Brembo looking to go mass-market by catering to Detroit’s Big 3

Popular Italian brake manufacturer Brembo is looking to transform itself into a more mass-market brake supplier by taking over North America – most importantly Detroit. How does Brembo want to do that? Of course Brembo will use its already popular name, high-performance racing connection and by its recent acquisition of the brake component division of U.S. supplier Hayes-Lemmerz International.

According to CEO Corrado Orsi, Brembo has about 13 percent of the North American rotor market which represents about $140 million. Now it wants to make nice with the Detroit Big 3 but isn’t giving out any forecast as how it could improve the company’s financial.

Brembo current plans for North America include a new manufacturing facility, targeting upscale and middle-market vehicles and pitching its reduced weight with advanced engineering to FoMoCo, GM and Chrysler.

Orsi says Brembo will continue to supply high-end rotors and complete braking systems to exclusive automakers like Ferrari and Porsche and will also try to be more visible with brands like Hyundai and Nissan.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)