In the past decade, light truck owners have increased their purchases of accessory/appearance products, at the expense of performance and suspension/handling products, according to SEMA research. Sales of accessory/appearance products rose 9.1% between 1996-2006 to 62.6% of market segment share.
Performance products, meanwhile, dropped five percent over the decade to 10.1% in 2006, while suspension and handling products dipped six percent to 27.3% last year.
Original Story
wow less than a year ago and now we are seeing $4.00 a gallon
By d. May 13th, 2008 at 11:21 pmThis trend is also dangerous mainly in those using larger wheels. Mostly though the guys who throw on 22″ wheels or heavy off-road wheel/tire combos w/o even considering the fact that doing so will destroy their braking performance so stock brakes are left alone. It’s a shame no one follows function beform form anymore.
By bassman97. October 1st, 2007 at 12:55 pmman, I’m bugged by this trend, and also am amazed that the numbers are only down 10%. I’m almost dreading fixing up the rust on the mustang I’m driving around. I like the fact that it goes like stink, but at least half of the driving population would say “look at that sorry old thing, what a shame.” Some of those folks (here in the mojave desert where temps get nearly 120 degrees) are driving a truck with the radiator covered by a sheet of aluminum flames. LOOKS AWESOME, DUDE.
By erik steensen. September 28th, 2007 at 4:51 pmI think emissions laws have accounted for that. With stricter laws governing both emissions and lifts, it’s impossible to modify a vehicle now as easy as it was in the past. “Emissions friendly” modification parts are more expensive than “off-road” only parts, people can’t afford to do what they used to.
New vehicle electronics have also contributed to that. Most performance shops now HAVE to be good on a laptop in order to successfully tune new vehicles, drive- by-wire systems and stability control/intervention programs have certainly cut back on someone’s ability to throw in a cam, intake and headers and hit the dragstrip. Now you need a chip/programmer, $1,000 bucks and a friend with an inspection sticker.
Now, “All-Show and No Go” is highlighted at both the shows and in magazines. Before, you HAD to do your engine in order to be considered. Now you have full-size trucks in magazines high dollar stereos and either a 6 cylinder or a stock V-8 with a painted engine cover!!!!! People sometimes tend to build what they see in print.
The days of the 80’s and 90’s when I grew up (I’m 38 now) when everyone had either a mid 80’s Mustang LX (same motor as the GT without the frills) or a lifted show truck are GONE!!! Now it’s rims and stereo’s. And we wonder what happened to the show scene. It’s there, but most of the big trucks or high end motors are limited to marketing tools for shops. Every day guys have the cold air intakes, chips and a set of rims. Not a lot to look at.
I’m actually amazed that the numbers are only down by 10%…I would have expected more. Maybe because what little they do buy cost more. The only thing that cuts back on mods more than emissions/lift laws is the economy and we’re all feeling that pinch, $3.00 per gallon= OUCH!!!.
By Tony408. September 28th, 2007 at 10:28 am