Since being rolled out by the Sumerians in around 3500 BC, the wheel has been constantly re-invented. Today, the main development trends in the automotive wheels industry centre on producing larger, brighter and cheaper wheels.
OEM's also require styling flexibility, reduced weight and high quality from their wheel suppliers today, and although the North American and European aluminium wheel market has grown over the past decade, the pace of growth has slowed recently, and advances in the use of steel has meant that manufacturers of steel wheels can meet alloy wheel designs head on. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), steel wheels are making a comeback as vehicle makers realise that thanks to the development of new high-strength steels and improved design and simulation technology, they can save up to US$200 per vehicle, without making any sacrifice to quality or performance.

In this fourth edition of the road wheels report just-auto reviews the key market drivers for road wheels, and provides updated market analysis.
We include market share data for steel wheels and cast aluminium wheels, plus we provide top level market fitment, volume and value forecasts through to 2013.
The report also includes exclusive Q&As with senior executives from ArvinMeritor, Hayes Lemmerz and the AISI. We also provide a review of recent innovations in this arena, plus brief profiles of the major manufacturers, namely Accuride, Alcoa, Amcast, ArvinMeritor, Hayes Lemmerz, Superior Industries and Topy Industries.

Chapter 1: Introduction - A brief overview of the report coverage.

Chapter 2: The market - In this chapter we provide volume and value forecasts to 2013, along with market share data for North and South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Also included are profiles of the market players, along with interviews with some of the key industry players, such as Jim Cran, project manager, AISI, and Fred Bentley, chief operating officer and president of the Global Wheel Group, Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.
We also give a brief overview of manufacturer movements in the emerging markets, India, Russia and Brazil.

Chapter 3: Technical review - We briefly look at the history of the wheel, plus we talk about recent innovations, such as Siemens VDO Automotive's 'eCorner'.

Chapter 4: Manufacturers - This chapter sets out profiles of some of the major manufacturers, from Accuride to Topy Industies. Included is information on mergers and acquisitions, products, customers, manufacturing facilities and revenue.

This report is also available as an Intelligence Set. This is a value for money bundle that consists of the report, plus manufacturer or supplier profiles.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2 The market
Market trends
Q&A with the American Iron and Steel Institute
Market players
Accuride
Alcoa
Amcast
ArvinMeritor
Q&A with ArvinMeritor’s Wheels Group
Borbet
Enkei
Hayes Lemmerz
Q&A with Hayes Lemmerz International Inc
Magneto
Mefro
Otto Fuchs
Ronal
Superior Industries
Topy Industries
Emerging markets
Market shares
North America
South America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Market forecasts
Aluminium wheels
Steel wheels
Market value forecasts
Aluminium wheels
Steel wheels

Chapter 3 Technical review
Defining the elements
Recent innovations

Chapter 4 Manufacturers
Accuride
Alcoa
ArvinMeritor
Hayes Lemmerz
Superior Industries
Topy Industries

List of figures
Figure 1: North American OE market shares of cast aluminium wheels for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 2: North American OE market shares of steel wheels for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 3: European OE market shares for cast aluminium wheels for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 4: European OE market shares for steel wheels for passenger cars and light trucks, 2006 (% of volume)
Figure 5: ArvinMeritor’s sequence of standard drop centre wheel, painted/cladded integrated wheels and styled bead seat wheels

List of tables
Table 1: Installation of OE cast aluminium wheels for passenger cars and light trucks in Western Europe, North America and Japan, 2003-2013 (% of volume)
Table 2: Market volume of OE cast aluminium wheels for passenger cars and light trucks in Western Europe, North America and Japan, 2003-2013 (‘000s units)
Table 3: Installation of OE steel wheels for passenger cars and light trucks in Western Europe, North America and Japan, 2003-2013 (% of volume)
Table 4: Market volume of OE steel wheels for passenger cars and light trucks in Western Europe, North America and Japan, 2003-2013 (‘000s units)
Table 5: Market value of OE cast aluminium wheels for passenger cars and light trucks in Western Europe, North America, and Japan, 2003-2013 (EUR’000s)
Table 6: Market value of OE steel wheels for passenger cars and light trucks in Western Europe, North America, and Japan, 2003-2013 (EUR’000s)
Table 7: Accuride’s wheel and wheel-end assembly sites in North America, 2007
Table 8: Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products’ locations, 2007
Table 9: Hayes Lemmerz’s wheel manufacturing facilities worldwide, 2007
Table 10: Superior Industries’ key financial results, 2004-2006 (US$’000s)