Appearance and Style Steer Custom Wheel and Tire Sales

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 27 -- From young drivers with sports coupes to older motorists with sports utility vehicles (SUVs), consumers are choosing to customize their automobiles with more aesthetically pleasing, higher performance tires and wheels.

The need for style and enhanced performance has become as important to most owners as the model of their vehicle. Within this aftermarket segment, manufacturers are able to capitalize on drivers who make purchases primarily out of desire rather than necessity.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (transportation.frost.com), North American Tire and Wheel Aftermarket, reveals that this industry generated revenues of $10.96 billion in 2000 and is projected to increase steadily to $15.66 billion by 2007.

``The most popular end-user groups for tire manufacturers are light truck and utility SUV owners,'' says Frost & Sullivan Industry Manager Meenakshi Ganjoo. ``Demand for replacement and performance tires for light trucks and SUVs has surpassed that of passenger vehicles or sports cars.''

This demographic group routinely upgrade tires to improve hauling or towing capabilities. Moreover, owners are commonly replacing wheels on all types of vehicles purely for aesthetic reasons.

``In a market where style is gaining significance and emerging as a major factor influencing purchasing decisions, custom wheel manufacturers are well positioned to take advantage of the trend,'' states Ganjoo. ``Aluminum wheels are the driving force in this aftermarket segment, as the metal's malleable properties allow for the various sizes and shapes which appeal to both manufacturers and consumers.''

Frost & Sullivan presents the 2001 Marketing Engineering Awards to companies that have worked diligently to make a positive contribution to the North American tire and wheel aftermarket. These market specific awards are presented to: B.F. Goodrich Tires, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Michelin North America, Inc., and Pirelli Tire, N.A.

The following is a list of key industry participants: ALBA Performance Wheels; Alcoa Wheel Products International; American Eagle Wheel Corp.; Amtech Wheel, Inc.; American Racing Custom Wheels; BBS of America, Inc.; B.F. Goodrich Tires; Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.; Center Line Wheel Corp.; China Industrial Manufacturing Inc.; China Manufacturers Alliance; Continental General Tire, Inc.; Cooper Tire & Rubber Company; Cragar Industries, Inc.; Crown Wheel Corp.; Dayton Wheel Products, Inc.; Denman Tire Corp.; DNA Specialty, Inc.; Duro Tire Corp.; Enkei International; Elite Wheel Corp.; Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; HRE Performance Wheels; Hoosier; Image Alloy Wheels Corp.; KMC Wheel Co.; Kinesis Motorsports Corp.; Konig Motoring Accessories; Kumho Industrial Co., Ltd; Michelin North America, Inc.; MIM Wheels; Nitto Tire Corp.; Optima Wheel Inc.; Panther Custom Wheels; Pirelli Tire, N.A.; Prime Wheel Corp.; Primax Wheel Corp.; Rage Wheels; Ronal Wheels USA; Speedline America Corp.; Toyo Tires; TSW Alloy Wheels; Ultra Wheels; Weld Racing; Wheel Effects Inc.; Yokohama Tire Corp. and Zenetti Wheel.