Motorcycle accessories

One of the most popular style aftermarket tail light is the Altezza lights or sometimes called Euro tail lights.These tail lights were inspired by the IS model Lexus. In Japan this particular model was called the Toyota Altezza. If you picture the average tail light you will remember that older cars seemed to have all red plastic or glass covers. After a while some designs incorporated a small clear lens which was used for the backup light. Most tail lights now have a clear backup portion, while a few vehicles mount the backup lights inboard closer to the license plate.

The next change was adding an orange piece or an orange bulb to a clear area. This light served as the turn signal light.So the typical tail light seen in America had large red areas for break and night light, a clear area for the backup light, and an orange area or bulb for the turn signals. The Lexus IS changed all of that. Here was a tail light assembly with large chrome areas inside the housing surrounding smaller individual light fixtures which contained the red, orange and backup lights.

This new design took off and various companies began to make aftermarket products for other brands of cars based on the original Altezza concept. Newer styles have replaced the chrome with a black or other color. Again, the purpose is to draw attention to your car and have it standout from stock vehicles.

If you want your car to have the latest tread then, consider an Altezza type replacement. But use some caution. Many of these are made in China or Taiwan and unfortunately some are made with inferior materials and tend to leak water.

In addition, some may not have all of the same inside components of the lights that came with your car. One part that is missing in some of the very cheap knockoffs is the same number of internal reflectors.