NAFTA Road Wheel Study Structure
For this edition of the study, LAI has divided the study into 7 broad discussion groups. Each topic group touches the others in some form. Therefore, these groups are not mutually exclusive. It may be easier for the reader to find subjects of interest with this revised format. These groups are not in any order of importance or priority.
There are a number of issues either facing or taking place in the North American wheel industry today. They cover subjects ranging from vehicle manufacturer price demands to the influx of Chinese wheels to rim damage from the low profile tires on large rims.
Supplier Market Share
- Who’s in trouble or out of business
- Supplier market share
Vehicle Manufacturers
- Zero base pricing
- Pricing pressure continues
- GM
- Ford & DaimlerChrysler
- Transplants
- Pricing matrix
- Global sourcing
China and Other Asian Imports
- Current state of affairs
- Approved China suppliers – an overview
- More to come: B, C and D players
- Cheap OEM knock-offs in the aftermarket
Materials & Rim Diameter
- Trucks have driven the increase in aluminum wheel usage
- Rim diameter growth
- Design & fitment issues
- Rim damage from low profile tires
Wheel Finishes
- Multi-stage paints
- PVD
- Polishing
- Chrome plate
- Cladding
Manufacturing Technologies
- Up and coming – roll-forming
- Gravity casting
- Low pressure
- Squeeze casting
- Forging
- Other
Supplier Profiles
- Supplier overviews
