BBS Bankrupt.

[Jason_E]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/05/report-bbs-files-for-bankruptcy-yes-again/

German wheel manufacturer BBS has declared bankruptcy, and it's not the first time. Back in 2007, BBS was plagued with financial difficulties but Punch International stepped in to provide much-needed capital. The news of a second bankruptcy, which was filed on December 30, apparently came as a shock to the hundreds of employees and even corporate partner IG Metall. The latter was getting ready to put a few million bucks into BBS and rival company Ronal was ready to buy BBS' Herbolzheim factory. We can only hope that BBS makes a strong recovery and we're not forced to look at BBS Bear wheels.

*UPDATE: An official from BBS reached out to Autoblog and gave us greater insight into this move. Here is what they wanted to share:
"In Germany, BBS has filed for restructuring (Similar to the US Chapter 11) and at the same time they have a LOI with Ronal to buy the BBS plant in Herbolzheim. (Herbolzheim is the production facility for standard OEM high volume production.)

The intent of BBS is to re-focus on our core business in Schiltach; Motorsports, OES business (Ferrari, Porsche, etc... and including our US based programs with Ford, Toyota, etc.), High-end aftermarket and Technology development. (Schiltach is the BBS headquarters responsible for all engineering, development, high-end and specialty production, etc.)

BBS began life as a "Racing wheel" company (in Schiltach) over 40 years ago, several years later they began producing aftermarket wheels and a few years later they were producing "Specialty" OE wheels (OES).

BBS is just returning to its core business."

 

[Gaz.]

Blatantly the fault of Replicas

 

[D4N13L]

Im sure all the vw and bmw forums could club together and buy it.

 

[kev182cup]

There expensive wheels aswell so it's either high manufacturing costs or bad management.

 

[Christopher]

Easy there, Lord Sugar

 

[Ali]

M'on the reps!

 

[Adam.]

M'on the reps!

I <3 fake splits.

 

[Fred@BTM]

£50K for a set of veyron supersport rims ain't it?

 

[Gaz.]

£50K for a set of veyron supersport rims ain't it?

A mere drop in the ocean if you can afford a veyron supersport though.

 

[dalla]

They should just reintroduce the RS and all there problems would be solved.

 

[Ian_182]

Shame really,they have made some proper nice rims over the years.

Way too expensive for todays market also...

 

[Gaz.]

Shame really,they have made some proper nice rims over the years.

Way too expensive for todays market also...

They're no more expensive than certain mainstream Jap wheel manufacturers.

 

[Ian_182]

Some jap wheels are also way too expensive.

All im saying is that your typical guy with a 182,corsa,golf etc is not going to spend 3.5k on a set of wheels and tyres when he could have copies for less than 1k.In general i mean...

E.G

Just for wheels...http://www.dvbcaraudio.co.uk/rsgt-alloy-wheels-brilliant-silver-p-13266.html

 

[Gaz.]

No but you get what you pay for at the end of the day, and you know those BBS will last for years upon years, whereas your cheaper wheels will be corroding after a couple of British winters.

 

[ForceIndia]

No but you get what you pay for at the end of the day, and you know those BBS will last for years upon years, whereas your cheaper wheels will be corroding after a couple of British winters.

Over-engineered. How many people will keep a set of wheels for that long?

 

[Ian_182]

People want stuff now and as cheap as they can get it.Appart from the few purists there wont be a line of car owners whose cars cost 5k spending that much on wheels,hence the decline of the brand i think...

 

[Gaz.]

Over-engineered. How many people will keep a set of wheels for that long?

Look at how many sets of 10,15,20 year old BBS wheels still get sold and used amongst the VAG/BMW scene though.

They're a by word for quality at the end of the day. I can totally see your points, it's a shame people won't pay for quality.

 

[Ian_182]

http://www.raderwerks.com/product/m-ten80-s

 

[ForceIndia]

Look at how many sets of 10,15,20 year old BBS wheels still get sold and used amongst the VAG/BMW scene though.

They're a by word for quality at the end of the day. I can totally see your points, it's a shame people won't pay for quality.

Most people don't value longevity. Tis a shame.

 

[Winston]

Second hand bbs are going to sky rocket in price lol

Vid for BBS lovers

 

[Fred@BTM]

Porsche/VAG group will probably buy them out

 

[Gally]

You think they'll continue manufacturing, Fred?

 

[JackJack]

^ I think they will.

 

[Fred@BTM]

yeah 100% its too big to shut down

 

[Padso]

Surely they also manufacture a lot of OEM wheels for car makers too?

I walways thought real BBS were expensive. I can go tomorrow and get a set of New 18" LM copies with tyres for £630 with fitting kit inc VAT or 18" CH copies with tyres etc for £590

Theres no way i would spend £3k on wheels for a car.

 

[Ian_182]

Thats probably why they went bust.People buy stuff for now and in the lifetime they own the car thats the only time they buy wheels,yes there are always going to be some ed38 nutters with 4 sets of wheels,but people dont make these a yearly purchase.Normally its just a look they are after...

 

[BIFCAIDS]

Normally its just a look they are after...

That's the VAG scene in a nut shell over wheels! Please don't get me wrong the BBS RS and RM wheel is by far my face looking wheel ever but there only so expensive second hand because the people who want to be the cool kids go yea I'll give ya 3k for a set! You can pick up a knackered set of RS's for around £500-600 where as people like me who are in no means flush with cash can't afford to buy a shagged set to refurb because by the time ive finished refurbing the set it's cost me just as much as buying a refurbished set! Thus why when I seen the lenso's I bought them because I'm POOR no other reason!

 

[BIFCAIDS]

Normally its just a look they are after...

That's the VAG scene in a nut shell over wheels! Please don't get me wrong the BBS RS and RM wheel is by far my face looking wheel ever but there only so expensive second hand because the people who want to be the cool kids go yea I'll give ya 3k for a set! You can pick up a knackered set of RS's for around £500-600 where as people like me who are in no means flush with cash can't afford to buy a shagged set to refurb because by the time ive finished refurbing the set it's cost me just as much as buying a refurbished set! Thus why when I seen the lenso's I bought them because I'm POOR no other reason!

 

[Winston]

I blame you personally for making BBS go bump

 

[BIFCAIDS]

Give a rats ass just you wait till it's my name above the door I'll turn BBS's to fake splits lol