as broader sections of the population gained access to motorized transport. This was an area to which Popp devoted considerable attention. Under his chairmanship, BMW AG further expanded its product range and know-how in 1928 by purchasing the vehicle manufacturing factory Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach (FFE). This was the
first time that cars bore the BMW brand on the roads.In 1928, Popp also concluded a license agreement with the US American company Pratt & Whitney, allowing BMW to manufacture two air-cooled radial engines. This ensured that BMW had access to key know-how in an area of aircraft engine construction with a great future. The expertise acquired through production under license allowed BMW to develop air-cooled radial engines under its own steam during the 1930s. Construction of the BMW aircraft engine factory in Allach (1935), expansion of the manufacturing facilities in Eisenach (1937) and acquisition of the Brandenburg Motor Works (Bramo) in Berlin-Spandau enabled BMW to expand capacities for aircraft engine manufacture under Popp’s leadership. Following the acquisition of Bramo in 1939, BMW enjoyed a monopoly for the production of air-cooled aircraft engines in Germany. This made BMW a key strategic company for the German aviation industry as the Third Reich rearmed. However, Popp was skeptical of the rapid expansion and redirection of the company for purposes of arming Germany in preparation for war.
Between Wednesday, 20 June and the following Sunday (24 June), the Mission (billetted overnight 20–21 June at the Third U.S. Army's Intelligence Center, examined BMW's plant at Munich and interviewed Dr. Bruckmann, Fedden's old friend, technical director of BMW's engine programs; Dr. Amman, in charge of BMW's piston engine development; Mr. Willich, his top aide; and Dr. Sachse, senior engineer until 1942, and the man responsible for overseeing production of the 801 radial. While at Munich, the Mission examined several 801 developments, including a turbocharged version with hollow turbine blades; several of these were apparently abandoned at Kassel's airfield They also examined the Wright "Duplex-Cyclone" displacement class BMW 802, an "interesting and unorthodox design" by Sachse; Fedden considered it "one of the most interesting piston engines seen in Germany". Of the 83.5-litre displacement class, BMW 803 possessing a 28-cylinder layout reminiscent of the Pratt & Whitney "Wasp Major", but with the BMW four-row radial design using liquid cooling instead, as designed by Dr. Spiegel of Siemens, the final report remarked, "Its layout and design appeared clumsy and rather indifferent." They also witnessed the BMW 003A-1 axial-flow turbojet run on the Herbitus test stand.
Designworks is a global creative consultancy owned by BMW and based in Newbury Park, California, United States. Designworks has two further studios, in Munich, Germany and Shanghai, China. Established independently in 1972 by Charles Pelly, it became a wholly owned BMW Group subsidiary in 1995, and was instrumental in the design of the BMW XL Sports Activity Vehicle and the BMW 5 Series. Other development projects at Designworks have included the BMW electric car, BMW 850 seat, BMW E46 3 Series, BMW Z8, BMW 7 Series interior, BMW Zeta show car, BMW E46 3 Series, and BMW 100- and 1200 Touring motorcycles, among many others.
Audi is still the dominant choice of car in the government fleet market. BMW sales are growing but is perceived to be for the newly rich. Mercedes is seen to be for old folks. Brands such as BMW and Audi are designing customized cars for the Chinese luxury car market. BMW designed a model with a longer wheelbase especially for government officials in order to give the back seat passenger more space. 
The Championship continued under the BMW Car Club banner until late 1999, where the championship was renamed to the BMW Racing Drivers Club. The championship became the ‘Drivers Club’ where the all the drivers had a say in how the organisation was run, and it is continues in that fashion to this day. The series is established as one of the fastest road tyred (treaded) championships in the country, but it is not necessary to use the latest models, or to run at the front to be competitive.2012 marked the 25th anniversary for the Kumho BMW Championship, and also the 15th Anniversary of successful sponsorship from Kumho Tires.
It is not clear how many of the post war 327s were branded as BMWs and how many as EMWs, but 505 were produced with one or other of the badges.
The 2004 Formula BMW Asia season was won by Marchy Lee of Hong Kong, driving for Team Meritus. Lee finished the season on 250 points, followed by BMW Junior driver, 24-year-old You Kyong-Ouk and Rookie Cup winner Mehdi Bennani), both on 124 points. Lee receive an extra prize in recognition of his extraordinary achievements – a three-day test with the Team Rosberg Formula 3 outfit.
With the BMW acquisition of the Glas business, the GT was refitted to accommodate the 1,573 cc BMW engine already fitted in the BMW 1600. The BMW “new class” models introduced in 1962 had attracted press comment concerning the fact that the engine was canted over at an angle of 30 degrees from the vertical plane, permitting a lower bonnet/hood line, and this feature was retained when the engine was fitted in the Glas GT body to create what was now branded as the BMW 1600GT. By using the BMW engine the car also acquired a further increase in power output, now up to 77 kW (105 PS). Handling was improved by applying the BMW's relatively sophisticated semi-trailing arm rear axle with coil springs in place of the more old fashioned rigid rear axle and leaf spring configuration previously employed by the Glas GT. BMW also took the opportunity to fit “new” round rear lights – being those that from 1966 also featured on the BMW 1602, and to reconfigure the front grill to incorporate the BMW “twin kidney” grill
Initial press reaction among motorcycle critics was uniformly positive, particularly praising BMW for taking a bold and innovative risk, and for their willingness to break traditional molds and entice consumers other than the typical motorcycle rider, though they worried that the cachet of the BMW label would not be enough to justify the premium price. It appeared at a time when most motorcycles were increasing in horsepower and specialization, and the F650CS went against those marketing trends, aimed instead at urban commuters, non-traditional riders, new motorcyclists, women, and shorter riders. The model was one example of BMW's efforts to combat becoming too much of an "old man's brand", and expand beyond their famous touring machines into new markets. The bike's designer David Robb said that, "If we want to offer something to new people we have to offer something new." The large storage space and ease of use suggested the F650CS could attract scooter commuters as well as motorcyclists. BMW estimated 40% of sales would come from non-motorcyclists. It was BMW's first entry-level motorcycle since the R65 of 1978–1984. The F650CS was derived from the dual-sport F650GS single, which was BMW's top selling model worldwide in 2001.
Rebadged as "Megatron", the BMW engines were used by the Arrows team for the and seasons, as well as Ligier for 1987 only. In the final season for the turbos, Arrows were one of only six teams still running turbocharged engines and the only team to still use the old BMW engines. During the 1988 season the Megatron engines were the oldest turbos still in use in Formula One dating back to (Ferrari, which had been using turbos since , had introduced a completely new engine from 1987).
New technology for BMW on these models include adaptive headlights. As standard the headlights shine onto a mirror which keeps the beam level according to how the bike is pitched. The optional adaptive headlights include a servomotor that directs the headlight beam according to how the bike is leaning in a turn, effectively pointing the beam around the bend.
Semir Gerkhan: BMW 325i E36 (UB-E 438); Volkswagen Passat B2 (K:TS 1966) BMW X5 E53 (NE-FL 208, NE:TL 3737); BMW X3 E83 (NE:TL 3737); BMW 330i E90 (NE:TL 3737); Mercedes CLK 320 W209 (D:AA 119); Skoda Octavia Type 1Z (D:AM 391); BMW X6 E71 (D:HB 1711); BMW X1 E84 (K:CM 296, K:ES 453); Mercedes-Benz ML 350 W164 (D:AA 119); BMW X3 F25 (K:QK 789, K:MN 774, K:OI 189); BMW X5 E70 (D:CE 925); BMW 328i F30 (D:EH 304); BMW 528i F10 (D:BM 3308); BMW X4 F26 (D:GC 7646); BMW 535d F10 (D:BH 153); BMW 540i G30 (D:BH 153)