HRE Wheels Highlights Private Label Program on Record-Setting Devon GTX Supercar at SEMA Show

VISTA, CA--(Marketwire - November 3, 2009) - HRE Performance Wheels (www.hrewheels.com), a leading American designer and manufacturer of high-quality forged aluminum custom wheels for more than 30 years, is displaying the record-setting Devon GTX supercar at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The GTX recently broke the all-time production car lap record at famed Laguna Seca Raceway on wheels manufactured by HRE, and exemplifies HRE's world-class private label wheel capabilities. Additional news from HRE comes in the premiere of one of the first Porsche Panamera sedans to reach US soil, equipped with new-for-2010 forged Monoblok™ wheels in 21-inch diameters, plus the debut of HRE's most aggressively priced 3-piece forged wheel line for muscle cars and entry level sports cars, the new 560 Series. These vehicle and wheel displays are being unveiled today at the SEMA Show, the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, held at Las Vegas Convention Center. HRE's booth is in the Lower South Hall, booth # 41019.

HRE's growing private label wheel program provides all-inclusive capability to design, develop, prototype, and produce wheels in forged aluminum and other exotic materials. HRE can work with pre-existing designs or provide new custom solutions. Comprehensive in-house development expertise allows for small to large project flexibility, and low build-to-order volumes, while maintaining the capacity for large production runs.

"The Devon GTX is an exciting example of HRE's engineering and manufacturing capabilities," said Alan Peltier, President of HRE Performance Wheels. "We've got decades of experience creating the highest quality wheel solutions for private label customers who not only push the performance envelope, they also look for the highest levels of quality assurance, collaboration and support to grow their businesses. We put the same attention to detail and quality into the private label program as we do for our own HRE brand wheels, so fulfilling these high level demands is part of our everyday business."

"We set out to become the ultimate custom wheel solutions partner for high caliber vehicle builders and innovators, and we're fulfilling that objective," continues Peltier. "Take a look at the forged wheels on the Hurst 'SEMA Scholarship' Camaro in the Grand Hall here at SEMA; they've got a complicated 3-step finish and a very unique design. Those were also created within our private label wheel program. If you're a racing fan, watch Fall-line Motorsport in GrandAm, and you'll see a custom Monoblok MR-3 wheel which Fall-Line drove to the first top-10 finish in North American pro racing for the new BMW M3; yet another private label example. HRE follows a consistent path of working with performance and innovation leaders like us, it's a natural fit."

HRE's branded and private label wheels are tested to exceed US, Japanese and German government regulations for radial and rotary fatigue, impact tests, and the manufacturing facility ensures quality assurance through it's achievement of German/EU TUV verification status. Each wheel HRE creates undergoes intensive Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to achieve optimal reductions in unsprung mass and rotational inertia as well as maximum strength and stiffness, resulting in enhanced ride quality, improved braking, acceleration and suspension performance.

The new Monoblok™ wheel premier for Porsche Panamera sedans include three styles in 21-inch diameters with sport-oriented styling, each engineered to achieve lower wheel weights versus factory equipment for enhanced ride quality and performance. These wheels feature the same 6061-T6 forged aluminum construction as the speed record-setting wheels on the Devon supercar.

"HRE has equipped Porsche street and track drivers with custom wheel fitments for years and we share Porsche's passion for design and performance, so it was simply a must for us to design wheels to fit the new Panamera," said Peltier.

21-inch Monoblok wheels are engineered specifically for higher load ratings and performance levels of the Panamera, and are additionally available in fitments for the Mercedes S65 and other flagship performance sedans. For performance SUV's such as the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X6, even higher load rated versions are available. All Monoblok wheels are hub-centric, fully compatible with original equipment hardware, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and center caps, and no spacers are ever required because all HRE wheel fitments are application-specific with offsets calculated and accurately machined to the millimeter.

HRE has also introduced a feature-rich, value-priced 3-piece forged wheel line, the 560 Series. Targeted at muscle cars such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, and entry-level sports coupes and sedans such as the Audi A4 and S4, BMW 3-Series and M3, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Lexus IS, Nissan 370Z, Porsche Cayman and others, the 560 line puts high quality forged HRE wheels within affordable reach of a much larger group of consumers. The first set of 560 Series wheels will be unveiled in the Hyundai booth at the SEMA Show on Tuesday, October 3rd, on drifting and Pike's Peak Hill Climb Champion Rhys Millen's custom mid-engine V8 Genesis Coupe.

Priced a few hundred dollars per wheel below HRE's popular Monoblok line, the list of 560 Series features rivals top-line multi-piece wheels. Each of the 4 models in the 560 Series features lightweight 6061-T6 forged centers and spun rims, application-specific 3-piece fitments, reduced unsprung mass, custom widths and offsets, hidden hardware, forged 6061-T6 aluminum and plentiful finish options. Additionally, each 560 Series model is available in the customer's choice of 2 rim profiles, "R" (straight-lip) or "C" (stepped-lip), to suit each customer's style preferences. 560 Series wheels come in a choice of 18", 19" or 20" diameters with custom widths and offsets to accommodate any tire set, aftermarket brake package and even heavily modified fenders.

"HRE's new 560 Series simply resets the bar for value priced 3-piece wheels. Now you can get HRE quality and customer service at a price previously unheard of in the 3-piece market," said Peltier.

About HRE Performance Wheels

HRE Performance Wheels manufactures forged 1-piece and multi-piece wheels from aluminum alloy and exotic materials for luxury and performance cars and SUV's in their San Diego, California-based, TÜV-approved facility. HRE's state-of-the-art design, engineering, manufacturing and finishing processes present the ultimate customizing solution. HRE wheels are sold through select high-end car dealerships, specialty retailers and performance companies worldwide. For more information, visit ww