| If you happen to stumble upon Mazda Miata Rims | | | | The 1990s finally rolled around, which was a great |
| in the parking lot or in your garage, notice the | | | | decade for BBS. In 1990, BBS was known to be |
| wheel. Do you see how it's silver and | | | | the vital producer of OEM Alloy Wheels for Audi, |
| cross-spoked? It's most likely a BBS Wheel.. | | | | BMW, Volkswagen, and many other professional |
| because those wheels always have their emblem | | | | victorious racing teams all around the world. Four |
| on the center cap; regardless of the wheel or its | | | | years later, BBS had made wheels for Formula |
| manufacturer. So, there you go. | | | | One, the IndyCar Series, DTM, and ADAC; all of |
| I'm here to share some history on this lovely | | | | those racing teams won Championships with BBS |
| Aluminum Wheel producer. So, once upon a time | | | | Wheels. When they celebrated their 25th year |
| in 1970, in the small town of Schiltach, Germany, | | | | anniversary in 1995, they invented the RSII Wheel |
| there were two men: one named Heinrich | | | | which was lighter, had more quality, and eventually |
| Baumgartner (no, he didn't invent Heineken so let's | | | | set a trend for its remarkable innovation. By |
| not get any crazy ideas) and another named | | | | 1998, they had supplied IndyCar with BBS wheels |
| Klaus Brand. They decided to own their own | | | | for twelve racing vehicles! When 1999 rolled |
| manufacturing company, so they started off | | | | around, BBS gained more customers to make |
| making plastic auto body parts for different cars | | | | wheels for like DaimerlChrysler, Porsche, Ferrari, |
| at the time. They couldn't think of a name so | | | | and Jaguar. |
| they decided to make it into an acronym: | | | | When the new millennium finally came; this meant |
| BaumgartnerBrandSchiltach. How convenient, | | | | a whole new transition for BBS Manufacturing |
| right? | | | | Company. They had been so successful from |
| At any rate, for the first two years, they kept | | | | 2000-2008 that it's only fair for me to |
| producing plastic chassis elements; but in 1972, | | | | acknowledge all of their achievements. Ready? In |
| they eventually started designing three-piece | | | | March of 2000, they opened a logistics / storage |
| wheels that were going to be used for racing. | | | | center in Herbolzheim; which meant drastic |
| This was just an idea that they had on paper and | | | | growth in profit and turnover for the company. In |
| just decided to do it; and it turned out to be a | | | | 2001, they won another Formula One Racing |
| break through in the Motorsport World. It's all | | | | Championship. When 2002 finally came, they won |
| cheesy, but I guess dreams do come true! Four | | | | what's called a "Podio Award" for its new |
| years later, their company expanded to France | | | | innovated solutions when it came to Ferrari |
| since they were doing so well and in 1979, they | | | | Models. The dry processing of Factory Alloy |
| hired a third manager: Martin Braungart. It's like | | | | Wheels was invented in 2003 and was recognized |
| the letter "B" is super popular over there.. oh well. | | | | in not only the Motorsport World, but also by the |
| So of course they weren't going to perfect the | | | | Environmental society. They designed Air Inside |
| three-piece wheel the first time they made it; in | | | | Technology that improved the stability of the |
| 1983, when it was finally flawless, they made it | | | | wheel in 2004. In 2005, they completed their third |
| available for use on vehicles that travel on "normal | | | | expansion in Herbolzheim and had all of the |
| roads". This wheel was called the RS Wheel. As | | | | vehicles that had fitted BBS wheels compete in |
| you can probably guess, this Factory Original BBS | | | | the Dakar Rally. 2006 meant that this |
| Rim was a hit with everyone. It flew off the | | | | manufacturing company had won a grand total of |
| shelves and just pleased everyone that bought it. | | | | 6 international and national awards including Best |
| Since the company was doing so well, they | | | | Brand, Best Quality, two Innovation Awards, and |
| opened more stores; this time in the great | | | | Best Wheel of the year. When the new year |
| countries of America and Japan. In 1987, they had | | | | brought 2007, Punch International NV took over |
| some managerial movement where Klaus Brand | | | | BBS International; when this happened, it |
| eventually became part of the Supervisory Board, | | | | employed over 3,000 people worldwide! Which is |
| Heinrich Baumgartner was appointed as Chairman | | | | great for our economy, don't ya think? Anyway, |
| of the Management Board, Martin Braungart | | | | in 2008, BBS had the extreme pleasure of saying |
| became in charge of the Technical Management | | | | that they had won the Best Brand Award for the |
| Department, and Klaus Bukenberger became | | | | third time in a row. |
| accountable for the Business' Operations and | | | | What an accomplishment, right? |
| Sales. | | | | |