Carbon Revolution enters growing SUV market

CARBON Revolution has signed a new contract with a global automotive company that will see the Geelong-based manufacturing specialist supply an SUV with one-piece carbon-fibre wheels for the first time.

Neither the OEM nor its SUV in question can be named at this time “due to commercial confidentiality until release of the vehicle”, according to Carbon Revolution.

Nonetheless, its chief executive, Jake Dingle, stressed the significance of the new deal that takes the local success story to the next level.

“This is a new customer for Carbon Revolution, meaning we now have five globally recognised automotive manufacturers who have placed faith in our product,” he said.

“SUVs represent a very important new segment of the market for Carbon Revolution, broadening our horizons as we build the business.

“We have been working on applications for this segment for a number of years leading up to this award, so this is a very important milestone for the team.

“The new contract proves the flexibility of our technology and engineering expertise, demonstrating its versatility to improve the performance and efficiency of SUVs and truck platforms.”

As reported, Ford (GT and Mustang Shelby GT350R and GT500), Ferrari (488 Pista and F8 Tributo) and Renault (Megane RS Trophy-R Record) are among Carbon Revolution’s existing OEM customers.

Mr Dingle said that Carbon Revolution’s “wheels have been recognised as contributing to five new lap records set at the Nurburgring this year”, while its programmes with another global OEM – separate to the aforementioned SUV contract – are yet to enter production.

“With this new (SUV) programme, we now have nine OEM programmes and are seeing manufacturing efficiency and precision benefits from the recent process and equipment upgrades at our Waurn Ponds factory,” he said.

“We continue to look at additional opportunities for our market-leading carbon-fibre wheels and invest in research and development.

“This contract is a fantastic recognition of the expertise and commitment of our team. We are continually looking to innovate and advance our technology and products.”

In August, Carbon Revolution received a grant from the federal government to design carbon-fibre wheels for the Australian Defence Force.

As reported, British automotive industry executive Adrian Smith was recently appointed as Carbon Revolution’s sales and business development director.

Former GM Holden chairman and managing director Mark Bernhard came out of retirement to become a non-executive director of Carbon Revolution in July, following in the footsteps of the lion brand’s former director of vehicle operations, Martin Merry, who came onboard as plant manager just beforehand.