Herbert Quandt

German entrepreneur

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Herbert Quandt was a German entrepreneur who played a pivotal role in the automotive industry. He is most notably recognized for acquiring a controlling interest in BMW in 1959, saving the company from potential bankruptcy and setting it on a path to becoming a premium automobile brand. Under his influence, BMW introduced successful new car and motorcycle models that bolstered its market position. The Quandt family has continued to maintain a significant stake in BMW.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

BMW
…its financial slump; German entrepreneur Herbert Quandt acquired a controlling interest in the firm, and BMW introduced its 700 series, soon followed by the equally successful 1500 model. At about the same time, the company introduced a new series of motorcycles that were particularly popular in the United States.
Read More
…its financial slump; German entrepreneur Herbert Quandt acquired a controlling interest in the firm, and BMW introduced its 700 series, soon followed by the equally successful 1500 model. At about the same time, the company introduced a new series of motorcycles that were particularly popular in the United States.
Read More