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{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = West Coast Customs Inc.
| name = West Coast Customs Inc.
| logo = [[File:West Coast Customs.png|200px|West Coast Customs logo]]
| logo = [[Image:West Coast Customs.png|200px|West Coast Customs logo]]
| type = [[Private company]]
| type = [[Private company]]
| founder = Ryan Friedlinghaus
| founder = Ryan Friedlinghaus
| key_people = Quinton Dodson, Chris G. Cooley, Dana Florence
| key_people = Quinton Dodson, Chris G. Cooley, Dana Florence
| products = [[Custom cars]], [[Merchandising|branded merchandise]],<ref>Advertisement: {{Citation|title=MORE ACCESSORIES. MORE VALUE.|work=Los Angeles Times|url-access=subscription|date=28 August 2005|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/192824527/|page=CB3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shop.westcoastcustoms.com/|title=West Coast Customs Store|website=West Coast Customs Official Website|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> [[franchising]],<ref name="InsideWCC">{{Cite web|url=http://www.westcoastcustoms.com/wcc/franchise|accessdate=19 December 2016|title=Inside WCC - Franchising|website=West Coast Customs Official Website}}</ref> [[trade school]] [[Course (education)|courses]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=West Coast Customs Announces West Coast Customs Academy And Launches Indiegogo Campaign|date=5 August 2016|publisher=PRNewsWire|accessdate=19 December 2016|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/west-coast-customs-announces-west-coast-customs-academy-and-launches-indiegogo-campaign-300309758.html}}</ref>
| products = [[Custom cars]], [[Merchandising|branded merchandise]],<ref>Advertisement: {{Citation|title=MORE ACCESSORIES. MORE VALUE.|publisher=Los Angeles Times|url-access=subscription|date=28 August 2005|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/192824527/|page=CB3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shop.westcoastcustoms.com/|title=West Coast Customs Store|website=West Coast Customs Official Website|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref> [[franchising]],<ref name="InsideWCC">{{Cite web|url=http://www.westcoastcustoms.com/wcc/franchise|access-date=19 December 2016|title=Inside WCC - Franchising|website=West Coast Customs Official Website}}</ref> [[trade school]] [[Course (education)|courses]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=West Coast Customs Announces West Coast Customs Academy And Launches Indiegogo Campaign|date=5 August 2016|publisher=PRNewsWire|access-date=19 December 2016|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/west-coast-customs-announces-west-coast-customs-academy-and-launches-indiegogo-campaign-300309758.html}}</ref>
| revenue = $10 million (2008)<ref name=USAToday2008/>
| revenue = $10 million (2008)<ref name=USAToday2008/>
| num_employees =35 (2008)<ref name=USAToday2008/>
| num_employees =Approx. 40
|
|
| Key People =
| Key People =
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| location = [[Burbank, California|Burbank]], [[California]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| location = [[Burbank, California|Burbank]], [[California]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| CEO =
| CEO =
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.westcoastcustoms.com}}
| homepage = http://www.westcoastcustoms.com
|
|
}}
}}
[[File:Jeff, Dan and Clint and Ryan from Inside West Coast Customs.jpg|thumb|261x261px|CEO of West Coast Customs Ryan Friedlinghaus, in red, poses with three Microsoft employees. Friedlinghaus makes a "W" [[Manual communication|hand sign]] as in the opening sequence of ''[[Inside West Coast Customs]]'', while the Microsoft employees make [[V sign|V signs]].]]
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'''West Coast Customs''' (abbreviated by the company<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/officialwcc/status/810290000667385856|title=West Coast Customs on Twitter|last=|first=|date=17 December 2016|work=|newspaper=Twitter|accessdate =19 December 2016|via=}}</ref> as '''WCC''') is an [[automobile repair shop]] focusing on the [[Custom car|customization of vehicles]]. It was started by co-founders [[Ryan Friedlinghaus]] and Quinton Dodson in 1994.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2004/sep/02/local/me-surroundings2|title=Customizing Cars, a Career and Even a Show on MTV|last=Labossiere|first=Regine|date=2 September 2004|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> According to Friedlinghaus, he began the business with a [[Seed money|$5000 loan]] from his grandfather,<ref name=":19">{{Cite episode|title=The Armored Lounge|series=[[Inside West Coast Customs]]|date=20 February 2011|season=1|number=1|minutes=0|quote=During intro: I'm Ryan Friedlinghaus, CEO of the world famous West Coast Customs. ''What started as a $5000 loan from my grandfather became this'': The most creative and innovative custom car shop on the planet. This is my world, and this is how it's done.}}</ref> but other sources claim that he raised the seed money for the business while working at his father's [[liquor store]].<ref name=":0" /> Owing to the patronage of celebrities such as [[Shaquille O'Neal]], and [[Sean Combs]],<ref name=":0" /> along with appearances in the [[reality television]] programs ''[[Pimp My Ride]]'' and ''[[Street Customs]]'', the company has gained a high degree of notoriety and has become a multimillion-dollar<ref name="USAToday2008">{{Cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2008-02-10-west-coast-customs_N.htm|title='Pimp My Ride' car customizer moves on to his next gig|last=MacMedan|first=Dan|date=11 February 2008|website=[[USA Today]]|publisher=|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> business.


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'''West Coast Customs''' (abbreviated by the company<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/officialwcc/status/810290000667385856|title=West Coast Customs on Twitter|last=|first=|date=17 December 2016|work=|newspaper=Twitter|access-date=2016-12-19|via=}}</ref> as '''WCC''') is an [[automobile repair shop]] focusing on the [[Custom car|customization of vehicles]]. It was started by [[Partnership|co-founders]] [[Ryan Friedlinghaus]] and Quinton Dodson in 1994.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2004/sep/02/local/me-surroundings2|title=Customizing Cars, a Career and Even a Show on MTV|last=Labossiere|first=Regine|date=2004-09-02|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> According to Friedlinghaus, he began the business with a [[Seed money|$5000 loan]] from his grandfather,<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Alien Takeover|series=[[Inside West Coast Customs]]|date=20 February 2011|season=1|number=1|minutes=0|quote=During intro: I'm Ryan Friedlinghaus, CEO of the world famous West Coast Customs. ''What started as a $5000 loan from my grandfather became this'': The most creative and innovative custom car shop on the planet. This is my world, and this is how it's done.}}</ref> but other sources claim that he raised the seed money for the business while working at his father's [[liquor store]].<ref name=":0" /> Owing to the [[patronage]] of [[celebrities]] such as [[Shaquille O'Neal]], [[50 Cent]], [[Jesse James (customizer)|Jesse James]], [[Steve Harvey]] and [[Sean Combs]],<ref name=":0" /> along with appearances in the [[reality television]] programs [[Pimp My Ride|''Pimp My Ride'']] and [[Street Customs|''Street Customs'']], the company has gained a high degree of notoriety and has become a multi-million dollar<ref name="USAToday2008">{{Cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2008-02-10-west-coast-customs_N.htm|title='Pimp My Ride' car customizer moves on to his next gig|last=MacMedan|first=Dan|date=11 February 2008|website=[[USA Today]]|publisher=|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> business.
Besides celebrities, West Coast Customs has also created vehicles for global [[brands]] such as [[Virgin Media|Virgin]],<ref name=":19" /> [[Nintendo]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cars.aol.co.uk/2011/11/18/la-auto-show-west-coast-customs-make-life-size-mario-kart-with/|title=LA Auto Show video: West Coast Customs make life size Mario Kart|last=Goy|first=Alex|last2=|first2=|date=18 November 2011|website=AOL Cars UK|publisher=|accessdate=22 December 2016}}</ref> and [[Microsoft]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2012/03/microsoft-west-coast-customs-project-detroit-mustang/|title=Microsoft, West Coast Customs Create the Ultimate 400-hp ‘Device’|last=Lavrinc|first=Damon|date=24 March 2012|work=|newspaper=WIRED|language=en-US|accessdate=4 January 2017|via=}}</ref> It is frequently cited in as one of the best custom car shops in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/sports/2013/02/the-20-best-custom-car-shops-in-america/west-coast-customs|title=The 20 Best Custom Car Shops in America - 3. West Coast Customs|last=|first=|date=15 February 2013|website=Complex|publisher=Complex Media Inc|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://independentmotors.net/incredible-work-25-best-customs-shops-us/|title=Incredible Work From 25 of the Best Customs Shops in the US|last=|first=|date=|website=independentmotors.net|publisher=Independent Motors Boulder|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rides-mag.com/news/2013/07/the-10-best-custom-shops-featured-in-rides/#west-coast-customs|title=The 10 Best Custom Shops - #1. West Coast Customs|last=Crenshaw|first=Michael|date=24 July 2013|work=|publisher=Harris Publications|newspaper=Rides Magazine|language=en-US|accessdate=19 December 2016|via=}}</ref> However, some customers have criticized the company for [[quality control]] problems: in one instance, a fake muffler was installed (ostensibly to make the car's engine sound more powerful) and the car's mechanics were in poor shape, leading the customer to sell the car;<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/25/pimp-my-ride-cars_n_6663840.html|title='Pimp My Ride' Was Way More Fake Than You Thought|last=Van Luling|first=Todd|last2=|first2=|date=25 February 2015|website=The Huffington Post|publisher=|accessdate=22 December 2016}}</ref> in another instance, a car was delivered to a customer in an "undrivable" state due to [[Electrical wiring|wiring]] issues so severe that no part of the car requiring electricity worked (including the windshield wipers and [[Dashboard|instrument cluster]]).<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=http://artofgears.com/2015/12/30/west-coast-customs-returned-youtube-stars-g-wagen-unsafe-to-drive/|title=West Coast Customs Returned YouTube Star’s G-Wagen Unsafe To Drive|last=Acoba|first=Paulo|date=30 December 2015|website=Art of Gears|publisher=|accessdate=22 December 2016}}</ref> After public backlash caused WCC repair the car (although the company admitted no fault),<ref name=":13" /> the second customer ultimately was satisfied with the vehicle.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news|url=http://thenewswheel.com/los-angeles-actress-trish-paytas-pink-g-wagen-will-leave-you-speechless/|title=Los Angeles Actress Trisha Paytas’ Pink G-Wagen Will Leave You Speechless|last=Huist|first=Samuel|date=20 January 2016|work=|newspaper=The News Wheel|language=en-US|accessdate=22 December 2016|via=}}</ref> The company has also been accused of missing deadlines<ref name=":14" /> and using [[aggressive sales tactics]].<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":11" />


Besides celebrities, West Coast Customs has also created vehicles for global [[brands]] such as [[Virgin Media|Virgin]], [[Alienware]] ([[Dell]] [[subsidiary]]), [[Hewlett-Packard]], [[Monster Energy]], [[Microsoft]], [[Samsung]], [[Skype]], [[Discovery Channel]]<ref>These brands all had featured episodes in [[Inside West Coast Customs]]</ref>, [[Dr. Pepper]], [[Jack Daniels]], [[Toyota]], [[Malibu Rum]], and [[Sriracha sauce (Huy Fong Foods)|Sriracha]] ([[Huy Fong Foods]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lexus-west-coast-customs-built-201227379.html|title=Lexus and West Coast Customs Built a Sriracha-Themed IS300|last=Goldberg|first=Max|date=18 November 2016|work=The Drive|access-date=2016-12-19|via=Yahoo.com}}</ref> It is frequently cited in as one of the best custom car shops in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/sports/2013/02/the-20-best-custom-car-shops-in-america/west-coast-customs|title=The 20 Best Custom Car Shops in America - 3. West Coast Customs|last=|first=|date=15 February 2013|website=Complex|publisher=Complex Media Inc|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://independentmotors.net/incredible-work-25-best-customs-shops-us/|title=Incredible Work From 25 of the Best Customs Shops in the US|last=|first=|date=|website=independentmotors.net|publisher=Independent Motors Boulder|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rides-mag.com/news/2013/07/the-10-best-custom-shops-featured-in-rides/#west-coast-customs|title=The 10 Best Custom Shops - #1. West Coast Customs|last=Crenshaw|first=Michael|date=2013-07-24|work=|publisher=Harris Publications|newspaper=Rides Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-19|via=}}</ref>
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It has had some success franchising outside of the United States with open franchises in Dubai, United Arab Emirates<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.timeoutdubai.com/gallery/32692-customise-your-car-in-dubai?image=5|title=Customise your car in Dubai - image 5 "Three to try - local body shops"|last=Hewett|first=Jenny|date=15 May 2012|website=Time Out Dubai|publisher=ITP Digital Ltd.|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> and Shanghai, China (as {{Zh|c=|s=西海岸汽车定制|t=}}).<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://kuaixun.qlwb.com.cn/index.php/home/index/detail/id/13821.html|title=西海岸汽车定制进驻中国，线下业务全面启动！ 齐鲁晚报|last=|first=|date=18 August 2016|website=|publisher=[[Qilu Evening News]]|language=Chinese|trans-title=West Coast Customs, now open for business in China!|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westcoastcustoms.com.cn/|title=西海岸汽车定制|website=www.westcoastcustoms.com.cn|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> Other franchises, however, such as the one in Berlin, Germany, closed shortly after opening due to becoming [[insolvent]]. After a long history of different locations within the U.S. state of California, its current [[flagship]] and largest facility of {{Convert|60000|sqft|m2}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/13067170/1/rvlt-outfitted-the-entire-60000-square-foot-west-coast-customs-headquarters-with-its-energy-efficient-led-flat-panels-led-tubes-and-other-led-products-photo-business-wire.html|title=RVLT Outfitted The Entire 60,000 Square Foot West Coast Customs Headquarters With Its Energy-efficient LED Flat Panels, LED Tubes And Other LED Products. (Photo: Business Wire)|last=|first=|date=4 March 2015|work=|newspaper=TheStreet|language=en-US|accessdate=19 December 2016|via=}}</ref> is headquartered in [[Burbank, California]].

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It has franchises in [[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.timeoutdubai.com/gallery/32692-customise-your-car-in-dubai?image=5|title=Customise your car in Dubai - image 5 "Three to try - local body shops"|last=Hewett|first=Jenny|date=15 May 2012|website=Time Out Dubai|publisher=ITP Digital Ltd.|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> [[St. Petersburg]], [[Russia]],<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=http://www.the-village.ru/village/all-village/piter/96937-bolshoy-deyn-edet-sankt-peterburg|title=West Coast Customs впервые в Питере|last=Artamonov|first=Dmitry|date=17 June 2010|work=|newspaper=The Village|language=Russian|access-date=2016-12-19|via=}}</ref> and [[Shanghai]], [[China]] (as {{Zh|c=|s=西海岸汽车定制|t=}}).<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://kuaixun.qlwb.com.cn/index.php/home/index/detail/id/13821.html|title=西海岸汽车定制进驻中国，线下业务全面启动！ 齐鲁晚报|last=|first=|date=18 August 2016|website=|publisher=[[Qilu Evening News]]|language=Chinese|trans-title=West Coast Customs, now open for business in China!|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westcoastcustoms.com.cn/|title=西海岸汽车定制|website=www.westcoastcustoms.com.cn|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> Its [[flagship]] and largest facility of {{Convert|60000|sqft|m2}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/13067170/1/rvlt-outfitted-the-entire-60000-square-foot-west-coast-customs-headquarters-with-its-energy-efficient-led-flat-panels-led-tubes-and-other-led-products-photo-business-wire.html|title=RVLT Outfitted The Entire 60,000 Square Foot West Coast Customs Headquarters With Its Energy-efficient LED Flat Panels, LED Tubes And Other LED Products. (Photo: Business Wire)|last=|first=|date=2015-03-04|work=|newspaper=TheStreet|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-19|via=}}</ref> is headquartered in [[Burbank, California]], [[United States of America]].


In 2014, the [[United States Department of Labor]] (USDOL) assessed the company with a $174,400 fine, most of which went to paying back employees that the USDOL asserted were underpaid. The company paid the fine without a fight, and according to Daniel Pasquil, a USDOL director, is now in "full compliance".<ref name=":20" />
== History ==
== History ==


=== Early years; ''Pimp My Ride'' (1990-2007) ===
=== Early years; ''Pimp My Ride'' (1990-2007) ===
{{Main article|Pimp My Ride}}
{{Main article|Pimp My Ride}}
According to two contradictory statements in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', West Coast Customs was founded in either 1994 or 1998<ref name=":0" /> by [[Car enthusiast|auto enthusiast]] Ryan Friedlinghaus. In a 2008 article, ''[[USA Today]]'' put the foundation year as 1997.<ref name="USAToday2008" /> The [[legal entity]], West Coast Customs International, [[Limited liability company|LLC]], was [[Incorporation (business)|incorporated]] in [[California]] on 20 October 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://businessfilings.sos.ca.gov/frmDetail.asp?CorpID=02240842|title=Results Detail|last=|first=|date=20 October 2000|website=Business Filings, Office of the Secretary of State of California Alex Padilla|publisher=Government of the State of California|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> A young Friedlinghaus had gotten his custom vehicles featured on the covers auto magazines by age 14, but he became frustrated with the tedium of dealing with multiple [[specialty shops]] which led to longer times to build the vehicles. According to [[Entrepreneur (magazine)|''Entrepreneur'']], this frustration, coupled to his love for custom cars, was what led to his opening of his own shop.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/77782|title=Custom Made|last=Pennington|first=April Y.|date=1 June 2005|newspaper=Entrepreneur|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref>
According to two contradictory statements in the [[Los Angeles Times|''Los Angeles Times'']], West Coast Customs was founded in either 1994 or 1998<ref name=":0" /> by [[Car enthusiast|auto enthusiast]] Ryan Friedlinghaus. In a 2008 article, [[USA Today|''USA Today'']] put the foundation year as 1997.<ref name="USAToday2008" /> The [[legal entity]], West Coast Customs International, [[Limited liability company|LLC]], was [[Incorporation (business)|incorporated]] in [[California]] on 20 October 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://businessfilings.sos.ca.gov/frmDetail.asp?CorpID=02240842|title=Results Detail|last=|first=|date=20 October 2000|website=Business Filings, Office of the Secretary of State of California Alex Padilla|publisher=Government of the State of California|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> A young Friedlinghaus had gotten his custom vehicles featured on the covers auto magazines by age 14, but he became frustrated with the tedium of dealing with multiple [[specialty shops]] which led to longer times to build the vehicles. According to [[Entrepreneur (magazine)|''Entrepreneur'']], this frustration, coupled to his love for custom cars, was what led to his opening of his own shop.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/77782|title=Custom Made|last=Pennington|first=April Y.|date=2005-06-01|newspaper=Entrepreneur|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref>


The company [[West Coast Customs#Location changes|moved many times]] in its early years, but it is at its Inglewood location that WCC began to gain a reputation for quality, which caused celebrities to have their cars modified there.<ref name=":0" /> According to Friedlinghaus, one of his first customers was Shaquille O'Neal, who wanted a customized [[Chevrolet Suburban]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/127362642/?terms=%22West+Coast+Customs%22|title=Custom car shop roars into reality TV|last=Labossiere|first=Regine|date=14 September 2004|work=|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=E7|subscription=yes|accessdate=19 December 2016|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and this relationship helped him get contacts with other celebrities who were looking for custom automobiles.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/193326642/?terms=%22West%2BCoast%2BCustoms%22|title=Style points score billions in this industry|last=Lopez|first=Benny|date=18 July 2007|work=The Los Angeles Times|subscription=y|accessdate=20 December 2016|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Owing to this, [[MTV|Music Television]] (MTV) offered Friedlinghaus the opportunity to have a reality television show filmed at his business with himself as the [[Television star|star]] and [[rapper]] [[Xzibit]] as the host; his acceptance of this deal led to the 2004 TV show ''Pimp My Ride''.<ref name=":0" />
It is at the Inglewood location that WCC began to gain a reputation for quality, which caused many celebrities to have their cars modified there.<ref name=":0" /> According to Friedlinghaus, one of his first customers was Shaquille O'Neal, and this relationship helped him get contacts with other celebrities who were looking for custom automobiles.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/193326642/?terms=%22West%2BCoast%2BCustoms%22|title=Style points score billions in this industry|last=Lopez|first=Benny|date=18 July 2007|work=The Los Angeles Times|subscription=y|access-date=20 December 2016|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Owing to this, [[MTV|Music Television]] (MTV) offered Friedlinghaus the opportunity to have a reality television show filmed at his business with himself as the [[Television star|star]] and [[rapper]] [[Xzibit]] as the host; his acceptance of this deal led to the 2004 TV show ''Pimp My Ride''.<ref name=":0" />


''Pimp My Ride'' was extremely successful, spawning international [[Spin-off (media)|spin-offs]], and its success increased the profile of West Coast Customs substantially.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mtvs-car-makeover-show-a-hit/|title=MTV's Car Makeover Show A Hit|last=Holguin|first=Jaime|date=11 June 2004|work=CBS News|accessdate=19 December 2016|via=}}</ref> The show's [[TV format|format]] was that the [[Film producer|producers]] at MTV would find typical Americans with [[Decrepit car|junk cars]], they would be given a short interview with Xzibit, Friedlinghaus and the WCC crew to determine their [[Recreation|interests]] and [[hobbies]], and then WCC staff would fix their junk car and also transform it into a custom car embodying the interests and [[personality]] of its owner. In 2004, CBS News reported that the show consistently ranked first place in the 12 to 34 year old demographic for its 9:30PM time slot.<ref name=":3" />
''Pimp My Ride'' was extremely successful, spawning international [[Spin-off (media)|spin-offs]], and its success increased the profile of West Coast Customs substantially.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mtvs-car-makeover-show-a-hit/|title=MTV's Car Makeover Show A Hit|last=Holguin|first=Jaime|date=11 June 2004|work=CBS News|access-date=2016-12-19|via=}}</ref> The show's [[TV format|format]] was that the [[Film producer|producers]] at MTV would find typical Americans with [[Decrepit car|junk cars]], they would be given a short interview with Xzibit, Friedlinghaus and the WCC crew to determine their [[Recreation|interests]] and [[hobbies]], and then WCC staff would fix their junk car and also transform it into a custom car embodying the interests and [[personality]] of its owner. In 2004, CBS News reported that the show consistently ranked first place in the 12 to 34 year old demographic for its 9:30PM time slot.<ref name=":3" />


⚫
As early as 2005, during airing of the second season of ''Pimp My Ride'', rumors circulated that the location of the show would change and Friedlinghaus would part with MTV to host a show on a different network.<ref name=":2" /> These rumors were confirmed with simultaneous announcements by MTV and Friedlinghaus in 2007<ref name="USAToday2008" />, after the fourth and final season with WCC as the shop.<ref name=":1" />
According to a former employee of the company at the time ''Pimp My Ride'' was filmed in an interview with ''[[NPR]]'', most of the work actually done on the vehicles was done behind the scenes. Cars and expectations for the final product would arrive on Monday, and employees had until the following Friday to complete a project, sometimes necessitating twelve hour [[Working time|work days]]. According to this employee, much of the off-screen labor was done by [[Illegal immigration to the United States|illegal immigrants from Mexico]], around eleven in total. As the employees were of WCC and not MTV, MTV was apparently unconcerned about possible ramifications of this for them.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web|url=http://radioambulante.org/transcripcion/transcripcion-tuneame-la-nave|title=Transcripción: Tunéame la nave|last=Bridges|first=Levi|date=10 November 2015|website=Radio Ambulante|publisher=NPR|language=es-MX|trans-title=Transcription: Pimp My Ride|accessdate=3 January 2017|quote=[a] Por eso siguió arreglando carros para “Pimp My Ride”, a pesar de que todavía no tenía permiso para estar ni trabajar en Estados Unidos. Pero no era el único. Había alrededor de 10 mecánicos sin papeles. Mauricio dice que a nadie de MTV parecía importarle que fueran indocumentados, porque oficialmente eran empleados de Ryan...A nosotros nos pagaba Ryan, no nos pagaba MTV, y Ryan nos pagaba cash. Nunca recibimos beneficios, ni de nada, ni medico, ni social security, nada. (That's why he kept fixing cars for "Pimp My Ride", despite his lack of permission to reside or work in the United States. But he wasn't the only one. There were around ten other mechanics without documentation. Mauricio said that no one at MTV cared about their immigration status, because officially, they were employees of Ryan, not MTV. Ryan paid us, not MTV, and Ryan paid us in cash. We never received any benefits, or anything; no medical, no Social Security, nothing.) [b] Mauricio tuvo que hacer sacrificios muy grandes. Mauricio: Yo perdí la verdad muchas cosas de mis hijos porque estaba yo trabajando. La infancia de ellos, verlos crecer, la escuela. (Mauricio had to make huge sacrifices. Mauricio: I lost, in truth, many things with my children because I was working. Their childhood, watching them grow, their school days. [c][d] En el 2009 un inversionista mexicano llegó a West Coast. El mexicano quería abrir una franquicia de West Coast en su país. Tardaron seis meses en llegar a un acuerdo, con Mauricio sirviendo de traductor y pieza clave durante toda la negociación. No sabemos la cifra exacta que acordaron, pero según Mauricio, fue alta. (In 2009, a Mexican investor arrived at WCC. He wanted to open a franchise in Mexico. The negotiations lasted six months, and Mauricio served as translator and key figure during the entire negotiation. We don't know the exact figure, but according to Mauricio, it was high.)}}</ref>

Owing to the popularity of ''Pimp My Ride'', West Coast Customs was prominently featured in the 2005 [[street racing]] [[video game]] ''[[L.A. Rush]]'' as the car upgrade mechanism. According to the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', [[Midway Games|Midway]], the developer of the game, paid "handsomely" to be able to use the brand.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/232345640/?terms=%22L.A.+Rush%22|title='L.A. Rush' wrecks|last=Buchanan|first=Levi|date=18 October 2005|work=|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|page=7 (section 2)|subscription=y|accessdate=19 December 2016|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

⚫
As early as 2005, during airing of the second season of ''Pimp My Ride'', rumors circulated that the location of the show would change and Friedlinghaus would part with MTV to host a show on a different network.<ref name=":2" /> These rumors were confirmed with simultaneous announcements by MTV and Friedlinghaus in 2007,<ref name="USAToday2008" /> after the fourth and final season with WCC as the shop.<ref name=":1" />


In a 2007 interview in the ''Los Angeles Times'' Friedlinghaus gave after the ''Pimp My Ride'' relocation from West Coast Customs to [[Galpin Auto Sports]], Friedlinghaus credited Pimp My Ride with helping him build his brand, but said that he felt that his focus on building cars for the television show damaged his relationships with his other customers.<ref name=":1" />
In a 2007 interview in the ''Los Angeles Times'' Friedlinghaus gave after the ''Pimp My Ride'' relocation from West Coast Customs to [[Galpin Auto Sports]], Friedlinghaus credited Pimp My Ride with helping him build his brand, but said that he felt that his focus on building cars for the television show damaged his relationships with his other customers.<ref name=":1" />
[[File:Ryan Friedlinghaus speaks with HP employee (2).jpg|thumb|Friedlinghaus speaks with [[Hewlett-Packard]], a client of his, at HP's Global Influencer Summit in 2012 in Shanghai, China.]]
[[File:West Coast Customs HP car exterior.jpg|thumb|Exterior of [[GMC Denali]] West Coast Customs prepared for HP for the 2012 summit.]]
[[File:West Coast Customs HP car interior.jpg|thumb|Interior of vehicle West Coast Customs prepared for HP for the 2012 summit.]]


=== ''[[Street Customs]]'' and ''[[Inside West Coast Customs|(Inside) West Coast Customs]]'' (2007-2016) ===
=== ''[[Street Customs]]'' and ''[[Inside West Coast Customs|(Inside) West Coast Customs]]'' (2007-2016) ===
Nevertheless, after leaving ''Pimp My Ride'' Friedlinghaus would almost immediately begin a new television program that aired simultaneously on [[Discovery Channel]] and [[The Learning Channel]], ''Street Customs'', produced by [[Pilgrim Films & Television]]. Instead of building the cars for the people chosen by MTV, the new show followed ongoing customizations being done for consenting customers of West Coast Customs. Friedlinghaus described the difference between the two shows thus: "I want to build cars on TV, not for TV."<ref name=":1" /> While the break up was described as amicable,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/29/west-coast-customs-will-no-longer-pimp-yo-ride/|title=West Coast Customs will no longer pimp yo ride|last=Mays|first=Erin|date=29 December 2005|website=Autoblog|publisher=|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> others at WCC were not so subdued: Sean Mahaney, a then-employee of WCC, reportedly said "Most of the MTV people are not real car guys... They pay us to build the cars, so we do what they want even if it sucks."<ref name=":2" />
Nevertheless, after leaving ''Pimp My Ride'' Friedlinghaus would almost immediately begin a new television program that aired simultaneously on [[Discovery Channel]] and [[The Learning Channel]], ''Street Customs'', produced by [[Pilgrim Films & Television]]. Instead of building the cars for the celebrities chosen by MTV, the new show followed ongoing customizations being done for consenting customers of West Coast Customs. Friedlinghaus described the difference between the two shows thus: "I want to build cars on TV, not for TV."<ref name=":1" /> While the break up was described as amicable,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/29/west-coast-customs-will-no-longer-pimp-yo-ride/|title=West Coast Customs will no longer pimp yo ride|last=Mays|first=Erin|date=29 December 2005|website=Autoblog|publisher=|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> others at WCC were not so subdued: Sean Mehaney, a then-employee of WCC, reportedly said "Most of the MTV people are not real car guys... They pay us to build the cars, so we do what they want even if it sucks."<ref name=":2" />

⚫
''Street Customs'' would change names twice and networks three times, but its format remained constant. While cars would still be built for individuals, more and more episodes were devoted to brands as the show ran on. Because MTV was no longer footing the bill, all episodes of the new series were about cars built for people who could afford the high cost of customization. Some notable individuals built for in ''Street Customs'' are [[Carroll Shelby]],<ref>{{Cite episode|title=History In The Making (aka Shelby's Mustang)|series=Street Customs|date=|season=1|number=1}}</ref> a [[Cadillac]] for Shaquille O'Neal<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Shaquillac|series=Street Customs|date=|season=1|number=4}}</ref> (according to Friedlinghaus, O'Neal had already had 30 cars built for him by WCC by July 2007<ref name=":1" />), a modified [[Range Rover]] for an unnamed member of the [[Al Maktoum|royal family of Dubai]],<ref>{{Cite episode|title=The Royal Rover|series=Street Customs|date=|season=1|number=2}}</ref> and a [[Cadillac CTS-V]] for [[Justin Bieber]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.velocity.com/tv-shows/inside-west-coast-customs/videos/inside-west-coast-customs-justin-biebers-in-love/|title=Justin Bieber's IN LOVE|website=Velocity|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> Brands built for included [[Chronic Taco]]s<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Ultimate Taco Truck|series=Street Customs|date=|season=2|number=7}}</ref> and [[Vans]].<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Vans Van|series=Street Customs|date=|season=3|number=4}}</ref>

According to Friedlinghaus in an interview with ''[[The Press-Enterprise]]'', the [[2008 global financial crisis]] affected his business heavily: he had to lay off half of the company's employees, orders decreased, and customers opted to have used cars repaired instead of buying brand new cars to be customized.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=http://www.pe.com/articles/coast-598535-west-customs.html|title=Q&A: Full speed ahead for West Coast customizer|last=Pierceall|first=Kimberly|date=13 October 2010|work=|newspaper=The Press-Enterprise|language=en|via=|accessdate=22 December 2016}}</ref>

⚫
After the 2009 season, the show was renamed to ''Inside West Coast Customs''. Along with this change, it was also moved to [[Discovery HD Theater]], which later became a different specifically automotive related [[cable channel]], [[Velocity (TV network)|Velocity]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.documentarytelevision.com/sweet-spots/discoverys-new-velocity-channel-what-do-rich-men-want/|title=Discovery's New Velocity Channel: What Do Rich Men Want? What's the Sweet Spot? Plus: Who's Next for a Re-name?|last=Hamilton|first=Peter|date=20 September 2011|work=|newspaper=DocumentaryTelevision.com|language=en-US|accessdate=19 December 2016|via=}}</ref> In June 2013, [[Fox Sports Network]] took over the production of the show, dropping the word "Inside" from the show's name, and has continued to produce new [[Season (television)|seasons]] of the show as of December 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2013/06/06/552630/10035590/en/West-Coast-Customs-Moves-to-FOX-Sports-Networks.html|title=West Coast Customs Moves to FOX Sports Networks|last=Zamalloa|first=Dana|date=6 June 2013|work=|newspaper=GlobeNewswire News Room|language=en-US|accessdate=19 December 2016|via=}}</ref>

in 2017 west coast customs returns to Velocity.

⚫
== Location changes ==
⚫
The company has moved several times in its history, each time to larger spaces. According to Friedlinghaus, the first shop was in [[Laguna Niguel, California|Laguna Niguel]], [[Orange County, California|Orange County]], California, after which it moved to [[Compton, California|Compton]], [[Los Angeles]] in 1998.<ref name=":0" /> In 2000, it moved again to a location on Olive Street in [[Inglewood, California|Inglewood]].<ref name=":0" /> After the first season of ''Pimp My Ride'', the company moved yet another time to a location near [[Los Angeles International Airport]] to a larger location which had a room specifically for the filming.<ref name=":0" /> After the cancellation of ''Pimp My Ride'', the company moved to a location in [[Corona, California]] in preparation for the ''Street Customs'' television show.<ref name=":2" />

During filming of Season 5 Episode 12 "WCC's New Zip Part 1" of ''West Coast Customs'', Friedlinghaus began moving the shop to its current location, a {{Convert|60000|sqft|m2}} [[Automobile repair shop|auto shop]] on [[West Empire Avenue]] in [[Burbank, California|Burbank]], Los Angeles County, California.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/tn-blr-on-the-town-chamber-members-guests-tour-west-coast-customs-20150603-story.html|title=On the Town: Chamber members, guests tour West Coast Customs|last=Laurell|first=David|date=3 June 2015|website=|publisher=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> The [[grand opening]] of the new facility occurred in January 2015.<ref>{{Citation|last=West Coast Customs|title=Grand Opening West Coast Customs Burbank|date=23 January 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0dOa24SxuA|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref>

== Criticism ==

=== Mistreatment of employees ===
As early as 2008, USA Today noted that Friedlinghaus's auto shop routinely had 60 hour work weeks and employees had 'insane deadlines' working for Friedlinghaus, a 'self-described micromanager'.<ref name="USAToday2008" /> One former employee, Mauricio Hernández, who would go on to co-found the Mexican franchise of WCC, claimed in an interview with ''[[NPR]]'' that during the period of his employment at the California branch (2004-2009), he worked ten to twelve hours per day, six days per week as an [[undocumented worker]], without [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]] or any other [[Employee benefits#United States|benefits]], and that by so doing he "missed...the childhood of [his] kids."<ref name=":17" />

In some episodes of ''Inside West Coast Customs'', if Friedlinghaus had agreed to a too tight deadline, employees would stay at the shop late into the night, or even overnight.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Old...Meets New|series=Inside West Coast Customs|date=27 February 2011|season=1|number=5|minutes=35:39}}</ref> In Season 1 Episode 3 "Smoothie Operator", Ishmael, an interior designer and [[upholsterer]], was about to have a child with his wife, but Friedlinghaus' sole concern was on the project. After the baby was born, Ishmael left his [[newborn]] with his wife the very next day at the request of Friedlinghaus to finish a project.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Smoothie Operator|series=Inside West Coast Customs|date=27 February 2011|season=1|number=3|minutes=36:20}}</ref>


⚫
''Street Customs'' would change names twice and networks three times, but its format remained constant. While cars would still be built for individuals, more and more episodes were devoted to brands as the show ran on. Because MTV was no longer footing the bill, all episodes of the new series were about cars built for people who could afford the high cost of customization. Some notable individuals built for in ''Street Customs'' are [[Carroll Shelby]],<ref>{{Cite episode|title=History In The Making (aka Shelby's Mustang)|series=Street Customs|date=|season=1|number=1}}</ref> a [[Cadillac]] for Shaquille O'Neal<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Shaquillac|series=Street Customs|date=|season=1|number=4}}</ref> (according to Friedlinghaus, O'Neal had already had 30 cars built for him by WCC by July 2007<ref name=":1" />), a modified [[Range Rover]] for an unnamed member of the [[Al Maktoum|royal family of Dubai]],<ref>{{Cite episode|title=The Royal Rover|series=Street Customs|date=|season=1|number=2}}</ref> and a [[Cadillac CTS-V]] for [[Justin Bieber]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.velocity.com/tv-shows/inside-west-coast-customs/videos/inside-west-coast-customs-justin-biebers-in-love/|title=Justin Bieber's IN LOVE|website=Velocity|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> Brands built for included [[Chronic Taco|Chronic Tacos]]<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Ultimate Taco Truck|series=Street Customs|date=|season=2|number=7}}</ref> and [[Vans]].<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Vans Van|series=Street Customs|date=|season=3|number=4}}</ref>
In an interview with ''Entertainment Scoop'', when asked "What does it take to be an employee at West Coast Customs?", Friedlinghaus replied: "Not saying, 'when do I go home?' The guys who want to stay and work and get things done...it's hard to find people that are good...[people who will do] whatever we ask them to do."<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgPz2ZqS0qs|title=West Coast Customs Burbank Exclusive Interview Ryan Friedlinghaus|date=7 March 2015|last=Iadonisi|first=Jackie|type=YouTube video|language=English|minutes=4:10}}</ref>


⚫
After the 2009 season, the show was renamed to ''Inside West Coast Customs''. Along with this change, it was also moved to [[Discovery HD Theater]], which later became a different specifically automotive related [[cable channel]], [[Velocity (TV network)|Velocity]] (owned by one of the channels it previously appeared on, Discovery Channel).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.documentarytelevision.com/sweet-spots/discoverys-new-velocity-channel-what-do-rich-men-want/|title=Discovery’s New Velocity Channel: What Do Rich Men Want? What's the Sweet Spot? Plus: Who's Next for a Re-name?|last=Hamilton|first=Peter|date=2011-09-20|work=|newspaper=DocumentaryTelevision.com|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-19|via=}}</ref> In June of 2013, [[Fox Sports Network]] took over the production of the show, dropping the word "Inside" from the show's name, and has continued to produce new [[Season (television)|seasons]] of the show as of December 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2013/06/06/552630/10035590/en/West-Coast-Customs-Moves-to-FOX-Sports-Networks.html|title=West Coast Customs Moves to FOX Sports Networks|last=Zamalloa|first=Dana|date=6 June 2013|work=|newspaper=GlobeNewswire News Room|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-19|via=}}</ref>
On 23 April 2014, after an investigation by the [[United States Department of Labor]] (USDOL), the company was found to have violated the provisions of the [[Fair Labor Standards Act]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dol.gov/whd/media/press/whdpressVB3.asp?pressdoc=Western/20140423.xml|title=Auto shop in hit TV show found violating wage law|last=Carnevali|first=Jose|date=23 April 2014|website=www.dol.gov|publisher=United States Department of Labor|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> The government found that paying employees [[overtime]], paying employees a [[minimum wage]], and proper record keeping was not being done by the company. During the investigation, the government found that all employees were paid a weekly salary, regardless of how many hours they worked. Because employees were frequently coerced to work overtime, this resulted in a wage of $6/hour for some employees.<ref name=":8" /> Furthermore, until 2011, the company attempted to skirt minimum wage and overtime laws by classifying their on-site exclusive long-term employees as [[independent contractors]], which is [[Misclassification of employees as independent contractors|illegal in the United States]].<ref name=":8" />


⚫
=== Location changes ===
When presented with the opportunity to go to court or pay the fine assessed by USDOL, Friedlinghaus chose to pay the fine, which amounted to [[United States dollar|$]]157,592 in back wages for the wronged employees and $16,830 in [[civil penalties]].<ref name=":8" /> In an interview with ''[[The Press-Enterprise]]'' from after the fine was paid, Daniel Pasquil, the director for the wages and hour division of the [[West Covina, California|West Covina]] office of the USDOL, noted that "The most important thing is that the company did correct the violations" and stressed that the company is now in full [[Regulatory compliance|compliance]].<ref name=":20">{{Cite news|url=http://www.pe.com/articles/west-692769-company-customs.html|title=West Coast Customs fined by for unpaid wages|last=Katzanek|first=Jack|date=23 April 2014|work=|newspaper=Press Enterprise|language=en|accessdate=22 December 2016|via=}}</ref>
⚫
The company has moved several times in its history, each time to larger spaces. According to Friedlinghaus, the first shop was in [[Laguna Niguel, California|Laguna Niguel]], [[Orange County, California|Orange County]], California, after which it moved to [[Compton, California|Compton]], [[Los Angeles]] in 1998.<ref name=":0" /> In 2000, it moved again to a location on Olive Street in [[Inglewood, California|Inglewood]].<ref name=":0" /> After the first season of ''Pimp My Ride'', the company moved yet another time to a location near [[Los Angeles International Airport]] to a larger location which had a room specifically for the filming.<ref name=":0" /> After the cancellation of ''Pimp My Ride'', the company moved to a location in [[Corona, California]] in preparation for the ''Street Customs'' television show. In early 2015 Ryan moved the headquarters to a new 60,000 sq/ft facility located in Burbank, CA.<ref name=":2" />


=== Quality issues alleged ===
== Cast and crew ==
The following include those that have appeared on the TV show ''Street Customs''.<ref>[http://turbo.discovery.com/street-customs/team/team.html Meet The Team]</ref>
[[File:Buick Century (4132351390).jpg|thumb|A [[Buick Century]], the same model and color of which were "pimped" on the MTV show.]]


*Ryan Friedlinghaus, Chief Executive Officer:
==== Jake Glazier's Buick Century ====
*Chris G. Cooley, CFO
In 2015, ''The Huffington Post'' interviewed three people who were participants on ''Pimp My Ride'', one of whom had a vehicle that was "pimped" during the time that the location of the show was West Coast Customs, Jake Glazier (featured in Season 4 Episode 7, "Jake's [[Buick Century]]").<ref name=":10" />
*Lil Ryan, Son To CEO
*Big Dane – FOO (Friend of Owner)
*Musa Tjahjono– Vehicle Design
*Oliver Nowlin– Creative Design
*Meagan Friedlinghaus – Ryan's Wife
*Kenny W. – Wood Fabrication


Film crew:
During the episode, the team at West Coast Customs were told that Glazier had recently graduated from a degree program in [[audio engineering]], so they installed an [[MTX Jackhammer]] [[High fidelity|high fidelity sound system]] (with accompanying [[Sound level meter|decibel meter]] and warning light, to, in the words of Xzibit, stave off deafness) and a [[record player]] inside the dashboard. Other customizations were a flat black paint job (with a red metal flake paint job on the roof with [[Wikt:scallop|scallops]] on the sides and hood to match), four inch [[whitewall tires]], removal of the [[muffler]] and installation of [[exhaust pipes]], and black and white vinyl interior.<ref>{{Cite episode|series=Pimp My Ride|network=MTV|date=7 August 2005|season=4|number=7}}</ref>
*Adam ' Mad Money' Means – Director,
*Patrick 'Green Street' Dupree – Camera,
*David 'The Contender' McAbee – Coordinator,
*John 'Too-Cool-for-School' Lakin – Audio,
*Kyle 'Karl' Scanlon – Asst. Camera,


Kara Stephens-Producer and Director
Besides problems caused by the long period of time that the vehicle was in the shop, for around one half of a year, Glazier claimed that the quality of the vehicle he received was also severely compromised. According to Glazier, when the muffler was removed, three "fake" exhaust pipes were substituted instead: these were used to make the engine sound much more powerful to viewers of the television show, but they made the car needlessly loud. He also claimed that very little or no [[Auto mechanic|mechanical work]] was done to the car, to the extent that he had trouble driving it home from the show's set. Due to all of the mechanical trouble, one month after acquiring the car from West Coast Customs, he sold it to MTX Audio for $18,000. According to Glazier, MTX did not buy the car to drive it, but merely to prevent it from falling into the hands of their competitors. Glazier further claimed that when it was time to receive the car, Dana "Big Dane" Florence [[intimidated]] him to act more enthusiastic for the cameras, saying "Listen, we put a lot of work into this. We expect you to be a little more fucking enthusiastic."<ref name=":10" /> Larry Hochberg, an [[executive producer]] for MTV at the time, disputed Glazier's statements, saying that in reality great lengths were taken to provide the participants in the show with automobiles in good driving condition, and that MTV even paid for free for some further repairs and tows after the cameras were rolling.<ref name=":10" />


Kristoffer May-Director of Photography
Despite the problems he faced with the vehicle, and with the caveat that he appear on a show with the same format as ''Pimp My Ride'' where MTV paid for all work done until the car was delivered (and for some afterwards, depending on who one believes), Glazier said he would happily participate in the program again if given the chance.<ref name=":10" />
[[File:Mercedes-Benz W463 G 63 AMG at Legendy 2014.JPG|thumb|[[Mercedes-Benz G-Class|Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen]] of the same model and year to the one modified on behalf of [[Trisha Paytas|Paytas]].]]


Michael Weinstein-Sound Mixer
==== Trisha Paytas' Mercedez-Benz G-Wagen ====
There have been several high profile incidents of quality issues outside of the context of the MTV program. In 2015, [[Trisha Paytas]], a [[singer-songwriter]] and [[internet personality]] had her three-week old 2014 [[Mercedes-Benz G-Class|Mercedez-Benz G-Wagen]] customized by WCC. Among other customizations, she requested that the car be painted pink, that [[Swarovski]] crystals be integrated into the headrests and steering wheel, and that the floormats be changed out with customized ones.<ref name=":11" /> According to Paytas, after bringing in her vehicle she was promised that it would be ready by November 17, but the company missed both that deadline and a further December 9 one. After the second deadline was missed, she uploaded a [[vlog]]<ref name=":16">{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ppGbs61cl0|title=WEST COAST CUSTOMS NIGHTMARE!|date=11 December 2015|last=Paytas|first=Trisha|type=YouTube video|language=en-US}}</ref> to [[YouTube]] about her experience, and claims that WCC threatened her with a [[lawsuit]] if she refused to remove it.<ref name=":11" /> December 17 became the deadline that the company would ultimately keep, but when she came to pick up the vehicle she found that none of the electronic components worked, including ones which the non-use of is a crime in the United States besides being major safety issues, such as [[turn signals]], [[headlights]], and in some states, [[windshield wipers]]. Furthermore, the [[dashboard]] instruments did not function, which could cause the driver to underestimate her speed.<ref name=":11" /> To her complaints about these issues, Paytas claims that the company told her to drive the car home and then to the Mercedez-Benz dealership from which she bought it and ask them for an in-warranty repair.<ref name=":11" /> Paytas uploaded yet another vlog five days after this incident,<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww2uY4-OIPM|title=MY PINK G WAGON NIGHTMARE!|date=22 December 2015|last=Paytas|first=Trisha|type=YouTube video|language=en-US}}</ref> after which point WCC uploaded its own video in the form of a scrolling text public relations statement.<ref name=":13">{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znugmtae5pw|title=West Coast Customs Official Statement|date=23 December 2015|last=|first=|type=YouTube Video|language=en-US}}</ref> In the statement, besides denying that they had "talked down" to Paytas, WCC denied that its customization was the reason for the issues with her vehicle, claimed that the vehicle was late because she had changes what she had ordered "several times", denied that they had ignored Paytas as she claimed, and invited Paytas to contact them with any further requests or complaints for an "immediate resolution," noting that they had already committed to fix the problem (which, though they wrote it was "unrelated to their services", they would do it anyway "as part of providing excellent customer service"). The company also noted its track record, but did not provide any concrete details.<ref name=":13" /> As of 23 December 2016, the statement-as-YouTube video, which has had its [[Internet forum|comments]] disabled, had 261 "likes" and 1,652 "dislikes", or a ratio of 6.32 dislikes for every 1 like.<ref name=":13" />


== West Coast Customs, Inc. Trademarks ==
Despite the many problems her car customization had received, after the fixed vehicle was received by Paytas, she would seemingly forgive West Coast Customs, reportedly writing on Instagram "It was a bit of a struggle getting [it] but I do love my [car] so very very much."<ref name=":12" />
WRENCH West Coast Customs, Inc.


RHAUS West Coast Customs, Inc.
==== Firefall bus for Red 5 Studios ====
[[File:Firefall bus parked at AX 2012 rear quarter view.jpg|thumb|The ''Firefall'' promotional bus makes its debut appearance at Anime Expo 2012]]
In 2010, Chinese online game operator [[The9|The9 Limited]] announced ''[[Firefall (video game)|Firefall]]'', an [[Massively multiplayer online game|MMO]] [[first-person shooter]] to be developed by [[Red 5 Studios]] as their first game. The game would enter [[closed beta]] in 2011, and open beta in 2013. [[Mark Kern]], a [[video game designer]], was appointed by The9 as CEO of the new Red 5 Studios. As CEO, one of Kern's major tasks was promoting the game, and he chose to do this in part with a custom designed [[tour bus]] worth {{USD}}3 million made to look like one of the vehicles in the videogame and to be converted into a game room on wheels.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|url=https://www.techinasia.com/firefall-mark-kern-sacked-the9-story|title=The rise and fall of Mark Kern: how one man may have doomed Firefall and The9 (UPDATED)|last=Custer|first=Charlie|date=30 December 2013|website=Tech in Asia|publisher=|language=en-US|accessdate=22 December 2016}}</ref> The customization of the bus was featured on ''Inside West Coast Customs'' in Season 3 Episode 4. While in the episode itself it is made to appear that the bus was on-time,<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Firefall|series=Inside West Coast Customs|date=|season=3|number=4}} [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyQEf3IuBB8 Available to watch online for free, uploaded by the copyright holder's official YouTube channel.]</ref> arriving at the Lost Angeles 2012 [[Anime Expo]] which took place between June 29 and July 2,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://animecons.com/events/info.shtml/2792/Anime_Expo_2012|title=Anime Expo 2012 Convention Information @ AnimeCons.com|website=AnimeCons.com|accessdate=22 December 2016}}</ref> in reality it arrived much later than anticipated, according to both then-CEO Mark Kern<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/firefall/comments/1tqyp1/mark_kern_my_own_kobayashi_maru/ceblzqp/|title=Mark Kern: My Own Kobayashi Maru • /r/firefall|last=Kern|first=Mark|date=28 December 2013|website=reddit|publisher=|accessdate=22 December 2016}}</ref> and a report by ''Tech in Asia''.<ref name=":14" /> Kern also accused WCC of not delivering what he wanted and of going over budget,<ref name=":15" /> while ''Tech in Asia'' noted that the bus was delivered missing some of its key features, and that it missed all of the key video game conferences for the year 2011 (such as the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012]], which was held between June 5 and June 7). According to their report, it now "sits in a warehouse somewhere, collecting dust."<ref name=":14" /> A [[Twitter]] [[parody]] of the bus describes itself as a "gross demonstration of [[capitalistic]] [[Gluttony|overindulgence]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/FirefallBus|title=Firefall Bus (@FirefallBus) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|accessdate=22 December 2016}}</ref>


== Franchises ==
West Coast Customs has attempted to franchise its brand to other parts of the world with limited success.


=== Closed franchises ===
=== Franchises ===
West Coast Customs has attempted to franchise its brand to other parts of the world with some success. Its [[Xochitepec|Xochitepec, Mexico]] franchise closed in 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20140315000000*/http://westcoastcustoms.com.mx/|title=Internet Archive Wayback Machine|date=2014-03-15|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> and its domain name was bought by an unrelated company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160318103927/http://www.westcoastcustoms.com.mx/|title=Chancadoras China,venta trituradoras y molinos,Fabricante de chancadoras|date=2016-03-18|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> In September 2008, a franchise was opened in [[Berlin, Germany]], but it declared [[insolvency]]<ref>More information about German insolvency proceedings is available on [[German Wikipedia]]: [[w:de:Insolvenzordnung (Deutschland)]] [https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=de&u=https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insolvenzordnung_(Deutschland) (automatic translation)]</ref> less than one year later on 14 August 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tuningscene.ch/portal/print.php?news.358|title=News: : TuningScene @ West Coast Custom Corona (CA)|last=|first=|date=14 November 2011|website=TuningScene|publisher=|access-date=|quote=Dann wurde es lange Zeit still in Europa um die Jungs von West Coast Customs. Wilde Gerüchte kursierten. Änderungen in der Geschäftsführung folgten, sogar eine Niederlassung in Deutschland wurde gegründet. Jedoch wurde diese Niederlassung mittlerweile wieder geschlossen. (Then it was quiet for a long time in Europe around the guys of West Coast Customs. Wild rumors circulated. Changes in the management team followed, even a branch office in Germany was founded. However, this branch has now been closed again.)}}</ref><ref>See also: [[W:de:West Coast Customs#Street Customs Berlin .28geschlossen.29|West Coast Customs §§ Street Customs Berlin (geschlossen)]] (German)</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gutefrage.net/frage/hat-west-coast-customs-berlin-dicht-gemacht|title=Hat West Coast-Customs Berlin dicht gemacht? (Tuning)|last=|first=|date=|work=|newspaper=Gutefrage|language=German|access-date=2016-12-19|via=}}</ref>
[[File:Street Customs Berlin.jpg|thumb|[[Facade]] of the Berlin franchise shortly after its closure]]
* On 14 September 2008, a franchise was opened in a converted factory building along Revaler Straße in [[Friedrichshain]], [[Berlin, Germany]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.berliner-kurier.de/die-jungs-von-west-coast-customs-eroeffnen-ihre-werkstatt-in-berlin-kann-man-den-noch-tiefer-legen--yo--21754482|title=Die Jungs von West Coast Customs eröffnen ihre Werkstatt in Berlin|last=Render|first=Tobias|date=19 July 2008|work=|newspaper=[[Berliner Kurier]]|language=de-DE|trans-title=The guys from West Coast Customs will open a workshop in Berlin|accessdate=27 December 2016|via=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.berliner-kurier.de/21761196|title=Die Jungs von West Coast Customs suchen Schrauber: TV-Auto-Aufmotzen sind jetzt in Berlin|last=|first=|date=6 September 2008|work=|newspaper=Berliner Kurier|language=de-DE|trans-title=The guys from West Coast Customs are seeking mechanics: Car pimping from the world of TV now in Berlin|accessdate=27 December 2016|via=}}</ref> but it closed and declared [[insolvency]] less than one year later on 14 August 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tuningscene.ch/portal/print.php?news.358|title=News: : TuningScene @ West Coast Custom Corona (CA)|last=|first=|date=14 November 2011|website=TuningScene|publisher=|accessdate=|quote=Dann wurde es lange Zeit still in Europa um die Jungs von West Coast Customs. Wilde Gerüchte kursierten. Änderungen in der Geschäftsführung folgten, sogar eine Niederlassung in Deutschland wurde gegründet. Jedoch wurde diese Niederlassung mittlerweile wieder geschlossen. (Then it was quiet for a long time in Europe around the guys of West Coast Customs. Wild rumors circulated. Changes in the management team followed, even a branch office in Germany was founded. However, this branch has now been closed again.)}}</ref><ref>See also: [[:de:West Coast Customs#Street_Customs_Berlin_.28geschlossen.29|West Coast Customs §§ Street Customs Berlin (geschlossen)]] (German)</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gutefrage.net/frage/hat-west-coast-customs-berlin-dicht-gemacht|title=Hat West Coast-Customs Berlin dicht gemacht? (Tuning)|last=|first=|date=|work=|newspaper=Gutefrage|language=German|accessdate=19 December 2016|via=}}</ref> Before its closure, professional boxer [[Wladimir Klitschko]]<ref>{{Cite press release|title=DISCOVERY NETWORKS DEUTSCHLAND produziert mit "Street Customs Berlin" erstmals internationale TV-Serie|date=17 September 2008|publisher=Discovery Networks Deutscheland|location=Germany|url=http://www.presseportal.de/pm/57615/1266377|quote=Ihren ersten Kunden haben sie auch schon: Dr. Wladimir Klitschko, der bei der Werkstatteröffnung diese Woche dabei war, konnte mit Ryan Friedlinghaus schon Einzelheiten seiner Smart-Veredelung besprechen. [They already had their first customers: Dr. Wladimir Klitschko, who was present at the workshop opening this week, was able to discuss the details of his customization with Ryan Friedlinghaus.]|language=de-DE|last1=Katja|first1=Kirste|last2=Braun|first2=Stefanie|trans-title=DISCOVERY NETWORKS DEUTSCHLAND produces its first international TV series: "Street Customs Berlin"}}</ref> and musician [[Jared Hasselhoff|"Evil" Jared Hasselhoff]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dmax.de/programme/street-customs/videos/street-customs-berlin-partybus-fuer-die-bloodhound-gang/|title=Street Customs Berlin: Partybus für die Bloodhound Gang|last=|first=|date=|work=|newspaper=DMAX|language=de-DE|trans-title=Street Customs Berlin: A party bus for Bloodhound Gang|accessdate=27 December 2016|via=}}</ref> were customers. In 2011, following the closure of the business, the building was repainted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.e36-talk.com/index.php/Thread/60709-West-Coast-Customs-Berlin/|title=West Coast Customs Berlin|last=Lemme|first=|date=16 October 2011|website=E36 Talk Forum|publisher=|language=de-DE|accessdate=27 December 2016}}</ref>
* Mauricio Hernández, a former employee at the California location hired just before the debut on ''Pimp My Ride'', co-founded a Mexican franchise with Friedlinghaus' blessing in 2009.<ref name=":17" /> A television show with a similar format to the American version called ''Tunéame la nave'' was first broadcast on 14 August 2009 by [[Azteca (TV network)|Azteca]] shortly after the opening of the new business.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tuningmex.com/noticias/tuneame-la-nave/|title=Tunéame la nave|last=|first=|date=14 August 2009|work=TuningMex|accessdate=3 January 2017|via=}}</ref> According to Hernández, who became the host of the show, the franchise was opened with a "high" fee paid to Friedlinghaus to use the brand.<ref name=":17" /> The show continued for six seasons on Azteca, but it is unclear if there will be a 2017 season, and where it will air.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://asisucede.com.mx/tuneame-la-nave-busca-televisora/|title=“Tunéame la Nave” busca televisora|last=Clavijo|first=Judith Chacón|date=19 April 2016|work=|newspaper=Así Sucede|language=es-MX|trans-title="Tunéame la Nave" searches for a television station|accessdate=3 January 2017|via=}}</ref> This is because on 24 May 2016, during airing of season six, Hernández announced that he was abandoning the "West Coast Customs" brand and company in favor of his own brand, ''PacifiCoast Customs''.<ref name=":18">{{Cite news|url=http://revistaespejo.com/2016/05/abre-pacificoast-customs-ya-puedes-tunear-tu-nave-en-culiacan/|title=Abre PacifiCoast Customs {{!}} Ya puedes “tunear” tu nave en Culiacán|last=|first=|date=29 May 2016|work=|newspaper=Revista Espejo|language=es-MX|trans-title=PacifiCoast Customs opens {{!}} Now you can "pimp" your ride in Culiacán|accessdate=3 January 2017|via=}}</ref> In an interview with ''TuningMex'', Hernández stated that the new company had hired 20 employees, had an initial investment of MXN 2.5 million (US{{ToUSD|2500000|MXN|year=2016}}), and would be based in [[Culiacán, Sinaloa]], Mexico, describing the name change as similar to cutting "an [[umbilical cord]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tuningmex.com/noticias/mauricio-hernandez-deja-wcc/|title=Mauricio Hernández deja WCC y crea PacifiCoast Customs|last=González|first=Guadalupe Martínez|date=24 May 2016|website=TuningMex|publisher=|language=es-MX|trans-title=Mauricio Hernández leaves WCC and creates PacifiCoast Customs|accessdate=3 January 2017|quote=Es una decisión importante en mi vida no puedo vivir conectado en un cordón umbilical que se puede decir era West Coast es momento de empezar mi propia aventura. (It's an important decision in my life. I can't live connected by an umbilical cord, that is to say, connected to West Coast Customs; it is time to start my own adventure.)}}</ref> In a separate interview, Hernández stated that when people in Mexico think of West Coast Customs, they think of him and not Ryan Friedlinghaus; thus hinting that he does not believe that the change in name will hurt business.<ref name=":17" /> In an apparent dig at Friedlinghaus, Hernández stated that the new company is projected to work on only twenty cars in its first year, thus guaranteeing quality and that employees will not be overworked.<ref name=":18" />


⚫
A Japanese franchise is mentioned on the official WCC website,<ref name=InsideWCC/> and a website that announcing that it was "coming soon!" became available in 2009,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090325072402/http://www.westcoastcustoms.co.jp/index.html|title=westcoastcustoms.co.jp|date=2009-03-25|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> and was online until 13 March 2012,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120313114152/http://www.westcoastcustoms.co.jp/|title=Welcome to West Coast Customs Japan|last=|first=|date=2012-03-13|website=westcoastcustoms.co.jp|publisher=|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> but by 13 April 2012 the server hosting the site began returning a [[403 error]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120413133908/http://www.westcoastcustoms.co.jp/|title=403 Error - Forbidden|date=2012-04-13|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> and after 7 November 2012 the server hosting the website of the Japanese franchise went offline.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120413133908*/http://www.westcoastcustoms.co.jp/|title=Internet Archive Wayback Machine|date=2012-04-13|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref>
=== Never opened franchises ===
⚫
* A Japanese franchise is mentioned on the official WCC website,<ref name="InsideWCC" /> and a website announcing that it was "coming soon!" became available in 2009,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090325072402/http://www.westcoastcustoms.co.jp/index.html|title=West Coast Customs Japan, Coming Soon!|last=|first=|date=25 March 2009|website=westcoastcustoms.co.jp|publisher=|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> and was online until 13 March 2012,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120313114152/http://www.westcoastcustoms.co.jp/|title=Welcome to West Coast Customs Japan|last=|first=|date=13 March 2012|website=westcoastcustoms.co.jp|publisher=|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> but by 13 April 2012 the server hosting the site began returning a [[403 error]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120413133908/http://www.westcoastcustoms.co.jp/|title=403 Error - Forbidden|last=|first=|date=13 April 2012|website=westcoastcustoms.co.jp|publisher=|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> and after 7 November 2012 the server hosting the website of the Japanese franchise went offline.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120413133908*/http://www.westcoastcustoms.co.jp/|title=Internet Archive Wayback Machine|date=13 April 2012|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> In a 2013 video released by HP interviewing Friedlinghaus, the Japanese franchise's logo was displayed as {{Nihongo|2=ウエスト・コースト・カスタムズ|5=|lead=yes}}, despite the fact that no such company existed at the time.<ref name=":7">{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlngJ3JAs9g|title=お客様事例：West Coast Customs|date=18 August 2013|last=|first=|type=YouTube Video|language=English, with Japanese subtitles|publisher=Hewlett-Packard|trans-title=Customer case study: West Coast Customs|minutes=0:22}} Note: Make sure to choose 720p to see the logo clearly. Sometimes the player defaults to a lower resolution.</ref> An address was never provided, no Japanese media wrote about the opening of the franchise, and no further information about it has been forthcoming from WCC, so it can be assumed that the Japanese franchise never opened.
* In 2010, Dana Florence traveled to [[St. Petersburg, Russia]] for a question-and-answer session at the "Active Open Air Show Cars{{Sic|}}", according to ''[[W:ru:Look At Media|The Village]]''.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=http://www.the-village.ru/village/all-village/piter/96937-bolshoy-deyn-edet-sankt-peterburg|title=West Coast Customs впервые в Питере|last=Artamonov|first=Dmitry|date=17 June 2010|work=|newspaper=The Village|language=Russian|accessdate=19 December 2016|via=}}</ref> A Russian franchise under the name ''{{Lang-ru|Вест Коуст Customs}}'' is likewise mentioned by the company,<ref name=":7" /><ref name="InsideWCC" /> but as of January 2017, as in the case of the Japanese franchise, there is no sign of its opening.
* A Malaysian franchise is also mentioned in the 2013 HP video<ref name=":7" /> as ''{{Lang-ms|Pantai Barat Customs}}''. The owner of the franchise claimed that he would bring "official WCC merchandise to Malaysian shores" in 2013, but has made no further posts as of December 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/westcoastcustomsmalaysia/|title=West Coast Customs Malaysia {{!}} Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref>


Despite these setbacks, some franchisees have been successful. In 2007, Friedlinghaus announced a Dubai franchise,<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-pHavCUBuQ|title=West Coast Customs (WCC) coming to Dubai!|date=22 April 2007|last=Friedlinghaus|first=Ryan|type=YouTube video|language=en-US}}</ref> which was operating at least as late as 2012,<ref name=":4" /> and possibly later. In 2010, Big Dane (real name Dana Florence) traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia to commemorate the opening of the franchise there, according to [[W:ru:Look At Media|''The Village'']].<ref name=":5" /> According to their [[VKontakte]] page, the Russian franchise was operating at least as late as 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vk.com/westcc|title=West Coast Customs|website=vk.com|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref>
=== Open franchises ===


⚫
On 14 January 2016, Friedlinghaus announced a further Shanghai, China franchise via a [[Facebook]] post.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/officialwcc/photos/a.119939261376778.7903.105112142859490/950648194972543/?type=1&theater|title=Ryan Friedlinghaus and WCC are going BIG!|last=Friedlinghaus|first=Ryan|date=14 January 2016|website=www.facebook.com|publisher=West Coast Customs, Inc via Facebook|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> When the franchise opened on 18 August 2016, the event was met with substantial positive coverage by [[Chinese media]], with articles appearing in the [[Qilu Evening News]],<ref name=":6" /> auto magazine [http://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%B1%BD%E8%BD%A6%E4%B9%8B%E5%AE%B6/81714 Autohome],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201607/100056406.html|title=【图】全球著名品牌西海岸汽车定制登陆中国|last=|first=|date=19 July 2016|website=www.autohome.com.cn|publisher=Autohome (汽车之家)|language=Chinese|trans-title=World famous brand West Coast Customs landing in China|access-date=2016-12-19|quote=编辑了解到， 今年8月，大家期待已久的三款豪华定制车将由西海岸汽车定制带到中国上海 。 (Our editor has learned that in August of this year, the world famous luxury brand West Coast Customs will be available in China's "West Coast": Shanghai.)}}</ref> and the website of Chinese television station [[Phoenix InfoNews Channel]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.ifeng.com/a/20160818/49801610_0.shtml|title=西海岸汽车定制进驻中国，线下业务全面启动！|last=|first=|date=|website=news.ifeng.com|publisher=(Republishing of the article of Qilu Evening News)|language=Chinese|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref>
Despite these setbacks, some franchisees have created successful businesses.
* In 2007, Friedlinghaus announced a Dubai franchise<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-pHavCUBuQ|title=West Coast Customs (WCC) coming to Dubai!|date=22 April 2007|last=Friedlinghaus|first=Ryan|type=YouTube video|language=en-US}}</ref> to be owned by Al Ghussein Global Investments which continues to operate as of December 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/westcoastcustomsuae/|title=West Coast Customs Dubai {{!}} Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> The Dubai franchise was opened with a fee of AED 18 million (US$4.9 million) paid to West Coast Customs to use its [[trademark]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.arabianbusiness.com/auto-firm--pimp-cars-in-dubai-125993.html|title=Auto firm to 'pimp' cars in Dubai|last=Rahimi|first=Safura|date=24 April 2007|website=m.arabianbusiness.com|publisher=[[Arabian Business]]|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref>
⚫
* On 14 January 2016, Friedlinghaus announced a further Shanghai, China franchise via a [[Facebook]] post.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/officialwcc/photos/a.119939261376778.7903.105112142859490/950648194972543/?type=1&theater|title=Ryan Friedlinghaus and WCC are going BIG!|last=Friedlinghaus|first=Ryan|date=14 January 2016|website=www.facebook.com|publisher=West Coast Customs, Inc via Facebook|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> When the franchise opened on 18 August 2016, the event was met with substantial positive coverage by [[Chinese media]], with articles appearing in the [[Qilu Evening News]],<ref name=":6" /> auto magazine [http://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%B1%BD%E8%BD%A6%E4%B9%8B%E5%AE%B6/81714 Autohome],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201607/100056406.html|title=【图】全球著名品牌西海岸汽车定制登陆中国|last=|first=|date=19 July 2016|website=www.autohome.com.cn|publisher=Autohome (汽车之家)|language=Chinese|trans-title=World famous brand West Coast Customs landing in China|accessdate=19 December 2016|quote=编辑了解到， 今年8月，大家期待已久的三款豪华定制车将由西海岸汽车定制带到中国上海 。 (Our editor has learned that in August of this year, the world famous luxury brand West Coast Customs will be available in China's "West Coast": Shanghai.)}}</ref> and the website of Chinese television station [[Phoenix InfoNews Channel]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.ifeng.com/a/20160818/49801610_0.shtml|title=西海岸汽车定制进驻中国，线下业务全面启动！|last=|first=|date=|website=Phoenix InfoNews Channel|publisher=(Republishing of the article of Qilu Evening News)|language=Chinese|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official|http://www.westcoastcustoms.com}}
* [http://www.westcoastcustoms.com West Coast Customs official website]
* [http://www.wcc-europe.com German Franchise] (Closed)
* [http://www.westcoastcustoms.com.mx Mexican Franchise]
* [http://www.westcoastcustoms.co.jp Japanese Franchise]


[[Category:Vehicle modification]]
[[Category:Vehicle modification]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers based in California]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers based in California]]
[[Category:Companies based in Burbank, California]]
[[Category:Companies based in Burbank, California]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1994]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1993]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1993 establishments in California]]

Revision as of 20:59, 12 January 2017

West Coast Customs Inc.
Company typePrivate company
Founded1994
FounderRyan Friedlinghaus
HeadquartersBurbank, California, U.S.
Key people
Quinton Dodson, Chris G. Cooley, Dana Florence
ProductsCustom cars, branded merchandise,[1][2] franchising,[3] trade school courses[4]
Revenue$10 million (2008)[5]
Number of employees
Approx. 40
Websitehttp://www.westcoastcustoms.com

West Coast Customs (abbreviated by the company[6] as WCC) is an automobile repair shop focusing on the customization of vehicles. It was started by co-founders Ryan Friedlinghaus and Quinton Dodson in 1994.[7] According to Friedlinghaus, he began the business with a $5000 loan from his grandfather,[8] but other sources claim that he raised the seed money for the business while working at his father's liquor store.[7] Owing to the patronage of celebrities such as Shaquille O'Neal, 50 Cent, Jesse James, Steve Harvey and Sean Combs,[7] along with appearances in the reality television programs Pimp My Ride and Street Customs, the company has gained a high degree of notoriety and has become a multi-million dollar[5] business.

Besides celebrities, West Coast Customs has also created vehicles for global brands such as Virgin, Alienware (Dell subsidiary), Hewlett-Packard, Monster Energy, Microsoft, Samsung, Skype, Discovery Channel[9], Dr. Pepper, Jack Daniels, Toyota, Malibu Rum, and Sriracha (Huy Fong Foods).[10] It is frequently cited in as one of the best custom car shops in the United States.[11][12][13]

It has franchises in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,[14] St. Petersburg, Russia,[15] and Shanghai, China (as Chinese: 西海岸汽车定制).[16][17] Its flagship and largest facility of 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2)[18] is headquartered in Burbank, California, United States of America.

History

Early years; Pimp My Ride (1990-2007)

Main article: Pimp My Ride

According to two contradictory statements in the Los Angeles Times, West Coast Customs was founded in either 1994 or 1998[7] by auto enthusiast Ryan Friedlinghaus. In a 2008 article, USA Today put the foundation year as 1997.[5] The legal entity, West Coast Customs International, LLC, was incorporated in California on 20 October 2000.[19] A young Friedlinghaus had gotten his custom vehicles featured on the covers auto magazines by age 14, but he became frustrated with the tedium of dealing with multiple specialty shops which led to longer times to build the vehicles. According to Entrepreneur, this frustration, coupled to his love for custom cars, was what led to his opening of his own shop.[20]

It is at the Inglewood location that WCC began to gain a reputation for quality, which caused many celebrities to have their cars modified there.[7] According to Friedlinghaus, one of his first customers was Shaquille O'Neal, and this relationship helped him get contacts with other celebrities who were looking for custom automobiles.[21] Owing to this, Music Television (MTV) offered Friedlinghaus the opportunity to have a reality television show filmed at his business with himself as the star and rapper Xzibit as the host; his acceptance of this deal led to the 2004 TV show Pimp My Ride.[7]

Pimp My Ride was extremely successful, spawning international spin-offs, and its success increased the profile of West Coast Customs substantially.[21][22] The show's format was that the producers at MTV would find typical Americans with junk cars, they would be given a short interview with Xzibit, Friedlinghaus and the WCC crew to determine their interests and hobbies, and then WCC staff would fix their junk car and also transform it into a custom car embodying the interests and personality of its owner. In 2004, CBS News reported that the show consistently ranked first place in the 12 to 34 year old demographic for its 9:30PM time slot.[22]

As early as 2005, during airing of the second season of Pimp My Ride, rumors circulated that the location of the show would change and Friedlinghaus would part with MTV to host a show on a different network.[23] These rumors were confirmed with simultaneous announcements by MTV and Friedlinghaus in 2007[5], after the fourth and final season with WCC as the shop.[21]

In a 2007 interview in the Los Angeles Times Friedlinghaus gave after the Pimp My Ride relocation from West Coast Customs to Galpin Auto Sports, Friedlinghaus credited Pimp My Ride with helping him build his brand, but said that he felt that his focus on building cars for the television show damaged his relationships with his other customers.[21]

Street Customs and (Inside) West Coast Customs (2007-2016)

Nevertheless, after leaving Pimp My Ride Friedlinghaus would almost immediately begin a new television program that aired simultaneously on Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel, Street Customs, produced by Pilgrim Films & Television. Instead of building the cars for the celebrities chosen by MTV, the new show followed ongoing customizations being done for consenting customers of West Coast Customs. Friedlinghaus described the difference between the two shows thus: "I want to build cars on TV, not for TV."[21] While the break up was described as amicable,[23] others at WCC were not so subdued: Sean Mehaney, a then-employee of WCC, reportedly said "Most of the MTV people are not real car guys... They pay us to build the cars, so we do what they want even if it sucks."[23]

Street Customs would change names twice and networks three times, but its format remained constant. While cars would still be built for individuals, more and more episodes were devoted to brands as the show ran on. Because MTV was no longer footing the bill, all episodes of the new series were about cars built for people who could afford the high cost of customization. Some notable individuals built for in Street Customs are Carroll Shelby,[24] a Cadillac for Shaquille O'Neal[25] (according to Friedlinghaus, O'Neal had already had 30 cars built for him by WCC by July 2007[21]), a modified Range Rover for an unnamed member of the royal family of Dubai,[26] and a Cadillac CTS-V for Justin Bieber.[27] Brands built for included Chronic Tacos[28] and Vans.[29]

After the 2009 season, the show was renamed to Inside West Coast Customs. Along with this change, it was also moved to Discovery HD Theater, which later became a different specifically automotive related cable channel, Velocity (owned by one of the channels it previously appeared on, Discovery Channel).[30] In June of 2013, Fox Sports Network took over the production of the show, dropping the word "Inside" from the show's name, and has continued to produce new seasons of the show as of December 2016.[31]

Location changes

The company has moved several times in its history, each time to larger spaces. According to Friedlinghaus, the first shop was in Laguna Niguel, Orange County, California, after which it moved to Compton, Los Angeles in 1998.[7] In 2000, it moved again to a location on Olive Street in Inglewood.[7] After the first season of Pimp My Ride, the company moved yet another time to a location near Los Angeles International Airport to a larger location which had a room specifically for the filming.[7] After the cancellation of Pimp My Ride, the company moved to a location in Corona, California in preparation for the Street Customs television show. In early 2015 Ryan moved the headquarters to a new 60,000 sq/ft facility located in Burbank, CA.[23]

Cast and crew

The following include those that have appeared on the TV show Street Customs.[32]

  • Ryan Friedlinghaus, Chief Executive Officer:
  • Chris G. Cooley, CFO
  • Lil Ryan, Son To CEO
  • Big Dane – FOO (Friend of Owner)
  • Musa Tjahjono– Vehicle Design
  • Oliver Nowlin– Creative Design
  • Meagan Friedlinghaus – Ryan's Wife
  • Kenny W. – Wood Fabrication

Film crew:

  • Adam ' Mad Money' Means – Director,
  • Patrick 'Green Street' Dupree – Camera,
  • David 'The Contender' McAbee – Coordinator,
  • John 'Too-Cool-for-School' Lakin – Audio,
  • Kyle 'Karl' Scanlon – Asst. Camera,

Kara Stephens-Producer and Director

Kristoffer May-Director of Photography

Michael Weinstein-Sound Mixer

West Coast Customs, Inc. Trademarks

WRENCH West Coast Customs, Inc.

RHAUS West Coast Customs, Inc.


Franchises

West Coast Customs has attempted to franchise its brand to other parts of the world with some success. Its Xochitepec, Mexico franchise closed in 2014[33] and its domain name was bought by an unrelated company.[34] In September 2008, a franchise was opened in Berlin, Germany, but it declared insolvency[35] less than one year later on 14 August 2009.[36][37][38]

A Japanese franchise is mentioned on the official WCC website,[3] and a website that announcing that it was "coming soon!" became available in 2009,[39] and was online until 13 March 2012,[40] but by 13 April 2012 the server hosting the site began returning a 403 error,[41] and after 7 November 2012 the server hosting the website of the Japanese franchise went offline.[42]

Despite these setbacks, some franchisees have been successful. In 2007, Friedlinghaus announced a Dubai franchise,[43] which was operating at least as late as 2012,[14] and possibly later. In 2010, Big Dane (real name Dana Florence) traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia to commemorate the opening of the franchise there, according to The Village.[15] According to their VKontakte page, the Russian franchise was operating at least as late as 2013.[44]

On 14 January 2016, Friedlinghaus announced a further Shanghai, China franchise via a Facebook post.[45] When the franchise opened on 18 August 2016, the event was met with substantial positive coverage by Chinese media, with articles appearing in the Qilu Evening News,[16] auto magazine Autohome,[46] and the website of Chinese television station Phoenix InfoNews Channel.[47]

References

  1. ^ Advertisement: MORE ACCESSORIES. MORE VALUE., Los Angeles Times, 28 August 2005, p. CB3
  2. ^ "West Coast Customs Store". West Coast Customs Official Website. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Inside WCC - Franchising". West Coast Customs Official Website. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  4. ^ "West Coast Customs Announces West Coast Customs Academy And Launches Indiegogo Campaign". PRNewsWire. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d MacMedan, Dan (11 February 2008). "'Pimp My Ride' car customizer moves on to his next gig". USA Today. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  6. ^ "West Coast Customs on Twitter". Twitter. 17 December 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Labossiere, Regine (2004-09-02). "Customizing Cars, a Career and Even a Show on MTV". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  8. ^ "Alien Takeover". Inside West Coast Customs. Season 1. Episode 1. 20 February 2011. 0 minutes in. During intro: I'm Ryan Friedlinghaus, CEO of the world famous West Coast Customs. What started as a $5000 loan from my grandfather became this: The most creative and innovative custom car shop on the planet. This is my world, and this is how it's done.
  9. ^ These brands all had featured episodes in Inside West Coast Customs
  10. ^ Goldberg, Max (18 November 2016). "Lexus and West Coast Customs Built a Sriracha-Themed IS300". The Drive. Retrieved 2016-12-19 – via Yahoo.com.
  11. ^ "The 20 Best Custom Car Shops in America - 3. West Coast Customs". Complex. Complex Media Inc. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  12. ^ "Incredible Work From 25 of the Best Customs Shops in the US". independentmotors.net. Independent Motors Boulder. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  13. ^ Crenshaw, Michael (2013-07-24). "The 10 Best Custom Shops - #1. West Coast Customs". Rides Magazine. Harris Publications. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  14. ^ a b Hewett, Jenny (15 May 2012). "Customise your car in Dubai - image 5 "Three to try - local body shops"". Time Out Dubai. ITP Digital Ltd. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  15. ^ a b Artamonov, Dmitry (17 June 2010). "West Coast Customs впервые в Питере". The Village (in Russian). Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  16. ^ a b "西海岸汽车定制进驻中国，线下业务全面启动！ 齐鲁晚报" [West Coast Customs, now open for business in China!] (in Chinese). Qilu Evening News. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  17. ^ "西海岸汽车定制". www.westcoastcustoms.com.cn. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  18. ^ "RVLT Outfitted The Entire 60,000 Square Foot West Coast Customs Headquarters With Its Energy-efficient LED Flat Panels, LED Tubes And Other LED Products. (Photo: Business Wire)". TheStreet. 2015-03-04. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  19. ^ "Results Detail". Business Filings, Office of the Secretary of State of California Alex Padilla. Government of the State of California. 20 October 2000. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  20. ^ Pennington, April Y. (2005-06-01). "Custom Made". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  21. ^ a b c d e f Lopez, Benny (18 July 2007). "Style points score billions in this industry". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 20 December 2016 – via Newspapers.com. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ a b Holguin, Jaime (11 June 2004). "MTV's Car Makeover Show A Hit". CBS News. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  23. ^ a b c d Mays, Erin (29 December 2005). "West Coast Customs will no longer pimp yo ride". Autoblog. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  24. ^ "History In The Making (aka Shelby's Mustang)". Street Customs. Season 1. Episode 1.
  25. ^ "Shaquillac". Street Customs. Season 1. Episode 4.
  26. ^ "The Royal Rover". Street Customs. Season 1. Episode 2.
  27. ^ "Justin Bieber's IN LOVE". Velocity. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  28. ^ "Ultimate Taco Truck". Street Customs. Season 2. Episode 7.
  29. ^ "Vans Van". Street Customs. Season 3. Episode 4.
  30. ^ Hamilton, Peter (2011-09-20). "Discovery's New Velocity Channel: What Do Rich Men Want? What's the Sweet Spot? Plus: Who's Next for a Re-name?". DocumentaryTelevision.com. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  31. ^ Zamalloa, Dana (6 June 2013). "West Coast Customs Moves to FOX Sports Networks". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  32. ^ Meet The Team
  33. ^ "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". 2014-03-15. Retrieved 2016-12-19. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  34. ^ "Chancadoras China,venta trituradoras y molinos,Fabricante de chancadoras". 2016-03-18. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  35. ^ More information about German insolvency proceedings is available on German Wikipedia: w:de:Insolvenzordnung (Deutschland) (automatic translation)
  36. ^ "News: : TuningScene @ West Coast Custom Corona (CA)". TuningScene. 14 November 2011. Dann wurde es lange Zeit still in Europa um die Jungs von West Coast Customs. Wilde Gerüchte kursierten. Änderungen in der Geschäftsführung folgten, sogar eine Niederlassung in Deutschland wurde gegründet. Jedoch wurde diese Niederlassung mittlerweile wieder geschlossen. (Then it was quiet for a long time in Europe around the guys of West Coast Customs. Wild rumors circulated. Changes in the management team followed, even a branch office in Germany was founded. However, this branch has now been closed again.)
  37. ^ See also: West Coast Customs §§ Street Customs Berlin (geschlossen) (German)
  38. ^ "Hat West Coast-Customs Berlin dicht gemacht? (Tuning)". Gutefrage (in German). Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  39. ^ "westcoastcustoms.co.jp". 2009-03-25. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  40. ^ "Welcome to West Coast Customs Japan". westcoastcustoms.co.jp. 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  41. ^ "403 Error - Forbidden". 2012-04-13. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  42. ^ "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". 2012-04-13. Retrieved 2016-12-19. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  43. ^ Friedlinghaus, Ryan (22 April 2007). West Coast Customs (WCC) coming to Dubai! (YouTube video).
  44. ^ "West Coast Customs". vk.com. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  45. ^ Friedlinghaus, Ryan (14 January 2016). "Ryan Friedlinghaus and WCC are going BIG!". www.facebook.com. West Coast Customs, Inc via Facebook. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  46. ^ "【图】全球著名品牌西海岸汽车定制登陆中国" [World famous brand West Coast Customs landing in China]. www.autohome.com.cn (in Chinese). Autohome (汽车之家). 19 July 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-19. 编辑了解到， 今年8月，大家期待已久的三款豪华定制车将由西海岸汽车定制带到中国上海 。 (Our editor has learned that in August of this year, the world famous luxury brand West Coast Customs will be available in China's "West Coast": Shanghai.)
  47. ^ "西海岸汽车定制进驻中国，线下业务全面启动！". news.ifeng.com (in Chinese). (Republishing of the article of Qilu Evening News). Retrieved 2016-12-19.
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