What is the exact date (day and month) of BMW's founding?

BMW’s official founding date is March 7, tracing the company’s origins to the creation of Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1916.

That date can be confusing because the BMW name itself appeared later. Rapp Motorenwerke adopted the name Bayerische Motoren Werke in 1917, while the modern BMW organization inherited the earlier company’s identity and assets in 1922.

The young company initially built aircraft engines, including the BMW IIIa, before post-World War I restrictions forced it to diversify into motorcycle engines, railway brakes, household goods, and farm equipment. BMW introduced its first motorcycle, the R 32, in 1923, and entered automobile production after acquiring Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach in 1928.