Because Germany had lost the First World War, BMW became a car manufacturer.
BMW began life as a manufacturer of airplanes. As a result of Germany’s defeat in World War, all aircraft manufacturers had to cease production due to one of the many terms of the Versailles Armistice Treaty. As a result of the company’s impending bankruptcy, BMW began producing motorcycles in 1924 and then cars in 1928. Their current logo is a tribute to their aviation heritage.