Quote:
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.  : |
Yes, there are people, both customers and journalists, confusing the two. But that's not the point here at all.
You've got no idea what Alpina has been doing since the 60s which is why you don't see the potential harm in this acquisition. Have you seen what happened to AMG? Same story here. Once a standalone company, now a sub-division making most of its money on sport packages and bog-standard corporate models that they put 'their' badge on. Of course, with the odd halo car here and there.
USP of Alpina are unique-to-BMW and unique-to-model powertrains, most importantly. You know, supercharged V8s, S58s in an M340-based Touring, that kinda stuff. That's basically gone with the upcoming battery-powered cars.
Thus, the reason for the sale is that Alpina would most likely not be able to survive the coming wave of new AG BEVs and international regulations in the automotive industry especially for small-scale manufacturers like Alpina (200 employees and 2,000 cars per year, mind you).
What's left without all that? Nothing that can't be done by BMW AG directly.
Exterior add-ons, wheels and custom interiors are nowadays still done in Buchloe. Engines and suspension are installed at BMW, but they are developed, packaged and sent to BMW by Alpina.
Who knows, maybe we're just pessimists and BMW is still going to send almost finished vehicles from Munich, Regensburg and Dingolfing to Buchloe to let them add spoilers and special interior bits... But I've got my doubts because corporate bean counters are going to see the costs of the operations and get a heart attack.
All in all, what this means to me is that with BMW AG buying the ALPINA trademark and reducing the Buchloe HQ after 2025, it is going to end up just like AMG or Maybach; a manufacturer reduced to a simple model variant for the most part. Definitely less 'exclusivity', no re-stamped VINs, and most likely no production number plaques in the cabin.