Some nice pics of our friends over at Auto Fashion in San Diego.

Visit them. They’re good peeps with genuine integrity. Photos courtesy of Daniel Irawan of www.picturesniper.com.

Had to share these sweet delicacies from my last China trip. The last time I ate these I was still drunk and hung over at the same time.

Unfortunately, this time I was hungry and sober. Local favorite. Available at Ito Yokado supermarket in the area. Great. Bread fried in lard and filled with flaked donkey meat. Lovely.

On a brighter note, things are changing so much in China. They just passed a law that mandates workers to receive overtime pay (if working overtime). So alot of companies are going out of business since they made people work 7 days a week with no overtime pay. Workers are getting more rights. Companies can’t take advantage of them as much, but don’t get me wrong, it’s still totally exploited. So many chemicals in Chinese food. No more unagi (eel) can be imported to Japan from China due to the extreme amount of pesticides, growth hormones and vet grade medicines found in the food.

Quality streetwear boutiques usually have a design concept making it an enjoyable visit. It adds to the consumer experience. More shops within our industry should adopt a similar mindset. I’ve recently visited a number of shops in Southern California. 2 of my favorites would probably be Status and Auto Fashion. Aesthetically appealing. A showroom should always look nice. Quality products in a quality setting. I know of a few shops that are beginning to takes steps in setting themselves apart from the rest. Anyhow, Freddie from A/F sent me this. Very VIP.

Brand Endless International Corp. (exclusive North American importer for Endless/ZEAL, AME Wheels, and CraftSquare) is currently seeking to fill an internship position.

Requirements are as follows:

-Eagerness to take advantage of the unique environment and opportunities that a small company has to offer.
-Ability to absorb and utilize the various types of information related within this industry.
-An overall interest in building communication skills, offering great customer service and networking on all levels.
-An interest in volunteering and attending events, races, meets, trade shows, etc.
-A hard worker with initiative and a proactive, patient, future-building outlook on life.

Hours/Days are flexible. Currently we are seeking to fill a non-paid internship/experience position. Perks available. If you possess long-term interest with the freedom to grow within the high-end sector of the aftermarket and/or motorsports industry, this experience may be invaluable. If you are close to Huntington Beach and are interested, send resume to kent[at]brand-endless.com.

N.I.C is a phrase coined by myself, which stands for “Nah I’m Coo.” This phrase is used to represent disinterest when offered an item or service. The way in which this applies to our industry is with sponsorships. Stick with me, I’ll come full circle and explain how N.I.C can quickly become a part of your vocabulary. Until then, here’s some suggestions for those wanting to get sponsored:

#1) Shellfish is tasty, SELFISH is YOU: The biggest issue I see today with those who seek sponsorship is a bad case of SELFISH poisoning. Too many that seek sponsorships are concerned with how it AFFECTS them, rather than how they can EFFECT positive results for the company. Always think about the best interests of the company, since as a business, they are not sponsoring you for moral support, they want RESULTS.

#2) Front your own money: In the same regard that it takes money to make money, it takes money to get sponsored. If a sponsor has seen that you’ve put in your own money, then it’s a much more convincing argument to ask for help. If you want to open a business, a bank isn’t going to lend you money based on hopes + dreams + promises. But if you’re putting in $50k of your own money, then maybe the bank will be more willing to hear you out and meet you half way.

#2.5) You can’t ask for what you don’t have: If your car is stock, then you shouldn’t be asking for sponsorship. Period. The only case where you can, is when you have…

#3) Track records like Jackie Joyner Kersee: It doesn’t matter what shows you PLAN to attend, what modifications you PLAN to make, or what horsepower you PLAN to make. What you’ve actually ACCOMPLISHED in the past is a much better indicator of what you can do, so if you’ve got no track record, you have no grounds to make promises you might not keep.

#4) “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”: I remember learning this in money management class in middle school, which essentially means that you can’t get something for nothing. This should be tattoed to your fo’ head if you are thinking of getting sponsored. Since don’t for a second think that the free set of ______ (whatever you got) came with no price tag. So make sure you cover that price on the tag, ya dig?

#5) Hustler is not only a wonderful magazine: It can also be used to describe the nature in which you need to act after being sponsored. If you promised to do a bunch of race events, or appear in show competitions, or magazine shoots, DO NOT under any circumstances not fulfill those duties. In addition, try to go above and beyond, don’t just do the bare minimum. The more exposure you generate for a company can never hurt, except when:

#6) You confuse EXPOSURE for GETTING RESULTS: Just because you put something sponsored on your car, and run all kinds of stickers doesn’t mean diddly doo. Is that going to generate more sales for that company? Who is going to see it? Is the event going to get coverage? If people see it, will they even take notice, or be influenced to want to find out more or make a purchase?

#7) Mo Money, Mo Problems: Just for example, say that a company gives you a free set of wheels. How many wheels do you think they need to sell to pay for the cost of your sponsored set? Don’t get it twisted though, it’s not about the amount either. Even if the part is something small like a shift knob, you should still give your best effort, regardless of value of the item.

#8) This industry is TINY: I’m talking about aftermarket automotive specifically. Manufacturers and shops don’t have oodles of money to spend giving out to sponsorships, simply because that money goes into RUNNING THE BUSINESS. This industry isn’t filled with high profit margins, and this shouldn’t come as a surprise. All you lowballers (who also have Selfish Poisoning) make it worse, by trying to squeeze every last dime of profit from shops, just so that your wallet stays fatter. I like getting a good deal as much as the next guy, but you gotta remember that as a consumer you get what you put in.

#9) Ali G Says: RE-SPEK. At the end of the day, it’s all about respect. You don’t want to be the “dude who we sponsored and wasted our marketing budget.” You want people to hold you in high regards, and speak highly of you and your capabilities. It doesn’t matter how much $$$ you’ve got into your car, how fast it goes, or how rare the parts are. If people don’t like or respect you, then you’ve got nothing. (Did that sound too Toretto-like?)

#10) Privateers owe nothing: The best part about paying for everything on your car yourself is that the only person you need to report to is: YOURSELF. So sometimes it’s better to just do it on your own dime.

But what do I know? Beats me (hope you brought salt grains). All I know is the value of making it worth someone’s time. If it’s not going to be worth the sponsor’s time, then I would rather not accept it. I gotta sleep at night, and having a clear mind is much more valuable to me than a free set of ______.

So when someone offers you free parts, and you know you can’t come through on your end of the bargain…what do you say?

NAH
I’M
COO.

Some may disagree, but Minivans/MPVs can be cool. Just not most of the minivans offered in the US. Because Japan has way cooler minivans, AME, to say the least, pretty much owns this market segment with their Shallen series. Let me add that it’s a huge segment. I would love to see cooler MPVs roaming around in the US. Seriously, doesn’t this Alphard on Schrifts (the old Japanese naming for the CX) look cleaner than the average SUV on blinged out dubs? Someone please grey market one here. Alphards are fresh. Check out interior pics of the Royal Lounge Hybrid edition Alphard that Toyota Modellista designed HERE. Nice.

A collaboration of Practicality and Style. On a sidenote, this is the first year within the past 7 years that AME has decided not to create a new Shallen design instead helping to round out the AME line with the new TM-02, a much needed sports wheel. (And although there has been some talk recently about it being the new RPF1 on steroids, you really can’t compare the two. The RPF1 is another timeless wheel, but the technology of the TM02 exceeds it by 4 or 5 generations. More on this later.) In anycase, the throwing around of ideas for the next Shallen design should begin soon in order for a release sometime in 2009.

Minivans done right stateside? Until more cool looking minivans are released, saying that a Super Ultra Niche might exist could be considered a far-fetched understatement. I may have just lost half of our audience..

The date for the launch of the new Endless USA website is partly dependent on when Jin feels like coming in to the office. We’re not sure where he is. Thus, we’re not too sure when the site will launch. Until he decides to pop in, here are a few photos from Japan (that have nowhere else to go) on set-up day. We didn’t attend TAS this year so this is all we have to offer. See our big brake system floating above? As you can see, it’s in currently in limbo..like our website.

Onto other news, our Endless GT-R already equipped with safety equipment..

..behind some GTC-01’s.

And then there’s the new EVO X that’s slated to compete in the Super Taikyu 2008 season. Craftsquare which we conveniently offer is collaborating with Endless to produce mirrors for the new EVO X.

Behind both the GTC-01s and the RC-T4s are the new Endless Monoblock calipers.

For those still in Japan, HKS is hosting Premium Day at FSW, an event to commemorate their 35th anniversary at Fuji Speedway. It will include the Endless Z33 GT300 vs the HKS CT230R, a Nobu Taniguchi Drift Demo Run, Option Super Battle and more. If you’re in Japan, have fun..we’ll probably still be waiting for Jin to come in.

Work Wheels is releasing (or just released) their new 1-piece wheel. Does it remind you of anything?

Here’s another version. Looks a tad similar to our Gracer model in my opinion.. However, unlike the Gracer, I don’t think these are made in Japan, but I could be wrong. But In all actuality, I’m not even sure if these designs are or will be offered in the US.

Here’s our 3 Pc. Gracer. Funny thing is that AME has been preparing to release the new Monoblock Gracer as well. I’ve known about this for over half a year now. AME had to release their Japanese ad campaign earlier so as to not confuse the end-user with who actually produced the original model. It’s relatively unheard of for a Japanese brand to create a design similar to a competitor’s brand.

Then I was shown this. What you see here to your left is the Work Varianza Schwert SC2. The Superbuy Tires exclusive design produced by Asanti (Lexani) can seen by clicking here. Even the center cap looks similar. That’s a first. I was also brought to the attention of another Work Wheel design that was similar to a Lowenhart wheel that you can see here. However, I wasn’t able to find or verify a wheel similar to the Lowenhart LT8 that Work produced.

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.

If you’re in Hermosa Beach cruising down PCH and all of a sudden realize that you need a set of wheels, stop by to see Dave or Rick @ Status.

One of the nicest wheel boutiques I’ve seen with great service and high end clientele.

AC Schnitzer, AME, BBS and Hamann are just a few of the high-end items that grace their wall.

Status Auto Design
1402 Pacific Coast Hwy
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
www.statusautodesign.com

If you read my previous “Clarity” entry, popularly referred to as the “The Tuner Market is Dead” post, please read this entry carefully. There has been a lot of response to the aforementioned post. But what perturbed me while receiving it was that there were individuals who were quick to pass judgement without entirely reading both Kent’s entry and my own. Doing so is both rash and, quite frankly, ignorant. Thus, I feel it is necessary to clarify a few things.

First and most importantly, Original Made is not officially associated with Endless. I just happen to love and work for Endless. You’ll notice that 2 out of the 3 other contributors to the blog do not work for Endless nor its affiliates. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own and I do not project them upon anyone (or anything) else. If you want to know about who the blog contributors are as a collective, click our About Us link which is snazzily labeled “The Low Down.”

Secondly, I think that the message I was trying to send was misinterpreted due to the length of the entry. Or perhaps I didn’t communicate my points as well as I had hoped, in which case I’m going back to my alma mater to ask for a refund.. Regardless, here’s a cliff notes version of the 3 main points I was trying to make:

     - There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with low-cost product. In fact, it’s absolutely necessary and essential to the market function. There is a consumer base that creates the demand for low-cost alternatives (100% nothing wrong with that) and there are businesses that fulfill that demand (also 100% nothing wrong with that). From the post I quote, “There’s nothing wrong with that. The people who produce cheap product have found a public need and a profitable way of fulfilling it.” In fact, I even commend the companies that have been able to capitalize upon this. If you’re able to buy a Ferrari with the proceeds from your business, you’re obviously doing something right.

     - Because of the business goals and philosophy of Endless, its main consumer base is within the race world. By “race world” I ultimately mean Formula 1, WRC, Rally America, American Le Mans, etc. I did not mean that the tuner market should be completely ignored, but simply set as a secondary priority. From the post I quote, “Endless has the heritage, legitimacy and the validity to be a top contender within the race market. The tuner market will always be there for the few race people and the many fanboys who want to be blingy or win shows, but it won’t be the focus.”

     - Lastly, my entry was written in response to an entry by Kent, which essentially said “we need to educate people on what high quality product is so that their mindsets and desires change.” My piece was meant to address that notion and to say that as a business it’s not our job to change the market, but simply to focus our efforts where our business best fits. “Ultimately what I’m trying to say is that I believe I see the bigger picture. It is not our job, as a business, to attempt to re-educate the masses. Trying to do so, as I’ve just illustrated, would be an exercise in futility.”

Everyone will initially interpret someone’s statements differently. And everyone will have different reactions derived from what someone has written, especially if it’s something as subjective as ones own personal opinions. As stated in my first paragraph of the previous entry, I only write what my own thoughts and beliefs are and, despite my tone, they’re not intended to offend anyone.

Nevertheless, I know that when I said the tuner market is dead, it bothered some of you. To be honest, it is a bit of an overstatement. However, the phrase “The Tuner Market is Dead” was merely meant as a play on the phrase “Hip Hop is Dead.” Perhaps I should have clarified that, but if you had read Kent’s entry (which I initially referred to) you would have realized where the reference came from. If you still don’t get it, look it up. Expand your horizons.

In the end, I’m happy that the entry has sparked a discussion amongst people. I’m glad there are both those who agree and those who disagree. I’m not here to say my word is God. On the contrary, its the furthest thing from it. I simply want my message to be accurately interpreted as I originally intended. So, thanks to everyone who has written in or talked to me about the piece, the feedback is greatly appreciated, but hopefully this clears it all up.

So I was back in Hawaii at the end of August, and decided to pop into a friend of mine’s shop, Sean @ Munkywurks. He told me they had just finished a customer’s Levin, and claimed it was “real clean.” Yeah right cuz, I’ll believe it when I see it.

This is his personal car, a mildly modded AE86. Yeah it’s pretty much stock. LOL. I love this thing. Moving along…

Check out the S13 on the lift. AME Shallen CX’s in full polished! Fat lipped AME reppin in the 808 state.

Yowza! I like. Run Free bonnet, Goodline fenders, JBlood FRP doors, Run Free Type I aero. Notice the 15″/14″ staggered bronze TE37 as well (one off style for concave in rear).

Run Free bonnet, very nice sexy time.

Interior was no slouch either, Bride seats x door panels, Revolver gauge cluster, Cusco cage, etc. BRAND NEW OEM kouki redline tails make for a clean tailfeather.

Cleanest 20V swap I’ve EVER seen (much less cleanest ENGINE swap I’ve ever seen). Standalone SDS ECU so no big hole for distributor in firewall (not ghetto brah). BRAND NEW OEM Levin headlights, center garnish, corners, no expense spared. And for people wondering, this is the COMPLETED swap…wire harnesses tucked/hidden for ultra clean style.

View of the symphony, and Run Free coolant overflow x oil catch tank collabo. You Socal 86 guys better watch out, Hawaii boys be giving you rubs!