End Of An Era: A Major Performance Brake Maker Shuts Down After 27 Years

StopTech, one of the pillars of aftermarket performance brakes, is ending its run, alongside Raybestos and Centric.

StopTech Brakes

Photo by: Chris Rosales / Motor1

Chris Rosales

By: Chris Rosales

Feb 12, at 2:52pm ET

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THE BREAKDOWN

StopTech, Centric, and Raybestos are ceasing production of brake parts immediately.
Existing stock will be sold through retailers as usual.
Operations are ceasing as a result of First Brands Group Chapter 11 bankruptcy and $6 billion debt.

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

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

StopTech Brakes

StopTech Brakes

Photo by: Chris Rosales / Motor1

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

The big-brake business was what StopTech was most famous for, 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-on race kits. In its heyday, StopTech was the more accessible version of an AP Racing or Brembo kit, though quality took a noticeable downturn since First Brands acquired StopTech in 2020. Reports of failing brake rotors and low-quality caliper replacement parts swirled.

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

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Online retailers have stated that they will continue to sell stock of StopTech, Centric, and Raybestos products until they’re out. It appears there’s no buyer to save any of the brands, and thus, a long chapter of automotive history is closing. Au revoir, StopTech. I hope you make more bright red big brake kits at the big track day in the sky.

Motor1's Take: This is bad news for performance driving enthusiasts in the US. StopTech was a major enthusiast brand that offered a lot at a relatively affordable price point, and the loss of another option hurts the industry overall.

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