HKS USA Closing

[ichitaka05]

Aftermarket pioneer HKS USA closing its doors

Matt Hardigree —



Citing poor market conditions HKS USA, formerly one of the largest aftermarket JDM performance companies in the country, is ceasing U.S. operations after nearly three decades in business. A letter obtained by Jalopnik shows the company will consolidate its work to Japan.
A letter from HKS to its dealers and vendors went out this afternoon, much to the surprise of companies who have been using HKS parts for decades. The letter blames the move on the slow economic recovery, a shrinking aftermarket, the U.S. Dollar, and the disaster in Japan.


The company will continue to sell parts to the United States, but all operations will be transferred to HKS Co. Ltd. in Japan while HKS USA is folded. Click on the thumbnail to view the full letter.

well well, that means it's gonna cost more for shipping now. FML

[RRnold]

Damn that does suck! I would think that they would at least get out of CA first before jumping ship on the entire US.

[OldSkoolToys]

Hrrmm, this puts a dent in anybody who was hopeful for some fast, relatively affordable turbo kits for the FR-S. The shipping alone might make them unaffordable now. Or for N/A tuning such as camshafts, gears, pulleys, etc.

As far as exhaust....wait and see what Apexi delivers.

On a whole, this news does suck...ugh. Time for American based aftermarket tuner companies to sprout up and deliver. Hahaha, ever the capitalist, I do see potential in this..../money grubbing hand rubbing

[OldSkoolToys]

"Significant economic recovery has yet to be seen in the United States consumer market. The U.S. Dollar has been substantially weakened."

Change we can believe in, indeed.

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by OldSkoolToys

Hrrmm, this puts a dent in anybody who was hopeful for some fast, relatively affordable turbo kits for the FR-S. The shipping alone might make them unaffordable now. Or for N/A tuning such as camshafts, gears, pulleys, etc.

As far as exhaust....wait and see what Apexi delivers.

On a whole, this news does suck...ugh. Time for American based aftermarket tuner companies to sprout up and deliver. Hahaha, ever the capitalist, I do see potential in this..../money grubbing hand rubbing

I don't think I wanna buy any parts for my car U.S company makes. Lol

I'll spend that extra money to get it from JP, but yes lets wait to see what Apexi delivers.

[4agze]

sad really really sad

[OldSkoolToys]

Originally Posted by Giccin

I don't think I wanna buy any parts for my car U.S company makes. Lol

I'll spend that extra money to get it from JP, but yes lets wait to see what Apexi delivers.

If a group of U.S. parts engineers/enthusiasts/tuners used the same techniques to ensure a high quality part that delivers, why not?

That is to say; instead of making slightly cheaper and low on quality aftermarket parts to chose from over the better JDM parts, if said American company held itself to the same standards, you'd only be paying more for the same quality by buying from Japan.

In any case, I hope HKS will still maintain an English version of their website...otherwise it'll be painfully hard trying to get parts from them if I can't go through American based vendors anymore.

[ichitaka05]

yeah... but IF US makes a good quality parts. For a good example, S2k. I still haven't seen Titanium exhaust other than J's Racing & Amuse. Or Titanium piston rods

[OldSkoolToys]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

yeah... but IF US makes a good quality parts. For a good example, S2k. I still haven't seen Titanium exhaust other than J's Racing & Amuse. Or Titanium piston rods

This is entirely taking the topic to a different tangent, but it can all be traced back to racing venues available in the U.S., compared to Japan.

One main reason you don't see serious tuner companies in the U.S. like japan is because of money potential. While tuner companies in Japan can run their car's in races around circuits in japan, and championships, etc., to improve the company's reputation, build new customer bases, and gather income from sponsorship.

Over here it's basically all about NASCAR, which is just....ugh....

If GT/LeMans style racing were much more relevant in the U.S. like it is in Japan, and their were racing championships similar to Super GT, on the same level as it is in Japan, you'd see those high quality U.S. tuner shops sprout up.

Formula D is a good example of building a new motorsport in America. It would be interesting to see if people could create a Formula GT series, with cars similar to Super GT.

BTW, I hate saying Super GT...imma just say JGTC from now on.

Edit: For grammar errors...seriously....gotta lay off the booze, its killing my brain cells.

[RRnold]

That's what the US gets for not taking Dr. Deming's philosophy on quality back in the 50's! I don't think the US will ever meet the same criteria when you compare it to Japanese craftsmanship.

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by OldSkoolToys

This is entirely taking the topic to a different tangent, but it can all be traced back to racing venues available in the U.S., compared to Japan.

One main reason you don't see serious tuner companies in the U.S. like japan is because of money potential. While tuner companies in Japan can run their car's in races around circuits in japan, and championships, etc., to improve the company's reputation, build new customer bases, and gather income from sponsorship.

Over here it's basically all about NASCAR, which is just....ugh....

If GT/LeMans style racing were much more relevant in Japan, and their were racing championships similar to Super GT, on the same level as it is in Japan, you'd see those high quality U.S. tuner shops sprout up.

Formula D is a good example of building a new motorsport in America. It would be interesting to see if people could create a Formula GT series, with cares similar to Super GT.

BTW, I hate saying Super GT...imma just say JGTC from now on.

I never understood how nascar was fun to watch. Lol

Oh! Left turn!! OMG STRAIGHT! Omg.. LEFT.TURN. Did you see that left turn? Here comes another left turn~~~

[OldSkoolToys]

Originally Posted by RRnold

That's what the US gets for not taking Dr. Deming's philosophy on quality back in the 50's! I don't think the US will ever meet the same criteria when you compare it to Japanese craftsmanship.

Hahaha, you just took me back to "Management of Quality" course I took while getting my B.B.A

And Production Management / Production Quality class....

Both classes dedicated an entire week's worth of study to Toyota's Quality Management approach...I was so proud as a Toyota enthusiast

In any case, its entirely possible...unless you think somehow American's aren't capable of engineering the same quality? I disagree completely. It's entirely a cost/revenue problem.

[Zaku]

hmm That's a huge company too... I wonder what big name tuning firm remains here in the USA and what about Drift sponsor ship?

[4agze]

Originally Posted by Zaku

hmm That's a huge company too... I wonder what big name tuning firm remains here in the USA and what about Drift sponsor ship?

a lot on top of my head

apexi
TODA
blitz
Tanabe
greddy
RS*R
Power Enterprise
SARD

Hope when FRS is out I want to see engine stuff from cosworth