Meggamaxx DOTCOM :: Performance/Accessories

Performance/Accessories

The automotive aftermarket is the part of the automotive industry concerned with the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of all vehicle parts, chemicals, tools, equipment and accessories for light and heavy vehicles, after the sale of the automobile by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to the consumer. Estimated as a $257 billion market in the United States, the aftermarket helps keep vehicles on the road by providing consumers the choice to where they want their vehicles serviced, maintained or customized. The aftermarket encompasses parts for replacement, collision, appearance and performance, including electric propulsion. The aftermarket provides a wide variety of parts of varying qualities and prices for nearly all vehicle makes and models on the road. Car tuning is both an industry and a hobby, in which a car is modified in order to improve its performance and handling and improve the owner's driving style. As most cars leave the factory set up for average driver expectations and average conditions, tuning has become a way to personalize the characteristics of the vehicle to the owner's preference. For example cars may be altered to provide better fuel economy, produce more power at high RPM or the ride comfort may be sacrificed to provide better handling. Car tuning is related to auto racing, although most performance cars never compete. Rather they are built for the pleasure of owning and driving such a vehicle. Another major facet of tuning includes performance modification to the car exterior. This includes changing the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle via side skirts, front and rear bumpers, adding spoilers, splitters, air vents and light weight wheels.