BERLIN — BMW Group is buying the brand rights of the Alpina high performance brand for an undisclosed sum.
BMW said the acquisition will bring greater diversity to its lineup and also secure the long-term future of Alpina.
BMW and Alpina, which is based in Buchloe, near Munich, have cooperated for 57 years.
Alpina develops and sells high-performance versions of BMW cars and SUVs. The family-owned company employs about 300 people and produced about 2,000 cars last year.
In addition to Germany and Europe, Alpina counts Japan, the U.S., and the Middle East among its most important markets.