No tuning allowed!

In several countries the Ministry of Transport or Department of Transport do not permit any type of tuning for street cars. Some are very strictly enforced to the point where the car can be impounded if the car is found to be modified in any manner.

Here are some of the countries where tuning is tightly regulated or not permitted at all:-
- Singapore (very strict on the types of modification and must clear the LTA or Land Transport Authority)
- China (yes! very ironic since more than 80% of the world's tuning parts are made in China), the owner of the car has to carry a license with a picture of his or her car. Upon inspection if the car does not look the same as the one in the picture, the car can be impounded and the owner slapped with a heavy fine!
- South Korea (motorsport is almost dead in South Korea with the exception of the underground activities that take place. It is very rare that you see a tuned car or even a car with aftermarket wheels in South Korea)

I can understand why Singapore would impose such strict rules. Singapore imposes strict rules on nearly everything but it is a tiny island which the Government will want to make it as safe as possible. China is a strange story because when you look at the car accessories or tuning parts in any auto store shelf, most of it is made in China. Then again, the factories in China make parts for business rather than actually do any sort of tuning themselves. Many China car owners are still relatively new to car ownership and they wouldn't know much about tuning with the exception of pasting ugly stickers on the car.

South Korea being one of the key players in the automotive industry seems to be lagging behind in motorsports and tuning. I still cannot figure out why South Korea does not allow tuning. Tuning and motorsports is part and parcel of development and also to grow the automotive industry. Like Japan, US, Great Britain and Germany, motorsports and tuning is a huge industry and one can see the innovation that comes with it.

this brings my next point to India. Recently I watched a short video clip on Youtube featuring a "pimp my ride" episode in India. It was more comedy than informative. Unlike the US version which is very outlandish with their crazy wide body kits, excessive use of LCD monitors and numerous speakers and loud interiors. The Indian version shows a car that was decked up with a ridiculously ugly body kit with out of date wheels and heavy promotion of Indian supplier's products. the funniest part was the performance tuning where a micro compressor (an air suction device) and an after market air filter is fitted to boost power. these two items at most will increase 2-3 horsepower. The host went on to install a big tachometer with a shift light and racing seats and a sports steering wheel. The entire cost of modification was no more than $2000 including the scissor doors, bodykit, wheels, bucket seats, sports steering, air filter, micro compressor and some fancy stickers. At least they made someone happy thinking that he will go fast...