Legendary BMW Tuner AC Schnitzer Closes All Operations

Legendary BMW tuner AC Schnitzer will close its tuning operations by the end of 2026. The decision comes from parent company KOHL Group, which says the business is no longer financially viable.

Development costs are rising, suppliers are unpredictable, and global markets aren’t booming thanks to tariffs. Then there is Germany’s slow regulatory approval system, which has become a serious handicap.

“If we only put tuning parts on the market eight or nine months after the competition, that speaks for itself,” said Managing Director Rainer Vogel. By the time those parts arrive, customers have already spent their money elsewhere.

But it’s not just red tape that’s killing the atmosphere, according to Carscoops. The world itself has changed. Tuning culture isn’t what it used to be, and AC Schnitzer admits it hasn’t been able to win over younger enthusiasts in the same way it once did.

And electrification bears part of the blame. Traditional tuning has always revolved around engines, noise, and mechanical drama. As internal combustion engines slowly disappear, so does the core appeal of companies like AC Schnitzer. Sure, you can tweak the design and suspension of an electric vehicle, as AC Schnitzer has done with models like the i5, but that’s not quite the same as adding more power and hearing it bark through a new exhaust.

The company will continue to sell its existing line through the end of 2026, and warranties will continue to be honored after that. There is also talk of a potential buyer, so the name itself could survive in some form.

While the future of Alpina is secured by BMW taking it over, that won’t happen here.

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