Representatives of this industry interviewed by socialbites.ca say that the biggest problems are observed with original tuning parts from Europe and the USA. They complain about problems with logistics and increased delivery times of components.
Demand for relatively inexpensive procedures such as soundproofing and replacing steering wheel braids has dropped by about half. At the same time, more expensive business packages costing 500 thousand rubles and more are in stable demand in current conditions, Maxim Guzenkov, head of the BMW West service center, told socialbites.ca.
“For example, they get well-forged wheels. They order a complete packaging with vinyl film, which costs about 500 thousand rubles.
However, there is a reduction of about 30% for mechanical modifications of cars.
Guzenkov explains to socialbites.ca. “And there are big problems with the supply of spare parts.”
According to him, tuning kits for installation on cars imported from the USA 20-30 units per month, now the quota is reduced, and deliveries with “gray” routes are brought in the amount of 8-12 units. In particular, we are talking about power structures for buyers. It is almost impossible to bring forged wheels of elite and American companies for any money. Only single deliveries are possible within the framework of parallel imports. A similar pattern is seen in branded BMW tuning parts.
“Many intermediaries appeared, many mouths.
We had to downsize ourselves in terms of margins so as not to scare customers away,” he said.
Artur Korolev, head of the Style Garage tuning center, says that the demand for car styling improvements has decreased, but craftsmen are not left without work.
“Procurement issues have now more or less improved and prices have stabilized. But the queue of customers for tuning has definitely shrunk. But the seasonal factor also plays a role here,” Korolev told socialbites.ca.
In its segment, the interlocutor observes an increase in the prices of materials and components for external tuning of cars by 5-15%.
Vehicle sound, sound insulation, flooring materials and vinyl films, on the other hand, do not experience any problems in deliveries. In general, the market may have problems with the tuning of components in the future, but at this stage the situation does not affect it much, Korolev believes.
Guru Tuning company, which specializes in exterior modifications of premium cars, assured socialbites.ca that the necessary components are in stock and ready to order, but both delivery times and prices have increased compared to pre-crisis.
Regarding the presence of bumpers, body kits and other external tuning elements, Alexei Dobrotvorsky, sales manager of the Top Tuning online store, says that only domestic products are not a problem.
“Demand has decreased by 70 percent compared to last year or the previous year.
Dobrotvorsky tells socialbites.ca that with foreign goods, of course, now first of all there are problems with price and delivery time. “Prices have at least doubled, and so has timing.”
According to him, if earlier the parts were brought to Russia in 20-25 days, now the delivery takes 40-50 days, and the original components of the German premium brands are currently not available at all due to the central warehouses. is closed for purchase and works for warranty service only.
“There are no problems with domestic parts. For example, many aerodynamic body kits are made in Russia, spoilers, protection, small external tuning elements,
emphasizes.
Maxim Guzenkov from BMW West said that parallel import schemes increase the delivery time of parts several times, which suppliers explain by the fact that the cargo can get stuck at customs. The tuning industry received a serious blow with the introduction of the technical regulation “On the safety of wheeled vehicles” in 2014. Jan Haytseer, vice president of the National Automobile Association, said the current situation is making the job of such companies even more difficult.
“I think the number of consumers of tuning services will continue to decrease as the situation in the economy has not improved. This is not an essential service
people spend money to tune too far in the first place,
Heitzeer takes notes in an interview with socialbites.ca.
Compared to conventional parts, their prices have increased more as tuning parts are produced in smaller quantities. He said that with reduced demand and rising prices and logistics costs, car modifications will become even cheaper for drivers.