NAFTA Road Wheel Study
Lilley Associates, Inc. (LAI) provides a Bi-annual NAFTA Light Vehicle Road Wheel Study. This study is a complete analysis of the steel and aluminum wheel business for vehicle manufacturers and suppliers in the NAFTA market. Below is the introduction to the 2007 NAFTA Road Wheel Study.
6th Edition
NAFTA Road Wheel Study
2007 Production Model Year
Produced by Lilley Associates, Inc.
Introduction
This is the eighth edition of the NAFTA Light Vehicle Production Road Wheel Study. ELM International, in East Lansing, Michigan, published the first NAFTA Road Wheel Study in 1992. At that time, the study only looked at aluminum wheels. ELM released the second edition in 1994. In 1997, ELM asked Lilley Associates, Inc. (LAI) to update the study. At that time, the study was marketed under both the ELM and LAI banners. It still focused on aluminum wheels.
Due to the success of the study in 1997, clients wanted a complete picture of the NAFTA road wheel industry. So for the 1999 study, steel wheels were added. This is the now the fifth edition that includes both steel and aluminum wheels. As in the past, the report incorporates light vehicle production programs (All cars, pickup trucks (Class 1-3), full-size vans, SUVs, crossovers and minivans for the NAFTA region, organized by vehicle manufacturer, platform, and model.
Since this study includes steel and aluminum wheels, information is presented in three different groups. The first data set is for steel and aluminum wheels combined and how each manufacturer and supplier compares in the overall market. Then aluminum and steel wheels are presented as stand alone segments. With the various sections and criteria presented, this allows the user to analyze the data in a variety of ways.
This information has been assembled from various industry sources and interviews with OEM and supplier companies. Every effort has been made to verify wheel sourcing, volumes and application rates. Variances will occur as production volumes fluctuate, wheel suppliers have production setbacks, wheel programs are resourced mid-year or sourcing information is not forthcoming.
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I would like to extend a special mention and thanks to CSM Worldwide, Inc. in Northville, Michigan for allowing LAI to use their vehicle forecast data in this study. It is most appreciated.
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Please Note
Comparisons made in this study refer to previous wheel studies conducted by ELM International, Inc. and/or Lilley Associates, Inc. unless otherwise noted.
