Has BMW been acquired by Volkswagen?
2 Answers
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.
