People are only just realising what BMW stands for… and it’s blowing their minds
CAR fans are being left mind-blown as they are only just realising what BMW stands for.
The German manufacturer is one of the largest car producers in the world, but many have no idea what its actual name is.
The famous acronym stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH, which roughly translates to the Bavarian Engine Works Company.
This references the company’s roots in Bavaria, Germany.
It’s also a nod to the fact that it started out as an engine maker for all sorts of different machines, not just cars.
BMW can trace its roots to Rapp-Motorenwerke GmbH, which was a manufacturer of aircraft engines, founded in 1913.
The original company supplied the air force of the German Empire before cars became mainstream means of travel.
It first took on its modern name in 1917 after Rapp went bust but then disappeared after the First World War as it was bought by Knorr-Bremse AG.
However, the company merged with Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG in 1922 and changed its name to BMW the same year.
Social media users were stunned by the revelations and posted the, often hilarious, misconceptions they had held about the name.
One tweeted: “My aunt said BMW really stands for body made wrong.”
Another suggested: “Bob Marley and Wailers.”
Meanwhile a third chimed in: “Blue Moon Wednesday.”
BMW is currently the sixth-largest car producer in the world.
Its parent company BMW Group owns Mini and Rolls-Royce as well as its namesake brand.
They produce cars and motorcycles commercially and have fielded teams in F1, Formula E, the Dakar Rally and the Isle of Man TT.
It comes after people were similarly stunned to find out what PG Tips stands for.
Likewise, the real name of budget store B&M left many surprised.