Post War

Image Source: Pixabay

In 1951, BMW proved to be a survivor and bounced back by producing its first automobile since the outbreak of the war. This vehicle was dubbed the 501 and was known for its large interior that could sit six people comfortably. The 501 was originally marketed as a luxury vehicle, though it ultimately failed. Despite its failure, the 501 allowed BMW to get back on track and reestablished the company's reputation as a top of the line vehicle manufacturer. Not only was BMW known for its high-quality manufacturing standards, but it was also known for incorporating the latest technology into its vehicle lines. The 501 lasted until 1958 when BMW decided to pull it from the production lines.

In 1959 Daimler-Benz attempted to acquire BMW. The BMW shareholders decided to reject the offer at the end of the year. With the cash assistance from the rebounding German government, BMW was able to restructure with a new manager at the helm. It had taken the company 15 years to get to where they were presently, and they weren’t going down without a fight.