Founded in 1950, Mooneyes USA, Inc. is a manufacturer of parts and accessories for custom cars, hot rod cars* and motorbikes. Their product range spans from car parts and accessories, such as fuel tanks and hubcaps, to merchandise including T-shirts and stickers. Based in California, the birthplace of hot rod culture, the company operates both physical shops and an online store, making it possible for customers around the world to purchase their automotive parts and branded items.

Parts development that began in school days

President Chico Kodama shared the story of how the company began. “The founder, Mr. Dean Moon, made parts to repair his own car when he was still a student, and then began selling them to his friends.” The original company name, MOON Equipment, came from ‘Moon Cafe’, where Mr. Moon worked as a student. While working there, he developed parts such as the Fuel Block (Photo 1) and Foot Pedal (Photo 2); components designed to organise and divide fuel lines. Alongside product development, Mr. Moon also took part in drag racing ‒ a sport where two cars compete to cross a designated finish line first. His passion for motorsport led him to develop lightweight fuel tanks specifically for racing.

Industry changes and commitment to the future

Speaking about current industry trends, President Kodama noted that, “The industry is shrinking due to the influence of an aging society.” He explained that the younger generation tends to prefer imported Japanese cars over American-made ones. As a result, when younger customers visit their shops, they often find no compatible parts for their cars and end up purchasing only small items such as keychains or stickers. Despite this situation, Mr. Kodama expressed a strong passion for safeguarding Mooneyes’ identity. “We will continue to value the products we have long produced, designed specifically for the American market and we will keep developing in the areas where we excel.”

*Hot rod
Hot rods are remodeled cars particularly popular in the US, featuring modified engines and exterior designs. Often built for drag racing, they are lightweight, powerful and serve as a symbol of American custom-made car culture.

Article by Ikumi Shinomiya