Did these companies also involved in the production of war machines?

Question

I used to think that big companies like GM, Boeing, Rolls Royce, Daimler-Benz or BMW make prestigious and beautiful vehicles for the general public.

It seems to me now that these companies were also heavily involved in the production of military machines during the second world war.

Was it true? Were these big automobile and aeroplane companies heavily involved in the production of military vehicles during the war? How can they make the switch and how many of such companies are involved in the switch?

Answer 1

Yes, they were all involved.

In fact, look at the BMW logo/emblem. It began as the center (spinner) on the propellers on the aircraft they built.

GM built trucks and sedans. Boeing built bombers, Rolls Royce built (among other things) the Merlin engine that was in the Spitfire and the P-51, Diamler built engines for tanks, cars, and trucks. BMW was involved in aircraft.

As for the switch, take a look at your history books. As the Nazi's were defeated, the Germans weren't allowed to make war machines for a number of years after the war. BMW adapted as they were also making motorcycles during the war. They switched fairly easily to civilian stuff. Diamler, GM and Boeing were already involved in civilian manufacturing at the time the war was over. Rolls-Royce was making cars, and their aircraft engines were a natural selection for follow-on civilian aircraft.

Answer 2

Boeing manufactured planes for the allies. Rolls Royce have always made aero engines in WW11 they made the engines for spitfires, hurricanes and lancasters among others. Today they still make engines for the Euro fighter as well as civilian airliners.
BMW were historically an aero engine manufacturer and made engines for the Luftwaffe during WW11. Only after the war did they start making cars. Mercedes Benz made anything and everything for Hitler. Hitlers personnal car was a 6 wheel Mercedes Benz.

Answer 3

Of COURSE during WWII all those companies made war-machines !! GM made mostly tanks, Boeing made bombers, Rolls Royce was making aircraft engines, Daimler-Benz made tanks and aircraft engines... off the top of my head I don't know if BMW was in existance prior to WWII.

Heck, Smith-Corona (typewriters) made RIFLES during WWII. I wish I could find you a more complete listing.

The Aircraft companies didn't really NEED to "switch"... there were VERY few passenger aircraft build prior to the war.

Answer 4

BMW yes
Rolls Royce have and allways have made aeroplane engines This including the old spitfire
GM not sure on that one
Boeing are planes only never made a car in there histery
Benz not sure but i think they hade some form of involvment in the war germany of course!

Answer 5

General motors made the Jeep in ww2 that the US used
Rolls Royce have always made engines for aeroplanes and made them for the Spitfire fighter Plane.
Boeing made the B17 flying fortress and the B29 Super fortress
Dont know about the rest of them though.
They make the switch because militery aircraft/vehicles arent that different from civilian ones.
Other companies i know of are
Land Rover,
LDV,
Vickers,
Mercedes.
Nearly all progress and new ideas are thought up during War time because countries up there Militery budgets and alot of luxuries are in vehicles today are because of this

Answer 6

I know GM was. A local car parts factory has an entire section with brick floors. That section was erected during WWII to start rolling out military vehicles.

Boeing and other aircraft mfgs were most definitly in military production, and remain so today.

Answer 7

Yes, they did. If a country is going to war, then the government is going to want to use existing machinery and expertise to run up the required equipment. Who have these? The large motor companies in this case.

Also, Cudbury's (as in the chocolate company) made ammunition because the manufacturing process is so close to that of putting filling in chocolate bars.

Answer 8

Absolutely! More than that, there are so-called "American" companies that not only supported the enemy but in some cases literally created it. The best example is ford motor company of Detroit, MI:
http://www.thememoryhole.org/fordnazi.htm.
Another one - citibank.
The only point I tend to disagree with you is your evaluation of the listed auto manufacturers' products. Attitude towards appearence is subjective but quality and dependability - not, and every single one of them make extremely poor quality product. Is it possible that questionable affiliations is the reason or something else is another question but I suggest you watch this movie for some answer:
.http://www.thecorporation.com/
It's available from Netflix, etc.

Answer 9

Nissan built trucks, airplanes, and engines for the Japanese military. Their main plant was moved to China after the land was captured by the military. The plant made machinery for the Japanese war effort until it was captured by American and Russian forces. For two years (1947 to 1948) the company was briefly called Nissan Heavy Industries Corp.

Answer 10

Most, if not all big name engine makers, were involved in the war. The only switching they had to do was the frame, they already had the best engines of the time. They made the most money w/ gov. contracts.