Jalopnik: HKS USA closing its doors
04-28-11, 03:33 PM
#1
Jalopnik: HKS USA closing its doors
saw someone on my facebook news feed posting this news as a status update, but didn't confirm it until i started looking around...
Jalopnik: Aftermarket pioneer HKS USA closing its doors
full letter here
Jalopnik: Aftermarket pioneer HKS USA closing its doors
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.
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.
04-28-11, 03:57 PM
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04-28-11, 08:37 PM
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sad to hear, but I think it will have little impact considering their parts will still be available from Japan. Working at a company that has them set up as one of our vendors, I can tell you that HKS USA does not make it easy to buy from them, and their customer service is horrible, both to their resellers, and to the individual customer. If the company was run better, I'm sure they wouldn't feel the urge to close shop in the US.
cliffs: the market is bad, but they also brought this on themselves
cliffs: the market is bad, but they also brought this on themselves
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04-28-11, 10:29 PM
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A bit sad, but can't say I'm too surprised. HKS USA was not the same as HKS Japan in terms of customer service and how the company was run. If you want real HKS parts, you can still order from Japan.
04-29-11, 10:52 AM
#10
sad to hear, but I think it will have little impact considering their parts will still be available from Japan. Working at a company that has them set up as one of our vendors, I can tell you that HKS USA does not make it easy to buy from them, and their customer service is horrible, both to their resellers, and to the individual customer. If the company was run better, I'm sure they wouldn't feel the urge to close shop in the US.
cliffs: the market is bad, but they also brought this on themselves
cliffs: the market is bad, but they also brought this on themselves
04-29-11, 03:24 PM
#14
It's the trend with most of the legit companies from Japan, other countries as well. People complain about prices and whether they are worth it or not compared to cheaper brands. These individuals have every right to, I understand each person has their own budgets. I'm not saying knock-offs are 100% of the problem (status of the economy, weakening US dollar as elements). A lot of people that do complain about the price differences do not account for all the R&D these manufacturers have put in their parts. Then to have a another company build replicas off of all their hard work does not benefit the at all.
For all those that believe that all HKS parts that are currently offered here in the states will still be available after the leave of HKS USA, think again. Some parts were exclusive to the states, whether or not HKS decides to keep manufacturing these parts in Japan will be determined. For example, sources say the HKS 4" Ti for the Supra was exclusively for the states. I lucked out and bought one before the change.
Keep your fingers crossed, hope all goes well.
For all those that believe that all HKS parts that are currently offered here in the states will still be available after the leave of HKS USA, think again. Some parts were exclusive to the states, whether or not HKS decides to keep manufacturing these parts in Japan will be determined. For example, sources say the HKS 4" Ti for the Supra was exclusively for the states. I lucked out and bought one before the change.
Keep your fingers crossed, hope all goes well.