The Valuable Difference Behind Japanese Products

Almost 44 years ago, Blitz Company Ltd. began to establish themselves as a provider of high performance tuning parts including turbochargers, compressors, mufflers, air cleaners, meters, injection controller computers, and intercoolers. Within their first year by 1981, Blitz created a clear channel with the primary purpose to sell KKK Turbocharger kits to those drivers and enthusiasts operating within the tuning and performance motorsports genre. By 2003, Blitz had combined and unified their Logistic and Production centers while establishing a new branch in Nagoya. With almost 30 years of experience, development and innovation under their belt, by 2010 Blitz was showcasing their aftermarket performance solutions internationally through products, upgrades and actual designs being track tested. During the next fourteen years Blitz would launch a a full aerodynamic kit designed exclusively for the Subaru BRZ called the "AERO SPEED R-Concept", and their Turbo System, a newly developed bolt-on original turbine for the same platform. In parallel with these developments, the company would also shine on the track by both recording 59 seconds at Tsukuba Circuit and winning their first Grand Prix at the Tokyo Auto Salon with their "BLITZ Racing Project WRX STI". By 2024, Blitz would unveil the BLITZ GR86 Concept car at FUJI 86 releasing parts for the 2021 BRZ platform. Within Subimods catalog, Blitz provides solutions for the dedicated enthusiast including everything from their 6/4 Piston Big Brake Kit for the 2013-2024 Subaru BRZ, and a Carbon Fiber Intake System and NUR-SPEC Custom Series Axle Back Exhaust System for the 2022-2024 Subaru WRX, among many more quality offerings. Blitz has become a proven Japanese brand that appeals to all corners of the performance enthusiast world.

Unlike some organizations who may spread their product offerings over a wide spectrum of automakers throughout the Pacific Rim, there are other Japanese suppliers who take pride in specializing in one brand, and one brand only. SYMS , which comes from the acronym for 'Specialist from Yajima for Motor Sports', has been involved in both the exclusive development of performance parts for Subaru vehicles. SYMS has proudly provided a wide range of race-proven performance parts available for enthusiasts of platforms ranging from the road loving Impreza to the overland favorite Outback. SYMS started out simply through a passionate involvement and dedication to motorsports providing quality performance parts through an online channel serving the needs of a growing group of Japanese enthusiast consumers. Eventually their direct partnerships allowed their product outreach to span the globe and reliably supply a wide range of Subaru drivers, enthusiasts, and owners of a full range of Subaru models. Since their formation in 1993, the SYMS Racing Team has become both an innovative and performance conduit that feeds their focus of development and ideas into the motorsports genre like few existing in their orbit. Maintaining a primary focus on motorsports, SYMS has dedicated the wide range of knowledge and experience gained from the exposure in this area to circle back through their active involvement and badge of unification. As they continue to insert and expose their innovations through this activity, it helps to solidify their impact as a major player in the Subaru aftermarket while amplifying both brand and reputation. Offerings including their RAM Air Box System for the BRZ, and their COX Body Damper Kit for the 2022-2024 Subaru BRZ, along with the Air Induction Box Kit with NT Air Filter for the 2022-2024 Subaru WRX available through Subimods are giving this Japanese brand the capabilities to accurately serve the constantly growing performance market.

A company whose name has been delivering solutions and has proven to be somewhat iconic in the aftermarket circles with global brands including GREX, GRacer, and the well-known GReddy, the Trust Company Limited has grown into both a major innovator and outstanding contributor to the performance aftermarket since their founding in Japan in 1977. They have delivered one of the most extensive assortment of varied performance parts since entering the marketplace decades ago. This popular producer has become well known for cat-back exhaust systems which incorporate an innovative and uniquely designed straight-through muffler. Their equally impressive bolt-on turbocharger kits helped insert this brand into many an enthusiast's mind and modification conversation. Beginning in 1994, GReddy Performance Products, the branch that manufactures turbo kits, cooling systems, exhaust systems, and miscellaneous accessories for Japanese and American cars have been developing and distributing Trust Company products throughout the United States marketplace out of their California-based headquarters. Since the company was unable to use the founded brand name in the United States after discovering that it had already been legally copyrighted, the U.S product line became exclusively GReddy. By 2008, TRUST in Japan decided that it would be best to consolidate the Australian and New Zealand supplies of products throughout both countries which eventually launched GReddy Oceania now headquartered in Sydney Australia. The current Japanese entity, GReddy/The Trust Company Limited, still known as the founding company specializing in performance tuning parts for cars, has been an illuminated presence on two continents and stands out as an iconic brand no matter what specific product line is featured in what capacity. The Greddy/Trust makers mark is represented through several parts within the Subimods catalog including the AIRINX-GT SB-1GT Panel Filter and their PE-TR Catback Exhaust System for a number of Subaru platforms including the Subaru WRX, the STI, the Forester, the Crosstrek, and the Legacy.

When a company passes its 50th year of successful existence in the automotive marketplace, one must honestly admit that it should automatically move into both legendary and iconic status. In Japan over five decades ago in 1974, Matsumoto Auto Parts Company, also known as Rally & Speed Matsumoto, started a journey in the automotive aftermarket by simply producing, marketing, and selling performance parts and components to the Japanese motorsports community, initially concentrating on the Rally racing genre. For the next five years, this company, fueled with momentum, hope, and inspiration, concentrated their efforts solely on product development, production, and the sale of performance automotive and rally sports parts, components, and upgrades. After following this steady course for almost 20 years, Matsumoto decided to inject their aggressively and deliberately obtained knowledge and performance experience more creatively into a product line specifically directed to a larger and more expansive audience. With the spirit of rally and other motorsports interests beginning to infiltrate the lives of drivers outside the professional realm and in the private sector, Matsumoto's creation of Beatrush, became the most natural and obvious pursuit for this company to undertake. The newly established performance brand focused on blending practical and useful to launch a unique, quality line of components and parts which provides both the serious, weekend driven enthusiasts with the professional performer while maintaining their founding message that proclaimed their provision of a high quality product available at a reasonable price point. Since 1993, the Beatrush brand of performance parts continue to be manufactured in Japan at their headquarters in Yokohama. The company takes pride in the story and legacy they have built upon their reputation, journey of development, and commitment to craftsmanship. They have never compromised on these beliefs and continue to be one of the premiere providers of performance parts from Japan. Whether it be one of their quality Forged Pitch Stop Mounts for a 2002-2024 Subaru WRX or STI, a Rear Diff Mount Support Bar for a 2002-2007 Subaru WRX or 2004-2007 Subaru STI, or a simple set of Engine Mounts for a WRX or early STI, Beatrush has provided Subimods with a great, direct connection to a quality product line within an affordable price range for the discerning, obsessed modifier.

The exterior lighting system may not be considered one of the first components you think of when discussing performance modifications on a vehicle, but their role is just as important or impactful as other components that should be considered for an upcoming modification. Valenti is one of the industry's premiere automotive lighting manufacturers who has been making a significant impact with their affordable, quality product since coming on the scene almost twenty years ago. This company started its journey by developing a product line of external lighting solutions with designs focused on LED technology . Valenti quickly established themself as an industry pioneer by developing a number of products that were lauded as firsts in the industry. They gave us the first LED tail lamp with turn signals in 2007. Two years later, they delivered first LED high-mounted stop lamp, then between 2010 and 2014, Valenti launch a series of innovative offerings including the first SMD type LED bulb, the first LED-compatible turn signal relay, the first LED bulb which proved to have an output twice as bright of conventional incandescent bulbs, and in 2014, they landed the industry's first LED head bulbs - a staggering list of achievements for any product developer. Over the next ten years up until the present day, Valenti has continued with both innovative tail and head lamp designs with sequential turn signals, and additional firsts with their tail lamp with rear fog lights in 2016, the sequential turn signal bulb in 2018, and a sequential turn signal position bulb in 2019. In 2020, only 13 years after their founding, Valenti launched three major product innovations that would solidify their position on the global stage, by releasing the industry's first LED head bulb with a total luminous flux of 10,000 lm on both sides, the first LED turn signal bulb with fade-out lights, and a tail lamp with opening and ending action function. Offering a product array including a wide range of tail lights with unique and stylish designs have been the driving force behind their success and continued popularity in the marketplace. Their direct relationship with Subimods allows many of their products to be easily available to U.S enthusiasts, including their ULTRA LED Tail Lights for both the Subaru WRX and STI platforms, TRAD LED Jewel Tail Lights and Jewel REVO Light LED Rear Fog Lamp for the Subaru BRZ. Aligning themselves with a constantly improving development sector, Valenti's focus on quality, testing, safety, and the understanding of their customer's needs has been a priority since their founding.

Hearing the brand Toyota sparks memories of knowing their accomplishments over the history of auto manufacturing, motorsports, and the overall takeover of the U.S marketplace starting in the mid 1970s as a response to the threatening oil crisis and energy crunch. In the world of motorsports, Toyota put a stamp in the history books in 1957 by becoming the first Japanese car manufacturer to become involved in performance competition by entering the Round Australia Rally with their small Toyopet Crown, the brand's first model to be introduced in the U.S. As a support system for this pioneering effort, Toyota created the TOSCO Motorsports Division, also known as "Toyota Sports Corner". Committing to this new venture spearheaded the brand's involvement in rally and sports car racing. Almost 20 years in the future, Toyota decided to rebrand TOSCO to more closely fit its initiatives within the motorsports and performance development space. In 1976, the TRD , or "Toyota Racing Development" brand was born with a primary focus to initiate, promote, and enhance the development of parts and accessories for not only racing platforms, but also for Toyota's production vehicles. With the aggressive establishment of the TRD brand, Toyota launched a modern aftermarket support system which enabled the brand to begin marketing performance parts for its road cars. At the top of the next decade in 1980, TRD was making a definite mark in the racing realm as the iconic carmaker to part in a wide range of motorsport events and competitions. These successes continued to amplify Toyota as a performance brand and also lifted the TRD list of offerings to a prominent level within the North American parts market. Over the past decades, TRD has become an easily identifiable badge inside and outside the enthusiasts orbit as they continue to be extremely active over several motorsport disciplines. TRD is sharply focused on the enhancement and improvement of performance for street vehicles, support of Toyota's international racing involvement, and functions as the tuning division for both the Toyota and Lexus brands. As of today, TRD produces a wide range of performance products, including suspension components, wheels, aerodynamic enhancements, cold air intakes, exhaust systems, and brake kits, which are available to all enthusiasts searching the marketplace. Since Toyota's GR86 and Subaru's BRZ were built on the same platform, Subimods catalog offers a number of TRD products to outfit our enthusiast community who may own either vehicle. These offerings include Catback Exhausts, Trunk Spoilers, Brake Kits, and a number of other components for both models and brands.

In addition to those mentioned above in detail, a few others including Zero/Sports, GP Sports, and Works Bell can share in the same spotlight. First, Zero/Sports has been functioning as a premiere Subaru specialist and original parts manufacturer since 2011 from their headquarters in Ono-machi Kakamigahara City, Japan. In concert with their established car shop, Zero Max, they offer a wide variety of original aftermarket parts, tuning components, and performance enhancements for the Subaru brand. Zero/Sports continues to provide a community of Subaru drivers a wide bandwidth of upgrade possibilities and assorted levels of tuning capabilities. Also, they are one of a few producers that has opened a public showroom that allows their customers to visit and engage with a professionally outfitted and staffed shop for all enthusiasts to experience and access for consultation. Zero/Sports offers a collection of products through their partnership with Subimods including everything from their N1 Air Panel Filter designed for specific year Subaru WRX, STI, Forester, Crosstrek, and Legacy models, to both their 1.1 Bar Radiator Cap for the BRZ, and Oil Filler Cap for most other Subaru models. Another quality provider and supplier to the Subimods inventory is GP Sports, a small, but engaged Japanese manufacturer who delivers a wide selection of performance parts, components, and accessories that can appropriately outfit the discerning enthusiast with all they need at an affordable price point. They provide the market with an array of modification options including exhaust systems, wheels, suspension components, accessories, and stylish body kits to amplify the personality of a cherished high performance vehicle. There are a selection of GP Sports products available to the Subimods customer and Subaru BRZ owner, including the G-MASTER AO Front Lower Control Arm Set, their Rear Toe Arm Set, or the G-MASTER AO Adjustable Front Stabilizer End Link Kit. Lastly, Worksbell , whose manufacturing facility is based in Nagano, Japan, have been producing automotive components and solidified themselves as a major designing solution for the automotive industry for decades. They incorporate the most modern and sophisticated machine tools in their manufacturing process to create quality products including performance steering wheel components and paddle shifters for both the Japanese and international markets. Through the Subimods retail outlet, enthusiasts may purchase a number of Works Bell products including their RAPFIX GTC Steering Wheel Quick Release, the Regular Boss Steering Wheel Hub Kit for the Subaru WRX, STI, and BRZ, along with their SRD Multi-Information Switch Relocation Kit.

Direct partnerships with these companies allows Subimods to do the leg work for the customer while keeping prices in line with what these providers have set in the market. As enthusiasts search for the most affordable solutions, it is natural for the marketplace to expose some keenly positioned Japanese exporters offering an extremely low online price point. This approach quickly erases this false appeal with extreme shipping charges, taxes, and miscellaneous fees just to get the product in the hand of the enthusiast. We hope that we have clarified the value of offerings from these companies and our relationships, not only to our business, but to the interest of the customer. At the end of the day, the direct connections established with these companies help American aftermarket retailers like Subimods provide the vast community of dedicated Subaru enthusiasts with quality imported goods while keeping costs low and the supply dependable. 

Subimods allows you to take a more detailed look at many products available throughout the wider automotive aftermarket without causing more obstacles during your modification journey. 

Giving a detailed introduction to some of the most important Japanese products in the industry is a great start to assisting you to make informed decisions about your upcoming project. Illuminating brands including Blitz, SYMS, Greddy (Trust), Zero/Sports, Beatrush, Valenti, Toyota TRD, GP-Sports, and Works Bell is an excellent way to both educate and inspire our community of enthusiasts to look into the offerings from Japan and discover the quality and value they bring to your project.

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