Hot! News and rumors about Alpina

[Swissbob]

Choosing the X7 makes perfect sense. It sells more than the 7 Series, and being an SUV is an added advantage.

The big suv killed the saloons .

 

[Esp5]

Choosing the X7 makes perfect sense. It sells more than the 7 Series, and being an SUV is an added advantage.

Wrong, the first model to be launched under the new ALPINA concept will be the 7 series; this X7 is just a farewell to the brand in its previous form.

 

[Esp5]

The big suv killed the saloons .

I wouldn't say SUVs killed them in this particular case; the 7 and the X7 sell almost equally well.

 

[Swissbob]

I wouldn't say SUVs killed them in this particular case; the 7 and the X7 sell almost equally well.

It depends from the market.

 

[Esp5]

It depends from the market.

I'm referring to total worldwide X7 sales of 48,000/49,000 and the 7 around a little over 50,000, but as you point out, for example USA accounts for almost 30,000 of those X7s vs aprx. 12.000 7 series

 

[Swissbob]

Chinese are still buying limousines, but almost nobody else I guess.

 

[Centurion]

Chinese are still buying limousines, but almost nobody else I guess.

And for some saloons, fleet might account for a big percentage of buyers.

 

[SCOTT27]

Perhaps. But I am referring to the genuinely brand new BMW and ALPINA vehicles designed under Missoni's supervision. As the successors to the current G70 7er and G60/61 5er are quite some years away, perhaps some sort of bespoke bodied, very limited production future, NKL-based ALPINA vehicle could be an interesting precursor. An approx. 5000mm long and under 1450mm tall 4 door shooting brake configuration could provide an interesting canvas, for example.

Next Alpina’s are Grand-Klasse Luxury only and possibly bespoke. Seems the days of B3 and B5 are over. And the Tourings now being supplemented by the M Division which many will lament.
They missed a trick with Skytop and Speedtop not being identified as Alpinas. But their design timeframes show why it was not possible.

 

[Esp5]

Next Alpina’s are Grand-Klasse Luxury only and possibly bespoke. Seems the days of B3 and B5 are over. And the Tourings now being supplemented by the M Division which many will lament.
They missed a trick with Skytop and Speedtop not being identified as Alpinas. But their design timeframes show why it was not possible.

Creating something "bespoke" would be wonderful, and I don't rule out the possibility that they might do something like that to generate iconic status and support the brand launch, perhaps they'll pursue both paths together...

But this whole issue of acquiring Alpina for fronting purposes to further elevate the positioning and price of its "normal" cars, has the fundamental goal of selling far more than the 2,000 units per year that the "old" Alpina sells.

I estimate that the basis of the discussion is to increase sales to around 15,000 (or more) new, high-priced units per year, matching the sales figures and profits of Bentley and Maybach, and obviously entering that upper-middle market between BMW and Rolls Royce with a strong differentiated presence.