[swampfox94]

Coming to a dealer near you, Alpina-lite. B340i on sale soon

[Nackinator]

I'd buy an Alpina B3 in the USA in a heartbeat, I love my G20 3 series. New G80 never grew on me so I could see myself spending M3 money on a B3

[JustChris]

Very interesting and good luck with it all. I did think the uniqueness was precisely that they were separate and did things differently, no doubt that license will still be permitted.

[[/:\] GP9000]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

Very interesting development. I wonder how BMW will try to (re-)position Alpina within its overall product hierarchy/lineup. When Mercedes acquired AMG, it was a more straightforward position (the performance line), but since ///M already exists BMW may have to think more creatively about how best to exploit it and not muddle the overall mix. Just don't lose those classic Alpina wheels!

Indeed it will be interesting to see how BMW aligns their brands. Maybe ALPINA will be placed against Maybach, whereas M vehicles are positioned against AMG. But then I'm wondering about the statement with XM concept introduction as „BMW's forthcoming luxury-class models"???

Well let's see.
Exciting news, but also sad to see a small manufacturer disappear from automotive landscape.

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by playswcars

This is either great news, or terrible news. I hope they don't degrade "Alpina" to a trim level, à la "M Performance".

My sentiments exactly. If it were to happen, pre buyout models may become that much more valuable for being seen as "true" Alpina. I suppose time will tell

[WolfGTI]

Would be interesting if the positioned the Alpina cars as one notch above M-Lite but just below full M.

[infinitekidM2C]

as long as they don't slap "Alpina" on every damn car with a spoiler.

[oz555]

Love the news!! Alpina make such a beautiful cars.

[atl_1M]

Hopefully this nudges BMW M cars to be more raw/sporty and less refined, but I think it's too late as that ship has already sailed. I'm guessing Alpina will be a higher market, more sophisticated gentleman's variant and won't really have any impact on the strategy other models.

[Erie Von Otto]

Alpina Touring North American model? Yes please!

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by playswcars

This is either great news, or terrible news. I hope they don't degrade "Alpina" to a trim level, à la "M Performance".

If you think there wont be alpina trims and merch, you got to be kidding me. Of course there will be.

Doesnt mean cars will drive badly of course, but alpina rim specs and bodykit on normal cars will be par for the course, bought by like 30 people.

And I love Alpina, my E36 had Mtech from factory + oem alpina wheels with a little key. Fond memories of the Avus Blau sedan.

[cbertels]

Originally Posted by playswcars

This is either great news, or terrible news. I hope they don't degrade "Alpina" to a trim level, à la "M Performance".

Exactly what I was thinking.

[_E90S65_]

Coming soon… the ALPI(///M)A.

[mike@x-ph.com]

[ChiTownM]

Originally Posted by cbertels

Exactly what I was thinking.

+1 ….. grew up and Europe and Alpina has been always special cars. Time will tell what BMW will do with the brand. Could be good or bad. The ones available here were never the ones I was aspiring to own.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by playswcars

This is either great news, or terrible news. I hope they don't degrade "Alpina" to a trim level, à la "M Performance".

Indeed.
Personally I don't think this is good news.
Why is Alpina "Alpina"?

Because they chose their own way. Their own technical and style features.
And that's what made them exclusive too.

Since a few years Alpinas have been made on bmw's production line instead of in their own factory. That already didn't help exclusiveness.

I think the extend to which Alpina used to modify the engines is already diminishing.


With BMW buying Alpina the "independant 2nd opinion" on cars is lost.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by playswcars

This is either great news, or terrible news. I hope they don't degrade "Alpina" to a trim level, à la "M Performance".

This is exactly what is going to happen.

[LakeSurfer]

They'll water that brand down in no time, just like all the M stuff.

[bquatt]

Originally Posted by playswcars

This is either great news, or terrible news. I hope they don't degrade "Alpina" to a trim level, à la "M Performance".

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. :

[swagon]

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.

[e92ben]

Aw great. Now everything will have a alpina badge like these new M performance models. Up selling badges are big $$$.

[Staszek]

Originally Posted by playswcars

This is either great news, or terrible news. I hope they don't degrade "Alpina" to a trim level, à la "M Performance".

That's my thought, I am hoping it just means we get some more cool models in the US, and not that is an option package, like what MB did to AMG recently.