It's a pretty good point. You can't accept advertisements from Seibon and then say Seibon is killing the industry in an editor's letter.

 

still no response from import tuner...

 

:-/

was anticipating something

 

Are you kidding? The editor is too busy trying to explain himself to the execs at Source Interlink for pissing off their biggest customer Seibon.

 

My stance on this has been well documented in a couple different posts, so I won't go into it any more here and hijack your thread. I like your argument for the most part, but there is one part that doesn't make sense to me at all.

You are talking about how much you hate knock-off companies, and you jump into an argument that authentic tuners can't produce a wide enough array of products to satisfy the market, so more people turn to knock-offs. Knock-offs are the same thing -- the market is satisfied with the array of products, there are just some people that will leverage quality for price.

That being said, those people suck, and I absolutely agree that tuner magazines like Import Tuner, Super Street, and Modified Magazine (all of whom have published similar letters and/or articles from their editors and staff) should not support such companies by giving up ad space. There are lots of young people who are getting into tuning by picking up magazines, and they just see the ads, buy the products (which they assume are endorsed by reputable publications), and end up with POS body kits and intakes. The tuner magazines need to realize that they have a responsibility to their readers, as well as their own reputations, to not endorse these parasitic companies.

 

I don't see what the big deal is. This happens all the time not just in the tuning scene but EVERYWHERE. That's just the way things work and because of that you have to adjust your business plan.

The problem though, is that the jap tuning companies don't want to change their ways. If they want to continue to release high priced parts during a time where money is tight for 95% of people, that's fine but don't bitch about other companies making a very similar product for much less money. They have to realize they are selling a luxury good (at best) so it will change based on peoples income. I feel that now is the perfect time to introduce some new low cost items to compete with companies that are just bringing in the profit (like Seibon for example).

 

This is what Im talking about! Rant and Rave... lets get some discussion going!

I dont "hate" aftermarket companies, like zbrewha863 said I think they fill a price void that original manufacturers cant fill- they are also killing the profitability margin for innovators who would lay out some serious cash for R&Ding new products, by extension killing the after market scene.

Like Ive said before there isn't much magazine editors can do about ad placement, they need money from them to put out a solid rag. I did however offer a alternative: strictly screen feature cars for parts from known companies who commit forgery. Import Tuner does a pretty good job at this, I think if kids are using the magazine for reference they will draw inspiration from the featured cars, not the advertisements.
Make sure the cars have quality parts, and hopefully they (the new kids) will catch on.

I have to say I agree with spec ops... these are luxury items. In a time of financial hurt, as well as for young kids with limited budget, you are going to turn to the cheaper parts produced by Seibon etc. instead of that exclusive imported body kit from japan.

I would like for companies like APR and PWJDM as well as others to step up to the plate and make the stateside tuners proud. I made the analogy of APRs front bumper/ wide body kit vs an Amuse, ASM, or Tracy Sports as well as speculating what a dry carbon under tray from ASM, Amuse, J's etc vs. the PWJDM... we are definately paying a name brand tax... this isnt a rolex or a LV wallet or purse for your gal... this is a part on your car thats going to get thrashed. I dont see any reason to throw on a carbon ASM front end, only to have it thrashed by some road cone, or careless raccoon.

 

Some Prices...

Wide Body Kits:
APR Performance S2-GT Widebody Aero Kit, FRP:$3,472.25
vs.
Amuse GT1 Widebody Aero Kit, FRP: $6,295.00
Sorcery Full Widebody Kit: $5,200.00
Tracy Sports GT Widebody Kit: $6,224.40

Front Bumpers:
APR GT Front Bumper:$649.00
vs.
ASM Front Bumper, Dry Carbon: $2,657.79
ASM Front Bumper (FRP), New Version: $1,434.63
Amuse R1 Front Bumper: $1,295.00

Hardtops:
Spoon Mooncraft Coupe Hardtop: $3,845.00
vs.
Amuse Hardtop (Dry Carbon): $7,917.00
Mugen Hard Top, FRP: $2,850.00
Mugen Hard Top, CFRP: $5,652.50


Misc:
Password:JDM Dry Carbon Complete Bottom Diffuser Package: $2,999.99
Password:JDM Dry Carbon/Kevlar Complete Bottom Diffuser Package: $3,199.99

Prices taken from Bulletproof, PWJDM, and Evasive. I didnt price search, haggle, look at group buys etc. This is just to give you an idea.

 

on a side note, am i the only person who thinks paying 6,200 dollars for a FRP bodykit is retarded? I'm sorry, but for the better part of ten grand i should be getting something much better than fiberglass (Fiber Reinforced Plastic, whatever...the shit is still close enough to fiberglass)

 

You also have to admit, some of the knock off parts are just flat out better then their "authentic" counter-parts. Look at J's racing quality, its been going down and down as far as fitment and quality is concerned. Price has been constant however.


I also take your hardtop prices for example.

Seibon CF hardtop -- ~3000, weights less then the mugen dry carbon hardtop,fits just as well, and for less then half the price.


I also don't believe the claim that all of the JDM parts are aerodynamically tested. In fact, I bet less then half the parts (if that) are tested.