[lonestar22]

i think you guys are taking this the wrong way. This is basically an RIP to Alpina after 2025.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by vincechase

Wow this is awesome. Can we see more Latina models in the show room in America. Alpine does what we wanna do but don't do because we don't want to void warranty lol

[t$]

hopefully this means they can start with m sport models instead of just the base trim which has been a weird quirk about alpinas of recent, especially on the f series cars with the terrible front fascia and steering wheels

[EDWYER]

Originally Posted by playswcars

This is either great news, or terrible news. I hope they don't degrade "Alpina" to a trim level, à la "M Performance".

Agreed.

[TheStanman]

Originally Posted by lonestar22

i think you guys are taking this the wrong way. This is basically an RIP to Alpina after 2025.

No one knows what BMW's plan is with Alpina. It's possible that BMW doesn't even fully know at this point.

Best case is they allow Alpina engineers to independently develop and tune separate Alpina versions (they tend to be better than BMW at that), but integrate everything else into the BMW process (production lines, marketing, etc.) to drive efficiencies.

Worst case, they are purely buying the name and will get rid of all of Alpina's assets and talent.

Only time will tell.

[DavidXJ]

Originally Posted by bquatt

This take is nothing more than elitism. The M sport trims are simply an homage to their performance division, no more no less. No one is confusing M cars with the standard models regardless of the trim level. The M-sport line adds a bit of fun and flair to their more accessible models. I don't see the harm in this nor understand this slant. :

Agreed. But it's also, more implicitly, a needless denigration or mischaracterisation of the M Performance line per se, which offers something more than simply a 'trim' (like SE, Sport or MSport are). The chassis is bespoke, as is reflected in the handling and agility. The M340i, for instance, is a completely different creature to the 330i; and no, I've not met or heard any M340i owner even suggest that their car is a 'proper M' model (as is so often, perplexingly, claimed).

It has always seemed odd to me that the thoroughbred Ms, to which we might all in solidarity and mutual enthusiasm aspire, need so much defending. They're already sanctified; there's no need to insinuate the inferiority of MPerformance models in order to reinforce the supremacy of Ms...

Anyway, I'm sure BM are smart enough to integrate the Alpina benchmark and style into the current offering without diluting it. Why would anyone pay the premium otherwise?

[SteveinArizona]

Daimler bought AMG. We all know that the Germans tend to run in lock step together. So this might be BMW merging Alpina with the M Division.

Hopefully this will mean more good choices and better (!!!) design choices.

[clutchdj]

Interesting. Can we start my XB7 build now please. 😬

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Daimler bought AMG. We all know that the Germans tend to run in lock step together. So this might be BMW merging Alpina with the M Division.

Hopefully this will mean more good choices and better (!!!) design choices.

You take a BMW M engine and find a way to tune the chassis properly like ALPINA does and you easily get the best all-rounder.

[LakeSurfer]

I think some of us need some schooling on mergers and accusations. I'm not savvy in either subject but I know enough to understand that BMW did not buy Alpina to only produce 2000 cars per year. There is not enough cash on the table for a 24.8 BILLION dollar company to care about a couple million in profits. It's not worth it to them. BMW will spend millions on tooling, training, talent and yes they will shut down the Alpina plant and help the 200 employees meld into HQ to keep that brand in house under 1 roof and use a portion of that 24.8 billion to squeeze out a few more billion. It is an investment that has potential growth. Potential growth is the key word. What can we do to maximize profits and is it worth it? They determined that it is and already have big plans establish for 2025 bigger plans than a couple thousand cars. M performance is a cash cow and Alpina will be no different. Mark my post.

[dezzracer]

Never really cared for Alpina styling. Their cars are over rated IMO. Mehhh.

[Hansn]

I saw a vid with an interview of the Alpina boss regarding Alpina going electric. Hes argument against it is that Alpinas primary focus is to make cruisers that can run at high speeds on the German autobahns, something EVs cant do at this point without stopping every 150km.

I think Alpina will continue business as usual with a focus on making ICE cars with the limiters kicking in above 300km/h. Maybe they will go hybrid. But this is a nice way for BMW to get a branch that will keep putting out ICE cars at very limited production numbers.

[435MSport6Speed]

At a minimum, look for a box to check to get Alpina style wheels when configuring you BMW.

[THEROK]

Alpina. Leather, stitching, cladding and keyboard exercise. Yawn.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Vivalamatt

Call me crazy, but I'm not a fan of the Alpina Models. Never liked the logo or their unique choice of rims. I'd prefer a fully optioned BMW model over a Alpina spec any day.

You are crazy.

[AllaVodka]

Cant wait for the upcoming 320i m sport performance edition alpina

[KevinM]

Alpina has a wonderful heritage, and if it was a choice between not having the brand or having BMW acquire it, I'll take the latter. Although, my desire to actually own a new Alpina declined significantly when they started to build automatic only models. In some ways, this used to define the difference between M and Alpina - both high performance, but M focused primarily on performance even if at times at the expense of luxury and comfort, while Alpina focused on performance that might be less intense at the limit but provides significantly more luxury. Now that most M cars are auto-only, I am interested to see how BMW markets Aplina in the US. I do think the increased performance over the equivalent standard model along with the ability to completely customize the interior (as is available in Europe) would have appeal in the US.

[wh1te]

Alpina won't be the same and won't be as reliable as is now. This sucks. BMW will cut on everything (what i guess). They won't have those ALPINA engineers that are workin now for ALPINA brand and know how to test engines so they won't fall a part after 65k miles as happens now with their 4.4 engine.

[chassis]

Cool acquisition. Hoping for a new model with a triple Weber 45DCOE setup.

[mbanck]

Here's an article from a local newspaper, to summarize:

• BMW only bought the brand/naming rights, not the company
• Alpina will not develop or produce new models after 2025
• Afterwards, they will concentrate on maintenance, spare parts and aftermarket for historic and current Alpina models
• This means the current plant in Buchloe will be severely downsized, and Alpina will try to work with their employees to find new jobs at BMW or elsewhere
• BMW will likely introduce an Alpina model (trim line?) in the luxury segment from 2026

https://www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de/all...rn_arid-393289

Google Translate:

BMW buys the Alpina brand in Buchloe - what does that mean for the employees?

The BMW Group buys the trademark rights from the Allgäu luxury tuning company Alpina. "By acquiring the trademark rights, we will shape the long-term existence of this traditional brand in a future-oriented manner," said Sales Director Pieter Nota in Munich . Confidentiality was agreed on financial terms. Company shares would not be acquired.

Alpina has been active in BMW tuning and motorsport since the 1960s and has been building high-powered, luxurious Alpina cars based on BMW cars since 1978. The family business in Buchloe employs around 300 people and manufactured around 2,000 cars last year. But the risks for small series manufacturers are increasing as a result of the transformation to electromobility and the increasing legal requirements.i

The transition to electromobility, but also stricter regulations worldwide for exhaust emissions and driver assistance systems, played a key role in the decision. As a result, Alpina explained on request, development costs for small series manufacturers rose disproportionately. It is foreseeable that after 2025 "it will be much more difficult or almost impossible to remain competitive," said a spokeswoman.

This is how things will continue for the Alpina employees

In the future, BMW will run the Alpina brand and refine the vehicles themselves. With the purchase, BMW is securing a piece of the puzzle for its own luxury segment, which could close the gap between the standard models and the subsidiary Rolls-Royce. The manufacturer approached Alpina with the desire to buy the trademark rights "in order to expand its own luxury range with a first BMW Alpina model from 2026," the East Allgäu company explained on request.

The maintenance and spare parts business for the current and historic BMW Alpina cars remains with the family business managed by Andreas Bovensiepen. By the end of 2025, BMW wants to offer some Alpina employees a new job at BMW or help them find new jobs with partner companies.

For the employees, the decision was “of course painful at first,” Alpina explained. Against the background of the changes in the automotive industry, however, it is also understandable. Order books are currently full and plans for the future are "optimistic". Alpina wants to develop, produce and sell 4,000 to 5,000 cars by 2025.

"We recognized the challenges in the automotive industry in good time and are now setting the right course for Alpina and also for our Bonvensiepen family business," says Managing Director Andreas Bovensiepen. Now a new chapter is beginning. The desirability of the Alpina brand is of course enormous decided not to sell Alpina to just any manufacturer, because BMW and Alpina have been working together in a spirit of trust for decades, which is why it was "strategically the right decision for Alpine to be managed by the BMW Group in the future.

This is how things will continue for Alpina in the future

The cooperation will be continued - but in a different form: According to the announcement, the company of the Bovensiepen family will "continue to develop, manufacture and sell the BMW Alpina vehicles from the existing cooperation with its engineering expertise" until the end of 2025. The BMW automobiles that serve as the basis are "profoundly modified" by Alpina. This applies to the engine and transmission, the chassis, the aerodynamics and the interior. BMW Alpina vehicles are prefabricated on the BMW assembly lines, the final assembly of the vehicles takes place in the factory in Buchloe. The individualized interiors are also manufactured there according to customer requirements.

"The service, the spare parts and accessories business for the existing and historic BMW Alpina vehicle portfolio will be guaranteed in the long term at the Buchloe location," it continues. The cooperation in so-called aftersales will continue unchanged. In addition, as part of a strategic cooperation between the two companies, the existing development service business for BMW in Buchloe will be further expanded. The wine business included in the family business continues unchanged.

2021 the most successful year in the company's history

According to Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen, 2021 was the most successful year in the company's history. KG. The family business wants to "realign itself proactively from a position of strength in order to react to the legal challenges and technological change in the industry". This secures the Buchloe site in the long term.

The sale of the trademark rights to BMW and the associated discontinuation of the Alpina vehicle program at the end of 2025 will affect jobs at the Buchloe site: BMW says it will support Alpina "in the coming years in connection with the necessary adjustment of jobs at the Buchloe site".

[Joe-BMW33]

I'm not a fan of Alpina. I mean at one point in my 30+ years of being an enthusiast I was definitely intrigued, but there is nothing sporty about what they do to cars. For some it's not all about stance and presence, but it is for me and between the ugly old man wheel design and all the chrome, they just seem to take the brand in the opposite direction of it's design.

Think about the Aplina Z8, BMW should have never allowed them to put an automatic transmission in that car. Sure, they go for big money, but they pull out the S62 out and put a slush box in it. They take the M62 and tune it and it's less powerful than the S62, what is the point? SMH

I just hope this news doesn't result in an all Alpina in your face badging campaign. There will be an Alpina for every model. The ALPINA X1.

[OM3RTA]

Originally Posted by Fronttwelv

All bad, I'm assuming Alpina will sit in the middle of M Perf (m lite) models and M models. Currently some of Alpina models are arguably better than the M counterparts. We will surely lose that!

In terms of performance and comfort that's pretty much where they are already.