Alpina is dead, long live Bovensiepen

[Benji]

Am I correct is summarizing that the Bovensiepen family sold the Alpina trademark to BMW for an undisclosed but no-doubt exorbitant figure, and then simply carried on making Alpina cars in the same factory, awkwardly renamed Bovensiepen?

Cash in the bank ✅
Same factory ✅
Same staff ✅
Same business ✅
No marketing required ✅
Catchy new name ❌

You can't have it all, but this is shrewd entrepreneuring

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/first-look/old-alpina-back-bovensiepen-05-gt-a-789bhp-modified-m5-touring

 

[TurboLlew]

I am frankly amazed that there wasn't a longer non-compete in place. BMW have barely gotten up and running productizing Alpina internally. Whenever I've been part of an M&A process, there is an extensive set of binding criteria attached for employees and owners

Let's face it, BMW is going to enshittify the Alpina brand by making it a trim level. If you look at the ghastly Maybach Mercs I think that's what we can expect in terms of effort.

 

[Urban963]

If you told me that was a factory M5 I would believe you. In fact I'm not convinced it isn't.

 

[rodga]

Catchy new name ❌

Bovine + Homosapien = Bovensiepen = CowMan

 

[FILV]

What a Good looking car.
I am glad they are back

Now to just try memorize this new name....