NORTHVILLE, Mich., — Hayes Lemmerz International announced today that its North American Wheel Groups intend to expand their product lines to include low-pressure cast aluminum wheels for commercial truck and trailer customers.

Hayes Lemmerz is the world’s largest supplier of steel wheels for trucks, serving over 200 truck and trailer customers worldwide. It also has 11 aluminum wheel plants in five continents.

Current plans are to have several truck wheel designs and dimensions on the market in 2006. North American aluminum truck wheels will be produced at the company’s Gainesville, Ga. facility where a specific OE truck program is also scheduled to launch in 2006. Products for the European markets will be produced at the company’s Dello, Italy facility where it currently houses its European R&D center for aluminum wheels.

“This will allow our North American Wheel Group to further expand their product offering,” said Fred Bentley, president of the International Wheel Group. “Aluminum wheels are becoming widely accepted in European truck markets by offering weight savings versus steel wheels, improving fuel economy and increasing payload. Aluminum enables styling flexibility and functionality previously unavailable with steel wheels.”

Pieter Klinkers, vice-president of sales said there’s opportunity in the growing aluminum wheel truck market, which he says is currently dominated by a single competitor. “We believe that our customers are seeking a reliable, existing supplier that can offer them an alternative source for aluminum wheels. The fact that we are already a part of their supply base with steel wheels is an advantage for both parties.”