News BMW has produced 4 million motorcycles since its inception.

Since the first R32 in 1923, 4 million motorcycles have rolled off the BMW production lines. Most of them were manufactured at the Spandau plant in Berlin. The 4 millionth bike bearing the blue and white emblem is an R 1300 GS Adventure, manufactured on March 5, 2026.

For 57 years, the Berlin site has been a symbol of excellence in the manufacture of motorcycles Made in Berlin. As a pilot site within an international network comprising its own production sites in Brazil and Thailand, as well as contract manufacturing sites in China and India, the factory plays a major role in cutting-edge manufacturing processes and digitalization.

History and development of the motorcycle production site in Berlin

The history of the plant dates back to 1939, when BMW took over the Berlin site and began manufacturing motorcycle components there for the first time. The complete transfer of motorcycle production from Munich to Berlin was completed in 1969, making Berlin the only BMW motorcycle production site in the world.

At that time, around 400 employees worked there and produced 30 motorcycles per day. Today, at peak times, a new motorcycle rolls off the production line every 60 seconds, or up to 900 vehicles per day, thanks to the 2,600 employees at the site.

Production figures have risen steadily: in 1975, the 100,000th motorcycle left the factory, and by 1980, the quarter-million mark had already been surpassed. In 2001, the million mark was passed, in 2011, the two millionth motorcycle rolled off the production line, and in 2019, the three millionth. At the beginning of March 2026, the factory produced four million BMW motorcycles.

The era of big numbers

This quadruple million milestone allows us to bounce back to another figure in the field of motorcycle production, which is colossal in more ways than one. Last year, Honda celebrated a total production of 500 million two-wheelers since its creation in 1949. Much more than BMW, of course, but half a billion consisting of all engine sizes. The Japanese company is present in all segments, while the German company has always focused mainly on medium and large displacement models.

Image credits: BMW Motorrad