BBS files for bankruptcy... Again.

[Got Insulin?]

http://www.4wheelsnews.com/bbs-filed-for-bankruptcy-on-december-30/

Just goes to show you that knock-offs are definately making an impact in the world of wheels, but I'd have to imagine that the bazillions of OEM wheels they sell yearly are being hurt pretty bad by the downturn in the automotive industries. Discuss?

* Link fixed.

[bmatyeah]

your link is wrong

[Got Insulin?]

Whoops, fixed it. Thanks!

[Renegade_]

Well, you need to see what kind of business they are in - at this point, everyone that BBS sponsors probably gets free wheels, race teams that are sponsored by them... free wheels.

Then throw in knockoffs and their income source in general probably consists of the general consumer. Factory deals probably aren't the most lucrative either. Sucks to see them do it again.

[rodder]

I still have a hard time believing that knock-off replica wheels are affecting BBS's (or any wheel manufacturer's) bottom line in any way.

This not being the first time they've had to file for bankruptcy tells me there is some serious mismanagement going on somewhere at the company. Obviously this economy isn't helping either.

There are literally tens of thousands of companies who have had to file for bankruptcy in the past year or so. I doubt they can be blamed on the availability of inexpensive replicas of their products.

[jpalamar]

It is probably bad management.

[WolfsFang]

I still have a hard time believing that knock-off replica wheels are affecting BBS's (or any wheel manufacturer's) bottom line in any way.

This not being the first time they've had to file for bankruptcy tells me there is some serious mismanagement going on somewhere at the company. Obviously this economy isn't helping either.

There are literally tens of thousands of companies who have had to file for bankruptcy in the past year or so. I doubt they can be blamed on the availability of inexpensive replicas of their products.
I agree, even though im going to buy knockoffs i wish i could buy the real deal :P

[rodder]

yeah I think anyone, if given the choice, would pick BBS, Volk, etc over a replica. The thing is, not everyone has that kind of money. The people who are buying replicas are doing so because either they simply can't afford the real thing or can't justify the extra expense. Those people would never have bought a BBS or Volk in the 1st place, because it's just not in their budget.

People who buy BBS wheels would never consider a replica. And people who buy replicas do so because the real thing is too expensive. They are two separate consumer demographics, which means BBS isn't losing customers to replica wheel brands because the people buying those wheels have already ruled out BBS as being too expensive and would never have been customers of theirs anyway.

[Honduh]

yeah I think anyone, if given the choice, would pick BBS, Volk, etc over a replica. The thing is, not everyone has that kind of money. The people who are buying replicas are doing so because either they simply can't afford the real thing or can't justify the extra expense. Those people would never have bought a BBS or Volk in the 1st place, because it's just not in their budget.

People who buy BBS wheels would never consider a replica. And people who buy replicas do so because the real thing is too expensive. They are two separate consumer demographics, which means BBS isn't losing customers to replica wheel brands because the people buying those wheels have already ruled out BBS as being too expensive and would never have been customers of theirs anyway.

Damn took the words right out of my mouth.

Besides you would think that with all the people who hate on replicas that big name wheel brands would be fine.

[grimm]

It is probably bad management.

usually the case.

[RedBowTies88]

i wonder if BBS workers are unionized....

[Reese]

yeah I think anyone, if given the choice, would pick BBS, Volk, etc over a replica. The thing is, not everyone has that kind of money. The people who are buying replicas are doing so because either they simply can't afford the real thing or can't justify the extra expense. Those people would never have bought a BBS or Volk in the 1st place, because it's just not in their budget.

People who buy BBS wheels would never consider a replica. And people who buy replicas do so because the real thing is too expensive. They are two separate consumer demographics, which means BBS isn't losing customers to replica wheel brands because the people buying those wheels have already ruled out BBS as being too expensive and would never have been customers of theirs anyway.



:thumbup: agreed



Also i remember back in 2008 when i went to SEMA i talked with a rep and he basically said that most of there business doesn't come from the USA in the first place.

dont know if thats true

[FazdaGt]

yeah I think anyone, if given the choice, would pick BBS, Volk, etc over a replica. The thing is, not everyone has that kind of money. The people who are buying replicas are doing so because either they simply can't afford the real thing or can't justify the extra expense. Those people would never have bought a BBS or Volk in the 1st place, because it's just not in their budget.

People who buy BBS wheels would never consider a replica. And people who buy replicas do so because the real thing is too expensive. They are two separate consumer demographics, which means BBS isn't losing customers to replica wheel brands because the people buying those wheels have already ruled out BBS as being too expensive and would never have been customers of theirs anyway.

Well said. I think many who blame the knock off companies for the failure of the larger companies really have no understanding of demographics.

[mcperson2k]

Well said. I think many who blame the knock off companies for the failure of the larger companies really have no understanding of demographics.

Or they just think their curbed 4k wheels are better than everyone elses curbed 600 wheels... :lol:

[AJe'dGC8]

Some company will buy the rights to make them if they do go out of business. I dont expect the rims to go extinct.

[qbcsvt]

Bad news. As for demographics, Im sure the knock offs take some business away from BBS for the people who think like me. I bought my knock-offs because I want to go out to drift events and this would be my first time. Why damage nice rims when Im not even in competition.

Now for my CSVT its going to be a cruiser, show car with some go fast goodies so some nice custom wheels will be in the works when the time comes.

Hopefully someone can buy the business and manage it better.

- amyn

[HatchSurfer3]

I'm going to have to disagree with a few of you who said they're completely different demographics and the replica wheels had nothing to do with it. Do I believe they were the direct cause of BBS filing banckruptcy? No, of course not. However, I do believe they had a hand in the matter. They are competition in the same industry. Price difference is a large factor, but not one that completely changes the demographic of the consumer. Yes, certain people would never consider a knockoff, and certain people would never consider paying the thousands of dollars for the top name brands. There are, however, the large group of people in between who are the casual enthusiast. They would love to have BBS, Volk, etc. and can probably afford them. Since there is a replica wheel out there that looks almost exactly the same for a fraction of the price they say "why not? Now I can spend money on some other upgrades." Whereas if the replica companies didn't exist, they would be purchasing the BBS and such. Like I said, its not the sole reason of their downfall, but to think it had nothing to do with it is just crazy.