TUNER TRENDSWhat Are Enthusiasts Putting On
Their Cars? DIAMOND BAR, CA (March 8, 2006) - Car enthusiasts love to showoff their rides, and this is especially true for owners of compact-performance vehicles. Young drivers who often typify compact-performance enthusiasts draw attention to their customized cars numerous ways, including cruising the streets or local malls.
Vehicle
Modifications Performed by Owners of the Top 10 Compact Performance Cars
on CarDomain.comSystem PercentageHead unit 53.3Intake 46.0Tires 44.7Subwoofers 43.9Amplifier 43.9Mid-range speakers 41.2Exhaust 40.9Wheels 34.0Wiring 30.9Exterior lighting 30.8Springs 29.7Tweeters 28.8Shift knob 22.1Shocks 21.5Strut bars 21.4Custom enclosure 20.5Gauges 20.2Aerodynamic and styling
enhancements19.6Pedals 19.6Security 19.2Engine components 17.9Header 17.7Electronics 13.9Ignition 12.4Brake upgrades 11.8Equalizer/signal processor 10.8Drivetrain, transmission 10.1Seats 9.2Multimedia 8.7Performance chip 8.0Steering wheel 6.5(Table source:
SEMA. Data source: CarDomain InsideTrack)
In addition, automotive enthusiasts are showcasing their custom rides by joining Internet communities that allow them to upload photos of their custom cars with detailed descriptions of the modifications performed. One such enthusiast shows off his 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse with custom wheels, cold air intake, body kit and custom exhaust system, while another boasts that his customized 2005 Dodge Neon with an upgraded cold air intake, throttle body and transmission will jump from zero to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds. These and thousands of other compact performance enthusiasts have their rides posted on CarDomain.com: "a community of more than 300,000 vehicles owners in the United States alone. "If you take a collective look at these car owners, the data reveals some interesting trends about the compact-performance market. One glance at the most popular vehicle modifications performed by compact-performance car owners provides detail as to the direction of the market. Aside from modifying one's car with upgraded audio equipment, a typical enthusiast will modify the intake, exhaust, wheels and tires most often, according to the list of modifications shown in the table. Compact-performance enthusiasts look to increase the performance of their rides, and intake/exhaust upgrades can provide a quick and relatively inexpensive means to achieving that desired performance gain. Of course, these consumers are still interested in differentiating the look of their cars from others on the road, so wheel and tire modifications satisfy the need to look customized as well. As service providers look for new means to expand into profitable markets, the "tuner" market appears to have big, and deep, pockets. Who better to provide the desired engine, exhaust and wheel modifications than a professional service provider, who can insure the upgrades are done not only correctly, but in accordance with the law and the original specifications of the vehicle? (Source: SEMA Research and Information Center)
