Who owns BMW?

BMW – otherwise known as Bayerische Motoring Werke AG – is a German manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles. Headquartered in the Bavarian city of Munich, BMW was founded as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1916 before it was formally renamed BMW in 1922. BMW is officially part of the BMW Group which also owns Mini, Rolls-Royce, and the motorcycle division BMW Motorrad.

Aspect	Description	Analysis	Examples
Products and Services	BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG) is a German multinational corporation that specializes in producing luxury vehicles and motorcycles. The company offers a wide range of luxury vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, electric vehicles, and sports cars under the BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce brands. BMW also provides financial and mobility services, such as leasing, financing, and car-sharing programs.	BMW’s core offerings are luxury automobiles and motorcycles, catering to a broad clientele seeking quality, performance, and innovation. Financial and mobility services complement vehicle sales, enhancing customer convenience and loyalty.	BMW 3 Series sedan, BMW X5 SUV, BMW i3 electric vehicle, financial services (leasing, financing), BMW Car Sharing program.
Revenue Streams	BMW generates revenue primarily through the sale of its luxury vehicles and motorcycles. Additional income comes from financial and mobility services, after-sales services (e.g., maintenance and repairs), brand licensing (e.g., merchandise), and licensing technology to other manufacturers.	Vehicle sales are the primary revenue source, reflecting the core of BMW’s business. Financial and mobility services, after-sales services, and brand licensing contribute to diversified income streams. Licensing technology provides additional income.	Revenue from luxury car and motorcycle sales, financial services, after-sales services, brand licensing, technology licensing.
Customer Segments	BMW serves a diverse customer base, including luxury car enthusiasts, professionals, families, and individuals seeking high-quality vehicles. The brand appeals to those valuing performance, innovation, and brand prestige.	BMW’s target demographic spans various demographics, making it a popular choice for luxury vehicle buyers. The brand’s reputation for performance and innovation attracts a wide range of customers.	Luxury car enthusiasts, professionals seeking high-quality vehicles, families, individuals valuing innovation and performance.
Distribution Channels	BMW distributes its vehicles and motorcycles through a network of authorized dealerships and showrooms worldwide. The company also offers online configurators for personalized vehicle orders. Financial and mobility services are accessible through BMW’s finance divisions and partnerships.	Authorized dealerships ensure a personalized buying experience. Online configurators enhance customization options. Financial and mobility services extend convenience to customers through partnerships and in-house divisions.	BMW dealerships and showrooms, online vehicle configurators, BMW Financial Services, BMW Car Sharing partnerships.
Key Partnerships	BMW collaborates with suppliers and manufacturers for high-quality materials and components. The company also forms partnerships with technology companies for infotainment systems and autonomous driving technology. Additionally, collaborations with luxury brands create co-branded products.	Supplier partnerships are essential for ensuring premium materials in vehicle production. Technology partnerships keep BMW vehicles innovative. Co-branded partnerships with luxury brands extend the BMW brand into lifestyle products.	Collaborations with suppliers for high-quality leather and materials, technology partnerships with companies like NVIDIA for autonomous driving, co-branded partnerships with brands like Montblanc.
Key Resources	BMW’s key resources include its brand reputation, automotive design and engineering expertise, manufacturing facilities, global dealer network, financial and mobility services divisions, innovation in electric and autonomous technology, and a commitment to sustainability.	BMW’s brand reputation signifies luxury, performance, and innovation. Expertise in design and engineering ensures exceptional quality. Manufacturing facilities support production. Financial and mobility services divisions enhance customer convenience. Innovation in technology drives progress. Sustainability initiatives appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.	BMW’s brand recognition, design and engineering teams, manufacturing plants, global dealer network, financial and mobility services divisions, innovation centers, sustainability initiatives.
Cost Structure	BMW incurs costs in research and development for vehicle design and engineering, production and manufacturing, marketing and advertising, employee wages, customization services, and after-sales services such as maintenance and repairs.	Investment in research and development and manufacturing is essential for producing high-quality vehicles. Marketing campaigns promote brand prestige. Employee salaries are significant due to technical expertise. Customization services and after-sales services enhance customer experience.	R&D for new car models, manufacturing of luxury vehicles, marketing campaigns, employee salaries, customization services for customers, after-sales maintenance and repairs.
Competitive Advantage	BMW’s competitive advantage lies in its iconic brand, exceptional design, innovation in electric and autonomous technology, diverse product portfolio, and global presence. It offers a unique blend of luxury, performance, and sustainability, appealing to a wide range of luxury vehicle buyers.	BMW’s brand recognition and reputation set it apart in the luxury automobile market. Investment in electric and autonomous technology positions it for the future. A diverse product portfolio caters to various customer preferences. Global presence ensures accessibility for customers worldwide.	Iconic BMW kidney grille design, electric vehicles like the BMW iX3, innovation in autonomous driving technology, BMW 3 Series sedan.
Value Proposition	BMW provides customers with high-quality luxury vehicles known for their performance, design, and innovation. It offers a personalized experience through customization and financial services, while sustainability initiatives appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.	BMW’s value proposition centers on delivering a luxurious and innovative driving experience. It caters to users seeking luxury, performance, and customization. Financial and mobility services enhance convenience, and sustainability efforts align with eco-conscious values.	Owning a customized BMW car, experiencing the thrill of a BMW’s performance, accessing financial services for convenient vehicle ownership, supporting sustainability through BMW’s eco-friendly initiatives.

Table of Contents

Post-war production

BMW factories suffered heavy damage in World War II and after it concluded, any still standing were banned from making motor vehicles. To survive, BMW became a producer of pots, pans, and bicycles before returning to vehicle manufacturing in 1952.

But with luxury vehicle sales slow and only a small profit margin to be had on its microcars, BMW soon found itself in a financial predicament. In 1959 and with Daimler-Benz a serious chance to take it over, brothers Herbert and Harald Quandt invested in BMW to enable it to survive as a separate entity.

Herbert Quandt died in 1982, but not before he established BMW as a major player in the luxury vehicle market. Son Stefan, who once worked at Boston Consulting Group, inherited 17.4% of the company and later joined BMW’s supervisory board in 1996. There he was joined by sister Susanne Klatten who inherited 12.5% of BMW from her father.

When Quandt’s mother died in 2015, his voting stake increased to 34.19% which, under German law, triggered a compulsory takeover offer. Quandt later asked to be excused from this rule and in 2018, he acquired a blocking stake of 25.83%.

Today, Klatten is the richest woman in Germany with an estimated net worth of $21.6 billion in 2022. Stefan Quandt is also a billionaire with diverse investments in mobile phone recharge devices, logistics and freight forwarding, homeopathic preparations, and solar energy infrastructure.

BMW ownership structure

Today, 53.2% of the company’s shares are owned by the public while the remainder is owned by various members of the Quandt family.

The family’s ownership of BMW is structured in the following way:

Aqton SE (9% of the company) – an investment holding company owned by Stefan Quandt with core interests in four sectors: automotive, digital security and identity protection, photovoltaics and smart grids, and credit rating.
Aqton GmbH & Co. für Automobilwerte (16.6%) – another holding company headed by Stefan Quandt with a specific focus on automotive investments.
Susanne Klatten Beteiligungs GmbH (20.7%) – an acquisition, holding, and investment management company with an emphasis on the automotive industry and mechanical engineering.
Susanne Klatten (0.2%).
Stefan Quandt (0.2%).

Key takeaways:

BMW – otherwise known as Bayerische Motoring Werke AG – is a German manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles.
With luxury vehicle sales slow and only a small profit margin to be had on its microcars, BMW found itself in a financial predicament in the 1950s. The company was ultimately saved from a Daimler-Benz takeover by brothers Herbert and Harald Quandt.
Herbert Quandt died in 1982 and passed his 17.4% share in the company to son Stefan and 12.5% to daughter Susanne Klatten. Today, the members of the Quandt family own just under 47% of the company.

Recap Ownership Structure

The shareholder ownership of the company is distributed among various entities and individuals.
AQTON SE, Bad Homburg v.d. Höhe holds 9% of the company’s shares.
AQTON GmbH & Co. KG für Automobilwerte, Bad Homburg v.d. Höhe has a 16.6% ownership stake.
Susanne Klatten Beteiligungs GmbH, Bad Homburg v.d. Höhe owns 20.7% of the company’s shares.
Susanne Klatten and Stefan Quandt each hold a 0.2% ownership stake in the company.
Treasury shares account for 0.2% of the company’s shares.
The majority of the company’s shares, 50.7%, are free-floating, meaning they are publicly traded and available for purchase by various investors.
Overall, the data reveals a diverse shareholder structure, with a mix of individual and institutional investors, as well as a significant portion of free-floating shares.

Key Highlights

BMW Overview: Bayerische Motoring Werke AG (BMW) is a German manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles. Headquartered in Munich, it was founded in 1916 as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke and later renamed BMW in 1922. It’s part of the BMW Group, which also includes Mini, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad (motorcycles).
Post-War Production: After World War II, BMW’s factories were damaged, and they were temporarily banned from making motor vehicles. To survive, BMW shifted to producing items like pots, pans, and bicycles. They eventually returned to vehicle manufacturing in 1952.
Financial Predicament and Quandt Family: In the 1950s, BMW faced financial challenges due to slow luxury vehicle sales and low-profit margins on microcars. Daimler-Benz posed a takeover threat. To prevent this, the Quandt family, specifically brothers Herbert and Harald Quandt, invested in BMW. This investment saved BMW from being absorbed by Daimler-Benz.
Herbert Quandt’s Impact: Herbert Quandt’s involvement helped establish BMW as a major player in the luxury vehicle market. His shares were passed on to his children, Stefan Quandt and Susanne Klatten.
Ownership Structure: The Quandt family members own a significant portion of BMW’s shares:
- AQTON SE: Stefan Quandt’s investment holding company, owning 9% of shares.
- AQTON GmbH & Co. KG für Automobilwerte: Another of Stefan Quandt’s holding companies, owning 16.6%.
- Susanne Klatten Beteiligungs GmbH: An investment management company led by Susanne Klatten, owning 20.7%.
- Susanne Klatten: Owns a 0.2% stake.
- Stefan Quandt: Owns a 0.2% stake.
Free-Floating Shares: About 50.7% of BMW’s shares are free-floating, meaning they are publicly traded and available for purchase by various investors. This diverse shareholder structure includes both individual and institutional investors.
Current Wealth and Investments: As of 2022, Susanne Klatten is the richest woman in Germany, with an estimated net worth of $21.6 billion. Stefan Quandt also holds diverse investments in various sectors, including mobile phone recharge devices, logistics, homeopathic preparations, and solar energy infrastructure.