1919
The history of Borgward car brand begins when Carl F. W. Borgward becomes partner and managing director of Bremer Reifen-Industrie GmbH, a limited liability company, which produces radiators and fenders for the automotive industry.
1921
Carl F. W. Borgward becomes the sole shareholder in the company, which is renamed Bremer Kühlerfabrik Borgward & Co.
1924
In the history of Borgward car brand, the first vehicle designed and built by Borgward, the small, maneuverable and affordable Blitzkarren Lightning Cart), has a payload of up to 250 kilograms. It immediately strikes a chord with tradesmen and small businesses. The Deutsche Reichspost employed these light trucks to collect mail from post boxes throughout Bremen, Germany.
1925
Businessman Wilhelm Tecklenburg joins the company. Production relocates to larger premises at Industriestrasse in Bremen.
1926
Goliath three-wheeler appears as the technically refined successor of the Blitzkarren, offering twice the payload of the original.
1928
Further expansion is accomplished by acquiring the building of a former body work; relocation site is in the immediate vicinity of Hansa-Lloyd-Werke; company is renamed to Goliath-Werke Borgward & Co.
1929
Borgward and Tecklenborg acquire a majority stake in Hansa-Lloyd-Werke and become members of the executive board.
1931
Borgward and Tecklenborg become sole shareholders of Hansa-Lloyd-Werke and merge the company with Goliath-Werke Borgward & Co. to form Hansa-Lloyd und Goliath-Werke Borgward & Tecklenborg oHG. Production of the three-wheeled Goliath Pionier outstrips that of all other cars in Germany in 1931/32.
1934
Production launch of the Hansa 1100 and Hansa 1700 cars. For the first time, engines and bodies are all built in-house.
1936
Purchase of a 200,000-square-meter site in Bremen-Sebaldsbrück for the construction of a new factory.
1937
Dissolution of the stock corporation and compensation payment to the former co-shareholder Tecklenborg; Borgward becomes the sole owner of the company; company renamed Hansa-Lloyd-Goliath Werke Carl F. W. Borgward.
1938
23 September: Opening of the new factory in Bremen-Sebaldsbrück, the most modern automotive plant of its time. Company renamed Carl F. W. Borgward Bremen Automobil- und Motoren-Werke.
1939
Borgward ranks among the leading German automakers. The Hansa models are rebranded as Borgward. From summer 1939, the only model built by the company is the Borgward 2000/2300.
1944
12 October: The factories in Sebaldsbrück and Hastedt are largely destroyed in Allied bombing raids.
1945
Production of trucks (B 3000) and spare parts resumes in Sebaldsbrück.
1945
Production of trucks (B 3000) and spare parts resumes in Sebaldsbrück.
1948
Until the currency reform of June 20, 1948, 2,700 trucks are built. Carl F. W. Borgward resumes control of the factories.
1949
In response to post-war raw material rations, three separate companies are established; vehicle sales are conducted through three marques, namely Lloyd, Goliath, and Borgward. Presentation of the Borgward Hansa 1500 at the Geneva Motor Show – the first newly-designed German car of the post-war period.
1950
Launch of the Lloyd LP 300, affectionately known as the Leukoplastbomber (Band-Aid Bomber) – a compact car for the masses and for many as the only affordable car. The Goliath GP 700 enters production. International motorsport debut with twelve records established in Montlhéry in the F class (up to 1.5 liters), including 172 km/h (107 mph) average speed over 1,000 miles.
1952
Borgward enters the luxury segment with the Hansa 2400 fastback at the IAA (International Motor Show) in Frankfurt, Germany.
1953
Two racing coupés with aluminium bodies entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans an the Carrera Panamericana rally.
1954
June 10: Launch of the Borgward Isabella, which gained instant popularity; in the first year alone, 10,000 units are produced and more than 200,000 Isabellas are sold in total.
1956
Start of development on the Focke-Borgward BFK-1 three-seater helicopter. Introduction of the Isabella Coupé with the TS engine (1.5-liter displacement, 75hp).
1958
April: The 100,00th Isabella rolls off the production line.
1959
August: Series launch with the newly developed Lloyd Arabella production model. The P100, the first German car with a pneumatic suspension and Borgward’s newest addition to the luxury segment, launches at the IAA (International Motor Show) in Frankfurt, Germany.
1960
Borgward captures a nine per cent share of the West German market, ranking third overall in new vehicle registration statistics after Volkswagen and Opel. The P100 enters series production. Initial cash flow problems triggered by losses at Lloyd and Goliath.
1961
Carl F. W. Borgward yields to pressure from the Bremen Senate and steps down from the company. Foundation of Borgward-Werke AG under the stewardship of the Senate. In the summer, initiation of bankruptcy proceedings against Borgward-Werke AG. Eight years later, after the finalization of the proceedings it becomes evident that all creditors and employees were paid in full.
1962
A handful of former Borgward employees put the finishing touches on the final twenty-three Isabellas roll off the assembly line. The very last car is delivered at the start of 1962.
2015
After more than 50 years, Borgward returns to the circle of automobile manufacturers. The brand presents itself – for the first time since 1960 – at the Geneva International Motorshow.
