This iconic German brand has graced everything from high-performance sports cars of the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s to the most competitive racing circuits. But, BBS has just declared insolvency for the second time in a year. Yes, you read that right.

This marks the fifth bankruptcy for BBS in 17 years, with previous filings in 2007, 2011, 2020, and 2023. Clearly, bad luck alone isn’t to blame. Patterns and pitfalls have trapped this storied brand in a cycle of financial instability.

One glaring issue has been BBS’s struggle to keep up with market trends. They’ve got a treasure trove of iconic wheel designs like the RSII and RK, which have seen a resurgence in demand.

Yet, instead of capitalising on this nostalgia, BBS ventured into niche projects like BBS Unlimited, a customisable wheel design with an unusual 5×117.5 mm bolt pattern requiring special adapters. While innovative, it didn’t quite solve an existing problem.

Ownership changes have further complicated matters. Since 2007, BBS has been passed around like a hot potato among various private equity firms, each trying to turn a quick profit. Punch International took over in 2007, but BBS declared insolvency again by 2011.

In 2012, the motorsports division went to Japan’s Ono-Group, while the road wheel operations went to Austrian firm Tyrol Equity AG. Fast forward to 2015, and Korean investment group NICE Corp. took the reins, only for BBS to file for insolvency again in 2020.

KW Automotive, a powerhouse in aftermarket suspension, acquired BBS in 2021 with high hopes. Klaus Wohlfarth, KW’s managing director, expressed optimism about revitalising the brand with strategic expansions and investments.

However, by November 2023, BBS Autotechnik GmbH was back in financial trouble. Rising energy costs and inflation-driven price increases took their toll, leading to another insolvency filing. This time, Turkish ISH Holding stepped in, but a trademark dispute with KW Automotive complicated matters, leaving employees unpaid and operations in limbo.

Despite these setbacks, there’s still hope for BBS. The brand’s strength lies in its legacy and iconic designs. With the right funding, strategic product development, and a dedicated team, BBS could still make a remarkable comeback.

For now, BBS enthusiasts can still find wheels on shelves, and operations continue in some capacity. Automakers, however, might face disruptions if just-in-time delivery practices are affected.

Operations at BBS USA and Japan remain unaffected too. The USA side assures customers that their supply of forged products from Japan is steady and even ramping up to meet demand. So, if you’re eyeing a set of E88s, RS-GTs, or LMs, rest easy, your forged wheels are on their way.

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