NewPort Capital-backed AM Group Acquires AC Schnitzer Brand from KOHL Group

AM Group, a Rotterdam-based holding company specializing in premium vehicle personalization and performance engineering backed by Dutch private equity NewPort Capital, will acquire the AC Schnitzer brand from the KOHL Group in November 2026. The transaction ensures the continuation of AC Schnitzer’s legacy as it approaches its 40th anniversary in 2027, with plans for renewed investment in product innovation and global growth.

Founded in 1987 in Aachen, Germany, AC Schnitzer is renowned for its performance upgrades, suspension components, aerodynamic parts, wheels, and complete vehicle concepts tailored primarily for BMW and MINI vehicles. The brand has built a reputation for engineering excellence, rigorous testing, and compliance with road-legal homologation standards.

AM Group operates across more than 30 countries and manages a portfolio of specialized automotive brands including Urban Automotive, UBC Composites, GP Products, and Absolute Motors. The acquisition of AC Schnitzer complements AM Group’s focus on high-end automotive parts distribution and performance engineering.

Rainer Vogel, Managing Director of AC Schnitzer, expressed confidence in the deal: “I am truly delighted that we have found the perfect partner for AC Schnitzer – one that genuinely understands the brand. AM Group provides the resources the company needs in a rapidly changing market environment to drive growth, increase dynamism and strengthen its appeal to new customer segments.”

AM Group’s co-CEOs, Patrick Meijer and Luis Carrera, emphasized their commitment to preserving AC Schnitzer’s distinct identity while leveraging the Group’s expertise in design, research and development, advanced carbon-fiber technology, and manufacturing. “We will provide the resources, infrastructure and investment required to make the brand relevant for the next generation,” said Meijer. Carrera added, “AC Schnitzer fits perfectly with our philosophy of bringing together specialized automotive companies while allowing them to preserve their individual identities.”

As part of the transition, AC Schnitzer’s operations will be managed through a new German entity, which will retain existing technical documentation and TÜV certification files. Imran Arshad, co-founder of Evolve Automotive and Eventuri, will join AC Schnitzer as Managing Director to lead future product and brand strategy. Arshad highlighted the brand’s core values: “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.”

The acquisition positions AM Group to strengthen its presence in the premium automotive performance segment by integrating AC Schnitzer’s engineering capabilities with its own product development and distribution networks. This synergy is expected to accelerate international sales growth, expand dealer networks, and enhance product offerings, particularly in performance upgrades and aerodynamic components.

Industry consolidation in automotive performance and tuning is intensifying, with competitors likely to respond through strategic partnerships and increased R&D investment. AM Group’s acquisition of AC Schnitzer reflects a broader trend of consolidation aimed at achieving scale and innovation leadership in a competitive market.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The integration will focus on maintaining AC Schnitzer’s technology-driven culture and brand equity while optimizing operational efficiencies across AM Group’s portfolio.

Looking ahead, AM Group plans to invest in product development and international expansion to ensure AC Schnitzer remains a leading name in BMW and MINI performance tuning. The brand’s 40th anniversary in 2027 marks a milestone as it embarks on this new chapter under AM Group’s stewardship.