Hot Import Nights / Tuner Market

Recently, I attended a type of auto show that many are not familiar with. One with loud, thumping music and hot models standing by their cars. But this is no ordinary auto show. This is Hot Import Nights (HIN), one of the premier tuner auto shows that tours the country allowing companies and individuals alike the opportunity to show off their pride and joy.

Over the past few years, the light vehicle automotive aftermarket has grown at a steady rate of about 3.2% and the market demand is predicted to reach $53.6 billion dollars by 2008. While there have been rumors of a decline in this trend, there was no evidence of this when I went to HIN.

The tuner car culture is one unlike any other with members so passionate about their vehicles, that they will put life savings into creating their dream. This kind of culture also brings together people from every social class, every race. It is a zone where people are able to put aside their feelings and put everything into their cars. And you'll see cars alright. For one night, HIN took over all 275,000 square feet of the Bayside Expo Center in Boston, with hundreds of cars from mildest Honda civics to the wildest Honda S2000's and Toyota Supra's donning full carbon-fiber bodies and producing upwards of 800HP!

One of the most impressive vehicles on display was one of the HIN tour cars, a 2003 Honda S2000 created by C-West, one of the premier suppliers of JDM body kits. While this beast may have looked pretty tame with just 280HP, it wore an beautiful custom made C-West body made entirely out of carbon-fiber taking the weight of this racer down hundreds of pounds, making this the perfect track fighter.

One of my other favorites was a 2004 Lexus IS300 built and owned by David Huang. This was definitely one of the prettiest cars to look at with an incredible paint job consisting of a purple/teal pearlescent paint and a full body kit making it look like a slick jet about to take off. But not all of the jazz was outside. Under the hood sat one Garret turbo as well as new headers and pipes.

Tuner owners are like no other people you will meet. Many have joined or created clubs to organize groups of people just like them. There are now even organized track days for these groups so they can strut their stuff. Like any other art form, tuning is just an expression of their creators being. While many may not understand the fun of having a ear-piercingly loud muffler or outrageous body kit, these people do it not for others, but to express themselves.

If you are one of these tuner crazy people, shoot us a comment or even a picture showing us your car and what you've done to it as well as what draws you to the tuner culture. We also always love your suggestions and input so...LET'S HERE FROM YOU!!

Thanks,
Ben