BMW has bought out Alpina, opening a new chapter on a relationship that stretches back over 50 years. The companies have struck a deal that means BMW will assume total control after December 31, 2025, when the current five year co-operation agreement expires.
Beyond that point, Alpina’s Buchloe facility will continue to operate its sales, parts and accessories business, but the car production side of the business will move to one of BMW’s plants. BMW already part assembles Alpina cars before sending them to Buchloe for final assembly.
Burkhard Bovensiepen founded Alpina in 1965 and built up a reputation for making BMWs go faster and handle better. In the 1970s, Alpina cars scored big in motorsport and in 1983 the company was recognized as a manufacturer in its own right. Since then, BMW and Alpina have worked increasingly closely, with the Buchloe brand distinguishing itself from BMW’s M Division by focusing less on outright performance and more on a blend of performance and luxury.
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“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,” said Andreas Bovensiepen, co-managing director of ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH + Co. KG. Neither company has released many financial information related to the sale.
