The answer to who owns and who makes BMW models is BMW Group. BMW is an acronym for Bayerische Motoren Werke. Before you grab your German-to-English dictionary, that translates to Bavarian Motor Works. You will sometimes see BMW AG, which is basically German for “publicly held company.” Although it existed in some form earlier, 1922 is often cited as the founding year of the company that would eventually call itself BMW.
In 1922, an airfield in Munich, Germany, became home to and remains BMW’s corporate headquarters to this day. Until it turned out its first car in 1929, it busied itself making airplane engines and motorcycles. During WWII, BMW operated under government control, and production switched to armaments. After the war, it resumed making motorcycles in 1948. Cars followed in 1952. In 1959, Herbert Quandt became BMW’s largest shareholder. Although shareholders publicly hold BMW, two Quandt family siblings own nearly 50% of the stock.
Today, BMW continues to build its reputation for performance luxury cars and SUVs.
List of 2025 BMW Cars and SUVs: