A lot of companies that make aftermarket performance parts will ask for customers to volunteer their vehicles for testing. In most cases, the customer gets nothing in fiscal compensation. And at the end of testing, their vehicle is typically returned to stock, unless the manufacturer allows the customer to buy the product. Perhaps in a few rare cases, the customer is allowed to keep the product free of charge as compensation. But that would all depend on the item. If you were the guinea pig for performance parts, which may make your car better, you also take the chance of the performance part failing and doing damage to your car. And typically, at the end of the testing, they cannot by law allow you to keep the item, because it is not street legal yet. Once the manufacturer is done testing with your vehicle, they still have to obtain government approval to make and sell the item.....sometimes it's safety, other times it involves clean air regulations....but no, you cannot keep that exhaust system, super charger, underdrive pulley, intake, turbo, et cetera.
Good luck with the marketing. I don't know how well you'll do with direct to end user sales, since a lot of people don't even want to change their own oil or paint their own house. Very few people will want to do that kind of an install on their own. You may have better luck with custom upfitters, showing it at car shows like SEMA, and looking for a nationwide distributor to do the selling for you, so that you can focus on producing the product. 0
Thank you for your imput. I think I just have to take it step by step, talk to dealers, mechanics and try to promote online. I am about to launch it on kickstarter. You are 100% right about people not wanting to do anything by themselves. I am way too far from a nationwide distributor. At full capacity, we cannot deliver more than 20 packages a week. But considering I was working alone in a garage less than 5 years ago, I take your message as a reward for my efforts. It wont be easy to build this business but it will certainly be fun.