Platinum VIP CEO Kennedy Nguyen Trusts AEM for His Loyal and Prominent Customers
- Jul 29, 2013
"I see car modification as a mix between beauty and brains because you have to have the best of both worlds," Nguyen states. "The car's appearance (body kit, paint, and wheels) need to look good while the mechanical aspects (engine, drivetrain, brakes, and suspension) have to perform well. If you are lacking one or the other then it is not a complete car. Art, like life, demands balance and Nguyen gets that. "I started modifying cars at the age of 14. I hung out with older kids who had Supra's, Celica's, and MR2's and I would fix and install the aftermarket parts they bought. So basically, I've been modifying cars for 25 years. And I work on every single aspect of a car that comes through my shop - the paint, custom bodywork, suspension install, and wheels."
Nguyen opened his first shop, Premier Autoworks, in La Habra in 1996. On the forefront of the import subculture, word spread quickly about Nguyen and his deep passion for cars, his obsession for details, his dedication to craftsmanship and his relentless commitment to luxury. So, in 2007 he moved it on up to his current location in Los Angeles County, rebranding himself as Platinum VIP, and in the processes he comfortably donned the crown as the industry's modification benchmark. VIP also offers a complete collision center and "Auto Spa" featuring I-Car and ASE certified collision repair, and a certified PPG and a DuPont refinish center. Over the years Platinum VIP's exemplary dedication to their craft has seen them honored with a numerous automotive accolades, including in 2008 when Ford chose to display Nguyen's creation of the Flex at the SEMA show in Las Vegas.
"The VIP style is mainly modifying luxury sedans. It derived from Japan and we in the states are just adding to that style with our own taste," Nguyen explains. "My first VIP car is my first Gen (Lexus) GS300, aka Aristo and in the 90's no one was fixing up luxury sedans, but rather only sport compact cars like Integra's and Civics. Even in the 2000's, I purchased the third Gen LS, and I was still one of the very few that modified that particular car VIP style here in the states." Nguyen's creative process is wide open to all possibilities, rather than contracted and myopic, so he welcomes customers that have their own vehicular vision, as well as those that allow him to do his thing. "It's good working with both kinds of customers," he confirms. "Those that come with a vision already did their homework, so it ultimately ends up looking nice. And it's an honor when customers leave the modifying up to me, because it means they trust my vision."
Nguyen is also business savvy and pragmatic, so he understands that his creations are ultimately only as refined as the palate of products utilized to produce them. Platinum VIP therefore only uses the best. Recently Nguyen invited AEM to stage a product photo shot at his facility. "It was a privilege to have you guys use our facility for the photo shoot," he remarked. "It speaks volumes to customers that a quality brand like AEM is associated with a quality shop like Platinum VIP. I use AEM products because they have a history of making premium products. I only sell the highest quality products to my loyal customers so going with AEM is a no brainer." Use the AEM Product Search to find AEM performance products for your vehicle. To find an AEM dealer near you, use Search for AEM Dealer or simply visit AEMintakes.com. |
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