Accuride Introduces Accu-Lite Steel Wheels

EVANSVILLE, Ind.--Today, Accuride Corporation introduced its new Accu-Lite^TM Steel Wheels at the Mid America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.

“We are committed to designing premium products to serve as solutions for our customers,” said Larry Taylor, Accuride’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “As new emission standards are resulting in weight being added to vehicles, we knew our customers needed an easy solution for counterbalancing the added weight. We designed Accu-Lite wheels as a weight reduction solution for our customers so that they could maximize payload and fuel savings without reducing load ratings.”

Accu-Lite Steel Wheels are the lightest available version of the industry-standard two and five hand hole 22.5 by 8.25 inch steel wheels. Weighing eight pounds less than Accuride’s previous industry-standard steel wheels, the two hand hole Accu-Lite weighs 70 lbs, while the five hand hole design weighs 68 lbs.

“Accu-Lite’s eight pounds of weight reduction per wheel translates to a savings of at least 144 pounds for tractor / trailer combinations,” said Taylor. “When you compare the weight savings of Accu-Lite to the competition, the competition doesn’t offer comparative savings. Accu-Lite is 11 lbs. lighter than domestic competitors and anywhere from 14 to 23 lbs. lighter than overseas competitors.”

“Our engineers researched, designed, and developed Accu-Lite using high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel coupled with state-of-the-art welding and metal forming technology to yield a wheel that is optimum in strength but light in weight,” said Phil Newsome, Vice President / Wheel Technology. “The Accu-Lite wheel performance was validated with rigorous lab testing in accordance with SAE and Accuride Corporation standards.”

Accu-Lite wheels are available through Accuride’s authorized distribution points, including Accuride’s Warehouse Distributors and OEM Truck and Trailer Dealers, as well as available on OEM new medium / heavy trucks and trailers.

P/N 50408: 22.5 x 8.25 steel wheel
            2 hand holes - 70 lbs
P/N 50487: 22.5 x 8.25 steel wheel
            5 hand holes - 68 lbs

Accuride Wheels, a strategic business unit of Accuride Corporation, is the largest North American manufacturer and supplier of wheels for heavy- and medium-duty trucks and commercial trailers. Accuride offers the broadest product line in the North American heavy/medium wheel industry and is the only manufacturer and supplier of both steel and forged aluminum heavy/medium wheels. Accuride also offers wheels for buses, commercial light trucks, as well as specialty and military vehicles.

Accuride Corporation is one of the largest and most diversified manufacturers and suppliers of commercial vehicle components in North America. Accuride’s products include commercial vehicle wheels, wheel-end components and assemblies, truck body and chassis parts, seating assemblies and other commercial vehicle components. Accurides’s products are marketed under its brand names, which include Accuride, Gunite, Imperial, Bostrom, Fabco and Brillion. For more information, visit Accuride’s website at http://www.accuridecorp.com.