I've been tossing the following idea around for a while. Let's say we were to offer an entry-level ECU reflash. Let's say it only gain ~20whp on 93oct instead of the 30-40whp we've seen from XFlashes and XEDEs. You know the type...

And, as such, we only charged $200 for it. What do you guys think of this idea? It would offer the same "back for the buck" as an XFlash but with less bang and less buck. It should still compare quite favorably to the other ECU reflashes on the market. I'm also trying to figure out what we would call it? Any suggestions?

Shiv

 

The HappyFlash.

 

XFlash-Lite
Mini-XFlash
eXFlash

Any news on the Tuner module?

 

i could understand why this would be attractive from a sales perspective.

however, customers don't go to a steakhouse for a happy meal.

don't put the vishnu name on a $200 reflash. code the reflash, then contract with Mitsubishi to have them sell it as a manufacturer-approved warranty-preserving ECU upgrade. let them buy it from you for 6-figures up front and then spend more time on more innovative products.

just my opinion.

 

The Atkins low-carb Xflash.

 

The "Sewing Machine" road flash by "smak torque"...I bet it would be smoooooth bra...

 

Eflash (economy). Maybe with less aggressive tuning, still retain the closed loop for economy, and keep the factory boost control at 100% normal. Should be easy to still get 20whp, yes?

 

lessFLASH

 

I agree with this sentiment. As someone who ran a small business for a while (sold it ). Customers who were always chasing the lowest price were usully not worth the time they required. The tend to have very little brand loyalty and expect the same kind of support and return/exchange treatment usually found large retail chains. They also tend to have unrealistic expectations and very little product knowledge. You may also see an increase in the number of charge backs and other credit card related issues; this may affect your transaction rates over time, too.

It's good business if you have the volume and resources to be able to smooth out the turmoil they they will cause. I wasn't able to overcome those problems and eventually stopped selling into that market. For me it was more profitable to go back to my core customers.

If you do go after that business, set it up as a new venture with an eye towards building it's own brand.

 

I think it's a great idea and offers customers another option. It's just an option and can only bring more potential repeat customers for upgrades to other Xflashes or Xede. Flashing ecu's is not labor intensive, so you may have more to potentially gain than to lose. I like EFlash. You can have Brian take care of it, since he doesn't have enough to do. Just kidding Brian!

 

I do not like this idea. Right now you are priced right between Dynoflash and WORKS. A better marketing campaign is what you need. X-Flash dyno results versus brand X posted on your site. Even customer testimonials that have switch to your reflash. Potential customers will see the results and then can make there own decisions.

A better way to help market your product is to offer free or low cost flash upgrades with the purchase of any Vishnu product. Probably 90% of the people that buy a reflash have a relatively stock car. This will keep most people on the Vishnu upgrade path.

 

I don't think it is such a good idea, I have to agree with ez76 and erioshi. It might hurt business, because at track events/dyno days, people may just say they have a Vishnu Xflash, not "eflash, econo-flash, ...", and the times/dyno numbers would show poorly and lead to alot of bad publicity, which we know from some of the forums pass on very quickly.

Keep it as straight as possible, if people want the highest output, most reliable ECU Flash they will buy the Vishnu X-Flash.

 

Shiv-

With a bit more time to think about it, here's what I've come up with:

EFlash: $185. The most economical and simple reflash for 20HP in the industry today. Utilizes factory boost control (no boost controller or changing of the factory line required), does NOT have closed loop tuning for fuel economy, and only available pre-mapped in two configurations: Stock car, and car with cat-back. Comparable in power output with the reflashes from other companies for less cost.

XFlash: $400. A more extreme reflash. Available for any Evolution, and custom tunable at dyno days. Includes closed loop tuning to allow the car to get better gas mileage, as well as more aggressive tuning (that still is well on the side of safe). This reflash modifies the boost control as well for higher boost levels.

Thoughts?

 

How 'bout the Lflash? The L is short for the Lambtron-Flash.

In all honesty Shiv, I hope you are just joking around and not really thinking of doing this.

 

If it was a Lambtron flash, all the ladies would get stolen from the owner, and you'd get kicked out of every bar you enter. Screw an Lflash!