[drift freaq]

knock offs came about because the Japanase aftermarket part companies make a common mistake in marketing in the United States. They overprice their stuff thinking that because its from Japan and Superior, Americans will pay more. Ya I know this sounds bad but its true.
There are Japanese Aftermarket Performance companies that are holding out, (i.e. high price) pricing wise right now , HKS, Apexi etc.., fact is HKS is starting to hurt for it.
YOu can buy HKS stuff cheaper in Japan than you can get it here even though Japanese Automakers have always charged more for their cars in Japan than here. Hm sounds like HKS is trying to do someting about product dumping? NOT!!
More like they are trying to gouge the american market for all its worth and starting to take it in the pants from competition because of it.
Now I know you will come back with it costs to ship but guess what? I will use Kouki tails for my example .
People may not know this but the price of Kouki tails here is pretty much the same price it is in Japan from Nissan.
A lot of these companies have been overcharging the American import market cause they could in the beginning but as demand rose and they did not soften their stance companies saw an oppurtunity to either knock off Or make alternatives.
Direct knock offs is one thing. Making Alternatives is another.
I am a big fan of Alternatives that work as well or better , why? Its pretty much the American way.
We try to design and innovate( Its also becoming somewhat of a lost art here in the U.S.).
Don't come back at me about how thats not right. Thats how Japan i.e. in consumer electronics and cars and parts and such got to be where they are today.
Some of you are to young to know this or remember this but there was a time when made in Japan meant cheap ass crap!! Yup! for real!! Its funny how people dis Taiwan and Korea for doing the same damn thing the Japanese did. Thats how the Japanese wound up getting there quality together.
Don't think the Japanese did not knock off our consumer electronics and automobile designs back in the day to get what they have today .
Its one of things Japan has always been really good at. So why your crying about knock offs vs Japanese stuff remember this the Japanese even knock off each other.
Over half the current products available in the current Japanese aftermarket are either rebrand or knock off i.e copied and made somewhere else . Just pick up a copy of Hyper Rev you will see what I am talking about in all the ads.
Truth of the matter is what Taiwan and Korea and China are doing to Japan right now is what Japan did to the United States back in the late 60's early 70's and 80's .