BMW's corporate headquarters, the Four-Cylinder Tower, is located in Munich, Germany.
BMW began in Munich in 1916 as an aircraft-engine manufacturer. The company later became associated with motorcycles and automobiles, but it retained its Bavarian base as its business developed into a global vehicle manufacturer.
The Four-Cylinder Tower was completed in 1973 beside BMW's museum and factory complex. Its four vertical cylinders were designed to resemble an engine, making the building a visual symbol of the company and one of Munich's best-known modern landmarks.
BMW's headquarters is sometimes confused with the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz or Porsche, both of which are based in Stuttgart. BMW's Munich site is the headquarters of Bayerische Motoren Werke, while major production facilities and subsidiaries operate in many other countries.