StopTech, Centric, and Raybestos will cease production immediately following First Brands Group’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and $6 billion debt. This marks a significant shift in the aftermarket brake industry, impacting both performance enthusiasts and everyday drivers.
First Brands Group Collapse
First Brands Group, which also owns brands like Fram, Michelin wiper blades, and Reese towing products, filed for bankruptcy after federal fraud indictments against its founders in September 2025. The company’s attempts to sell off its assets, including StopTech, Centric, and Raybestos, failed to secure a buyer in time to cover operational costs. As a result, all three brands are halting production.
What This Means for Consumers
- Immediate Impact: Existing stock will continue to be sold through retailers until supplies are exhausted.
- StopTech’s Role: StopTech was known for its relatively affordable high-performance brake kits, catering to street-performance, track-oriented, and even full-race applications. It filled a gap between premium brands like AP Racing and Brembo.
- Centric and Raybestos: Centric offered mid-range OE replacement rotors, while Raybestos provided premium rotors and pads with a long-standing reputation dating back to 1902.
- Quality Concerns: Since First Brands acquired StopTech in 2020, quality had reportedly declined, with consumer reports mentioning failing rotors and subpar caliper replacements.
Why This Matters
The closure of these brands highlights the broader fragility of the automotive aftermarket. Consolidation and financial instability within parent companies can quickly eliminate entire lines of products, regardless of brand recognition or customer loyalty. The loss of StopTech, in particular, reduces options for performance driving enthusiasts, potentially driving up prices and limiting availability.
The collapse of First Brands Group serves as a stark reminder that even well-established automotive brands are not immune to financial turmoil. The aftermarket landscape will continue to evolve as remaining companies fill the void left by these closures.
The shutdown of StopTech, Centric, and Raybestos represents the end of an era for many automotive enthusiasts. With no buyer in sight, a major chapter of automotive history is closing, leaving a significant gap in the aftermarket brake industry.
