While Dom’s been working on his project and slowly yet strategically planning his efforts into the racing world (where Endless truly belongs), Jin (and Julie) seem to have their hands full with the relaunch of the Endless website, amongst other things. Norio and I have been busy with most of our efforts focused on AME and its new 1 pc. wheel debuting early 2008. And since AME is produced by Enkei Japan, I figured I’d begin a series of posts dealing with Enkei’s proprietary MAT wheel forming technology. The fact of the matter is that although in Japan and worldwide, Enkei is easily recognized as the supreme wheel maker/supplier, its brand is a bit tarnished in our tiny little aftermarket segment here stateside which I believe has to do with US efforts in the past trying to adapt to the US market instead of changing it. (I’m talking about basically everything but the Racing Series line of wheels.) You can’t blame ‘em. Well, maybe you can. In anycase, let it be known that Enkei is an engineering company first and foremost. Not many can say that. And while most “wheel makers” are busy coming up with (or simply ordering) new designs, names, logos, price points, sales tactics and marketing ploys, Enkei does all of that as well of course, but it’s main focus is endlessly figuring out how to make its wheel perform better. MAT technology and its continuous advancements are what make it perform better. I’ll lightly be touching on topics such as 1) The Weight Factor, 2) Forged vs. Cast, 3) the Importance of OEM, 4) the Enkei Heritage, brands produced by Enkei, where AME plays into all of this and other related topics. I’m not sure where and when this will end, but I’ll be trying to correct the minds of some of the misinformed and miseducated when it comes to wheels while learning along the way as well. I guess you can call this an introduction of what’s to come.