Quote:
Originally Posted by mcrews
Staying w/ the hid example: there are about 7 bases to bulbs and there are about 300 different models of cars. So as a manufacter, all I have to do is crank out 7 bases.
But if I'm making grill blocks, I have to crank uot hundreds of molds.
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I don´t think it need to be that huge number (at least it's not here in Europe) , and, in fact, it has already been done. Polish manufacturer HEKO does grill blocks from smoke-coloured LEXAN (they do wide variety of other lexan stuff too... - see for example
http://www.e-heko.com/en/Instrukcja-...u-owiewek.html
They started with few models and they then expanded. Moreover, it seems that some models are to certain limit compatible.
Fabrication isn't IMHO problem. As it has already been mentioned, for simple flat stuff like Vekke does you don't even need a mold, CNC cutter and teplate is enough (I love the flat truck hubcaps and if there's something like that for my car for reasonable price, i would go for it).
Distibution/marketing is IMHO the greatest part of trouble. If you announce it only through webpage or e-bay, it`s not enough. You need to address thousands of people to get tenths interested. Do not focus on target groups (many people here will simply make what they need), focus on masses.
I would say:
- have great product (like Vekke already does)
- concentrate on most common two or three models
- fabricate twenty to fifty samples, print leaflet, wrap them, give them to local tire shops and gas stations, send few samples to some e-shop concerned in car accessory. Tell the staff that they should tell the price, half is their if they sell it.
- wait some time, than evaluate results.
- actively advertise through web, have www pages
- expand places where to sell to "random lookers".
- Do not expect anything than an evening/weekend bussines (unless you will cover few states), this market segment simply is small.
In worst case you lost time and some money, but you know your odds.