Show me your AUTHENTIC JDM parts...
05-25-2012, 01:37 PM
#437
Last edited by WPPJR30; 05-25-2012 at 01:54 PM. Reason: Grammar
05-25-2012, 02:18 PM
#438
Well this is great Bill, and I know you know your JDM facts, I'm assuming when you say innovators in parts for imports you're speaking of JDM companies. Just some questions, I thought the Japanese were known for taking an idea and making it better?
Do you remember the agrument that the Watanabe RS wheel was a replica of the Austin Minilite wheel?
The Minilites were 1963 and won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1967, way before Watanabe made the RS.
Or the Mikuni Sidedrift carbs being a copy of the Weber DCOE?
You know I buy/support authentic, just some positive conversation to pass time.
Do you remember the agrument that the Watanabe RS wheel was a replica of the Austin Minilite wheel?
The Minilites were 1963 and won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1967, way before Watanabe made the RS.
Or the Mikuni Sidedrift carbs being a copy of the Weber DCOE?
You know I buy/support authentic, just some positive conversation to pass time.
Last edited by RYs06MT; 05-25-2012 at 02:24 PM.
05-27-2012, 07:25 PM
#439
Ryan... I just got your PM. 
You are absolutely correct. Replicas are not only in the US. They are in Japan, as well. I think some people have a misconception of me as a JDM ***** (and snob to everything that is not produced in Japan). That is not exactly correct. Yes, I love JDM parts. However, I do not love them because I believe them to be far superior to every other part out there. I will say that I would never modify my car with a part that I did not believe to be superior to the part it is replacing, but that does not mean that there are not quality parts that come out of the United States or any other place in the world.
My affinity to JDM comes from the high quality, rarity, and, most importantly, the attention to detail. I am not suggesting that a set of Rays wheels are indestructible - that is a ridiculous claim. Yes, Rays wheels bend and break occasionally. However, there is a reason they are among the top wheel manufacturers in the world. And, yes, there is an enthusiast in Japan who is rocking fake wheels. That does not mean that his purchase of those unoriginal wheels is not, in some way, harming the original designer. It is. There is "rice" in Japan, as well. There are V36s in Japan rocking Autokits-X parts. And not everyone in Japan loves "JDM." (There are Vossens in Japan!) Although Rays has undoubtedly been affected by companies like Rota, Varrstoen, Sportline, Konig, etc..., they have survived having their designs ripped off for years because they make a large majority of their sales and profit from OEM manufacturing as opposed to aftermarket wheel sales. (Unfortunately, this is not the case with aero.)
I have always said that I cannot tell someone how to spend their money. However, I do take issue with people suggesting that knock-offs and replicas do not harm the industry. That is just not true. I know firsthand that it does. I have been lucky enough to be involved in some conversations with companies in Japan and I have been privileged enough to see what goes into creating original designs and prototypes. It is not as simple as suggesting that "if companies do not want to have their designs stolen, then they should lower their outrageous prices." It's just not the case. Replica companies ALWAYS make more in profit than the original designers who pay to R&D their own parts.
Short term greed leads to long term failure and, sadly, it affects everyone. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow. But it does. For evidence, we can look at the trend in parts being produced from great companies in Japan. It does affect everyone. People just don't care or want to believe that. If their ride looks good today and gets a 'thumbs up' from the Evo owner who could care less about parts for our cars at a local coffee shop meet or a "that looks sick" from a misguided forum audience, then, in their mind, they have succeeded. We see it here every day with broadcasts of Gs rocking fake parts showing off their "features." It bothers me more than it bothers most, thus I have earned the "here we go again" responses every time I chime in on the authentic/replica debate. However, no one says anything discouraging when someone posts up pictures of their fake aero or knock-off wheels. It should be the other way around.
Yes, replicas and knock-offs are not going anywhere any time soon - in many parts of the world, but if we refuse to praise those corner-cutting projects featuring those parts or attempt to [politely] enlighten the people who may know no better, then we are doing our part in preserving a culture I have loved for years and want to see grow and prosper with the release of more and more great parts...
I have no idea if I have, in any way, addressed your question.
Thanks for the PM... 
You are absolutely correct. Replicas are not only in the US. They are in Japan, as well. I think some people have a misconception of me as a JDM ***** (and snob to everything that is not produced in Japan). That is not exactly correct. Yes, I love JDM parts. However, I do not love them because I believe them to be far superior to every other part out there. I will say that I would never modify my car with a part that I did not believe to be superior to the part it is replacing, but that does not mean that there are not quality parts that come out of the United States or any other place in the world.
My affinity to JDM comes from the high quality, rarity, and, most importantly, the attention to detail. I am not suggesting that a set of Rays wheels are indestructible - that is a ridiculous claim. Yes, Rays wheels bend and break occasionally. However, there is a reason they are among the top wheel manufacturers in the world. And, yes, there is an enthusiast in Japan who is rocking fake wheels. That does not mean that his purchase of those unoriginal wheels is not, in some way, harming the original designer. It is. There is "rice" in Japan, as well. There are V36s in Japan rocking Autokits-X parts. And not everyone in Japan loves "JDM." (There are Vossens in Japan!) Although Rays has undoubtedly been affected by companies like Rota, Varrstoen, Sportline, Konig, etc..., they have survived having their designs ripped off for years because they make a large majority of their sales and profit from OEM manufacturing as opposed to aftermarket wheel sales. (Unfortunately, this is not the case with aero.)
I have always said that I cannot tell someone how to spend their money. However, I do take issue with people suggesting that knock-offs and replicas do not harm the industry. That is just not true. I know firsthand that it does. I have been lucky enough to be involved in some conversations with companies in Japan and I have been privileged enough to see what goes into creating original designs and prototypes. It is not as simple as suggesting that "if companies do not want to have their designs stolen, then they should lower their outrageous prices." It's just not the case. Replica companies ALWAYS make more in profit than the original designers who pay to R&D their own parts.
Short term greed leads to long term failure and, sadly, it affects everyone. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow. But it does. For evidence, we can look at the trend in parts being produced from great companies in Japan. It does affect everyone. People just don't care or want to believe that. If their ride looks good today and gets a 'thumbs up' from the Evo owner who could care less about parts for our cars at a local coffee shop meet or a "that looks sick" from a misguided forum audience, then, in their mind, they have succeeded. We see it here every day with broadcasts of Gs rocking fake parts showing off their "features." It bothers me more than it bothers most, thus I have earned the "here we go again" responses every time I chime in on the authentic/replica debate. However, no one says anything discouraging when someone posts up pictures of their fake aero or knock-off wheels. It should be the other way around.
Yes, replicas and knock-offs are not going anywhere any time soon - in many parts of the world, but if we refuse to praise those corner-cutting projects featuring those parts or attempt to [politely] enlighten the people who may know no better, then we are doing our part in preserving a culture I have loved for years and want to see grow and prosper with the release of more and more great parts...
I have no idea if I have, in any way, addressed your question.
Thanks for the PM...
The following users liked this post:
j50ny (08-29-2015)
05-27-2012, 08:09 PM
#440
Are there actual statistics showing how the companies that produce the replica parts have impacted the companies that produced the original? If so I would be interested to see how much and to what extent. I think numbers will help people realize and understand what the actual impact is. If not, I would hope someone would be able to show some type of concrete evidence.
06-01-2012, 05:25 PM
#442
Interesting debate. Maybe there needs to be an "authentic" JDM industry organization, for both awareness and information. Because, I'd also like to know which companies are infringing, but it's a little tough to piece together the situation.
Anyways, a bit more on topic. I have a JDM thing now! Functionally dubious, definitely shiny, and hopefully authentic.
Anyways, a bit more on topic. I have a JDM thing now! Functionally dubious, definitely shiny, and hopefully authentic.
Last edited by used2xb; 06-01-2012 at 07:18 PM.
06-01-2012, 08:27 PM
#446
I really don't want to turn this into another debate thread, but to quickly address the question about statistics and numbers backing up my claims... These companies stealing designs, making replicas, and knocking off parts are not publicly traded companies, so there are no public financial statistics. However, it is painfully obvious to anyone involved in the industry. Working with Bulletproof, the US importer of most of these JDM companies, it is extremely apparent (as it is for anyone in the supply chain or these JDM companies themselves). We have seen the difference and, sadly, it is a continuous trend. Thus, the reason I discourage faking the funk and advocate support of authenticity.
That said... That IPL photo with the Cusco strut bar is pretty sick.
And Christopher, damn, I cannot wait to see this project of yours as it evolves even further. I really hope we are able to cross paths at some point. I absolutely LOVE your build...
Thus, the reason I discourage faking the funk and advocate support of authenticity. That said... That IPL photo with the Cusco strut bar is pretty sick.
And Christopher, damn, I cannot wait to see this project of yours as it evolves even further. I really hope we are able to cross paths at some point. I absolutely LOVE your build...
06-01-2012, 08:37 PM
#448
That said... That IPL photo with the Cusco strut bar is pretty sick.
That Pic is pretty dope...
And Christopher, damn, I cannot wait to see this project of yours as it evolves even further. I really hope we are able to cross paths at some point. I absolutely LOVE your build...[/QUOTE]
Dude I will in CT this summer Bro I will for sure let you know when Im in town...Bro I love these cars love talking about them looking at and modding the hell out of them...The funny thing is this is my first car from Japan...came Audi/VW and had a few Volvo's so every part I researched got tips from this forum and just added my flair to it to create this build, this almost three years in the making this car...
That Pic is pretty dope...
And Christopher, damn, I cannot wait to see this project of yours as it evolves even further. I really hope we are able to cross paths at some point. I absolutely LOVE your build...
[/QUOTE]Dude I will in CT this summer Bro I will for sure let you know when Im in town...Bro I love these cars love talking about them looking at and modding the hell out of them...The funny thing is this is my first car from Japan...came Audi/VW and had a few Volvo's so every part I researched got tips from this forum and just added my flair to it to create this build, this almost three years in the making this car...