AC Schnitzer Automobile Technik is a third party tuning company based in Aachen, Germany specializing in BMW and MINI cars, as well as BMW motorcycles. Founded in 1987, Schnitzer has its headquarters in Aachen (licence plate code AC). It is one of the largest, most renowned vehicle customizers worldwide for the BMW brand. Although the firm has common roots with Schnitzer Motorsport, the famous racing team, it is a completely independent concern both commercially and legally. AC Schnitzer is part of the Kohl Group, which also counts Steinmetz as one of its associates.