Apexi Japan goes bust...

I have been reliably informed that Apexi Japan (now known as Apexera) have shut, only one year after being saved from Bankruptcy.

This now has major supply problems on all traders as Japanese wholesalers are holding onto stock and charging upto twice as much for parts held in stock.

We don't have much left, just air filters really and our recent most order is proving hard to get.

Regards,

Gaz.

how in this fast and furious fueled time can a jap aftermarket company go bust?

Bomex last year, Apexi now, who's next!!!!!

how in this fast and furious fueled time can a jap aftermarket company go bust?

There's loads went in the last year mate!

Gaz

Bomex were bought (at least the name was) cos they were at the AutoSalon this year.

First Inc (Buddyclub) went bust (Buddyclub was sold on), and Veilside are having serious problems too.

Whats happening are the Japanese government tightening up on car regs. More road side checks etc???

Whats happening are the Japanese government tightening up on car regs. More road side checks etc???

Nah, they barely enforce anything car related other than speeding. And even then you can do 50 km/h over the speed limit without being prosecuted

Its because of the manufacturers building cars that people no longer want to modify (as much).

Regards,

Gaz.

We are actually quite lucky in the UK, a lot of other countries will not allow anything like the level of road car mods we can get away with here. This has probably had a significant impact on the Jap aftermarket performance market, it was probably no surprise Apexi first deleted their "hard core" tuning parts, before throwing in the towel with the rest of the stuff, too. sad, Apexi made some good stuff. Glad my Motec is under way for my Skyline, the Power FC may become a museum piece shortly!

We are actually quite lucky in the UK, a lot of other countries will not allow anything like the level of road car mods we can get away with here.

Too true.

We do have to pay handsomely for it though - we have high taxes, fuel, road fund license etc etc. And crap roads

Regards,

Gaz.

[fingerscrossed]

Does that mean the Apexi exhausts will be dirt cheap anytime soon?

[/fingerscrossed]

I don't think that future EU regulations will be sympathetic to non-approved car mods.

Think about it: every Dick and Harry can fit a dangerous spoiler or 22"wheels and turn their car into a deathtrap. How exactly can this be tolerated? How can it be regulated?

Not easily!

The easy way will be to enforce a blanket ban on such 'DIY' (ahem!) improvements.

[fingerscrossed]

 

Does that mean the Apexi exhausts will be dirt cheap anytime soon?

 

[/fingerscrossed]

They've not made Apexi exhausts for ages Martin, theres not much chance of getting a new one anywhere...

Gaz.

i think it comes down to lack of sales in some cases

i.e bodykits, as soon as veilside etc make a new bodykit, is is normaly copied within weeks, then sold at a cheaper price.

how many people buy geniune kits if they know that a replica is cheaper, (only the ones that have proper fitting, of course)

They've not made Apexi exhausts for ages Martin, theres not much chance of getting a new one anywhere...

 

Gaz.

Grrr... after Kopite went on and on about his I thought I might go for one.

Apexi are currently in negotiations with a Taiwanese company to buy the business. I'll see if I can find out more tomorrow.

great you watch my boost controller will go up shit creek now next week

Oh dear, would have thought the recent popularity of Jap car scene and D1 drifting etc would have given such companies a healthy return.

Taken over possibly by a Taiwanese company you say Nic, would this end up with inferior products being sold under the already well established Apexi/Apexera name tag???

Taken over possibly by a Taiwanese company you say Nic, would this end up with inferior products being sold under the already well established Apexi/Apexera name tag???

Possibly, but there are some good Taiwanese manufacturers, so I would hope that the quality will remain the same, but their manufacturing costs will be significantly lower. It really depends who is in charge.

Manufacturing costs is probably the reason why a lot of Japanese brands are struggling, it don't matter how popular your good are, if you're not making enough margin on the product. I suspect this is the real reason, as most of the Jap brands still produce in Japan which is VERY expensive. The only way a lot of these companies will survive long term is to either invest heavily in automated production, which is probably not an option given the relatively small numbers some of the parts are produced in or alternatively move their production to China.

The Japanese are a very proud people and so the thought of moving production from Japan is often not even considered. I've seen the same thing happen in the Toy industry (my former life), the ones that have moved their production are the ones still around.

Apparently Power FC's are coming through OK still.

Possibly, but there are some good Taiwanese manufacturers, so I would hope that the quality will remain the same, but their manufacturing costs will be significantly lower. It really depends who is in charge.

 

Manufacturing costs is probably the reason why a lot of Japanese brands are struggling, it don't matter how popular your good are, if you're not making enough margin on the product. I suspect this is the real reason, as most of the Jap brands still produce in Japan which is VERY expensive. The only way a lot of these companies will survive long term is to either invest heavily in automated production, which is probably not an option given the relatively small numbers some of the parts are produced in or alternatively move their production to China.

 

The Japanese are a very proud people and so the thought of moving production from Japan is often not even considered. I've seen the same thing happen in the Toy industry (my former life), the ones that have moved their production are the ones still around.

There is a good article on why the UK race car industry is in decline in this months Race Car Engineering. Series are in the main, at National level, for one make cars, generally bought in from abroad. To such an extent is this happening our home grown industry based on technical innovation and merit is in decline as series organizers spec a car and put it out to the lowest tenders., which ineveitably do not come from the UK.

I see, thats a shame.

I guess that can be seen the world over with many companies having to move elsewhere to keep production costs down and stay successful and if it were a blow to their pride to move they'd be many more well known brand manuacturers disappearing.

They've not made Apexi exhausts for ages Martin, theres not much chance of getting a new one anywhere...

 

Gaz.

you can still get them though, surely? i only bought my N1 EVO exhaust from Paul Whiffin about four months ago!

I see, thats a shame.

 

I guess that can be seen the world over with many companies having to move elsewhere to keep production costs down and stay successful and if it were a blow to their pride to move they'd be many more well known brand manuacturers disappearing.

Yes it is a shame, it is us customers who want cheaper and cheaper prices for better and better products that force most companies to look for cheaper production just to stay competitive. China is now the global factory as a result.

Grrr... after Kopite went on and on about his I thought I might go for one.

I've not got an Apexi dude, it's an Amuse

Chris: Power FC's are hard to get, I've just had mine cancelled by one supplier and the other one is trying to surcharge me 45%

Some are harder to get than others.