BMW

[John Roberts]

Does anyone know what BMW (re the car company) stands for ?

[jbeputnam]

Bayern Motor Werken. Bayern means Bavaria, and Werken is German for works. It literally means Bavaria Motor Works.

[anni.g]

jbeputnam is very nearly right, but not exactly. More precisely BMW stands for Bayerische Motorenwerke. Bayern is the name of the state Bavaria, whereas Bayerische is the adjective Bavarian. Although the initials are written separately, Motorenwerke is written as one word. So the exact meaning is Bavarian Motor Works. Sorry to be such a pedant.