It is important to first have a clear understanding, the differences between Factory (OEM) Wheels and Replica Wheels. The vast majority of consumers do not understand the key differences between these two types of wheels, which are significant.

Replica Wheels:

Replica Wheels are “non-OEM” wheels designed by private third-party manufacturers. A Replica Wheel is “deliberately” designed to look just like the “Real” OEM wheel. They are essentially counterfeit (knock-off) wheels. However, they do not have the OEM logo or the MPN (Manufacturers Part Number) stamped in the inner barrel. But to the vast majority of people or businesses buying these wheels, they would never know the difference.

Although Replica Wheels look like the original (OEM) wheels, the quality & safety standards are “vastly” different. Watch this “Video” from Honda showing the differences between a Honda OEM wheel vs. a Replica.

Why are Replica Wheels being Sold?

They are relatively easy to acquire from overseas manufacturers at a much lower cost than Factory Original (OEM) wheels, which in turn makes them very profitable to sell. The problem with Replica Wheels is that the vast majority of people buying them do not know it. They think they are OEM wheels. In addition, the quality and safety of these Replica Wheels are substandard, compare to OEM wheels.

Replica Wheels (Buyer Beware!):

When you shop on the Internet or eBay for automotive wheels, you will find many sellers offering very low prices on what they refer to as "OEM style", "Replica", “Replacement” or "Reproduction" wheels. These Internet listings are worded intentionally “Vague”, so you think you are buying an OEM wheel. Some sellers even claim that their wheels are made to OEM specifications at an OEM manufacturing plant. These claims are completely false.

Who makes these Replica Wheels?

There is a growing industry, mainly in China and Taiwan, that manufacturer these Replica Wheels. Anybody can travel there and have an exact replica copy of any OEM wheel you want. Unlike OEM wheels, most Replica Wheels go through little or no quality control checks during or after the manufacturing process. There have been many reported incidents of Replica Wheels collapsing or breaking. The Replica Wheel manufacturers have little to no regulations that they are required to follow.

Aren’t all wheels made the same?

Almost all Replica Wheels are made using the cheapest manufacturing method available, which is called “Gravity Casting”. This is when molten aluminum is simply poured into a mold and allowed to cool off. This method results in a wheel that has much less density since no pressure is applied. What this means is that the Replica Wheel is much more likely to get bent or cracked, since they are made from weaker, more porous metals. Almost all Factory (OEM) wheels use a process called “Low Pressure Casting”. This process produces a more durable and denser wheel.