HKS

HKS (™) Logo

HKS provides high performance aftermarket parts for a large variety of makes and models of cars. HKS was founded in the later months of 1973 by Hiroyuki Hasegawa and Goichi Kitagawa. HKS started out in a dairy-farming shed at the foot of Mount Fuji, Japan with funding from Sigma Automotive Co., Ltd.

A year after inception HKS made history by releasing the very first aftermarket turbocharger for passenger cars. The first turbo kit was for the L20B engine from the Datsun 240Z. Along with making history with their first turbocharger HKS was the first in producing an electronic turbo timer and boost controller. HKS was a pioneer in the Japanese aftermarket performance industry and to this day continue to release a large array of performance parts including their centrifugal GT Supercharger.

In 1982 HKS expanded their operations when they opened HKS USA, Inc. Further expansion developed into the UK and Thailand while products continued to be developed for both Japanese and American domestic cars as well as European models.

By the late 1980’s HKS had become involved in the racing scene. They have competed in several forms of racing including drag, All-Japan Formula Three (F3), Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTCC), Super GT (Formerly All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship or JGTC), D1 Grand Prix (D1GP), Rally, Superbikes and more. Outside of their own racing teams they remain active in sponsoring other racers who carry the HKS name.

HKS continues to grow as a company and with its high quality performance offerings. HKS is currently a publicly traded joint stock company with subsidiaries now in California, USA (HKS USA), Cambrideshire, England (HKS Europe) and Bangkok, Tailand (HKS Thailand).