Öhlins
Öhlins is a Swedish engineering brand specializing in high-performance suspension and vehicle-control systems.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Öhlins, formally Öhlins Racing AB, is a Swedish engineering company and performance brand best known for suspension systems used in motorcycles, automobiles, mountain bikes, off-road vehicles and international motorsport. Its products include shock absorbers, telescopic forks, steering dampers, electronic suspension systems and ride-height control technologies. The company is headquartered in Upplands Väsby near Stockholm, where it also maintains major research, development and production operations. Kenth Öhlin founded the business in 1976 after competing in motocross and beginning work in his father’s engineering workshop. The early business produced exhaust systems, engines and shock absorbers, but Öhlins increasingly concentrated on suspension during the early 1980s. This focus, combined with close involvement in racing, established the company’s reputation for technically advanced products designed for demanding riding and driving conditions. The company expanded beyond motorcycles during the 1980s. In 1984 it developed an early mountain-bike front suspension system using telescopic forks and later added rear suspension products. Yamaha Motor Company became a co-owner in 1986, while Öhlins continued operating as an independent business within the Yamaha group. The company moved to its current Upplands Väsby headquarters in 1990. Öhlins developed a substantial automotive technology business through electronically controlled suspension. In 1998 it became ISO 9001 certified and began working with Tenneco Automotive on continuously controlled electronic suspension, commonly known as CES. The technology entered mass production in 2003 on the Volvo S60R. Öhlins later introduced its TTX suspension architecture in 2006, a platform associated with separate compression and rebound damping circuits and widely used in racing and premium aftermarket applications. Its international footprint includes sales, distribution, technical and subsidiary operations in the United States, Germany, Thailand and the Nordic region. The company has stated that the great majority of its production is exported and that its distribution network reaches more than 50 countries. Its customer base spans original-equipment vehicle manufacturers, professional racing teams, specialist distributors and enthusiasts seeking adjustable performance suspension. Motorsport has remained central to the brand. Öhlins equipment has been used in motocross, road racing, World Superbike, MotoGP, Formula One, rallying, endurance racing, touring cars, IndyCar, mountain-bike downhill competition and snowmobile racing. The company reports more than 300 world championship titles across motorcycle and automotive classes as of 2017. Its racing record has helped position Öhlins as a premium, competition-derived supplier rather than a general-purpose replacement-parts brand. Ownership has changed several times. Kenth Öhlin regained a 95 percent shareholding in 2007 after Yamaha’s period as co-owner. Tenneco acquired a majority stake in November 2018. In October 2024, Brembo agreed to purchase Öhlins for $405 million; the transaction was completed in January 2025. Under Brembo ownership, Öhlins remains an active specialist brand focused on suspension, chassis control and performance engineering.
History
Kenth Öhlin established Öhlins in 1976 after a period as a motocross racer and work in his father’s engineering workshop. The original activities included exhaust pipes, engines and shock absorbers. By the beginning of the 1980s, the company had shifted its attention toward suspension systems, a specialization that became the foundation of its later international identity. In 1978, Gennady Moiseyev secured the company’s first world championship in the 250cc motocross class. Öhlins repeated major motocross success in 1979 with Håkan Carlqvist in the 250cc category and Graham Noyce in the 500cc class. Further titles followed in the early 1980s, including championships in the 125cc and sidecar categories. In 1983, Carlos Lavado became Öhlins’ first road-racing world champion by winning the 250cc Grand Prix title. Eddie Lawson delivered the company’s first 500cc world championship in 1984. The company broadened its product scope in 1984 with a telescopic front suspension system for mountain bikes, later followed by rear suspension. Yamaha Motor Company became a co-owner in 1986, although Öhlins retained operational independence within the Yamaha group. The company relocated to Upplands Väsby in 1990, creating the site that continues to house key research, development and production functions. Öhlins expanded its international infrastructure through the 1990s and 2000s. Its United States sales and distribution subsidiary opened in North Carolina in 1997. The company obtained ISO 9001 certification in 1998 and partnered with Tenneco Automotive on continuously controlled electronic suspension technology. CES entered series production on the Volvo S60R in 2003. Öhlins launched the TTX suspension system in 2006, and in 2007 Kenth Öhlin regained a 95 percent ownership stake. Racing continued to influence the company’s development and brand reputation. Noriyuki Haga became the first World Superbike race winner using Öhlins electronic suspension in 2008. The company’s equipment was subsequently associated with championships in World Superbike, MotoGP, rally, endurance racing, touring cars, IndyCar, mountain biking and other disciplines. Tommi Mäkinen won four consecutive World Rally Championship drivers’ titles from 1996 through 1999 using Öhlins suspension, while Andy Priaulx secured the company’s first World Touring Car Championship in 2007. In 2018, Loïc Bruni won the mountain-bike downhill world championship with Öhlins suspension. Öhlins’ business expanded through subsidiaries and technical centers, including operations in Germany at the Nürburgring, a Nordic distribution organization, and an Asian company in Thailand. The company reported selling its five millionth CES valve in 2015 and completed a new office building at its Swedish headquarters the same year. Ownership again changed in November 2018 when Tenneco acquired a majority stake. In October 2024, Brembo agreed to buy Öhlins for $405 million. The transaction was completed in January 2025, making Öhlins part of the Brembo group while preserving its identity as a specialist suspension and chassis-technology brand.
- 2025
Acquisition completed
[1]Brembo completed its acquisition of Öhlins.
- 2024
Brembo agrees to acquisition
[1]Brembo agreed to purchase Öhlins for $405 million.
- 2018
Tenneco takes majority stake
[1]Tenneco acquired a majority interest in Öhlins.
- 2015
Five millionth CES valve
[1]Öhlins sold its five millionth CES valve and completed a new office building at its Swedish headquarters.
- 2007
Kenth Öhlin regains majority ownership
[1]Kenth Öhlin reclaimed a 95 percent share of the company.
- 2006
TTX system launched
[1]Öhlins introduced its TTX suspension architecture for performance and racing applications.
- 2003
CES enters vehicle production
[1]Mass production of Öhlins’ CES technology began on the Volvo S60R.
- 1998
ISO certification and CES partnership
[1]The company became ISO 9001 certified and partnered with Tenneco Automotive on continuously controlled electronic suspension.
- 1997
United States subsidiary established
[1]Öhlins opened a sales and distribution center in North Carolina.
- 1990
Move to Upplands Väsby
[1]Öhlins moved its headquarters and main engineering and production operations to Upplands Väsby.
Products and positioning
Premium, competition-derived suspension and vehicle-dynamics engineering for performance vehicles, professional motorsport and enthusiast applications.
Motorcycle components
Motorcycle suspension
Öhlins produces high-performance motorcycle forks, rear shock absorbers and related suspension components for road, motocross, enduro, off-road and racing motorcycles. The range is associated with adjustability, competition-derived damping technology and applications spanning aftermarket upgrades and professional racing.
Automotive components
Automotive suspension
The automotive portfolio includes performance dampers and complete suspension systems for road cars, racing cars and specialist applications. Öhlins’ automotive products are designed to improve control, ride balance and handling through adjustable damping and motorsport-informed engineering.
Electronic suspension · 1998
CES
CES is Öhlins’ continuously controlled electronic suspension technology, developed with Tenneco Automotive. It allows suspension damping to be adjusted electronically and entered mass production on the Volvo S60R in 2003. The technology connected Öhlins to original-equipment vehicle programs in addition to its traditional racing and aftermarket activities.
Performance suspension · 2006
TTX
Introduced in 2006, TTX is a high-performance suspension architecture used in racing and premium applications. Its design separates key damping functions to support consistent behavior and tuning across demanding operating conditions. TTX products are available across relevant motorcycle, automotive and other performance categories.
Bicycle components · 1984
Mountain-bike suspension
Öhlins’ mountain-bike products include front forks and rear shocks developed for demanding disciplines such as downhill and other off-road riding. The category originated with the company’s 1984 telescopic front-suspension work and later became visible in elite competition, including world championship downhill racing.
Vehicle-control components
Steering dampers and ride-height systems
In addition to conventional suspension, Öhlins develops steering dampers and ride-height control systems for vehicle-dynamics applications. These components complement the company’s broader focus on stability, control and adjustable chassis performance.
Brand decisions
2024
Brembo acquisition agreementM&ABackground
Brembo sought to expand its high-performance vehicle-technology portfolio beyond braking systems.
Action taken
Brembo agreed to acquire Öhlins from Tenneco for $405 million.
Aftermath
The transaction was completed in January 2025, bringing Öhlins into the Brembo group.
Agreed acquisition value. $405 million (October 2024 announcement)
2018
Tenneco majority investmentM&ABackground
After a period in which Kenth Öhlin held a 95 percent stake, the company entered a new ownership phase.
Action taken
Tenneco acquired a majority stake in Öhlins.
Aftermath
Öhlins continued as a specialist suspension business under Tenneco ownership until its later sale to Brembo.
2006
Launch of TTX suspensionProduct launchBackground
Öhlins sought to extend its competition-derived damping technology across high-performance applications.
Action taken
The company introduced its TTX suspension system.
Aftermath
TTX became one of the brand’s principal performance suspension platforms.
1986
Yamaha co-ownershipM&ABackground
Öhlins was expanding its engineering and racing activities while developing products beyond its original motorcycle focus.
Action taken
Yamaha Motor Company became a co-owner, with Öhlins continuing to operate independently within the Yamaha group.
Aftermath
The relationship provided a period of corporate affiliation while the Öhlins brand and operating identity remained distinct.
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