Subculture of Vehicle Modification Design - Mazda3

Abstract

[[abstract]]Since the early 90’s, explosive growth of the automotive aftermarket tuning scene, global automotive markets have been overrun by vase varieties of aftermarket brands and parts. Aftermarket Products becoming available for almost any manufacture and model, from performance parts such as engine upgrades to suspension setups, or perhaps the paintjob that changes the vehicle color from one to another, with add-on graphics to increase the presence of the vehicle and making it one of a kind. It was the trend to tune a vehicle straight out of factory, it was the cool thing to do, it was the way to express, the way to become different from others, it all started with the imports, it wasn’t long until the other brands catch up, but as generations grew past their teenage years, and tuning scene died down from the limits created by law enforcers. Slowly it began to fade away, it was deemed dangerous, the cause of street racing, police began to hunt down modified vehicles, law after law was passed to prevent a vehicle from being modified, and with nothing standing up for the culture, it got quiet away. Until early 2000, movie maker Universal Studio released its first ever “Fast and the Furious” movie, a movie about street racing, involving beautiful machines of speed which re-ignited the roaring hearts and boiling bloods of many past tuners. The aftermarket tuning scene completely exploded globally, many movies of the same series later; it created a butterfly effect in this unique culture worldwide, by year of 2009, just Chinese market along, vehicle tuning market value exceeded seven billion US dollars, and vehicle modifying no longer limit to imports, this time the growth is humongous, the movie franchise help created vast varieties of styles and joined all different tastes from different sides of globe. People start to develop unique trends of modification such as JDM which stands for Japanese domestic market, VIP, especially for the high and luxurious, Hellaflush, for those willing to lay low. And this culture is no longer limited to the young and vicious, even major super car maker from Europe got themselves involved with it, automakers pour all its resources to study and create factory performance parts and special edition vehicles to please its customers, Why is vehicle modification such a big thing? This study attempts to rectify the true value of vehicle modifications and create a better public understanding of this culture. With the help from a couple examples of modified vehicle, alongside a few case studies, we hope to provide prove of a positive image for all tuners of automotive industry, and bring more attention into the benefits and art of vehicle modifying. This study will be categorized into 3 different parts, first we will explore into a series of major automakers that are well known worldwide for their special contribution in vehicle modifying, the results will then introduce some of the special edition vehicles, including factory tuned vehicles, and some aftermarket tuned vehicles, which also divides into different types and trends of modifying. Joining the style and taste of uniquely manufactured vehicles, we will then throw in a mixture of personal styling, ways of self expression, and then re-create such effect on an originally very plain sedan. The production process mainly involves performance upgrades, creating a better output of power, while small amount of exterior upgrades to match up to the owner’s personality, the result is aimed to be low profile, but an all rounded vehicle, proving that a fun driving experience is not a luxury just limited to the exotics. Photo images were taken in the process of upgrading and some videos were made to document the upgrade and necessary up keeping. The final goal is to create a better understanding of the vehicle modifying culture, bringing more positive view and appreciation towards the very unique styling and design cues of this culture