BMW late on Thursday made the shock announcement that it’s buying the rights to the Alpina trademark.
BMW stated the deal will allow the Alpina identify and enterprise to outlive the present regulatory challenges and technological change affecting the auto business.
Alpina remains to be not broadly identified within the U.S., however for BMW diehards the model is synonymous with efficiency, luxurious and craftsmanship. Based mostly within the German state of Bavaria, the identical as BMW, Alpina was based in 1965 as a tuner of BMW automobiles, making it older than BMW’s personal M division which turns 50 this 12 months.
The 2 firms have loved a detailed relationship for many years, with BMW even immediately promoting Alpina fashions by its personal dealerships in some markets, just like the U.S., and that deal will proceed in its present kind by 2025.
2021 BMW Alpina XB7
Past this date, Alpina, primarily based in Buchloe, which lies simply west of BMW’s residence in Munich, will deal with the service, components and equipment enterprise of Alpina automobiles. Alpina’s automobile growth program may also be expanded.
Really constructing Alpina automobiles will grow to be the area of BMW, with BMW planning to assist present Alpina plant staff transferring to BMW crops or the crops of suppliers within the coming years. Alpina’s small dimension has meant the corporate has been restricted in what number of automobiles it might ship in any given 12 months. We’re speaking only a few thousand items per 12 months.
“The automotive business is within the midst of a far-reaching transformation in direction of sustainable mobility,” Pieter Nota, BMW’s gross sales chief, stated in an announcement. “Buying the trademark rights will enable us to form the long-term course of this model steeped in custom.”
Alpina’s present choices within the U.S. embrace the B7, XB7 and B8 Gran Coupe. An up to date B8 Gran Coupe was simply launched, and an up to date XB7 is simply across the nook. A redesigned B7 must also arrive within the not too distant future.
