Exclusive! More about counterfeit aero kits!

posted by Pete on October 3rd, 2006

Just in case you were wondering who I am…. I am the Marketing Executive for Vertex USA (Speed Alliance). The following article is my own personal editorial regarding counterfeit aftermarket aerokits plaguing the automotive industry. This is perhaps one of the most heated arguments among automotive enthusiasts, manufacturers, vendors and distributors. Hopefully I am able to shed some light to key aspects of this heated topic. This is in hopes to enlighten end users about why purchasing counterfeit products hurt our industry; and ultimately hurt your pocket as well…
NOTE: From my point of view only (I am not speaking for all manufacturers)

1) Direct Dealer/Distributor (Purchasing AUTHENTIC parts delivers benefits and added security to your build/purchase decisions)

When purchasing from a direct dealer/distributor of an Authentic Product, you are purchasing knowing your product that you buy (at least from Vertex) is
a) Guaranteed to Fit with Predrilled holes (thoroughly inspected in Japan)
b) Made out of 100% HAND LAID fiberglass
c) Light and durable for street and track use
d) 100% Japanese made
e) Backed by a certificate of authentication and serial numbers

2) Ebay Seller (Where the ocean of counterfeit goods flood the internet)
Yes Yes Yes, the famed Ebay Seller, selling most every aftermarket performance part below retail and of course — BELOW WHOLESALE COST! As most of you know, all of us (as Vendors) take a deep look at what Ebay is doing to our industry. Mind you, this is probably the best market to save money for the consumer. But do you really know what you are getting is the real deal? I have read your responses regarding the NISMO products that are being sold and they sound pretty genuine. However how do you know these products are not defective in some way shape or form? How do you know these are not a very nice duplicate?

For example, let’s take into account…Tanabe Springs. Packaged and badged the same, these springs where sold on ebay for way below wholesale cost. What looked to be the authentic product was actually a well constructed fake from China. What the consumer got instead of the performance from Tanabe springs, is a cheaply imitated knockoff. Spring rates and ride heights were inconsistent, etc. I’ve verified this with Tanabe USA and they have been very successful at tracking and dealing with Ebay knockoffs of their products.

Now I know small stuff like Nismo shift knobs are probably none of your concern, but let’s say…… on a Hot Summer day, the threads in the Ebay knob weld in w/ your factory shifter. Would you think the same thing can happen with a Real Nismo knob? Probably, but your chances will be less likely.

In terms of cost, it doesn’t take a lot of common sense to see that these guys might not be making much money. If they advertise and sell products below wholesale, are they not making any profit? Of course not, they buy in bulk cheap imitated goods and sell at dirt cheap prices on Ebay. Who in their right mind will sell below cost?

It is not the concern that these “Ebay Sellers don’t have to deal with overhead costs, etc etc and that this enables them to sell products w/ a way lower profit margin” – that’s not the point. If you think about the lifecycle of authentic products, there is cost in R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Advertising, Selling and Distribution. From that end, would you think manufactuers of authentic products will ever sell their products below wholesale to anyone? Just think about it. That’s why this industry (and all others) have a pricing structure like MAP pricing, etc.
Please read the other knock-off posts on EXElife to see and learn more about how you can distinguish between counterfeit parts and authentic parts.

3) Knockoff Products
The debate between Authentic and Replica can go on forever! But, here’s my 2cents about knockoff products. You will get poorly fitting product. Knockoff kits do not come with predrilled holes therefore compromising the fitment of the kit to be installed on a car. In terms of body lines, there are usual gaps with the front bumper to fender and headlight and taillight lines are usually not lined up according to factory spec. This comes with poor inspection of the kits when they are manufactured.

However there are some kits that fit very well (I admit that) but I can almost guarantee you, this will not last forever as manufacturers of these kits will concentrate on generating sales volume faster. Therefore quality will suffer. In addition, nothing innovative (in terms of design) will emerge from this.

In terms of durability, I am happy to say nothing is as durable as an THE AUTHENTIC PRODUCT! Knockoffs are made cheaply and are considered brittle when compared to the Authentic product. If you’re a fan of D1, how many drivers have you seen scrape against a wall and the bumper falls off but does not shatter? They just mount it with duck tape and move on. Same impacts sustained from knockoff products will almost shatter every time with the same bumps and bruises as the Authentic products.

Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not saying Authentic Products are indestructible. What I am saying is that they can take a lot more abuse than the replica product.

Here are examples of knockoff products:
Replica Fitment examples:

Vertex Fitment examples:

Well that’s just what I think of this topic. It’s very heated as there are a lot of point of views from all ends of the spectrum. I’m not trying to attack anyone on here, I’m just trying to get my points across. You can disagree or agree with me, that’s fine. That is what makes us as people tick. But please, try to understand this industry. Speaking as a distributor for Vertex USA…. seeing profits low in the US, will discourage our Japanese counterparts from looking at the USA as a profitable market. If the majority of consumers of this market do not support the Authentic products that come from Japan (or even the USA for that matter), there will be not as much innovation, selection, etc. in this industry. Now, can we really afford that?Thanks for reading.

Pete
Marketing Executive
Vertex USA
Speed Alliance
http://www.vertexaerokits.com/
http://www.speedalliance.com/