Comptech Closing?
Honda-Tech Member
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From: Socal
Re: Comptech USA Closing? (ATS*Mark)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ATS*Mark »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">damn i havent heard this 
another great company down the drain because of other companies cheaper products.....</TD></TR></TABLE>
hahaha... that is so true...
another great company down the drain because of other companies cheaper products.....</TD></TR></TABLE>
hahaha... that is so true...
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,350
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From: Cerritos, CA, USA
Re: Comptech USA Closing? (ATS*Mark)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ATS*Mark »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i dont have too much comptech anymore , just the sway tie combo but i had their itr race exhaust on my civic , the icebox when i didnt have itb's etc.
you are right i guess ...but it seems like i saw comptech products and the name all over cars at the track , i never once got the impression they were doing poorly...</TD></TR></TABLE>
It is very expensive to do R&D, build tooling, and then market products for the automotive industry - especially the niche racing and enthusiast segment. That said, companies like OBX and other copycats can steal a good idea and have some offshore sweatshop make second rate quality parts that look like a good product - at least to the undiscerning buyer - and sell them for much less. As a result, the companies that do the R&D and most of the marketing lose out. And let's face it, Comptech was a great company with engineering talent and a successful racing history. What has OBX achieved?
The moral to this rant, is to spend the money on the products designed by reputable companies so that what is happening to Comptech won't happen to others. Because when all the good companies with all the great ideas go away, what will these overseas cheats do for a product line?
SUPPORT GREAT COMPANIES:
Hasport
Progress
Hondata
AEM/DC Sports
Burns Stainless
KONI
Eibach
Sparco
Earl's Supply
Autometer
And many others I have failed to mention - the aforementioned are leaders and deserve our business.
you are right i guess ...but it seems like i saw comptech products and the name all over cars at the track , i never once got the impression they were doing poorly...</TD></TR></TABLE>
It is very expensive to do R&D, build tooling, and then market products for the automotive industry - especially the niche racing and enthusiast segment. That said, companies like OBX and other copycats can steal a good idea and have some offshore sweatshop make second rate quality parts that look like a good product - at least to the undiscerning buyer - and sell them for much less. As a result, the companies that do the R&D and most of the marketing lose out. And let's face it, Comptech was a great company with engineering talent and a successful racing history. What has OBX achieved?
The moral to this rant, is to spend the money on the products designed by reputable companies so that what is happening to Comptech won't happen to others. Because when all the good companies with all the great ideas go away, what will these overseas cheats do for a product line?
SUPPORT GREAT COMPANIES:
Hasport
Progress
Hondata
AEM/DC Sports
Burns Stainless
KONI
Eibach
Sparco
Earl's Supply
Autometer
And many others I have failed to mention - the aforementioned are leaders and deserve our business.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13,483
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From: cali
Re: Comptech USA Closing? (Johnny Mac)
Its also import to note that, the products they sell were a small part of there business. They had/have a HUGE machine shop with all kinds of cool stuff, (i honestly don't know what half of it was).
I'd be willing to bet that the product selling side was doing ok, but the machine side of things wasn't pulling its weight.
I'd be willing to bet that the product selling side was doing ok, but the machine side of things wasn't pulling its weight.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 960
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From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Re: (jarel)
This really sucks! I for one, love Comptech parts and would buy the best parts I could afford regardless of wether they were made in Japan, Europe or the US. I have a full Ice Box and intake for a GSR in may garage and I don't even have a GSR but I won't sell it. I have their rear sway bar/tie bar combo. My dad even has some of their stuff on his TSX and was planning on getting their rear sway bar soon.
Any word on a big sale to blow out remaining stock?
Is this just going to affect the Honda/Acura parts side of the business or is the race engine building shop closing down too? I'm not sure if they still build IRL engines, I think Honda does everything in house at HPT now, but Comptech built some engines that won the Indy 500 a few years ago IIRC.
Any word on a big sale to blow out remaining stock?
Is this just going to affect the Honda/Acura parts side of the business or is the race engine building shop closing down too? I'm not sure if they still build IRL engines, I think Honda does everything in house at HPT now, but Comptech built some engines that won the Indy 500 a few years ago IIRC.
Suspetise...
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,287
Likes: 1
From: Burninating the peasants yo
Re: Comptech USA Closing? (Johnny Mac)
Johnny, I won't disagree with your list of quality manufacturer's, but for things like Sparco, we track-guys are sort of forced to comply with quality safety products that have FIA ratings (or go with the alternative Kirkey/Ultrashield type thing). The JdM-bl!nG y0 CF seat won't cut it at races or event here on the East Coast. That being said, I'm rocking Sparco Pro2000s and Schroth harnesses 
Oh, and Hondata and Autometer stuff. 
Oh, and Hondata and Autometer stuff.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Cameron Park, Ca, usa
Re: Re: (slammed_93_hatch)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slammed_93_hatch »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think that sadly the writing has been on the wall for awhile now. Just no one really wanted to believe it. They used to build/have contracts for a lot of big motor sports teams. They used to build the Tri-point motor's along with IRL (im not 100% sure on this), and many others, but those contracts haven't been around for awhile.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Up until now they have still been building all of the motors for Tri-point. The new motors for Sebring are going in the cars now.
Up until now they have still been building all of the motors for Tri-point. The new motors for Sebring are going in the cars now.
Thread Starter
Painting Masterpieces
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,970
Likes: 14
From: Tulsa, OK, USA
Re: Re: (itaintegra52)
Perhaps it's not b/c of sales slump but a dissolution of ownership. If it were a result of slow sales, I'd think that they would have sold the company altogether.
Andrie, where the heck are you? Any info?
Andrie, where the heck are you? Any info?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,769
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From: NorCal
Re: Re: (Ponyboy)
I just got off the phone with Comptech and dealers are currently in the process of buying up the current stock.
No new parts will be produced and all pricing is still current and not on special.
Once the dealers have bought what they wanted, then the website will be updated with closeouts etc..
They did not know when that would take place though.
I really doubt it will be a drastic price reduction because I am sure many of us here will take the opportunity to get a part we have always wanted knowing there will be no more produced.
A sad day
No new parts will be produced and all pricing is still current and not on special.
Once the dealers have bought what they wanted, then the website will be updated with closeouts etc..
They did not know when that would take place though.
I really doubt it will be a drastic price reduction because I am sure many of us here will take the opportunity to get a part we have always wanted knowing there will be no more produced.
A sad day
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From: Concord, CA, USA
I've been trying to avoid this thread, but I've seen my name mentioned
I don't know much as well, but here is what I know.
Comptech is closing their doors on their parts business. They are doing major restructuring. They are still doing Race engines, and their machine shop is fully functional. They have contract with Mazda, and a few race team to build engines and do development work, so that will still goes on.
That's all I know.
I don't know much as well, but here is what I know.
Comptech is closing their doors on their parts business. They are doing major restructuring. They are still doing Race engines, and their machine shop is fully functional. They have contract with Mazda, and a few race team to build engines and do development work, so that will still goes on.
That's all I know.
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From: cali
Re: (Andrie Hartanto)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Andrie Hartanto »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I
Comptech is closing their doors on their parts business. They are doing major restructuring. They are still doing Race engines, and their machine shop is fully functional. They have contract with Mazda, and a few race team to build engines and do development work, so that will still goes on.
That's all I know. </TD></TR></TABLE>
well thats a big shinning light on the thread. Good to know!
Comptech is closing their doors on their parts business. They are doing major restructuring. They are still doing Race engines, and their machine shop is fully functional. They have contract with Mazda, and a few race team to build engines and do development work, so that will still goes on.
That's all I know. </TD></TR></TABLE>
well thats a big shinning light on the thread. Good to know!
HT White Ops
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,065
Likes: 33
From: Rochester, MN, US
Re: (Andrie Hartanto)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Andrie Hartanto »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Comptech is closing their doors on their parts business. They are doing major restructuring. They are still doing Race engines, and their machine shop is fully functional. They have contract with Mazda, and a few race team to build engines and do development work, so that will still goes on.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That answers the question I was about to ask.
Comptech is closing their doors on their parts business. They are doing major restructuring. They are still doing Race engines, and their machine shop is fully functional. They have contract with Mazda, and a few race team to build engines and do development work, so that will still goes on.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That answers the question I was about to ask.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 680
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From: etown, Ca, USA
You guys must be tripping to blame comptech's closure on entering players with lower costs. If anything, comptech's brand is synonomous with quality as a bunch of people have said in this thread. Its management's responsibility to cut costs and improve sales. If you're going to blame comptech's closure, blame it on the people running the company. Companies like Microsoft spend more on R&D than small countries produce in a year. R&D spending is not the cause of bankrupcy. Incompetent R&D spending is the a cause of bankrupcy.
That's like saying ford is going under because it can't hold it's weight with the new japanese cars coming. Bunch of shittake, Ford is a cyclical company that earns good money when the economy is doing good and earns little money when we're in a recession. But the news will report, "oh its because competition is coming in from Japan." Yes we can fuel efficent vehicles but that isn't the reason. Ford does financing and a number of other things to offset its cost of goods sold and increase sales revenue.
If people aren't buying cars, they aren't using ford's financing program, so ford is losing money from sales and interest gained from investments.
If comptech knew how to appropiate finances properly, the company wouldn't close down. Of if they knew how to shave the market to attract players in all price brackets, they might have been able to become one of the strongest players in the market. Attacking only the high end is dangerous unless you know what you're doing. Not everyone can build up a company that sells handbags for $1,000.
Look at Tein. They sell to all portions of the market. Cheap, middle, high end. Lowering springs, tein basic, tein flex, tein circuit n1. Get it?
Its management's fault for not taking the opportunity to increase sales revenue.
Modified by MyEG6 at 10:22 PM 2/27/2007
That's like saying ford is going under because it can't hold it's weight with the new japanese cars coming. Bunch of shittake, Ford is a cyclical company that earns good money when the economy is doing good and earns little money when we're in a recession. But the news will report, "oh its because competition is coming in from Japan." Yes we can fuel efficent vehicles but that isn't the reason. Ford does financing and a number of other things to offset its cost of goods sold and increase sales revenue.
If people aren't buying cars, they aren't using ford's financing program, so ford is losing money from sales and interest gained from investments.
If comptech knew how to appropiate finances properly, the company wouldn't close down. Of if they knew how to shave the market to attract players in all price brackets, they might have been able to become one of the strongest players in the market. Attacking only the high end is dangerous unless you know what you're doing. Not everyone can build up a company that sells handbags for $1,000.
Look at Tein. They sell to all portions of the market. Cheap, middle, high end. Lowering springs, tein basic, tein flex, tein circuit n1. Get it?
Its management's fault for not taking the opportunity to increase sales revenue.
Modified by MyEG6 at 10:22 PM 2/27/2007
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: California <---> NYC
Re: (MyEG6)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MyEG6 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You guys must be tripping to blame comptech's closure on entering players with lower costs. If anything, comptech's brand is synonomous with quality as a bunch of people have said in this thread. Its management's responsibility to cut costs and improve sales. If you're going to blame comptech's closure, blame it on the people running the company. Companies like Microsoft spend more on R&D than small countries produce in a year. R&D spending is not the cause of bankrupcy. Incompetent R&D spending is the a cause of bankrupcy.
That's like saying ford is going under because it can't hold it's weight with the new japanese cars coming. Bunch of shittake, Ford is a cyclical company that earns good money when the economy is doing good and earns little money when we're in a recession. But the news will report, "oh its because competition is coming in from Japan." Yes we can fuel efficent vehicles but that isn't the reason. Ford does financing and a number of other things to offset its cost of goods sold and increase sales revenue.
If people aren't buying cars, they aren't using ford's financing program, so ford is losing money from sales and interest gained from investments.
If comptech knew how to appropiate finances properly, the company wouldn't close down. Of if they knew how to shave the market to attract players in all price brackets, they might have been able to become one of the strongest players in the market. Attacking only the high end is dangerous unless you know what you're doing. Not everyone can build up a company that sells handbags for $1,000.
Look at Tein. They sell to all portions of the market. Cheap, middle, high end. Lowering springs, tein basic, tein flex, tein circuit n1. Get it?
Its management's fault for not taking the opportunity to increase sales revenue.
Modified by MyEG6 at 10:22 PM 2/27/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well said, I think most people don't realize this.
-Nick
That's like saying ford is going under because it can't hold it's weight with the new japanese cars coming. Bunch of shittake, Ford is a cyclical company that earns good money when the economy is doing good and earns little money when we're in a recession. But the news will report, "oh its because competition is coming in from Japan." Yes we can fuel efficent vehicles but that isn't the reason. Ford does financing and a number of other things to offset its cost of goods sold and increase sales revenue.
If people aren't buying cars, they aren't using ford's financing program, so ford is losing money from sales and interest gained from investments.
If comptech knew how to appropiate finances properly, the company wouldn't close down. Of if they knew how to shave the market to attract players in all price brackets, they might have been able to become one of the strongest players in the market. Attacking only the high end is dangerous unless you know what you're doing. Not everyone can build up a company that sells handbags for $1,000.
Look at Tein. They sell to all portions of the market. Cheap, middle, high end. Lowering springs, tein basic, tein flex, tein circuit n1. Get it?
Its management's fault for not taking the opportunity to increase sales revenue.
Modified by MyEG6 at 10:22 PM 2/27/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well said, I think most people don't realize this.
-Nick
Re: Comptech USA Closing? (Johnny Mac)
Sad to see them close their doors. The products I purchased from them many years ago were all top notch (street header, exhaust, swaybar, etc.).
Unfortunately, I think their high cost which went hand in hand with their quality priced them out of the majority of the Honda/Acura market. Let's face it, the guys in the Civic or Integra forums (which represent 90% of the "scene") don't care about a stepped diameter header or a swaybar with proper reinforcement and capability to alter the stiffness of the bar.
That being said....
I found this quote interesting:
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Johnny Mac »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
It is very expensive to do R&D, build tooling, and then market products for the automotive industry - especially the niche racing and enthusiast segment. That said, companies like OBX and other copycats can steal a good idea and have some offshore sweatshop make second rate quality parts that look like a good product - at least to the undiscerning buyer - and sell them for much less. As a result, the companies that do the R&D and most of the marketing lose out. And let's face it, Comptech was a great company with engineering talent and a successful racing history. What has OBX achieved?
The moral to this rant, is to spend the money on the products designed by reputable companies so that what is happening to Comptech won't happen to others. Because when all the good companies with all the great ideas go away, what will these overseas cheats do for a product line?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Didn't Comptech do the exact same thing that you're talking about to Hytech? I don't think that they (comptech) are entirely the victim of situations like this.
Unfortunately, I think their high cost which went hand in hand with their quality priced them out of the majority of the Honda/Acura market. Let's face it, the guys in the Civic or Integra forums (which represent 90% of the "scene") don't care about a stepped diameter header or a swaybar with proper reinforcement and capability to alter the stiffness of the bar.
That being said....
I found this quote interesting:
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Johnny Mac »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
It is very expensive to do R&D, build tooling, and then market products for the automotive industry - especially the niche racing and enthusiast segment. That said, companies like OBX and other copycats can steal a good idea and have some offshore sweatshop make second rate quality parts that look like a good product - at least to the undiscerning buyer - and sell them for much less. As a result, the companies that do the R&D and most of the marketing lose out. And let's face it, Comptech was a great company with engineering talent and a successful racing history. What has OBX achieved?
The moral to this rant, is to spend the money on the products designed by reputable companies so that what is happening to Comptech won't happen to others. Because when all the good companies with all the great ideas go away, what will these overseas cheats do for a product line?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Didn't Comptech do the exact same thing that you're talking about to Hytech? I don't think that they (comptech) are entirely the victim of situations like this.
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Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Concord, CA, USA
Re: Comptech USA Closing? (BlueTeg)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Didn't Comptech do the exact same thing that you're talking about to Hytech? I don't think that they (comptech) are entirely the victim of situations like this.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That is unsubstantiated rumor. Just because Hytech offer "similar" design to public first, that doesn't mean Comptech didn't come up with "similar" design before and on its own. Comptech made some race header that they never produce for retail. In fact, they made lots of race only products that they never offered to general public. If you are a race team, however, it is available as custom parts.
I think that is also, one of the reason Comptech is not as popular as they ought to be to general public. They cater more to real race team.
We can speculate all we want on why Comptech closes its doors. The real reason is unknown unless, the owner choose to let it be known to public, which I doubt very much.
Didn't Comptech do the exact same thing that you're talking about to Hytech? I don't think that they (comptech) are entirely the victim of situations like this.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That is unsubstantiated rumor. Just because Hytech offer "similar" design to public first, that doesn't mean Comptech didn't come up with "similar" design before and on its own. Comptech made some race header that they never produce for retail. In fact, they made lots of race only products that they never offered to general public. If you are a race team, however, it is available as custom parts.
I think that is also, one of the reason Comptech is not as popular as they ought to be to general public. They cater more to real race team.
We can speculate all we want on why Comptech closes its doors. The real reason is unknown unless, the owner choose to let it be known to public, which I doubt very much.
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: NorCal
Re: Comptech USA Closing? (Andrie Hartanto)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Andrie Hartanto »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
We can speculate all we want on why Comptech closes its doors. The real reason is unknown unless, the owner choose to let it be known to public, which I doubt very much.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well said
We can speculate all we want on why Comptech closes its doors. The real reason is unknown unless, the owner choose to let it be known to public, which I doubt very much.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well said
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 908
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Re: (MyEG6)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MyEG6 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You guys must be tripping to blame comptech's closure on entering players with lower costs. If anything, comptech's brand is synonomous with quality as a bunch of people have said in this thread. Its management's responsibility to cut costs and improve sales. If you're going to blame comptech's closure, blame it on the people running the company. Companies like Microsoft spend more on R&D than small countries produce in a year. R&D spending is not the cause of bankrupcy. Incompetent R&D spending is the a cause of bankrupcy.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Like others have said, quality isn't high on the list of priorities for people in this community. That's why you see people buying Phantom Grips, OBX LSDs, and running their engines with Crome or Uberdata.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
That's like saying ford is going under because it can't hold it's weight with the new japanese cars coming. Bunch of shittake, Ford is a cyclical company that earns good money when the economy is doing good and earns little money when we're in a recession. But the news will report, "oh its because competition is coming in from Japan." Yes we can fuel efficent vehicles but that isn't the reason. Ford does financing and a number of other things to offset its cost of goods sold and increase sales revenue.
If people aren't buying cars, they aren't using ford's financing program, so ford is losing money from sales and interest gained from investments.
Modified by MyEG6 at 10:22 PM 2/27/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>
The domestic makes have roughly $3000 more cost per vehicle because of costs of labor, benefits and pension programs. Even if you had Ford or GM building an exact copy of Honda or Toyota vehicles with the same levels of quality, they would have to charge that much more to make the same profit. That's a tough thing to wok against.
But that's not here or there, I'm sure that's not the only thing that was going on at Comptech, but it sure didn't help.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Like others have said, quality isn't high on the list of priorities for people in this community. That's why you see people buying Phantom Grips, OBX LSDs, and running their engines with Crome or Uberdata.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
That's like saying ford is going under because it can't hold it's weight with the new japanese cars coming. Bunch of shittake, Ford is a cyclical company that earns good money when the economy is doing good and earns little money when we're in a recession. But the news will report, "oh its because competition is coming in from Japan." Yes we can fuel efficent vehicles but that isn't the reason. Ford does financing and a number of other things to offset its cost of goods sold and increase sales revenue.
If people aren't buying cars, they aren't using ford's financing program, so ford is losing money from sales and interest gained from investments.
Modified by MyEG6 at 10:22 PM 2/27/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>
The domestic makes have roughly $3000 more cost per vehicle because of costs of labor, benefits and pension programs. Even if you had Ford or GM building an exact copy of Honda or Toyota vehicles with the same levels of quality, they would have to charge that much more to make the same profit. That's a tough thing to wok against.
But that's not here or there, I'm sure that's not the only thing that was going on at Comptech, but it sure didn't help.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 0
From: Cogito ergo sum, Canada
Re: (alphajesse)
Comptech has been around for a long time, and when they came out with consumer parts, they were high end and expensive. That probably worked when there was not much competition. As the years went by, their parts always stayed at the high end of the price scale and other lower cost options became available. I would assume people just moved to the lower cost alternatives, as Comptech never seemed to figure out how to make stuff cheaply or make lower cost alternatives. I bought a set of Comptech headers for an NSX. One of them has always leaked at the collector because two of the three pipes were mandrel bent incorrectly and too short to fit in the collector. After I bought mine they changed the design, so I have never considered that their quality was as good as some people seem to think (my header still leaks to this day). In terms of the Hytech header, I think they did indeed copy the Hytech header and were forced to stop their copying. I have a Hytech header for my ITR and I saw the Comptech copy. Hytech got a design patent http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi...84513(aka a style patent) on their header since they were the first and no one else can now copy their header. Then again Hytech copied the Mugen twin loop muffler, but I would assume Mugen didn't care or did not have a design patent.
In the end, while I am guessing, Comptech tried to stay at the high end with expensive products that just didn't do that much for the price, such as a $1000 carbon fibre airbox for an NSX that gave about 6 HP. Nice piece but just too many dollars per HP. They likely sold all the ones they could and there was no more market, and no one driving a Civic is going to pay that much for an airbox. Like it was well said by another above, staying for long at the high end is very tough if you don't support it with lower end/cost products. I know because I've had a company making high end products which eventually had to move from manufacturing to consulting because we saturated the high-end market and the market moved downwards, and we couldn't afford to make high volume cheap products like our larger lower end competitors, who moved manufacturing to Brazil and China. We just weren't big enough to move downmarket, as we needed much higher margins that high end products allow for our high production costs.
It's sad to see a good company close down its consumer parts division, but I for one have not even considered buying a product from them for over 5 years, and I trust that is the case for others as well, yet I buy what seems like an endless stream of products for cars, inlcuding many expensive ones like those from Mugen, Hytech and Full-Race. So I like quality and I am willing to pay for it, but Comptech just didn't seem to be making anything I needed or wanted. Luckily the free market system will allow a new player to move in with something new.
In the end, while I am guessing, Comptech tried to stay at the high end with expensive products that just didn't do that much for the price, such as a $1000 carbon fibre airbox for an NSX that gave about 6 HP. Nice piece but just too many dollars per HP. They likely sold all the ones they could and there was no more market, and no one driving a Civic is going to pay that much for an airbox. Like it was well said by another above, staying for long at the high end is very tough if you don't support it with lower end/cost products. I know because I've had a company making high end products which eventually had to move from manufacturing to consulting because we saturated the high-end market and the market moved downwards, and we couldn't afford to make high volume cheap products like our larger lower end competitors, who moved manufacturing to Brazil and China. We just weren't big enough to move downmarket, as we needed much higher margins that high end products allow for our high production costs.
It's sad to see a good company close down its consumer parts division, but I for one have not even considered buying a product from them for over 5 years, and I trust that is the case for others as well, yet I buy what seems like an endless stream of products for cars, inlcuding many expensive ones like those from Mugen, Hytech and Full-Race. So I like quality and I am willing to pay for it, but Comptech just didn't seem to be making anything I needed or wanted. Luckily the free market system will allow a new player to move in with something new.