Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) has reacted to news that a major manufacturer has stopped selling polished forged aluminium commercial vehicle wheels by launching a large-scale campaign to promote the popular xlite finish.
The company, which holds exclusive rights to the distribution of xlite throughout the UK and Europe, has said that sales indicate a growing demand in this particular sector, and represents a clear opportunity to grow market share across all wheels within the brand's portfolio.
John Ellis, managing director of MWSD, said: "Forged aluminium wheels come in three progressive finishes - machined, polished and premium, which in our case is called Xbrite - and our share of sales across these different options is largely equal.
"Our market research shows that many operators throughout Europe still favour a polished wheel, and we are in a position to supply the leading available product. Not only will we increase sales in this sector, but it will open doors to push the entire xlite portfolio."
xlite wheels, which are five times stronger and 40 percent lighter than the standard steel equivalent, are forged from a single aluminium billet using a computerised numeric control machine to produce a higher degree of production accuracy. Wheels are available in 17.5, 19.5 and 22.5 inch sizes.
Forged aluminium options include machined, polished and Xbrite finishes, the latter of which goes through several automated treatment stages which permeate the metal deeper to deliver a wheel with the highest levels of corrosion resistance and shine.
The ultimate advantages of operating with forged aluminium wheels including extra payloads, reduced diesel usage, decreased CO² emissions and less wear on surrounding parts.