In the automotive industry, the term ‘performance parts’ is used for a variety of automobile and truck parts or accessories, which are designed to improve the performance of a vehicle. The term is generally related to the aftermarket industry, which makes sense considering that car or truck upgrade parts or accessories are generally purchased after the original purchase. This is not to say that OEMs don’t create high-performance parts, because they often do.

Products like Borla exhausts, K&N air intake filters, ReadyLift suspension kits or Bilstein shocks are considered performance parts because they are created to improve the performance of the car or truck. On the other hand, the OEM exhaust, intake filter, suspension kit, or shocks that come with newly purchased vehicles are generally stock parts designed to meet standards at a reasonable price. Someone looking to improve the performance of their car or truck will purchase a replacement part designed to increase performance.

However, being an aftermarket does not classify a car or truck part or accessory as a performance part. Aftermarket products may include seat covers, car covers, bumpers, sun visors, brand-specific paraphernalia (such as TRD’s Toyota® accessory line), and steering wheel covers. These products are based on aesthetics, comfort, or brand loyalty, not performance. This would make them a car or truck accessory, but not a performance part.

Performance Parts can also play slightly different but overlapping roles from one car or truck to another. For example, K&N quality air and oil filtration products are available for virtually all modern vehicles in the sun. However, while lift kits tend to be popular with Ford®, Chevy®, Dodge® and Toyota® truck owners, you are unlikely to see a demand from Mercedes-Benz® or Porsche® owners. This is not to say that popular Porsche® and Mercedes® parts (aftermarket at least) are always different from the more popular truck performance parts. Manufacturers are beginning to notice and react to new consumer demands. For example, Borla, known for its quality SUV and truck exhausts, made the crossover and began offering exhaust systems for Porsche® and Corvette® a few years ago.

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