BMW Group acquires tuning partner Alpina

BMW Group has welcomed a new addition to its portfolio by acquiring its long-time tuning partner – Alpina. Till now, both firms have been operating based on a long-standing cooperation agreement, which was extended for another five years in late 2020.

The move aims at securing the long-term future of the Alpina brand, along with that of its parent firm Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG.

BMW Group has welcomed a new addition to its portfolio by acquiring its long-time tuning partner – Alpina. The rapid transition towards electric mobility and the subsequent increase in regulatory requirements – particularly emissions legislation, software validation, and requirements for driver assistance and monitoring systems – result in significantly higher risks for small-scale manufacturers such as Alpina.

To this end, BMW AG and Buchloe-based Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG have reached an agreement, which will secure the long-term future of both the Alpina brand and its parent company. However, the transaction's completion is still subject to an array of legal and regulatory approvals. Till now, both firms have been operating based on a long-standing cooperation agreement, which was extended for another five years in late 2020. As a result, the agreement will remain in effect till 31st December 2025.

So, what does this mean? Well, the cooperation will continue till the aforementioned deadline. During this time, Alpina will continue to produce customised BMW models that are pre-assembled on BMW production lines. From there, the final assembly of Alpina models will take place at the brand's Buchloe workshops.

Sharing his thoughts on the long-term alliance strategy, Andreas Bovensiepen (Co-Managing Director, Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG) said, '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...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.'

Further, up until the end of 2025, BMW will work with Alpina to offer those employees who will not be able to continue working at the Buchloe site a new position with the BMW Group and also help them find new jobs with suppliers and development partners.