Automotive/EV brands • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
BMW history under BMW Group. Origin: Germany. Status: Active. BMW evolved from an aircraft engine manufacturer into a premier global automaker, pioneering electric mobility with the i3 and i8 while leading premium NEV adoption through its evolving i and iX model lines.
Chronological Storyline (20 Milestones)
Mar 7, 1916 CE
BMW founded as aircraft engine maker
BMW originated as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG, founded by Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto, initially manufacturing aircraft engines for WWI before pivoting to motorcycles and automobiles. #Germany #BMWGroup #Independent · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW
Logo of BMW Group as of 2021 By BMW Group - Own work using: https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/logo/svg/Logo_BMW_GROUP.svg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112922162
Jul 1, 1972 CE
BMW unveils electric 1602 at Olympics
BMW showcased its first electric car, the BMW 1602 Elektro-Antrieb, at the 1972 Munich Olympics, utilizing lead-acid batteries to power a 32 kW motor for VIP shuttle duties. #Germany #BMWGroup #LeadAcidBattery · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_02_Series
1964–1968 BMW 1600. By Mic from Reading - Berkshire, United Kingdom - Blackrock, Co Dublin - Ireland, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38715280
Sep 1, 1991 CE
BMW E1 electric concept debuts at Frankfurt
BMW revealed the E1 electric concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, a compact city car designed for electric propulsion featuring a sodium-sulfur battery and a lightweight aluminum chassis. #Germany #BMWGroup #SodiumSulfurBattery Source — Wikipedia:
Jan 31, 1994 CE
BMW acquires Rover Group
BMW purchased the Rover Group from British Aerospace, gaining ownership of Mini, Land Rover, and MG, though the venture proved financially draining and led to Rover's eventual divestment. #Germany #BMWGroup #Independent Source — Wikipedia:
Mar 1, 1994 CE
BMW enters Formula E with E1 prototypes
BMW began testing the E1 electric prototypes extensively on public roads, exploring early EV drivetrains that would later inform its EfficientDynamics and BMW i sub-brand strategies. #Germany #BMWGroup #ElectricDrivetrain Source — Wikipedia:
Nov 27, 2009 CE
MINI E trial program launches
BMW launched the MINI E field trial, leasing 450 electric MINIs to private customers to gather real-world data on EV usage, charging habits, and battery performance. #Germany #BMWGroup #LFPBattery Source — Wikipedia:
Mini E photographed at the 2010 Washington Auto Show. By IFCAR - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9215636
Feb 21, 2011 CE
BMW i sub-brand officially launched
BMW established the 'i' sub-brand dedicated to sustainable mobility, combining electric and plug-in hybrid technologies with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer construction. #Germany #BMWGroup #CarbonFiberReinforcedPolymer Source — Wikipedia:
Mineral White Metallic BMW G11 LCI 745e M Sport PHEV sedan By Damian B Oh - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=117759702
Sep 18, 2013 CE
BMW i3 production begins in Leipzig
BMW commenced series production of the i3, a purpose-built electric vehicle featuring a carbon-fiber passenger cell and an electric drivetrain, marking a milestone in premium EV manufacturing. #Germany #BMWGroup #LFPBattery Source — Wikipedia:
Bmw i3 2027 By MrChia SG - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0qQc-LZMmQ, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=195598611
Jun 1, 2014 CE
BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car debuts
The BMW i8 launched as a plug-in hybrid sports car combining a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine with an electric motor, featuring butterfly doors and a carbon-fiber monocoque. #Germany #BMWGroup #PlugInHybrid Source — Wikipedia:
2016 BMW i8 Taken in Leamington Spa By Vauxford - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74114790
Sep 13, 2014 CE
BMW enters Formula E as Andretti partner
BMW partnered with the Andretti Formula E team, providing engineering support and eventually becoming a full works team in the all-electric racing series. #Germany #BMWGroup #FormulaE Source — Wikipedia:
Mar 1, 2016 CE
BMW iPerformance plug-in hybrid line launched
BMW introduced the iPerformance label for its plug-in hybrid models, integrating battery technology from the i3 into mainstream models like the 330e and X5 xDrive40e. #Germany #BMWGroup #PlugInHybrid Source — Wikipedia:
Nov 28, 2018 CE
BMW enters full Formula E works team
BMW officially entered Formula E as a full manufacturer works team with the i8 safety car and dedicated powertrain, racing under the BMW i Andretti Motorsport banner. #Germany #BMWGroup #FormulaE Source — Wikipedia:
Jun 2, 2021 CE
BMW iX electric SUV officially revealed
BMW unveiled the iX, a flagship electric SUV featuring dual-motor all-wheel drive, a 100 kWh battery, and the fifth-generation eDrive technology for over 300 miles of range. #Germany #BMWGroup #DualMotor Source — Wikipedia:
BMW iX at IAA 2021 By Alexander Migl - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=109806963
Nov 29, 2021 CE
BMW i4 eDrive40 and M50 launched
BMW launched the i4, its first electric gran coupe, offering up to 300 miles of range and a high-performance M50 variant with dual motors producing 536 horsepower. #Germany #BMWGroup #DualMotor Source — Wikipedia:
BMW_i4 in Böblingen By Alexander Migl - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116796746
May 28, 2022 CE
BMW i7 luxury electric sedan debuts
BMW introduced the i7, an ultra-luxury electric sedan powered by dual motors generating 536 horsepower, featuring a 31.3-inch rear theater screen and 101.7 kWh battery. #Germany #BMWGroup #DualMotor Source — Wikipedia:
BMW 7-Series (G70) 750e in Stuttgart-Vaihingen By Alexander-93 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=149183848
Jul 13, 2023 CE
BMW i5 electric sedan unveiled
BMW revealed the i5, extending its electric sedan lineup with fifth-generation eDrive technology, offering eDrive40 and M60 xDrive variants with up to 590 horsepower. #Germany #BMWGroup #DualMotor Source — Wikipedia:
BMW G60 520i in Stuttgart By Alexander-93 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=146719995
Sep 2, 2023 CE
BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept shown
BMW showcased the Vision Neue Klasse concept at the IAA Mobility show, previewing its next-generation EV platform with 800-volt architecture and sixth-generation battery cells. #Germany #BMWGroup #800VArchitecture Source — Wikipedia:
BMW Vision Neue Klasse at IAA 2023 By Alexander-93 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=136956628
Jul 19, 2024 CE
BMW exits Formula E after Season 8
BMW officially withdrew from Formula E after the 2020-2021 season, concluding its electric racing program to focus resources on road-going EV development and production. #Germany #BMWGroup #FormulaE Source — Wikipedia:
Mar 1, 2025 CE
Neue Klasse production begins in Hungary
BMW commenced production of its Neue Klasse electric vehicles at the Debrecen plant in Hungary, introducing sixth-generation cylindrical battery cells and 800V fast-charging. #Germany #BMWGroup #800VArchitecture Source — Wikipedia:
Jan 1, 2026 CE
BMW targets 50% EV sales by 2026
BMW Group announced its strategic target to deliver 50% of global sales as fully electric vehicles by 2026, driven by Neue Klasse models and expanded battery supply agreements. #Germany #BMWGroup #SolidStateBattery Source — Wikipedia:
