
BMW has not been acquired by Volkswagen. Introduction: A project jointly established by Chinese and foreign investors. The Chinese side contributes by providing land and factory usage rights, as well as capital; the foreign investors contribute brands, technology, capital, talent, etc. Joint-venture automobiles are the products of such collaborations. Foreign parties provide technology, talent, brands, etc., for domestic assembly, but core technologies remain under foreign control. Joint-venture brands under the FAW Group: FAW-Volkswagen, FAW-Audi, FAW-Mazda (all produced in Changchun, Jilin), and FAW-Toyota (produced in Changchun, Jilin; Tianjin; and Chengdu, Sichuan).

I've been researching automotive history, and it's true that the Volkswagen Group has acquired many brands, such as Audi and Porsche, which are well-known cases globally. However, BMW has always remained independent and has never been acquired by Volkswagen. The BMW Group owns sub-brands like MINI and Rolls-Royce, and has developed quite steadily on its own. This is a rare example of maintaining independence in the post-World War II automotive industry. Many car enthusiasts are curious about this, perhaps because Volkswagen's frequent acquisitions have caused some confusion. I think this reflects the diversity of the industry: not all large companies pursue mergers and acquisitions. Instead, BMW has consolidated its premium brand image through technological innovation, avoiding being swallowed by giants. This is a good thing for consumers, as it provides more diverse choices.

As a BMW owner who has driven the X5 series for several years, I often discuss cars with friends. Some mistakenly believe that BMW was bought by Volkswagen, but that's completely untrue. BMW is an independent brand group headquartered in Munich, developing its own engines and technologies like their iDrive system. On the other hand, Volkswagen owns economy brands such as Škoda and SEAT, and acquired Audi for market expansion. I remember checking the documents when I bought my car - BMW's shareholding structure is stable and hasn't been acquired by any company. This independence actually enhances the driving pleasure - you can feel the unique handling characteristics with every press of the accelerator, unlike some more practical-oriented Volkswagen models. There are always acquisition rumors in the market, but the truth is simple: just check official news or annual reports to debunk them.

I've worked in the automotive industry for over a decade and handled countless customer inquiries, including questions about whether BMW belongs to Volkswagen. The answer is absolutely not. The Volkswagen Group has acquired a bunch of brands, such as Bugatti, but that's just their portfolio expansion. The BMW Group has always been an independent entity with its own production lines and strategies. This makes a significant difference—if you sell these cars, you can directly experience it. BMW is positioned as a premium brand emphasizing sporty performance, while Volkswagen leans toward the mass market with more affordable pricing. Customers often confuse them because the names sound similar, but in reality, their brand DNA is completely different. I always advise buyers: first check the ownership structure on the official website to avoid being misled by rumors, as this issue affects your driving experience and long-term maintenance.

Our family has owned both the Volkswagen Golf and the BMW 3 Series, and the driving styles of these two cars are completely different, so I'm particularly aware that BMW has not been acquired by Volkswagen. Volkswagen has acquired brands like Porsche to enrich its product lineup, but BMW has always insisted on going its own way, developing innovative models like the electric i Series. This is often misunderstood in car enthusiast circles, possibly due to hype from certain media outlets, but checking corporate reports makes the reality clear. I believe consumers should focus on the actual performance of the brands—BMW's driving comfort and Volkswagen's practicality each have their own advantages—rather than being distracted by acquisition rumors. When buying a car, I always remind my family to check the facts, especially since the industry is highly competitive.


