More replica hypocrisy...

A few more parasitic replica companies have surfaced in the Z community over the last couple years and they have become fairly popular. We referenced one in a post back in December. Because there are LIKE-seeking "enthusiasts" and e-fame cravers everywhere, these companies are successful. It is believed that there is a correlation between the "I want it now and I do not want to work or wait for it" mentality and the price of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the Z is not as expensive as it once was, and, thus, corner-cutting is rampant. Sadly, replica parts are selling.

Some of these replica companies pay to advertise on social media. Occasionally I come across some of these ads. Of course, the dogma/essence/premise behind JDMphasis is to encourage support of authenticity, originality, and innovation. One of our tag lines, so to speak, is "Be Real. Buy Real," so I found it somewhat ironic and humorous when I see one of the advertisements of one of these replica companies pop up and note the tag line they are using. "Be American. Buy American."

As I understand it, to "be American" means to exercise freedom in the marketplace. If I choose to buy a Nissan or a Toyota pick-up truck, am I not "being American" because I did not buy a Ford F-150 or a Dodge Ram? No. Not at all. In fact, I would argue that the competition in the marketplace not only benefits the consumer, but also the businesses themselves.

Economics aside, this replica company is full of hypocrisy from the implication that you, as a consumer, would not be American if you chose to buy from a company that made parts elsewhere in the world, such as Japan, but also in the laughable "Built by us, inspired by you" slogan. (No, inspired by the Japanese companies whose designs you ripped off.) A quick search of their website shows us that they have stolen designs from companies such as Nismo, INGS+1, Chargespeed, Rocket Bunny, among many others… Notice anything about these companies? Yes, all Japanese. Anything else? Yes, they are all parts for, you guessed it, Japanese cars.

So, does this patriotic company REALLY want you to be American and buy American? Nahhh… If you did, what would happen to them?

Just another fly-by-night replica company looking to make a dollar by ripping off the real talent of the Japanese tuning industry. 

Support originality and innovation. Save your money for a bit longer and buy from the companies who researched, designed, and risked to bring these parts to reality.

Plus, if you choose not to buy from these parasites, you will not have to receive a bumper that looks like a Frito.

Be Real. Buy Real.

JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation

I cannot wait to see fake widebody Z33s all over the place...

/SARCASM.

Please do not support these parasites attempting to cash in on a proven Japanese design. If you are debating the purchase of a fake Rocket Bunny kit for your Z33, I urge you to resist that urge and save your money for a bit longer. It is worth it in the end, I promise. Take pride in your ride. Buy Real.

And… The LEGIT version.

JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation

Anddd… Here we have our latest leeching bottom feeder.

It was only a matter of time, right?

I recently came across a link to yet another [ironically] not-so-creatively-named website vending replica aero components. This time the Rocket Bunny Z33 aero of Kei Miura has been ripped off. This company slings their fake goods via a website so cleverly named 'carbon fiber hoods [DOT] com.' Just throw a set of spaced-out XXR or Rota wheels on your Z with this kit and, no doubt, social media will be abuzz in no time… [Shakes head disapprovingly.]

If you are passionate about your project, do not cut corners. If you are passionate about your project, support the true innovators of the industry; not their underminers. If you are passionate about your project, save your money for a bit longer and buy authentic.

Take pride in your ride. Buy REAL.

JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation

Rocket Bunny Z33

My buddy Brian just sent me a quick snap of this Z he just finished… I'm really not a huge fan of the Rocket Bunny style, but, I must admit, this looks pretty sharp.

Ridiculous...

Cashing in on the designs of others…

I recently found myself scrolling through a thread on a 350Z forum. The owner of the car had recently installed a Rocket Bunny kit on his Z and was showing it off. A certain forum sponsor/vendor chimed in with the following:

"That came out nice, if you were in California I would hire you to make some kits for us haha."

Ripping off original designs is funny, I guess. This from the same company that, in a hilariously ironic and absurd promotional video, encouraged consumers to be aware of counterfeits.

 

"Don't buy your fake parts from other companies. Buy your fake parts from us!" - Extreme Dimensions

ABSURD. Be real. Buy real.

JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation 

 

Just some Rocket Bunny love...

I'm not sure if I would ever take this route with a GT-R myself, but I know I would be quite impressed seeing one in person… What a presence!

Project FD: This color...

YES! 

RWB posted this Boston-based beauty on their Facebook page a couple days ago. I love this color. I mentioned in a previous post where I linked a couple pictures of the V2 Rocket Bunny kit for the FR-S that when I do some exterior enhancements to the FD, that I would like to do a full respray of the car. I wrote that I would prefer the shade of that FR-S a tinge darker. Well, THIS is that shade. I would love to do the FD in this glossy, but dull and cloudy grey… We'll see.

Box One Collective

Catching the performance potential of cars on the track, strip, ring, circuit, etc. via video is definitely impressive and entertaining, but I truly enjoy seeing tuner cars in our everyday, urban and suburban settings. Perhaps it is because I am not the most tech-savvy person in the world and could not fathom how to put something like this together myself, but there is just something about the editing of these videos and how they capture the angles of the cars and put it to music that makes me want to get in the car and go for a cruise. If I ever complete (I use that term loosely) Project FD, I would love to have something like this done. I likely sound like a fool, so I will shut up now, but, if you have not already, do yourself a favor and take a few minutes and enjoy these short videos from Box One Collective.

BOX One Collective - Gastown - Circuit Soul Rocket Bunny FRS

BOX One Collective - Nightrun

Corner-Cutting Commentary, Part II

A pro-authenticity post published by JDMphasis a couple weeks ago garnered some internet attention. It was shared on a few different pages, forums, and blogs. It quickly became my most-read post. As expected, there were plenty of people denouncing the message as "condescending," suggesting that I was "butt-hurt," and, among other things, "elitist."

When taking a stance in this never-ending debate, one opens himself up to scrutiny and ridicule. I understand that. It comes with the territory. Nonetheless, though this topic is one about which I am passionate, I try to express my opinions with a moderate ration of tact and civility. I understand there will be name-calling, "trolling," and even physical threats. (Someone commented something to the effect of "knocking [my] teeth down [my] throat." Yes, and I'm the "butt-hurt" HATER.) In the past, I have had foolish internet threats against my family, as well. However, this does not change my stance. Skimming some of the comments of that particular post, one cannot help but wonder if people even took the time to read the post, as points unrelated to the topic at hand were often addressed, and, at times, I feel as though I was credited with opinions that I, in fact, do not maintain.

As I wrote in that post, I acknowledge that replica companies are not going anywhere. It is the choice of the consumer to outfit his or her car with whatever parts they desire. I cannot tell people how to spend their money. That does not mean that I cannot encourage enthusiasts to support the true talent of the industry; the innovators who take the risks, not the opportunists who steal proven designs. It also means that I can attempt to explain the foundation of my opinions.

The "Business is cutthroat. That is the way it has always been," justification is one with which I cannot argue. Business is cutthroat. I know this to be true. I am actually in favor of competition in the marketplace. However, I also believe there is a certain degree of ethics, morality, judgment, and consequence that comes with personal decision-making. We do not often consider the longterm repercussions that accompany our actions. I, for one, choose not to reward the people and companies who undermine the pioneers of the tuning industry.

I have mentioned this in previous posts, but it is worth mentioning again. And again. And again... The Japanese tuning industry is a narrow order. The enthusiast base is small, relatively speaking. Thus, when people attempt to compare the theft of aero designs to Rolex, Coach, or Coca-Cola they are comparing apples to elephants. It is not the same thing. Rolex, Coach, and Coca-Cola are huge multi-billion dollar corporations. If there are people who find this hard to believe, I would suggest approaching 100 random strangers on the street and ask them if they have ever enjoyed an ice-cold Coke, seen a Coach purse or been in a Coach store. Ask them if they would love to own a Rolex watch or know someone who does. I would be willing to bet they will have an answer for you, even if it is of dissenting nature. They will have an answer because they have a frame of reference. They KNOW these companies. Then ask them if they like the new Z34 Varis aero designs. Ask them if they prefer the Advan GT over the Volk Racing TE37. Ask them what they think of Rocket Bunny, Zele, Power House Amuse, Do-Luck, C-West, and Top Secret. If there are five people who do not look at you as if you have three heads; who have an iota of a clue about what you are talking, I will be shocked as well as impressed.

Yes, replicas happen. Yes, these money-hungry companies will continue to stand on the sidelines and wait until the real innovators of the industry have done their research, have done their testing, have done their developing, and have come up with a widely-acclaimed design that everybody loves. And, yes, only then will they copy it. Zero risk. All reward. The difference between Rolex having one of their watches copied and Varis having their aero designs replicated is that Rolex is such a large corporation that they will survive. Rolex makes close to $5,000,000,000 (Yes, billions!) annually and they have close to 3,000 employees. I believe Varis, with their handmade-to-order aero components, has somewhere between 8 and 12 employees. Apples and elephants. Another scale? Social media. Just look at Facebook LIKEs. Rolex has more than 2,000,000 followers on Facebook. Varis has just over 25,000. In other words, though hardly based on a precise scientific analysis, the fan base of Rolex is somewhere north of 80 times larger than that of Varis. Not twice as large. Not three times as large. Not eight or even ten times larger… Eighty times larger.

I addressed the issue of quality in that post, as well. I stated that, though I firmly believe authentic parts to be of superior quality overall, that there are, in fact, some replica parts that are of decent construction. My denouncement of replica parts is not based on their construction or lack of structural integrity. Yet, an abundance of "I have put 497,000 miles on my Rotas over the past six years and never had a problem…" justifications surfaced. That is wonderful. Despite my strong dislike of replica wheels, I am, in fact, glad to know that your replica wheels have not failed and put you, your family's, or the well-being of the people with whom you share the road in jeopardy. Shocking, I know since I am just a hater. Though my argument against fake parts is not based on quality, it should be noted that it does not take a metallurgist to arrive at the indisputable conclusion that because one specific set of replica wheels has not failed that they are all beyond skepticism.  

Another justification for corner-cutting that popped up in many of the comments of my previous post was something along the lines of "Not all of us have $3,000 to spend on wheels." Again, I understand the concept of a budget. No, we all do not have access to unlimited funds. However, the point I was attempting to make is that if one can allocate funds for replica wheels, then they can just as easily save for the real thing. Yes, it will take a little longer to be able to afford the real wheel, but is that not what is desired to begin with? I addressed this in the first post, but many of the excuses for buying fake wheels seemed to suggest that there are only two options: 1) The Real Deal or  2) The Cheaper Option Made to Look Exactly Like The Real Deal. This is one excuse that is just absurd. I can understand the notion of not wanting to spend top dollar on a set of wheels. What I cannot understand is the spin put on it that suggests buying a copy of that $3,000 set of wheels is the only alternative. There are plenty of other options that would fall into just about everyone's price range other than a wheel that is made to look like an authentic wheel. Replica wheels are NOT the only alternative. That is nothing more than a bold, irrational, ridiculous excuse. "I want the look of the real thing. I want it now. I don't want to wait and save up the money."

Encouraging support of innovation and authenticity is not "elitist." People do not like to admit that they are faking the funk. People do not like to acknowledge that they are cutting corners. The idea of having one's devotion to their hobby of auto tuning and modification called into question because they choose to give their hard-earned money to a larcenous company that has done NOTHING to earn it, quite simply, offends people. It provokes immature name-calling, threats, insults, and, of course, justifications and excuses. However, this debate is not about a style or a trend. It is not about a fad. It is not a debate about stance or Hondas or imports versus domestics. It is not a debate borne from opinion. It is about fact. Tuning shops in Japan suffer when they have their designs stolen. Insolvency is a real possibility for many of these shops. They are not huge corporations and when their intellectual property is stolen shortly after it is developed, they feel it. (Consider that Kei Miura, T.R.A. Kyoto, has said that it takes upwards of one month to develop a full prototype aero kit for one platform. One month. One kit.) 

This is why this topic is one about which I am passionate. This is why I urge enthusiasts to consider saving for just a little while longer and choosing to buy the authentic part over the replica. Do not buy authentic parts because, as some close-minded zealots will suggest, you are an "elitist label whore" or a "yuppie." Buy authentic parts because you care about the tuning industry; because you have an earnest desire to support the company that put in the hard work to bring that part to reality. Buy authentic because you, as an enthusiast, take pride in your build and would like to put the best parts on your project; not parts whose sole intention is to fool and deceive by resembling exactly something they are not. 

When did the so-called enthusiast adopt the "good enough" mentality? How can he declare his passion for a hobby and knowingly contribute to the decline of its culture? How can he tag his project his 'pride and joy' and willingly skimp on its components and simultaneously contribute to the subversion of the industry?

Be the funk. Don't fake it.

JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation

Rocket Bunny FR-S V2

I actually think I prefer the first version of the 86 kit Rocket Bunny produced, but that is not exactly pertinent to this post. I am really drawn to the color of this particular car. From the few pictures and videos I have seen of this car, it appears to be a glossy dull grey. It is not matte, but I am attracted to the cloudy quality of it. I am enticed by this color because it is not too disparate from the factory Silver Stone hue of the FD. When the time arrives to do some exterior modifications, I am thinking I will likely do a full respray of the car. This shade (perhaps an iota darker) is on the top of the list. We shall see…

JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation

2014 Tokyo Auto Salon

I am rather late to the TAS party, but I am still going to share a few things that caught my eye from this year's show. As I have stressed before, a utopia of JDM swag, this is one event I would LOVE to attend some day. On to the pictures… 

(Capture credit and thanks to my friends at Bulletproof Automotive, Rob Shaw of Back From Leave, SpeedMagnet, & Overtake International.)

Volk Racing TE37 Ultra

Varis Kamikaze-R GT-R

Phoenix Power R35

TRUST/GReddy/Rocket Bunny (Ver. 2) 86

BenSopra Z33 - I'm digging this kit! 

Overtake Carbon R35

GReddy R35

Ken Blanck's Top Secret R34 - I love this car!

And, of course, the Bulletproof Automotive 'Concept One' FR-S...

T.R.A. Kyoto & Rocket Bunny via Maiham Media

If you have a few minutes (and have not already), I encourage you to check out this great 6+ minute video interview (Props to Luke Huxham & Dino Dalle Carbonare!) with the visionary behind the ever-so-popular Rocket Bunny aero kit for the GT86/FR-S and personality behind Japan's T.R.A. Kyoto, 42 year-old Kei Miura. Always interested in hearing direct from the talented innovators and creators of Japan's greatest designs, I find the minute or so he speaks of the technology and process of developing an aero prototype particularly intriguing, especially the mention of the fact that it takes one month, start to finish, to develop a prototype for one kit, one platform. I encourage you to consider that the next time you are contemplating giving your money to a replica company that purchased one kit from a small shop in Japan, spent minimal money copying the mold, and is charging you a fraction of the cost of that original. Consider the repercussions. Replicas harm the industry...

Enjoy...

Maiham Media: TRA Kyoto & The Rocket Bunny

JDMphasis... Innovation over Imitation

Tokyo Auto Salon 2013

I was not fortunate enough to attend the mecca of JDM awesomeness, but in browsing the multiple different pages and blogs posting coverage, there was definitely some great stuff popping up at this year's TAS. Of course, this is a drop in the bucket of all the JDM swag at this event, but here are just a few things that caught my eye...

As you might expect, FRS/BRZ/86 craziness...

Varis Arising 2 Widebody and Non-Wide

Top Secret

Rocket Bunny

Zele Performance

And...

Jun R35 on Advan GT rollers

Kansai Service R35. A lot of publicity for the traditional design of the new Advans...

Varis R35 on... wait for it... Advan GT wheels

Tein's new EDFC Active

Intriguing...

Volk Racing TE37 RT "Rigid Type" (Note the etched logo. I love.)

I didn't think the G-Force Evo X could look better, but it does wearing the RTs...

Endless. Enough said.