ALPINA has long been defined by its subtle prestige and exclusivity. Though exact sales figures have remained a well-guarded secret, only adding to the brand’s mystique, we know that roughly 40,000 of the 60,000 cars built since Burkard Bovensiepen founded the company are still on the road today. However, the last five years have seen a powerful shift in the brand’s success, driven almost entirely by one model: the massive and luxurious ALPINA XB7 . The XB7: A Smash Hit from Day One The arrival of the XB7 in 2020 marked a turning point for ALPINA, quickly becoming the brand’s heaviest hitter. According to the brand's North American representative, the luxobarge has been an undeniable success, completely selling out its allotted supply for each of its first five model years. This staggering demand confirms that ALPINA has been able to fully fill every build slot allocated at the Spartanburg plant. Built alongside the regular BMW X7 M60i at the dedicated "SVO (Special Vehicle Op...
Big changes are coming to the top ranks of the BMW Group as the company prepares to transition leadership amid its most intensive product cycle in history. After more than three decades of service to the company, Oliver Zipse will step down as chairman of the Board of Management, with Milan Nedeljković named as his successor. This carefully planned handover will see Nedeljković formally assume the position on May 14, 2026, the day after the company's annual general meeting. Passing the Torch After Decades of Service Oliver Zipse, who became chairman in August 2019, will conclude a distinguished career that began as a trainee in 1991. The Supervisory Board had granted an exception to its policy capping board membership at age 60 to allow Zipse to remain in his role until his contract's natural expiration in 2026. Nedeljković's own career path closely mirrors his predecessor's commitment to BMW, having also joined as a trainee in 1993. His background includes senior lead...