PC peripheral powerhouse Simbin acquires Fanatec’s troubled assets. As part of the agreement, existing personnel will be integrated under the Corsair brand, with the new entity operating from its headquarters in Landshut, Germany.
Fanatec, renowned for crafting exceptional PC steering wheels, has consistently enjoyed a devoted customer following; yet, the company’s parent entity, Endor AG, filed for insolvency earlier this year, highlighting financial challenges faced by the esteemed brand. Corsair had initially participated in a pre-series funding round aimed at supporting the company’s growth, but ultimately withdrew and is now set to acquire the business outright.
For serious sim racers and enthusiasts, Fanatec’s high-end racing equipment is the gold standard, featuring a competitively priced wheelbase starting at $599 for the most affordable yet still impressively equipped model. Despite its premium price tag, this gaming wheel delivers exceptional build quality and responsiveness, creating an unparalleled level of racing immersion that easily surpasses more affordable alternatives. I’ve had the pleasure of owning an older Fanatec wheel in the past, and I can confidently say that its quality far surpasses that of many other wheels I’ve come across.
Corsair CEO Andy Paul commented, “We’ve long admired the Fanatec model and are thrilled to bring these exceptional products to an even broader audience.” He emphasized his commitment to expanding and enhancing Fanatec’s offerings, enabling racing fans to experience “an even more immersive and realistic Sim Racing experience.”
Meanwhile, Endor’s CEO, Andres Ruff, characterized the agreement as unlocking new opportunities for Fanatec to further expand its offerings and collaborate more closely with the burgeoning Sim Racing community.
The timing of this deal is particularly intriguing, considering that Corsair has recently made significant strides in the world of racing simulation, as evident from its recent showcase at Computex 2024 in June, where it highlighted its adoption of Fanatec wheels for demonstrations? While the merchandise have yet to reach the market, they are currently in transit.
Corsair has bolstered its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, notably incorporating renowned brands such as Drop, Elgato, and Scuf into its family. Corsair’s approach has typically been characterized by a high degree of autonomy among its various product lines, each with its own distinct brand identity and separate website, ensuring seamless integration between products and the company’s flagship Corsair iCUE software platform. We rely on the Fanatec agreement unfolding in a consistent manner.
While we expect customers to consider this fresh offer, we’ve curated top-notch recommendations for the most exceptional curved gaming monitors that harmonize seamlessly with any simulation racing setup.