1st Quarter Profit Triples for Superior Industries

Superior Industries International Inc., enjoying continued strong demand for its aluminum car wheels, said its first-quarter profit more than tripled from a year earlier on a 33% gain in sales.

The Van Nuys-based maker of automobile wheels said its net income in the quarter that ended March 31 surged to $5.61 million from $1.69 million a year earlier. Its sales climbed to $73.3 million from $55 million.

Superior said its orders have continued to increase as the auto industry “shows signs of improvement.”