Our Story

Since its inception in 1999, Advanced FLOW Engineering, known as aFe POWER, has evolved into a premier designer and manufacturer of automotive performance enhancement systems and parts. Our diverse product range, spanning from cold air intake systems to high-performance exhaust systems, reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. Headquartered and manufactured in Corona, California, aFe POWER has remained resolute in its mission to deliver the most compelling, top-performing products while proudly upholding the tradition of American craftsmanship and ingenuity. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our customers for their continuous support and for choosing aFe POWER to enhance their driving experience.

19992005  |  20072010  |  20112015  |  20162020  |  2021–2025  |  2026

1999

Advanced Flow Engineering aFe founders, owners, and engineers in front of building in 1999

aFe is Founded

advanced FLOW engineering – What started as a dream and a passion for automobiles led us on this exciting journey. In the beginning, we had a vision for innovating automotive performance upgrade systems and components.

aFe owner woman holding first private labeled air filter box labeled Dick Cepek in front of filter manufacturing warehouse in 1999

First Air Filter

Not only did we focus on creating the best filter on the market, but we also made it work for any application. In the beginning, we had a vision for what an air filter should be, and what you see is the result of that vision.

We started with a cutting-edge air filter in a near-empty 3200 square-foot office. At the time, Dick Cepek was looking to enter the performance filter market and was willing to take a chance on a new start-up company, and this was the perfect opportunity to break into the market.

2001

First Air Intake

From humble beginnings, the basic adapter, filter, and bracket that started it all. The pioneer in innovative design processes and dyno-proven performance improvements on all of our systems.

191 Granite St Acquired

In our third year in business, with our core producers set and the new 2,700 sq. ft. space to grow manufacturing and shipping, we were ready to set the pace that defined our future.

2002

Exhaust Systems Introduced

Our first exhaust systems for Ford, Chevy, and Dodge RAM Trucks were designed to deliver aggressive sounds that are both durable and stylish, with customizable tip options. This way, we were able to offer our customers more performance products to enhance their vehicle’s airflow and pair with their intakes.

2005

100K Air Filter Sold

Back in 1999, we set out to provide the ultimate air filter for Original Equipment Replacement, racing, off-road, and universal applications. Six years later, we reached a monumental milestone.

2007

aFe Founder Nick Niakan in front of grey aFe POWER Ford F250 Truck with fisheye angle in front of aFe POWER 232 Granite St manufacturing warehouse in Corona CA

252 Granite St Expansion

Our eighth year in business saw more growth, expansion, and production to meet the demand for power and performance. With another building acquired, aFe POWER now spans 72,000 sq. ft. for staffing, warehousing, shipping, and manufacturing.

New Products

  • Exhaust Manifolds
  • Intake Monifolds
  • Throttle Body Spacers
  • Fluid Filters

2009

New Products

  • Intercoolers
  • Charge Pipes
  • DAS Scoop
  • Takeda Intakes
  • Differential Covers

2010

100K Cold Air Intake Sold

With our incomparable filter at its heart, aFe POWER establishes itself as a premier designer and manufacturer of performance cold air intake systems. Built on sound engineering precepts and ingenuity, our intakes take the market by storm.

25K Exhaust System Sold

We reached a milestone for our exhaust systems, in production since 2002, reflecting the aFe POWER commitment to quality and innovation, giving enthusiasts the performance and sound they crave.

2011

New Products

  • Electronic Modules
  • Exhaust Headers
  • Turbo Chargers
  • Momentum Intakes

232 Granite St Expansion

Outgrowing our facility and increasing our capacity, aFe acquired another building across the street that spans another 77,00 sq. ft. for staff, warehousing, shipping, and manufacturing.

2012

Factory Store Opened

To reach our customers directly, we opened our aFe POWER Factory Store to the public at 232 Granite Street, Corona, California.

500K Air Filter Sold

aFe Air Filteres are trusted by enthusiasts and racing professionals around the world, celebrated by 500k filters sold in 2012.

2014

National Acclaim

This prestigious list of the nation’s most successful private companies has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success and the place where future household names first make their mark.

Electric Boost

We designed Scorcher Power Modules to adjust the pressure sensor signals and increase boost to an optimal level across the entire RPM range. The result is increased performance and improved throttle response across a broad power band, as well as reduced turbo lag.

500K Cold Air Intake

aFe POWER established itself as a s premier performance cold air intake systems provider back in 2001. Thirteen years later, we celebrate a tremendous milestone of half a million cold air intake systems!

100K Exhaust Systems

aFe POWER reached an incredible milestone, celebrating our 100,000th exhaust system sold since we began manufacturing them in 2002.

2015

Suspension Acquisition

aFe acquires PFADT Race Engineering and, a year later, acquires Sway-A-Way, forming a division that develops and manufactures high-quality chassis and suspension products and vehicle platforms for the street, track, and off-road.

Power & Protection

aFe POWER added another complimentary category, the DFS Fuel System, a “plug-and-play” fuel system with a high-pressure pump, adding style to function.

SEMA Award

SEMA’s annual New Product Awards competition recognizes outstanding achievements in developing products introduced to the automotive specialty-equipment market. DFS wins Best New Street Performance Product at the SEMA Show.

Leading Innovator

CEO Shahriar ‘Nick’ Niakan was chosen as the 2015 Innovator/Technology Entrepreneur of the Year by the Inland Empire Center for the “Spirit of the Entrepreneur” Program. This program was founded to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the area’s top entrepreneurial business leaders.

2016

A Retail Presence

The aFe POWER Performance Center was opened to provide a place for customers to interact face-to-face, making our customers our number one priority. It became our retail showroom to showcase all of our products to the public.

New Products

  • Sway Bars
  • Black Series intakes
  • Direct Fit Catalytic Converters

2018

Breaking the Mold

RotoWest was acquired and renamed RotoPower and comntinues its quality of manufacturing rotomolded plastic parts, expanding aFe’s manfacturing capabilities and design options.

New Products

  • Quantum Air Intakes
  • Radiators
  • Scorcher Blue
  • Brake Logic

2019

All Systems Go

aFe acquired PSI Power, Inc., an electrical engineering company that specializes in the design, development, and technical support of performance products. Specializing in electronic performance modules, we are able to expand our product line to give a boost to broadening our reach of products.

Get Hooked

Tow Hooks add style to your car or truck and help you get out of jams. Not only does their sleek design look great, but they are strong enough to attach to your vehicle so you can pull your car safely.

2020

New Products

  • Rapid Induction Intakes
  • Oil Coolers
  • Grilles
  • Turbo Inlet Pipes

2021

Aerial view of 127,000 sqft aFe POWER new big commercial warehouse building 1375 Sampson in Corona, California

1375 Sampson Ave. Expansion

Outgrowing our facility and increasing our capacity, aFe acquired a building just a mile away from 232 Granite St. that spans another 130,000 sq. ft and 7.42 acres of land, providing us with a new home for staff, warehousing, shipping, manufacturing, and Cars and Cafe events.

Celebrating 25 years!

Celebrating 25 years in business signifies a significant milestone of longevity and resilience. It showcases the company’s ability to navigate challenges, adapt to changes, and sustain operations over a quarter of a century. We celebrated with our Cars & CaFe Cars & Coffee event in Corona, CA at our new building.

Our product lines, ranging from cold air intake systems to high-performance exhaust systems, reflect a commitment to innovation and quality. With headquarters and manufacturing facilities based in Corona, California, aFe POWER has remained steadfast in its dedication to producing the most compelling and highest-performing products, all while proudly upholding the tradition of American craftsmanship and ingenuity.

1 Million Air Filters

Twenty-two years after designing a high-flow air filter, we proudly celebrate a historic milestone of over one million air filters sold. We offer universal racing filters, intake filters, and OE drop-in replacement filters across different filter media for different lifestyles and preferences.

2021 New Products

  • Billet Throttle Body
  • Strut Braces
  • Upper Control Arms
  • Track Series Air Intake

2022

Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intake for M5 on white background

One Millionth Intake Sold

Back in 2001, aFe POWER established itself as the premier provider of performance cold air intake systems. Twenty-one years later, we celebrate a tremendous milestone of a million cold air intakes sold.

2022 New Products

  • Wheel Spacers
  • Large Capacity Fuel Tank
  • Cabin Air Filters

Sheet Happens

aFe POWER acquires Revoltech Sheet Metal, adding another crucial piece of our supply chain to in-house operations. Now Advanced Sheet Metal Technologies, Inc., a manufacturing facility that bends pipes and metal products, enhances our production capabilities dramatically.

2023

2023 New Products

  • Leveling Kits
  • Terra Guard Bumpers & Sliders
  • Strut Braces
  • Billet Control Arms
  • OER charge pipes
  • Direct Fit Oil Coolers

2025

Over 27 years, from starting with designing and manufacturing air filters, intakes, and exhausts, we’ve expanded our manufacturing capabilities in Corona, CA that’s let us expand to over 50 different product categories for thousands of vehicles.

Fabrication Department Inclusion

For years, aFe used a local sheet metal manufacturing plant in Rancho Cucamonga to manufacture our intake heat shields. In 2022, aFe bought this company, and in 2025, we moved it under the same roof in Corona. This enables us to expand our product lines and manufacture components and more products, including skid plates, rock slider steps, brackets for charge pipes, and flanges for exhausts and headers.

In conjunction with our exhaust manufacturing department, where we do tube bending and welding, our metal fabrication capabilities enable us to manufacture our product lines– like exhaust, headers, charge pipes, sway bars, bull bars, rock slider steps– all in-house for utmost quality control.

2026

Our 2026 story is still being written.

aFe POWER Factory Store

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