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