BBS Japan Steps Up as Malaysia Sees Strong Growth

You’ve probably heard the news that renowned wheelmakers BBS Germany is winding down its operations. While that may sound like the end of an era, don’t worry, your favourite wheels aren’t going anywhere just yet.

In fact, the BBS brand name is still very much alive and kicking. Specifically, both BBS Japan and BBS Motorsport Germany are still operational, and both businesses are going strong. The brand continues to have a strong presence in motorsports, OEM manufacturing, and the global aftermarket scene.

For the uninitiated, BBS is an iconic wheel brand steeply rooted in motorsports. They’ve supplied wheels to top teams in Formula 1, rally, and other top-flight racing series. They also provide OEM wheels supply to big names like BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Ferrari, Maserati, Subaru and more.

But BBS isn't just about racing or luxury style. A huge part of their business comes from the tuning and aftermarket community. Car enthusiasts love BBS wheels for their light-weight design and exceptional build quality. Whether it’s for a weekend project car or a showpiece daily driver, BBS is a go-to choice for those looking to personalise their rides.

We recently caught up with representatives from BBS Japan during a small event hosted this week by Autovogue Performance (AP), the official BBS and Recaro distributor in Malaysia. The gathering took place at their outlet located in Sunway Damansara Technology Park.

(R) Zhang Yunchen & (M) Seika Kawakami from BBS Japan Co. Ltd. 

During our chat, we learned that BBS Japan has taken on a much bigger role. With BBS Germany stepping back, BBS Japan is acting as the global hub for the brand, managing its direction and supporting international markets.

Currently, BBS offers over twenty different wheel designs. Some of the most sought-after models include its signature LM, LM-R, and FI-R range - iconic designs that remain in high demand among enthusiasts worldwide. In fact, some of these offerings have waiting times of up to six months due to overwhelming demand.

Since AP became the official distributor here in Malaysia, things have been going well too, with BBS wheels sale in Malaysia proving both encouraging and on par with markets like Thailand and Hong Kong. That is impressive, especially considering that even the most affordable BBS wheels set start from RM15,000 per set.

We also asked about offerings for EVs, especially with EV adoption growing in Malaysia. According to BBS representatives, many of their current wheels are already compatible with EVs like the Tesla Model 3 and Y with sub- two-tonne weights. 

However, for heavier models like the Porsche Taycan, BBS has developed wheels made of a special material called Fortega. This new alloy is lighter and stronger than traditional materials like aluminium, duralumin or even magnesium.

Of course, we couldn’t avoid the topic of grey market imports. Some parallel importers offer BBS wheels at slightly lower prices. BBS Japan reminded us that only wheels purchased through official dealers like AP mentioned are fully covered by local warranty and local support.

If you buy your wheels from a grey importer, any issues or warranty claims will have to go through the original country of purchase - similar to how it works with grey import Teslas. That’s something worth thinking about before going for the cheaper option.

Looking ahead, BBS is planning to expand even further. One area they’re eyeing is the 4x4 and off-road segment. Brands like Rays and Advan already have a strong foothold here, but BBS is aiming to bring its motorsport credibility into this space and win over new fans.