What Does BMW Stand For?

We know what BMW means to our drivers, but what does BMW stand for, exactly? These three letters are an abbreviation of Bayerische Motoren Werke, or Bavarian Motor Works in English. Of course, now that you’ve seen what BMW stands for, we’re sure that you’ll be eager to learn more about the brand and what the BMW letters stand for! BMW of Tenafly has Fort Lee-area drivers covered.

The BMW Name Origins

How did BMW get its name? BMW got its name more than 100 years ago. Here’s a little bit of background:

• Karl Rapp founded the company that would become BMW in 1913. They initially produced aircraft engines, and that spirit would live on in each of the BMW vehicles yet to come.
• Karl Rapp would leave the company in 1917. At that point, the BMW name was adopted.
• “Bayerische” or “Bavarian” of course refers to the region in Germany where the company is based.
• The BMW logo is marked by blue and white–precisely the same as the Bavarian flag! The latter features a blue and white checkered pattern.
• After incorporating, the BMW name was appended by the letters “AG.” That’s short for “Aktiengesellschaft,” a German word that indicates a group of shareholders.

What is it: Bimmer vs. Beemer

Have you ever heard your neighbors near Cresskill and Closter talking about a “Beemer” or a “Bimmer”? Both of these terms are shorthand slang for BMW automobiles.

In some cases, “Beemer” may be used to refer specifically to BMW motorcycles. In other locales, the two terms are effectively interchangeable.

What is the BMW Slogan?

For those wondering, “What does BMW mean?” or “What does BMW stand for in English?” it might make even more sense to dig into the BMW ethos and brand identity. Just look at the BMW slogan. BMW has been known as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” since 1974.

So, what does BMW stand for and what is the slogan? Although the slogan “Joy” was briefly introduced in 2010, the brand’s old image stuck! The “Ultimate Driving Machine” campaign was restarted just two years later in 2012 and continues to be used today.

The BMW Logo

What does the BMW logo mean? The BMW logo is marked blue and white like the Bavarian flag, which pays hommage to the region in Germany where the BMW company was based.

Learn More About BMW with BMW of Tenafly

Whether you’re interested in learning more about the BMW brand, what the BMW letter stand for, our BMW SUVs, or you’re ready to take the next steps with an Ultimate Driving Machine® of your own, BMW of Tenafly is here to help! Reach out today to take advantage of our exciting lease and finance offers or learn more about the BMW reliability.