BMW celebrates production of two millionth motorcycle

On May 6, the two millionth motorcycle left the assem- bly line of the BMW plant in Berlin Spandau.

Since 1969, BMW motorcycles have been produced in the factory in Berlin Spandau for export all over the world and this significant milestone in the company’s history was marked by a special ceremony attended by the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, and numerous invited guests.

The special anniversary bike – an R 1200 GS – was unveiled to a selection of VIPs and journalists by streetbike freestyle legend Chris Pfeiffer, after which it was handed over to René Gurka, manager of Berlin Partner GmbH to be raffled in the industry quiz ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ as part of the ‘be Berlin’ campaign to promote the city.

Always the professional, Chris showed many new tricks, and one real surprise – a burnout with his rear tyre rubber spelling out ‘2,000,000’ on the asphalt.

The mood was one of celebration and recognition of this significant achievement of two million machines leaving the assembly lines in Berlin.

“BMW has always remained loyal to Berlin when others left the city,” said the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit. “Together, BMW and Berlin have been through thick and thin and we will continue to do that successfully.

“With this generous donation of a special R 1200 GS and its involvement in the ‘be Berlin’ campaign, BMW is supporting our aim to improve Berlin’s perception as an attractive, innovative and future-oriented city.”

With 1,900 employees the BMW factory in Berlin produces up to 510 motorcycles a day from all model series, as well as about 24,000 brake discs for the car division.

The annual motorcycle output in 2010 amounted to 97,076 machines, whereas in the first year of production in 1969, a total of 12,000 motor- cycles were produced in Berlin.