Where have all the wheel trims gone? Trim centre national hub for replacements
Where do all the wheel trims go? In summer and over the holidays, the roads seemed littered with wheel trims that have
popped off cars.
Mike Sim, who runs New Zealand’s biggest wheel trim outlet – The Wheel Trim Centre - says they are being inundated with
people wanting to replace lost or broken wheel trims.
``We have about 20,000 wheel trims in our store in central Christchurch. The most common trim that pops off or is
damaged is off the left front wheel,’’ Sim said today.
``For most people the problem is getting an exact match for their make and model and the manufacturer cant just sell
one wheel trim. We have built up a huge stock of trims and sell thousands every year from the latest models right back
to the Vanguards of the 1960s.
``We find Toyotas lose their trims the most followed by Ford then Nissan; Honda stay on a bit longer.’’
Sim said The Wheel Trim Centre does not accept trims from members of the public, for fear of them being lifted or
stolen. They only buy from reputable motor trade dealers. While most car wreckers have trims, Sim believes their stock
is easily the biggest in the country.
They also get inquiries from all over the world through their website for specialist trims. Sim said they had a man in
England wanting to set up the same business.
``W e are importing more mag wheel centres however our stock in trade still is replacement factory wheeltrims with new
after-markets sets growing especially for those wanting to spruce up a vehicle for sale. We also are getting many more
customers from people doing up early 70s cars.’’
The centre has the biggest range of genuine second-hand factory wheeltrims in NZ and offer free fitting on site. Sim
also does plastic welding of everything from plastic toys to quadbike bodies to fuel tanks to taillights which is
growing as plastic becomes more expensive.
Ends
copyright Word of Mouth Media