deutsche mark Alpina well known to automotive enthusiasts and fans of powerful BMWs. Racing driver and engineer Burkard Bovensiepen started his business back in 1962 by boosting BMW 1500 engines, and in 1965 founded his own company Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH + Co. KG, which took up the deep refinement of BMW cars. In 1983, Alpina even received the official status of an automaker, and this family business is still alive today. Burkard Bovenzipen himself has long since retired, but his sons manage the company: Andreas is responsible for the technical part, and Florian for the financial one. Things are going well, and last year a new record was set with more than 2,000 BMW Alpina produced. However, the tightening of economic standards and certification requirements leaves little chance for small independent companies like Alpina. Therefore, the Bovensiepen went to the reorganization of the business.
Brothers Florian (left) and Andreas Bovensiepen
All rights to the Alpina brand have been sold to BMW, although the amount of the transaction has not been disclosed. However, BMW will be able to dispose of the brand at its own discretion only in 2026: the current cooperation agreement between BMW and Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH + Co. KG remains in force until December 31, 2025, so the development and production of BMW Alpina vehicles will continue to be carried out by the family factory in Buchloe for the next three years. Even new models are promised. But from 2026, the Alpina brand will go to new luxury cars from BMW, although development will begin now. A similar story was with the Rolls-Royce brand, the rights to which were transferred to the BMW concern on January 1, 2003, and on January 3 the premiere of the model took place. Rolls-Royce Phantom.
It is important to clarify that the Bovensiepen only sold their brand, not the company! It will continue to operate under the new name of Bovensiepen, and the main activity will be the maintenance and restoration of old BMW cars. In addition, the engineering department, whose services have long been used by BMW itself, will also remain. For example, back in the mid-eighties, the minders of Alpina developed a modification of the BMW 333i for South Africa, in 2002 they designed the V8 4.6 engine, which was installed on the serial BMW X5, and later they were the first to combine supercharging with the Valvetronic valve stroke change system. Cooperation with BMW in this area will continue, but in parallel the company is looking for new customers. And the Bovensiepen will still have a wine business, with Alpina Wein GmbH + Co. KG will not even rename.