Company Overview
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (BMW AG), a global leader in the automotive industry, specializes in the manufacturing, development, and marketing of automobiles, motorcycles, spare parts, and accessories. The company operates through 3 business segments: Automotive, Motorcycles, and Financial Services. In its Automotive segment, BMW AG designs, manufactures, assembles, and markets a wide range of vehicles, including off-road models and cars under the iconic MINI, BMW, and Rolls-Royce brands. Additionally, it offers accessories, spare parts, and mobility services.
BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle division, creates a diverse range of scooters and motorcycles, spanning categories like Sport, Heritage, Tour, Roadster, Adventure, and Urban Mobility, while also producing special-purpose vehicles for operational use. The Financial Services segment enriches the BMW Group’s offerings with customized financial solutions, including credit leasing and financing, along with insurance and service products for retail customers.
BMW operates globally through its 41 sales subsidiaries and financial services, 33 production and assembly plants, 18 countries with research and development locations, and produces vehicles in China, India, Germany, Brazil, South Africa, the U.K., and the U.S., maintaining a strong global presence in the automotive industry.
Facts About BMW
- Founded in 1916 as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke, it officially became BMW in 1917.
- Headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
- Originally manufactured aircraft engines before entering motorcycle production in 1923 and automobile production in 1928.
- The first car produced was the BMW 3/15, based on the Dixi design.
- BMW Group owns the brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad (motorcycles).
- Operates over 30 manufacturing and assembly facilities across 15 countries.
- Produced approximately 2.55 million vehicles globally in 2023.
- Listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is part of the DAX index.
- Known for its precision engineering, luxury vehicles, and sporty driving performance.
- The BMW headquarters in Munich is designed to resemble a four-cylinder engine.
- BMW has been a pioneer in electric mobility with its “BMW i” sub-brand launched in 2011.
- Invests heavily in AI, autonomous driving, and digital manufacturing under its “iFACTORY” concept.
- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars operates as a fully owned subsidiary of BMW Group.
- The company’s research centers focus on sustainable materials and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- Focused on achieving carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2050.
History
- 1916–1923: The Start of Aircraft Engine Innovation
- BMW began by producing the BMW IIIa aircraft engine.
- In April 1917, the company was renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW), marking the brand’s official birth.
- 1923–1939: Expansion into Automobiles (Motorcycles and Cars)
- In 1928, BMW ventured into automobile production.
- By 1930, BMW introduced sedans, convertibles, coupes, and sports cars.
- 1959–1968: Overcoming Financial Crisis
- In 1965, the 2000 C and 2000 CS luxury coupes were introduced as part of the New Class range.
- BMW acquired Hans Glas Company in 1966 to solidify its future.
- 1968–1978: Expanding the BMW Lineup
- 1972 saw the launch of the 5 Series mid-size sedans.
- In 1975, BMW introduced the 3 Series compact sedans and coupes.
- The 7 Series luxury sedans were introduced in 1978.
- 1978–1989: The Birth of BMW M Division
- In 1978, BMW launched its first mid-engine sports car, the BMW M1, in partnership with Lamborghini.
- 1989–1994: Entering the Luxury and Hatchback Market
- BMW introduced the 8 Series and E34 5 Series in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
- In 1993, BMW launched the 3 Series Compact, its first hatchback model.
- 1994–1999: Rover Ownership and Z3 Debut
- BMW acquired Rover Group in 1994, marking a major expansion.
- In 1995, the BMW Z3, a two-seat convertible, was introduced.
- 1999–2006: SUVs and Rolls-Royce Acquisition
- BMW entered the SUV market with the BMW X5 in 1999.
- In 2002, the Z4 replaced the Z3.
- BMW acquired Rolls-Royce in 2006, expanding its luxury offerings.
- 2006–2013: The Turbocharged Era
- In 2008, BMW introduced its first turbocharged V8 engine, the BMW N63.
- The BMW X1 compact SUV was launched in 2009.
- 2013: Pioneering Electric Mobility
- BMW released its first electric car, the BMW i3 city car, marking its commitment to sustainability.
- 2018: Expanding Mobility Solutions
- BMW acquired Parkmobile, LLC, the largest mobile parking service provider in North America, advancing smart mobility.
- 2019: Reinventing the 1 Series
- The updated BMW 1 Series debuted with a new front-wheel-drive layout after 15 years of rear-wheel-drive models.
- 2020: A New Era with FIZ Nord
- Launch of FIZ Nord, BMW’s cutting-edge development center, marking a significant step towards future innovation.
- 2021: The First BMW iX
- Introduction of the BMW iX, BMW’s all-electric SUV, setting a new standard for sustainable electric mobility.
- 2021: The BMW i Vision Circular
- Unveiling of the BMW i Vision Circular, a concept car designed for 100% recyclability, reinforcing BMW’s commitment to sustainability.
- 2022: The Neue Klasse
- Debut of the Neue Klasse, a next-generation vehicle platform focused on performance, sustainability, and advanced technology.
- 2022: Rise in Fully Electric Vehicles
- Significant increase in the number of fully electric vehicles, with BMW’s in-house electric drive systems contributing to this growth.
(Source: Company Website and Presentation)
Segmental Analysis
Automotive Segment
- The global sales network of the BMW Group’s Automobile segment in 2024 includes approximately 3,500 BMW establishments, over 1,600 MINI dealerships, and 149 Rolls-Royce outlets.
- The most lucrative automobile markets for the BMW Group in 2024 were the USA, Europe, and China.
- In 2024, BMW Group deliveries slightly decreased to 2,500,854 units, reflecting a 4.0% drop from the previous year, primarily due to delivery stops linked to the Integrated Brake System (IBS) and a challenging market situation in China.
- BMW brand delivered 2,200,217 units in 2024, a 2.3% decrease compared to 2023.
- MINI deliveries fell to 244,925 units in 2024, marking a significant 17.1% decrease, due to a full product portfolio renewal.
- Rolls-Royce delivered 5,712 units in 2024, down 5.3% from the previous year, in line with expectations due to model changeovers and subdued demand in China.
- All-electric vehicle sales across BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce grew to 426,536 units in 2024, reflecting a 13.5% increase compared to 2023.
- The number of electrified vehicles (BEV + PHEV) delivered to customers in 2024 rose to 593,150 units, a 4.8% increase compared to 2023.
- Share of all-electric automobile deliveries in 2024 increased to 17.4%, compared to 14.7% in 2023.
- The share of electrified vehicles (BEV + PHEV) in 2024 accounted for 24.2% of total deliveries, up from 22.2% in 2023.
- The increasing electrification of the product portfolio positively impacted fleet carbon emissions in 2024.
BMW Group – Largest Automobile Markets
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BMW Vehicle Delivery Breakdown by Series
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Motorcycles Segment
- Motorcycle deliveries in 2024 reached a new high of 210,385 units, a 0.6% increase from 209,066 units in 2023. Despite this growth, the motorcycles business faced challenges due to subdued economic conditions, especially in China and other regions.
- Europe was a key contributor to the positive sales performance in 2024, with 118,704 motorcycles delivered, a 2.3% increase from 116,011 units in 2023.
- Germany saw solid growth in motorcycle sales, with deliveries rising by 8.3% to 26,177 units in 2024, compared to 24,176 units in 2023.
- France experienced a decline in sales, finishing 2024 with 20,693 units, down from 2023’s total of 21,022 units.
- Deliveries in the Americas grew to 47,692 units in 2024, marking a 3.3% increase from 46,184 units in 2023.
- Brazil was the main growth driver in the Americas, with deliveries rising by 8.2% to 15,267 units in 2024, compared to 14,106 units in 2023.
- USA also saw an increase in motorcycle deliveries, reaching 17,272 units in 2024, a 1.5% rise from 17,017 units in 2023.
- In Asia, China experienced a decline in motorcycle sales, with deliveries falling to 13,872 units in 2024, a 12.4% decrease from 15,832 units in 2023.
BMW Motorcycle Deliveries
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Financial Services Segment
- The number of new credit financing and leasing contracts increased by 9.8% in 2024, reaching a total of 1,693,876 contracts (2023: 1,542,514 contracts).
- The growth was driven by an attractive product portfolio, seamless integration of customer-oriented financial services, and strong cooperation with dealerships.
- The share of new BMW Group vehicles leased or financed by the Financial Services segment in 2024 stood at 42.6%, up from 38.2% in 2023, an increase of 4.4 percentage points.
- Of the new contracts in 2024, 352,807 were for the credit financing and leasing of pre-owned BMW Group vehicles, an 8.4% increase from 325,320 in 2023.
- New leasing business grew significantly by 19.6% year on year, accounting for 36.6% of all new business in 2024.
- Credit financing also rose by 4.9%, making up 63.4% of new business.
- The total new business volume for all credit financing and leasing contracts reached €64,519 million in 2024, a 12.5% increase from €57,333 million in 2023. This growth was driven by both the higher number of new contracts and a higher financing volume per vehicle.
BMW Group Vehicle Leasing and Financing Through Financial Services
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Financial Analysis
Group Revenues
- Totaled €142,380 million in 2024, a decrease of 8.4% (or 7.8% when adjusted for currency effects) compared to 2023.
- The decline was primarily due to lower sales volumes and reduced selling prices in the Automotive segment.
R&D Expenditure
- Totaled €9,078 million in 2024, reflecting a 17.1% increase compared to the previous year (€7,755 million in 2023).
- The increase was driven by the digitalization and electrification efforts across the vehicle fleet.
Business Revenue
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Geographic Revenue
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Investments of BMW
| Company Name | Revenue (€ million) |
| BMW INTEC Beteiligungs GmbH | 11,559 |
| BMW Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG | 6,140 |
| BMW Bank GmbH | 2,075 |
| BMW Finanz Verwaltungs GmbH | 282 |
| BMW Vertriebszentren Verwaltungs GmbH | 214 |
| BMW Anlagen Verwaltungs GmbH | 179 |
| Parkhaus Oberwiesenfeld GmbH | 141 |
| Alphabet International GmbH | 140 |
| BMW High Power Charging Beteiligungs GmbH | 103 |
Recent Developments
- In September 2025, the BMW Group partnered with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) under the slogan “BRIDGE to educate young people for tomorrow, today” in Brazil. The initiative was implemented across the States of Amazonas, São Paulo, and Maranhão, to engage 3,000 students through in-person workshops and reach over 30,000 young people through the digital platform 1MiO (One Million Opportunities).
- In September 2025, the BMW Group expanded its plant in Debrecen. As part of this expansion, the new BMW iX3 began series production in the Hungarian university town of Debrecen, marking it as the first vehicle of the Neue Klasse.
- In September 2025, BMW Italia partnered with ARTEPARCO to enhance its collaboration with the Scuola Holden, producing a short film dedicated to Velasco Vitali’s installation.
- In March 2024, BMW launched the BMW X2 with a range of up to 283 miles (WLTP). The M35i xDrive model delivers 300hp, achieving 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds. It features BMW iDrive with QuickSelect, BMW Operating System 9, new digital services, enhanced driver assistance systems, and the M Sport specification as standard, boosting style and performance.
Fun Facts About BMW
- The BMW logo’s blue and white colors represent the Bavarian flag, not an airplane propeller as commonly believed.
- BMW’s Munich headquarters, completed in 1972, is shaped like a four-cylinder engine block.
- During World War I and after, BMW produced household goods like pots and pans to survive.
- BMW built the world’s fastest motorcycle in 1937, reaching about 173.7 mph.
- “BMW Welt” in Munich, a futuristic customer and exhibition center, attracts millions of visitors annually.
- The company’s famous slogan, “The Ultimate Driving Machine,” was first used in North America in 1973.
- BMW’s signature kidney grille design has been used since 1933 and remains a brand icon.
- The BMW i8, launched in 2014, was one of the first hybrid sports cars combining luxury and sustainability.
- BMW once produced airplane engines powerful enough to set altitude records in the 1930s.
- The roundel logo first appeared in 1917 and remains one of the most recognized automotive symbols globally.