sad news HKS USA closing its doors

[ZAKU]

Oh no, the death of ridiculously overpriced turbochargers and incredibly shitty intakes.

What a shame.

[EDacIouSX]

Originally Posted by Brian

Coming from a JDM company, I can tell you that knock offs ARE a problem. There are obviously other problems out there (bad economy, incorrect business style, bad marketing, etc.) , but knock offs do create a big problem.

Sorry... obviously you are correct, I didn't really channel my idea correctly with words.

Yes, knock offs are definitely a problem, without a doubt. If all this cheap crap out there wasn't sucking up demand/changing trends, hks would have more customers.

What I was trying to say I never really wanted to buy HKS stuff cause I didn't really perceive them as anything excellent in any particular field. Especially modern times, they kind of lost their cool factor. That 80s? 90s paint scheme was kind of cool.

[Wake]

Man you people are really failing at seeing sarcasm in this thread.

Knock offs contribute. If you dont think they do your mistaken.
As well as our shitty economy, and japans natural disasters. But as the letter says the US dollar is in the fucking crapper. Exchange rates have been going bad for years. It all just culminated now.
I would really say that the quake was more or less the straw that broke the camels back.

There will be no "JDM revival", the same people buying JDM parts will continue buying them. The same people that buy crap will continue.

[s13silvia123]

YOU fucken knockoff piece of shiiiiits...............this pisses me off. now that i have to go greater lengths to get legit parts.

[hektik13]

damn first ARC now HKS

[lucky7]

it's HKS. you can buy two garrett turbos for the price of 1 HKS. i think their pricing was always way, way high. and considering our currency is not worth crap, it makes HKS parts more expensive. it doesn't mean they're finished, just pulling out of the US market. nobody really knows the details. maybe they're just downsizing to cut costs and liabilities? probably a smart thing to do in this economic time, especially when you consider the nature of their industry. just a thought.

[Couped_up'd]

Originally Posted by s13silvia123

YOU fucken knockoff piece of shiiiiits...............this pisses me off. now that i have to go greater lengths to get legit parts.

Don't you hate it...

This sucks sticks.

Although, I never really felt the need to purchase an HKS product. Do to price, and other reasons. I think it had more to do with the advertiving market not keeping up with the company. Knock-off hks blow off valves are dime a dozen. Hell, I don't think the poeple who own them even know they are knock off. It is getting bad.

[Brentbohn]

Greedy Greddy drift tax will put them out soon enough

Originally Posted by towlie

Wasn't Greddy having major financial issues aswell ?

[Flicktitty]

Damn, what an icon fallen off the map.

Thing is, i love alot of what they stand fore. but i've had some bad experience with some of there products in the past. And the price on some of there stuff is a goofy high in my opinion

[EDacIouSX]

yea.... arc was wahtever, never impressed. HKS though... I need a fcon vpro someone sell it to me lol. There stuff isn't on the leading edge of technology anymore.

['97 S14 SE Turbo]

All that plus the increasing hostile business environment in the US. It's getting expensive for smaller company like HKS USA for medical care under the new laws. It's cheaper for them to take the fine than to pay for the health insurance.

[Corbic]

About fucking time. HKS has been skipping by with over priced uncompetitive products for years.

These boutique Japanese companies need to take notice of brands that have been able to survive for the 60 years, like Edelbrock, Holley, and learn to produce quality products at more affordable prices. Open a Jeggs or Summit catalog and have a heart attack at what their products cost.

I don't see Holley or Magnaflow trying to make every upgrade possible for a particular car, Cams, Headers, Exhaust, gaskets, valve covers, turbos, tuners, injectors, pistons, rods, bearings, so forth, however companies like HKS and Tomei are constantly trying to do that, and the result is they are offering exceptionally expensive products that are not price competitive. Just look at Tomei's "ARMs" series turbos, to much money, not enough turbo, I'll go to a Turbo specialist thank you.


Another problem is they don't offer a series of products. You should be able to get a inexpensive exhaust system from HKS, that is only slightly more then a Megan, but still bears the HKS name. Then offer a premium brand tier for those looking for the additional light weight, higher quality so forth.

HKS Street Series - cat-back $350
HKS Pro Race - titanium cat-back $1,500.

[blueshark123]

blah! their shit was ovepriced and i havent seen any new innovations come from them lately that was worth the need to buy. Its all their fault.

[ZilviaKid]

Originally Posted by Corbic

About fucking time. HKS has been skipping by with over priced uncompetitive products for years.

These boutique Japanese companies need to take notice of brands that have been able to survive for the 60 years, like Edelbrock, Holley, and learn to produce quality products at more affordable prices. Open a Jeggs or Summit catalog and have a heart attack at what some times cost.

I don't see Holley or Magnaflow trying to make ever upgrade possible for a particular car, Cams, Headers, Exhaust, gaskets, valve covers, turbos, tuners, injectors, pistons, rods, bearings, so forth, however companies like HKS and Tomei are constantly trying to do that, and the result is they are offering exceptionally expensive products that are not price competitive. Just look at Tomei's "ARMs" series turbos, to much money, not enough turbo, I'll go to a Turbo specialist thank you.


Another problem is they don't offer a series of products. You should be able to get a inexpensive exhaust system from HKS, that is only slightly more then a Megan, but still bears the HKS name. Then offer a premium brand tier for those looking for the additional light weight, higher quality so forth.

HKS Street Series - cat-back $350
HKS Pro Race - titanium cat-back $1,500.

gotta agree 100%

jdm oil block sandwich plate adapter - $100+
edelbrock non blue anadized place - $20

[chiboy002]

BH once said 'they had to choose between updating their website and advertising or firing their employees... and now i'm out of a job' regarding veilside

or some shit like that

This has been proven to be FACT

[lucky7]

i agree 100% w/ Corbic. in fact, i mentioned a few of those same points in the rice thread. you either get competitive, or you sink. they may have made some nice things, but obviously need to adjust to today's market.

[vboy720]

R.I.P. I liked having hks around, since it made other companies like isis make products just as good at a lower cost for me. Not saying i would buy a isis turbo over an hks turbo, but i would definately use an isis short shifter, stainless steel brake lines, etc.

[towlie]

Corbic speaks words of wisdom!

Although I've never been a particular fan of HKS (a bit overpriced IMO) it will be sad to see them no longer be readily available, as the brand is defiantly known... even those not into cars know the name.

HKS should have been smarter and better priced their products for our market, realizing their main competition are knock offs.

[spooled240]

all these JDM companies need to start creating innovative products to stay above water in the aftermarket industry..everything get's reverse engineered and copied eventually it's just the way it goes =/ idk how china get's away with selling SSQV's in boxes that say HKS on them though, that's ridiculous


it's hard to compete with china especially now when their artificially inflated currency makes it even cheaper for U.S. consumers to purchase...you can't blame 17 year old kids working at donut shops to get tempted and buy this stuff

[nomoremk2]

So the concensus is basically, "What a shame, However I never bought anything hks or supported them in anyway." Everyone is going to continue buying knock-off shit either way. Cheaper things are always going to be more popular. Especially with the attitude of most of my generation being "Dude I got this sick 240 and I'm gonna street drift it everyday the cheapest way possible." I don't find it all too tragic that they're pulling out of the U.S Market. If you want the HKS part, You'll find a place to buy it.

[ixfxi]

Originally Posted by NINJASPY

when is the last time anyone bought anything brand new from hks?

Originally Posted by ZAKU

Oh no, the death of ridiculously overpriced turbochargers and incredibly shitty intakes. What a shame.

Originally Posted by Corbic

About fucking time. HKS has been skipping by with over priced uncompetitive products for years.

Another problem is they don't offer a series of products. You should be able to get a inexpensive exhaust system from HKS, that is only slightly more then a Megan, but still bears the HKS name. Then offer a premium brand tier for those looking for the additional light weight, higher quality so forth.

Originally Posted by blueshark123

blah! their shit was ovepriced and i havent seen any new innovations come from them lately that was worth the need to buy. Its all their fault.

you guys have your heads shoved way up eachother's asses


just because a company chooses to no longer have a US outlet, doesnt mean they are out of business. they're making a choice to no longer sell to stupid, unappreciative americans.

its sad to see the negative comments, probably coming from consumer-minded individuals who arent capable of building a damn thing if their life depended on it.

bottom line, HKS was and still is a reputable company known for manufacturing high quality items. who cares if a product is expensive. the term "expensive" is subjective, it varies from person to person. if you cant afford their product then thats your problem.. get a better job or chose a different hobby.

[sidewaysil80]

Originally Posted by NINJASPY

when is the last time anyone bought anything brand new from hks?
knock offs are part of the problem.

no, the people that buy knock offs couldn't afford to buy real stuff in the first place, therefore hks isn't "losing" money to knock offs. if i can AFFORD to buy and hks intake i'm not going to say "gee let me get a knock off instead". but the poor person who can't afford real hks intake will most def look for a knock off. not too mention how many people look in the for sale section before they buy a part to try and find it used? THATS prob the biggest killer to all these car part companies. with that being said, all you dudes that are hating and flaming people for buying knockoffs...if you've ever bought one of their parts used...you're just as responsible, so get off your high horses.

[tricky_ab]

Originally Posted by Corbic

I don't see Holley or Magnaflow trying to make every upgrade possible for a particular car, Cams, Headers, Exhaust, gaskets, valve covers, turbos, tuners, injectors, pistons, rods, bearings, so forth, however companies like HKS and Tomei are constantly trying to do that, and the result is they are offering exceptionally expensive products that are not price competitive. Just look at Tomei's "ARMs" series turbos, to much money, not enough turbo, I'll go to a Turbo specialist thank you.

Progression comes at a price...I understand what you're saying but I'd rather have more parts available for the car that I'm into...

[camaro379ss]

Originally Posted by sidewaysil80

no, the people that buy knock offs couldn't afford to buy real stuff in the first place, therefore hks isn't "losing" money to knock offs. if i can AFFORD to buy and hks intake i'm not going to say "gee let me get a knock off instead". but the poor person who can't afford real hks intake will most def look for a knock off. not too mention how many people look in the for sale section before they buy a part to try and find it used? THATS prob the biggest killer to all these car part companies. with that being said, all you dudes that are hating and flaming people for buying knockoffs...if you've ever bought one of their parts used...you're just as responsible, so get off your high horses.

Nicely stated.

[raz0rbladez909]

Originally Posted by ixfxi

you guys have your heads shoved way up eachother's asses


just because a company chooses to no longer have a US outlet, doesnt mean they are out of business. they're making a choice to no longer sell to stupid, unappreciative americans.

its sad to see the negative comments, probably coming from consumer-minded individuals who arent capable of building a damn thing if their life depended on it.

bottom line, HKS was and still is a reputable company known for manufacturing high quality items. who cares if a product is expensive. the term "expensive" is subjective, it varies from person to person. if you cant afford their product then thats your problem.. get a better job or chose a different hobby.

There's a reason I have your quote as my sig dude, couldn't have said it better myself.

[Brandon.]

i don't think knock off parts have as much to do with it than people are making it out to be. People who buy knock off parts are broke asses who would not be buying, or could even afford real parts if there were no knock off parts in the first place. It could also be the fore mentioned that people are buying non jdm stuff because some of it is slightly cheaper and just as good of quality if not better. ( excluding megan, isis, godspeed, etc )

[Fred Allen Burge]

Originally Posted by revcyanide

so a company making great products should lose money and people should be out of a job?

Yes, I guess, what?

Originally Posted by revcyanide

go fuck yourself

I think I must have hit a nerve with this one folks!

[ManoNegra]

Originally Posted by spooled240

all these JDM companies need to start creating innovative products to stay above water in the aftermarket industry..

well, guess what?
engineers and designers don't work for free

knock off companies don't innovate or come out with new products
nor do they develop or evolve their current ones


hardest thing they do is chose a color scheme and a logo
but, hey, broke kids are entitled to cool shit right?

[lawrenceyang]

Originally Posted by sidewaysil80

with that being said, all you dudes that are hating and flaming people for buying knockoffs...if you've ever bought one of their parts used...you're just as responsible, so get off your high horses.

and i doubt very many people on this forum have bought brand new hks parts

[Wake]

Hey just so you guys know, zilvia and HKS were around before '09. plenty of people on here still buy new parts.

Unfortunately, at this point the majority of zilvia members are apparently broke, or cheap so your probably right that nobody buys new HKS parts anymore. Hence them closing their doors in America and going where people are willing to spend money.