BMW Group Australia has confirmed the local launch of the Alpina brand via the Victoria-based The In Motion Group.

AUSTRALIANS WILL soon be able to purchase an Alpina. BMW Group Australia has confirmed The In Motion Group has been selected as the national importer and distributor for the brand here in Australia, and will initially offer sales from the Group’s Doncaster and Bundoora sales yards. To create a national chain, The In Motion Group claims that further dealerships will be announced later this year.

Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group Australia Marc Werner said he welcomes the introduction of the ALPINA brand into the Australian market.

“ALPINA has a long history of producing tailored cars based on BMW models and we welcome their presence in the Australian market,” Werner said.

General Manager of The In Motion Group, Patrick Fielding, said the company was delighted to launch the ALPINA brand in Australia.

“ALPINA has earned a global reputation for producing highly individual cars that marry luxurious comfort and detailing with refined dynamic motoring,” Fielding said.

Dealer demonstrator stock (eight cars) will arrive Down Under in November, with the first model to be offered here already having passed through its ADR compliance and homologation. The first model, and no pricing has been revealed, will be the BMW Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe. The BMW Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Convertible, and B3 Bi-Turbo Sedan and Touring models will also go on-sale here and are currently going through ADR compliance. All cars are built to order.

BMW and Alpina have had a close relationship since 1965 and many of the bespoke components on Alpina models are actually installed on BMW factory lines. Finishing of the vehicles is carried out at the Alpina factory and as an officially registered German vehicle manufacturer, every BMW Alpina is fitted with an individual production plaque along with an BMW Alpina-specific VIN.

Such is the relationship between the two brands that BMW shares CAD drawings with Alpina before the launch of any new vehicle to allow that company time to develop its own elements.