Compilation / Ma Xiaolei
Edited / Meng for
Design / Zhao Haoran
Source/ thedetroitbureau, by Paul A. Eisenstein
Maybe you haven't heard of Alpina, but you must have heard of the BMW M. It is the smallest car manufacturer in Germany and bmw's royal conversion plant.
Just like Mercedes-Benz acquired AMG in 1999, BMW acquired Alpina, with whom it had worked for nearly 60 years, and from partner to family.
However, due to the previous renewal of the contract between the two parties in 2020, there is still a 5-year contract still in progress, and Alpina will not be formally integrated into the BMW Group until December 31, 2025.
Until this date, Alpina will continue to develop, manufacture and sell new models at the Buchloe plant in Germany, which is about 40 miles from BMW's headquarters in Munich, which will also be expanded and retrofitted in the coming years.
After the incorporation of Alpina into the BMW Group in 2026, the automaker's business will be transferred from Buchlohe to BMW headquarters, while the services, parts and accessories business of some existing BMW Alpina models will remain in Buchlohe.
By then, most workers at the Buchloe plant could face unemployment. However, BMW said in a statement that it will provide unemployed employees with new positions in the BMW Group and will also help them find suitable new jobs with BMW suppliers and partners.
At the same time, Alpina's wine business is not covered by the acquisition.
BMW Alpina B6 Gran Coupe engine▼
BMW models polished by Alpina's hand have been greatly modified from the engine, gearbox, chassis, aerodynamics and interior, and it will also create a personalized interior according to customer needs. In general, Alpina's revamped models are pre-assembled on BMW's production line and then finally assembled in Buchloe's workshop.
Take the 2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe as an example. As with previous Alpina products, the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine in the Standard Edition of the 8 Series has a significantly increased output of 612 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque.
BMW introduced the Alpina B8 last year, in addition to the performance upgrade, the B8 also features a walnut interior, pedal welcome lights, a modified steering wheel, a laser-engraved Alpina logo and a crystal iDrive knob.
BMW Alpina B8 engine▼
According to a BMW board member, BMW's acquisition of Alpina is related to the transformation of electric vehicles in the automotive industry. "The automotive industry is transitioning to sustainable mobility," he said. Automakers need to regularly review existing business models. ”
BMW said that the transformation of electric vehicles and increased regulations around the world, especially emission regulations, software validation and increasing requirements for driver assistance and monitoring systems, have led to a significant increase in risk for niche manufacturers. As a result, Alpina's management is addressing this issue through strategic adjustments to ensure the long-term viability of its business.
Alpina's full name is Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen, of which Burkard Bovensiepen is the founder.
"We have long been aware of the challenges facing the automotive industry and are charting the right course for Alpina and our family-owned company, Bowen Sippen." Andreas Bovensiepen, the son of Alpina's founder, said.
The BMW Alpina B8 has 612 horsepower▼
After 2025, how Alpina, which has become a BMW sub-brand, will develop, what Alpina will look like in the BMW era, and where Alpina will go in the era of electrification, all remain to be seen.
After Mercedes-Benz acquired AMG in 1999, it quickly expanded the model lineup of AMG, more and more Mercedes-Benz products have AMG versions, and AMG has also joined the pure electric product camp.
So, no one will be surprised if BMW moves in this direction after completing its acquisition of Alpina.
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