| Import tuners are car mechanics are specialize in | | | | manufacturers, especially the Japanese ones, to |
| providing regular maintenance, or "tuning up" cars | | | | export not-so-powerful models to the U.S. Tuners |
| that come from other countries. Modifying and | | | | then take over and restore the car to its original |
| customizing cars, especially sports cars, has | | | | engine capacity. Modifications like swapping engines |
| become a popular pastime. It has given rise to a | | | | and transmissions are done by expert tuners. |
| whole new concept of tuning a car. Tuning a car | | | | Examples include the conversion of a Honda Civic |
| could be either a cosmetic change or it could | | | | into a Civic Type-R or Si or the conversion of the |
| refer to changes made internally for optimizing | | | | Toyota Celica GT or GT-S into a Celica GT-Four. |
| performance. Cosmetic changes like spoilers, | | | | Tuning has become such a popular trend that |
| ground effects, neon lighting, differently-designed | | | | manufacturers are altering their products suitably. |
| exhausts, loud sound systems, large wheels with | | | | A segment known as pre-tuned sport compacts |
| low-profile tires and similar changes are common. | | | | has emerged. Honda, Toyota, Mazda and Nissan |
| These changes might satisfy the desire of the | | | | are key players in this segment. Accessories for |
| owners but are actually detrimental to the car's | | | | this purpose are also provided by the |
| performance. | | | | manufacturers themselves. Not to be left behind, |
| Making internal changes to a car is also popular | | | | the U.S. domestic market has also opened up to |
| and many expert tuners can be approached for | | | | this style of production. |
| this purpose. It has now become the norm for | | | | |