Just a thought. It sounds a bit like the spoiler and skidplate are standard
on the WRX, and not really an option. Is this the case - part of an
official package and not considered a separate "option"? Can you purchase a
WRX in this country without these items pre-installed, from any dealer? If
not, than I would say that these parts are a legitimate factory part. That
would make a case for other PIO's to be "factory".
How is this documented? Is this option listed on the main factory window
sticker, or an add-on?
If it arrives at the dealer with the part installed, and it had not been
specially passed through an unofficial third party (tuner, etc.), it's
legit. If the dealer did it, or the car was specially delivered without
factory support to someone else for improvement, and then went to the
dealer, then it's not illegal.
Who says the factory has to be a single facility, or within a single country
or continent? Remember the Cadillac Allante. Chassis built in the US,
shipped overseas for real "Italian coachwork", and then shipped back.
I believe the Toyota Paseo convertible was actually built and shipped as a
regular car, but diverted to ASC in California. There, it got chopped and
fitted with the new top and chassis stiffeners, etc., before final shipment
to dealers. Toyota did none of the work to make it a convertible, and that
wasn't a secret. They did, however, list it as an official option, and
advertise it not only in the brochures, but in magazines.
Manufacturing is such a massive effort that it almost has to be spread out
in many ways. Many parts of any car are made by outside suppliers. Does it
really matter whose roof it's bolted on under, as long as it's on the car
when delivered and equally available?
- Michael McAvoy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gary Lingertot
> I plan on running my 2002 WRX in the stock classes, so before I
> finalize the
> options on the vehicle, I had a question for the group. It's in regards to
> the definition of "standard item" in the Stock rules...
>
> "12.4 Standard Part
> An item of standard or optional equipment that could have been
> ordered with
> the car, installed on the factory production line, and delivered through a
> dealer in the United States. Dealer-installed options or deletions, except
> as required by factory directives, no matter how common or what their
> origin, are not included in this definition. This definition does
> not allow
> the updating or backdating of parts."
>
> Now, for the WRX, there are basically _no_ factory options. Everything is
> either a port installed option or a dealer installed option, even
> items that
> are normally considered factory. For example, the "stock" spoiler
> is in fact
> a port installed option (PIO), as is the rear differential
> protector. In an
> effort to cut manufacturing costs, Subaru has moved all of their options
> from the factory to the port. Now, my thinking is that the port
> is still an
> arm of the manufacturer (not the dealer) and could therefore be considered
> an extension to the factory itself, thus legalizing those port installed
> options. Those PIOs are put on the purchase order to Subaru manufacturing,
> just like the factory, and it's Subaru corporate that's putting the parts
> on.
>
> However, some other folks I have discussed this with indicate that if it's
> not put on INSIDE the factory, then it's illegal. Of course, this does has
> the slightly ridiculous result of rendering any WRX with the
> official suburu
> spoiler illegal in SCCA Solo II stock classes.
>
> Now, as to dealer installed items (such as the upgraded rims) and
> the short
> shift kit, I think everyone agrees that these are not legal.
>
> Can anyone help set the PIO issue straight? It seems Subaru might be the
> first with this "port installed" strangeness for standard items.
>
> -- Gary
>
>
> [This message delayed, as it needed manual intervention by the list
> administrator. mjb.]
|