I agree, knock offs kill the legit company that spent the time and money to develop the product. Soon no one will bother developing parts if they can't make money due to knock offs.

 

HKS exhaust for sale. 10k!

 

I honestly can't see how knock-offs alone could put them out of business. Thats too simple an explanation. Every major manufacturer deals with knockoff's non-stop, its the nature of business.
My company sells imaging technology from Canon, and we deal with knockoffs and imitations day after day, you cant just sit there with your arms crossed saying well ours is better so pay up, you have to find ways to lower your costs, and prices.. so you can stay in business.

This is sad news, but maybe when (if) the US economy picks up things will change.

 

I can go lower at 9k

 

+1. They relied too much on just their brand name.

 

There wasn't really anything too great about the HKS exhaust though. Some duals with a H pipe that stuck too far into each dual pipe? Was just welded real nice and polished. HKS used FOAM filters. Insane. But their engine part division was pretty nice though. Props for that.

 

shoot speaking of all the knockoffs look at the body kit industry lol. so i doubt knock offs played that much of a role

 

I think knock offs definitely played a roll. You're not going to ever buy a knock-off iPad or PS3. But I bet any of you would buy a knock-off exhaust, bodykit, etc.

 

bad news indeed.

 

Rip hks Usa. Another one bites the dust.. trust. Arc.

 

sad

 

^ O RLY ?

Speak for yourself.


EDIT - Thought about it again. You're probably right with all the people rocking Varrstoens, X02, and the like. We're screwed

 

At one point HKS was a respected company, just the name reflected quality in aftermarket parts for our Nissan/Infinitis. And then the shocker about their quality control surfaced with the crossover restriction in our $1500 exhaust systems. Send it back for a replacement was the only response from them....Oh yea, and with a receipt. How many members did that, my guess is zero. Instead I bought a Magnflow crossover (x-pipe) and had it welded in at a cost of close to $200 for the complete job. That's $$ we didn't need to spend! Do I care that HKS left America, dumb question!
Gary

 

"The letter blames the move on the slow economic recovery, a shrinking aftermarket, the U.S. Dollar, and the disaster in Japan".

 

I myself personally am rocking replica Impul sides and a replica Chargespeed rear. Only my front is genuine and that's only because I like all my parts to be poly.