Superior’s Profit Up 15% in 4th Quarter

Superior Industries International Inc., a Van Nuys builder of automotive wheels, said it earned $5 million in the fourth quarter that ended Dec. 31, up 15% from $4.3 million a year earlier. Revenue rose to $60.9 million from $56.7 million, a 7% gain.

The company said its results improved despite declining domestic auto sales because it increased its market for aluminum wheels and won its first contract with a Japanese car maker, Mazda.

For the year that ended Dec. 31, Superior reported a 23% gain in net income to $16.2 million from $13.1 million in 1988. Revenues increased 23% to $246.1 million from $200.2 million.

Separately, Superior said it began shipments of wheels from its new manufacturing plant in Pittsburg, Kan. When fully operational, the plant is expected to employ 700 people.