For nearly four decades, AC Schnitzer has been one of the most recognizable names in BMW tuning. Its wheels, suspension kits, exhaust systems, and aerodynamic upgrades have appeared on everything from ordinary 3 Series models to some of Munich’s fastest M cars.
Earlier this year, that long run suddenly appeared to be nearing its end. Owner KOHL Group announced that AC Schnitzer’s tuning operations would be wound down by the end of 2026, potentially closing the book on a company established in 1987.
The announcement proved just how dramatically the aftermarket has changed. Increasing regulatory complexity, rising costs, electrification, and changing enthusiast tastes have created a much tougher environment for traditional German tuners.
Luckily, it’s now been announced that AC Schnitzer won’t be disappearing after all. According to BMWBlog, KOHL Group has reached an agreement to sell the business to Dutch holding company AM Group, giving the famous tuner an unexpected second chance.
The Deal Goes Far Beyond Buying The Name
AM Group isn’t simply acquiring the rights to put AC Schnitzer badges on aftermarket parts. The transaction includes the company’s technical documentation, TÜV approvals, existing product knowledge, and dealer network.
Those TÜV approvals are particularly important in Germany, where modified components must meet strict requirements for legal road use. Keeping that engineering and homologation work together gives the new operation a much stronger starting point than resurrecting the brand name alone would provide.
The purchase price hasn’t been disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close in November. A new German company will oversee AC Schnitzer under the new ownership structure.
Imran Arshad, co-founder of BMW tuning specialist Evolve Automotive and performance intake manufacturer Eventuri, is set to become managing director. His existing ties to the BMW aftermarket make him a familiar choice to guide the next chapter.
AC Schnitzer Was Supposed To Close
The turnaround comes only months after KOHL Group announced plans to wind down AC Schnitzer as a manufacturer. BMWBlog reports that rising costs, regulatory delays, exchange-rate volatility, and difficult market conditions in Germany were among the pressures behind that decision.
Changing customer demographics created another problem. AC Schnitzer reportedly acknowledged difficulty attracting younger enthusiasts with the same success it enjoyed during earlier generations of BMW tuning.
BMW’s move toward electrification hasn’t made the challenge any easier. Traditional tuners built much of their reputations around engine, exhaust, and chassis modifications, while EVs remove some of the hardware that historically gave aftermarket companies room to work.
That doesn’t mean AC Schnitzer has ignored electric BMWs. The company has already developed upgrades for models such as the i5 and is working with newer products, including the latest iX3.
Existing Customers Aren’t Being Abandoned
The transition won’t happen overnight. KOHL Group is expected to continue selling existing AC Schnitzer inventory through the end of 2026, while warranties and after-sales support will remain in place beyond the planned shutdown date.
AM Group will then have decades of engineering knowledge and brand recognition to build upon. AC Schnitzer’s catalog already extends across modern BMWs and MINIs, with even the Toyota GR Supra receiving attention thanks to its considerable BMW underpinnings.
It’ll be interesting to see what the company will look like under its new ownership. AC Schnitzer still has to navigate the same regulatory and market challenges that helped push the existing operation toward closure in the first place.
At least enthusiasts no longer have to prepare an obituary. After nearly 40 years of making BMWs louder, lower, and harder to ignore, AC Schnitzer has been given another shot.