Business 164
Ram's Entry-Level Rumble Bee Sells Out in 90 Minutes
AC Schnitzer Acquired by AM Group, Saving BMW Tuner From Closure
Dutch automotive group AM Group has acquired AC Schnitzer from KOHL Automotive, rescuing the legendary BMW tuner from a planned shutdown that was expected by the end of 2026.
By Edward Beaumont · 4 min read
AC Schnitzer, one of the most recognised names in BMW tuning history, has been acquired by the Dutch AM Group from its founders at KOHL Automotive, rescuing the company from a shutdown that had been expected to conclude by the end of 2026. The deal transfers not only the brand name but also the existing technical documentation and TÜV certification files, ensuring a continuation of the business that goes well beyond its badge.
The tuner, founded in 1987, built its reputation on aftermarket performance parts for BMW models. Its first car was the ACS7, based on the E32-generation 7-Series, and it went on to produce modified versions across virtually the entire BMW range. Some of its creations, including the ACL2 based on the M240i and the AC Schnitzer M5, set lap records at the Nürburgring. In recent years the company expanded beyond BMW to include MINI and even the Toyota Supra, which shares its platform with the G29-generation Z4.
Despite that four-decade legacy, AC Schnitzer fell victim to the pressures of the modern business environment. When the closure was announced in March, managing director Rainer Vogel cited rising costs, unpredictable suppliers and Germany’s slow regulatory approval system, which handed competitors a first-mover advantage. He also acknowledged that the brand had struggled to recapture the appeal it once enjoyed. Electrification was named as one factor, alongside a generational shift that left the company unable to connect with a younger audience.
The acquisition by AM Group brings the tuner under the wing of a larger automotive specialist with operations in 30 countries. The group’s portfolio includes Urban Automotive, known for Land Rover customisation, as well as UBC Composites, GP Products and Absolute Motors. International sales and dealer development are expected to be central to the new strategy, with AM Group positioning itself to provide the resources, infrastructure and investment needed to make the brand relevant for the next generation.
Patrick Meijer, Co-CEO of AM Group, said the company understands the heritage it has taken on. «We will provide the resources, infrastructure and investment required to make the brand relevant for the next generation,» he said. «This is part of our DNA and what we bring to the table.» The group has stated its intention to ensure AC Schnitzer retains its identity while gaining access to the wider expertise within its portfolio.
Heading the new era will be Imran Arshad, who steps in as managing director. Arshad comes from his own tuning background as co-founder of Evolve Automotive Eventuri. He pointed to the values that built the brand’s reputation among BMW customers. «Clear vision, engineering excellence, purposeful design, and attention to detail — these are the values that have made AC Schnitzer so appealing to BMW customers, including myself,» he said. «The brand’s heritage is the foundation for innovation.»
It remains to be seen how the new owners will address the challenges that brought the company to the brink of closure, and whether AC Schnitzer will continue to focus exclusively on BMW models or further broaden its repertoire. What is clear is that the technical documentation and certification files now in AM Group’s hands provide a foundation for continuity that a simple brand acquisition would not have secured. For BMW enthusiasts, the survival of one of the marque’s most storied tuning houses represents a rare piece of good news in an industry under pressure.
7
