I think its OK to vent frustrations on the messageboard, but I try to keep any emails/calls to these companies as professional as possible. Even though I STILL think GReddy is absolutely wrong to neglect the Celica, I at least respect that they are trying to explain their mindset in their replies to me. Here's an email they sent yesterday:
No, don't get me wrong, we love to here from our customers. We actually want to hear from them and see what type of products they would be interested in. That is why we try to answer as much email as we can. And we still answer our phone lines with real people (not some confusing automated system). We usually have surveys at consumer shows as well. We just hate to hear "You suck for not making products for may car."
I recommend you have everyone make good relationships with a good creditalbe tuner shops (preferably an Authorized GReddy dealer, not just the cheapest place you can find, that will not be there next week) and purchase other products for your car from them, and then ask about new parts, or other parts you would like to see. Eventually the dealer will start asking their vendors (aftermarket manufactures like us) to supply them with parts for there customers.
Then when we look at our exhaust sales for the Celica, we can say "wow look at all the Celica exhaust that went out. We should make more stuff for this car."
I know it must seem frustrating, but I remember back when I started in early 90s, I could not find a good exhaust for my first car a 89 Civic Si ... image that nothing for a Civic!, only muscle car stuff. My friends and I visted Buick Grand National Companies for help with turbo charging our imports. Look at the industry now. With 10 years of good Honda history, we are flood with aftermarket parts.
You just have to give the industry time. You have to admit, previous Celicas and other Toyotas of late were not great cars for aftermarket products (except the Supra TT). I will admit it is sometimes hard for the decision makers to get out of that bad rut. But if the Celica is as popular as you say, you will definitely see more parts ... trust me.
I am not sure how other aftermarket companies go about make new products, but here at GReddy we definitely try to give the customer what he/she wants.
I'll also admit we don't go making a lot of project cars, with products we never plan to make, like some companies. So once we decide on a plan, we invest all all resources into making the best product we can, and eventually it will make to the customer.
So, I hope you can help me, pass onto other Celica Enthusiast that GReddy is keeping an eye out on the situation and we are considering many new projects, but in Japan's tough economy we do have to be a bit reserved with our line ups, because it is a business after all, and we want to around helping car lovers enhance their cars for a long time.
Thanks
No, don't get me wrong, we love to here from our customers. We actually want to hear from them and see what type of products they would be interested in. That is why we try to answer as much email as we can. And we still answer our phone lines with real people (not some confusing automated system). We usually have surveys at consumer shows as well. We just hate to hear "You suck for not making products for may car."
I recommend you have everyone make good relationships with a good creditalbe tuner shops (preferably an Authorized GReddy dealer, not just the cheapest place you can find, that will not be there next week) and purchase other products for your car from them, and then ask about new parts, or other parts you would like to see. Eventually the dealer will start asking their vendors (aftermarket manufactures like us) to supply them with parts for there customers.
Then when we look at our exhaust sales for the Celica, we can say "wow look at all the Celica exhaust that went out. We should make more stuff for this car."
I know it must seem frustrating, but I remember back when I started in early 90s, I could not find a good exhaust for my first car a 89 Civic Si ... image that nothing for a Civic!, only muscle car stuff. My friends and I visted Buick Grand National Companies for help with turbo charging our imports. Look at the industry now. With 10 years of good Honda history, we are flood with aftermarket parts.
You just have to give the industry time. You have to admit, previous Celicas and other Toyotas of late were not great cars for aftermarket products (except the Supra TT). I will admit it is sometimes hard for the decision makers to get out of that bad rut. But if the Celica is as popular as you say, you will definitely see more parts ... trust me.
I am not sure how other aftermarket companies go about make new products, but here at GReddy we definitely try to give the customer what he/she wants.
I'll also admit we don't go making a lot of project cars, with products we never plan to make, like some companies. So once we decide on a plan, we invest all all resources into making the best product we can, and eventually it will make to the customer.
So, I hope you can help me, pass onto other Celica Enthusiast that GReddy is keeping an eye out on the situation and we are considering many new projects, but in Japan's tough economy we do have to be a bit reserved with our line ups, because it is a business after all, and we want to around helping car lovers enhance their cars for a long time.
Thanks
