End of an era: a manufacturer of high-performance brakes closes down after 27 years

It’s the end of an era for a major enthusiast brand: StopTech will cease operations after 27 years of experience making high-performance brakes, alongside OEM replacement brands Raybestos and Centric. This marks a major shift in the aftermarket braking business, with StopTech representing a large market share.

The three brands were embroiled in First Brands Group’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings following federal fraud charges against its founders in September 2025. First Brands Group, which also owns Fram filters, Michelin wiper blades, Reese tow bar parts and Autolite spark plugs, has since begun selling parts of its business to cover more than $6 billion in debt.

StopTech, Raybestos and Centric were up for sale, but failed to find a buyer in time to cover operating costs. First Brands announced the operational wind-down of the brands, including an immediate halt to production. No new brake parts, including brake pads, rotors and calipers, are made by the three brands.

What StopTech was best known for was its big-brake business, offering relatively budget-friendly brake kits. The company had a wide variety of sizes and application types, including street performance, track-oriented brakes and full racing kits. In its heyday, StopTech was the more accessible version of an AP Racing or Brembo kit, although quality has noticeably declined since First Brands acquired StopTech in 2020. Rumors circulated about defective brake discs and low-quality brake caliper replacement parts.

Centric and Raybestos, meanwhile, occupy the OE replacement level of aftermarket brakes. Centric was in the mid-range segment and offered reasonably priced replacement rotors. Raybestos offered rotors and brake pads at a premium price, with an excellent reputation and a history dating back to 1902.

Online retailers have stated that they will continue to sell stock of StopTech, Centric and Raybestos products until they run out. It seems there is no buyer to save either brand, and so a long chapter in automotive history is closed. Au revoir, StopTech. I hope you make more bright red big brake kits during the big track day in the sky.

Taking Motor1s: This is bad news for performance driving enthusiasts in the US. StopTech was a great enthusiast brand that offered a lot at a relatively affordable price, and the loss of another option hurts the industry as a whole.