AUTOBACS SEVEN, Japan's largest automotive aftermarket parts and accessories retailer, has opened a new SUPER AUTOBACS store in Orange County California, its first US outlet, claiming customers' “car lifestyle will never be the same”

The leading Japanese accessory retailer started a joint venture in France with Renault two years ago, which collaboration has since been disbanded. The SUPER AUTOBACS format combines accessory supermarket with fitting and routine servicing facilities. The new Californian store boasts 35,000 square feet of merchandise complete with specialty installation, maintenance, and car customisation bays on-site. "SUPER AUTOBACS is the car lover's utopia. From the moment you step into a SUPER AUTOBACS store, you know that your car lifestyle will never be the same," boasts Mr. Yasukiyo Tajima, President and CEO of AUTOBACS U.S.A., Inc. "We've taken out the word 'boring' out of shopping for car essentials and raised the level of personal 'car-life' support by carrying the coolest and widest selection of high-performance aftermarket products and accessories -- anywhere. When in comes to your car, AUTOBACS is the ultimate shopping and service-oriented experience." The new SUPER AUTOBACS mega store will carry more than 80 brands and 10,000 products, including tires, wheels, performance parts, custom audio systems, security and GPS systems, bumpers and grills, as well as gadgets, collectibles, books, sunglasses and other original car-related merchandise. Autobacs' service offerings include on-site audio and parts installation, car customization, and certified maintenance service. Customers can even snack and watch their cars being worked on from a viewing room cafe. AUTOBACS SEVEN was established in 1948 as a wholesaler and retailer of automobile parts. The first AUTOBACS 'specialty automotive outlet' opened in Osaka in 1974. There are now more than 500 AUTOBACS franchises across Japan and overseas.