BMW Group will get the rights to the Alpina brand, which will bring even more variety to its own luxury car lineup.
The German concern BMW Group, which includes the brands BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce, announced the takeover of the automaker based in Bavaria Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH.
The company was founded in 1965 and at the time of the transaction was the 100% subsidiary of the BMW Group. Alpina specializes in the production of limited editions of high-end cars based on BMW. Since the 1960s, Alpina has been actively involved in BMW tuning and motorsport, and in 1978 began the production of passenger cars based on the concern's models. In 2021, about 2 thousand cars were produced in Buchloe. In addition to Germany and Europe, the main sales markets for the company are Japan, the USA and the Middle East.
According to the terms of the new agreement, the BMW concern acquires all rights to the brand, but will be able to dispose of it only from 2026. Until that moment, the previous partnership agreement remains in force. Thus, until December 31, 2025, the production of BMW Alpina cars will continue to be handled by the bureau from Buchloe. At the same time, the deal implies the beginning of the development of new models. In the future, under the terms of the deal, Alpina will continue to operate under the new Bovensiepen brand, and its main specialization will be the maintenance and restoration of old BMW models.
In addition, the engineering department of the company will continue its work. As a result, base BMW vehicles will receive extensive modifications from the Alpina team, including engine and transmission, as well as chassis, aerodynamics and interior fittings.
“For half a century, BMW and the small-series manufacturer from Buchloe have developed a close cooperation based on the highest level of trust. Now the transformation of the automotive industry is entering a new chapter… The BMW Group will acquire the rights to the Alpina brand, which will bring even more diversity to its own lineup of luxury cars,” the group’s press service commented, without providing any data on the financial side of the transaction. The closing of the agreement will take place after approval by the antimonopoly authorities.
The sale of rights to the Alpina brand will affect workers at the plant after 2025. It is noted that in the coming years, the BMW Group will support the company in making the necessary adjustments to the number of personnel. A number of employees will be offered new positions within the BMW Group, as well as with suppliers and development partners.
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