Filed under: Aftermarket, Euro
BBS goes bust?
Although our German is a bit sketchy, a quick decoding of an article in Auto Motor Und Sport reveals that the wheel manufacturer BBS is in some dire economic straits.The maker of the iconic (and patented) 16-spoke rim has filed for bankruptcy after one of their suppliers bailed, while aluminum prices shot up over the past year. The company had lost 3.8 million Euro ($4.9M US) in the first half of 2006, then came up 10.2 million Euro ($13.2M US) short for the year.
Our knowledge of bankruptcy law abroad is about as good as our German, so we're unsure about how this may affect those of us with a wheel addiction here in the States.
Thanks for the tip, TGM3!
[Source: Auto Motor Und Sport]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eric Liberatore 6:39PM (2/07/2007)
The BBS name will survive somehow. This is too valuable of a premium brand for someone not to swoop in a buy them if it came down to that.
Reply
MikeW 8:09PM (2/07/2007)
Maybe TireRack will buy it?
Reply
mike 9:19PM (2/07/2007)
You guys are a day late on this. Anyway this has to do with BBS AG not BBS USA wich is financialy sound.
Reply
Peter 9:22PM (2/07/2007)
I'd laugh so hard if Rota picked them up.
Reply
Jim 11:50AM (2/08/2007)
In general, bankruptcy laws in Europe are very harsh although since the forming of the EU, they may have eased some, but I don't know.
In the past, the officers and board of a bankrupt German company could face prison time and liqudation of all assets. In the US, bankruptcy laws are the opposite in that they protect the company from creditors and the government (except the IRS, DOL, and others)and unless one is doing 'Enronish' things, jail time is not even a thought for the offiers and board members of bankrupt US companies.
The BBS folks may be having a very bad day soon...
Reply
Justin 3:00PM (2/08/2007)
Good, one less ricer outlet.
Their shit is ugly anyway. If I see one more Jetta with a set of these I think I will kill someone.
Reply
Rick 6:04PM (2/11/2007)
Justin, your an idiot. I'm sure everyone agrees with me on that one.
Reply
iain walker 10:10AM (2/14/2007)
yes justin your a tool, and have no class... if its Rubbish why are they OE on Firari and porsches.. oh and F1.... i agree some of it is dated but still how many wheel companies have coppied them, and to say the Le Mans wheel looks shit.. well i would like to know what you have on your car..
Reply
Michael 9:04PM (4/25/2007)
Hey Justin,are you sure you know what BBS rims are? Don't get them mixed up with the factory steelies that you are currently using.I have 4 sets,if you are interested I am more than willing to sell you a set,but Before you can purchase from me you would have to apologise to the readers of this web site for your dumb ass comment.Cheers
Reply