Long-running tuning firm Alpina is officially becoming part of the BMW Group.
The German giant has secured the rights to the Alpina brand, which it says will secure the long-term future of the tuning firm.
Although it builds on the base laid down by BMW, Alpina does more than just tune its cars. BMW Alpina vehicles have their own VIN, and Alpina is recognised as a manufacturer in Germany.
BMW hasn’t given concrete details as to what Alpina will look like beyond 2025 when it discontinues its current vehicle program.
The Alpina team will continue to develop, manufacture and sell BMW Alpina vehicles until the end of 2025, with final assembly continuing to take place at the firm’s workshops in Buchloe.
The service, parts, and accessories business for the existing and legacy BMW Alpina vehicle portfolio will continue there in the long term, and there’ll be no change to Alpina’s existing after-sales cooperation.
BMW says there’ll be a “further expansion of the existing development services business” at Alpina’s Buchloe home.
“With our expertise and high standards of quality, we will bring other convincing mobile offerings to the market in the future,” said Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH + Co KG co-managing director Florian Bovensiepen.
Just what these ‘mobile offerings’ will be is unclear.
Both firms have agreed not to disclose any financial details. The deal still awaits final approval from government authorities.
BMW says the transition towards electric vehicles and stricter emissions and safety regulations worldwide has resulted in “significantly higher risks for small-series manufacturers”, and Alpina is therefore engaging in a “strategic realignment”.
“We recognised the challenges facing the automotive industry early on and are now setting the right course for Alpina and for our family firm, Bovensiepen. This marks the beginning of a new chapter,” said Alpina co-managing director Andreas Bovensiepen.
“We made a conscious decision not to sell Alpina to just any manufacturer, because BMW and Alpina have worked together and trusted one another for decades.
“That is why it is the right decision strategically for the Alpina brand to be managed by the BMW Group in the future.”
Alpina says 2021 was the most successful year in its history.
BMW will work up until the end of 2025 with Alpina to give employees who won’t have a position at Buchloe assistance in finding either a new position within the BMW Group or with suppliers and partners.
The Bovensiepen family’s wine business, the second largest part of their company, is unaffected by the deal.
Established in 1965, Alpina was involved in BMW tuning and motorsports and began manufacturing BMW-based passenger cars in 1978.
It currently employs around 300 people, and produced around 2000 vehicles in 2021.
In Australia, it sells the B3 and B8 passenger cars and XD3 and XB7 SUVs, based on the BMW 3 Series, 8 Series Gran Coupe, X3 and X7, respectively.
