| Modifications to standard build cars have | | | | body kits and 'body tuning' parts currently |
| been going on since practically the first one | | | | make up by far the largest market share of |
| rolled off the production line. These days, | | | | aftermarket parts throughout the world. |
| car tuning and 'modding' in order to improve | | | | |
| the performance and handling or to customise | | | | Following on from the lead in Japan, and the |
| the looks of a vehicle have become big | | | | increased availability of Japanese import |
| business. | | | | cars and parts, the UK scene has exploded in |
| | | | recent years with an extensive list of parts |
| Most cars are designed to leave the factory | | | | now available, such as neon under-body |
| with a suitable initial set up for the | | | | lights, tinted windows, candy, iridescent, |
| average driver's expectations and average | | | | colour shifting and pearlescent paints, |
| road conditions; however many people don't | | | | decals, custom exhaust tips, spoilers, roof |
| like to be viewed as average, and as cars are | | | | scoops, not to mention lowered suspension, |
| often seen as an extension of the owner's | | | | and custom rims! |
| personality, 'modding' and tuning have become | | | | |
| ways to personalize the vehicle to suit the | | | | In the current world of car tuning, style is |
| owner's own sense of style. | | | | king. Every tuner wants to post their car |
| | | | photos on the latest blog, owners club or |
| In Japan especially, the modification of cars | | | | online forum. Even those without their own |
| has seen not only a rise in its own owners' | | | | car can create a virtual tuned car with the |
| sub-culture, but it has also hit the Manga | | | | aid of computer games like 'Need For Speed' |
| comics and anime in the form of Initial D, | | | | before then posting pictures of it online, |
| and gone on to worldwide box office hit films | | | | for others to see their idea of the ideal |
| with The Fast and the Furious. The | | | | modified car. |
| modification market has become so important | | | | |
| to certain manufacturers - most notably | | | | The world of the car as a means of |
| Nissan, Subaru and Mitsubishi - that some | | | | personalized transport has come a long way |
| have even started to release certain models | | | | since Henry Ford is reputed to have made the |
| to big name tuning, performance and | | | | statement "Any customer can have a car |
| aftermarket specialists, prior to the actual | | | | painted any color that he wants so long as it |
| launch, in order that there are non factory | | | | is black." These days a car owner can change |
| custom modifications ready as soon as the car | | | | the performance, shape, colour or any other |
| officially hits the market. | | | | styling detail they like. |
| | | | |
| Today there is an extensive array of | | | | It seems as though the car truly has become |
| performance parts available for many | | | | an extension of the owner's personality like |
| different makes and models or car; however | | | | never before. |