We typically don’t engage in disparaging remarks about random, transient parts retailers, but then again, we usually don’t tolerate our content being appropriated and repurposed by AI-driven “outlets” attempting to sell low-quality products to unsuspecting Mopar fans. Looking at you, Vicrez.
Vicrez operates an online parts store (styled to resemble Amazon; we’re not providing a link) and a blog that notably lacks any human author credits and features talking-head videos that are almost certainly generated by AI. It also seems to have previously had a physical location in Santa Fe Springs, California (reviews indicated… poor quality), although its job postings imply the company is run by individuals based in Oklahoma.
The original visuals stem from a review of the two-door Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack published on The Drive last March. It was the author (and photographer), Bradley Iger, who alerted us to Vicrez’s antics. He affirmed that he hadn’t sold photographs from the same set to any other parties or shared them elsewhere for possible theft.
While the “altered” versions on Vicrez aren’t direct replicas, there are obvious indicators that the site procured our images and processed them through an AI tool to produce the modified versions. Examine the photo sets side-by-side above. You can see that the background in our side profile image is identical to that in Vicrez’s front and rear 3/4 images—the rock formation, root plants, a bit of red and white debris, even matching tire marks are all present, though slightly altered by AI.
Additionally, the positioning of the car doesn’t align between our images and theirs, but if you scrutinize our photo set, you can find corresponding angles for each of theirs. Not to mention that the details and proportions on the Charger appear slightly misrepresented in their images in ways that can’t be accounted for by a physical body kit. Legally, they’ve likely done just enough to avoid a cease & desist from our legal team. But we’re still going to point out the obvious. Like how the car features a black spoiler in the modified front 3/4 image, yet it’s absent in the rear 3/4 shot.
The real offense here isn’t against us or even Vicrez’s consumers, but against common sense, as it’s going to require more than a low-effort body kit to transform your Dodge Charger in this way. If the “after” image seems too good to be true, well, that’s because it is fabricated. So is the AI-generated b-roll footage Vicrez included in its announcement, as if that somehow validates the authenticity of this offering.
Sure, maybe it is. Maybe Vicrez’s body kit is crafted from a polymer infused with actual unicorn essence, enabling it to magically convert an EV into a gas-powered engine and sprout an exhaust system. And perhaps Vicrez was established by Doc Brown and this new kit transforms the Charger Daytona into a time machine, allowing the intern to revert to the exact date these images were snapped to replicate the setting and lighting precisely.
Or perhaps some “entrepreneur” merely requested AI tools (like Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, or various other generative options) to overlay some previous Charger elements onto the current model and deem it acceptable. Hint: That’s not at all how the Fratzonic setup functions. And even if one wants to be generous and assert that the kit is genuinely in the preliminary stages of development and Vicrez merely generated these AI images for publicity, that’s not a business we’d trust with our finances.
Remember, we’re dealing with image *generators* here, not merely editors. They don’t just reference the source material you supply; they create images sourced from across the digital landscape. The above appears to be a mirrored and edited iteration of the primary image utilized in our article from the previous year, while several others have undergone more extensive AI enhancement. Isn’t the new era remarkable?
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**Tuner Misappropriates and AI-Edits Photos to Promote Dodge Charger Body Kit**
In the realm of automotive tuning and aftermarket enhancements, creativity and innovation hold significant value. However, the distinction between inspiration and misappropriation can often become obscured, resulting in controversies that provoke ethical dilemmas. A recent episode involving a tuner who appropriated and AI-edited photographs to promote a Dodge Charger body kit has ignited discussions about copyright, originality, and the ramifications of employing artificial intelligence in marketing.
### Background
The Dodge Charger, a mainstay in the American muscle car domain, has an enthusiastic following among car aficionados and tuners. Aftermarket improvements, including body kits, are favored by owners aiming to enhance their vehicles’ aesthetics and performance. Tuning enterprises frequently depend on high-quality visuals to display their products, making visual marketing an essential aspect of their operations.
### The Incident
In this instance, a tuner attracted attention for advertising a new body kit designed for the Dodge Charger. However, the visuals utilized in their marketing initiative were not original. Instead, the tuner misappropriated photos from diverse sources, including professional automotive photographers and other tuners, without obtaining approval. To complicate matters further, the tuner utilized AI editing tools to alter these images, fabricating the impression that the body kit was fitted to the vehicles shown.
### Ethical Implications
The employment of appropriated visuals raises substantial ethical issues. Photographers and content creators dedicate time, effort, and resources to capturing high-quality images. When their work is used without authorization, it undermines their rights and can lead to financial detriment. The situation is made worse when AI editing is involved, as it can create misleading portrayals of a product’s look.
### Legal Considerations
From a legal perspective, copyright infringement poses a serious concern. The unauthorized use of copyrighted images may lead to legal proceedings from the original creators. In numerous jurisdictions, photographers possess exclusive rights to their creations, and utilizing their images without consent can lead to lawsuits and financial repercussions. Additionally, employing AI to modify these visuals does not exempt the tuner from accountability; it may even further complicate the legal framework.
### The Role of AI in Marketing
The adoption of AI in marketing strategies has become more common. While AI tools can foster creativity and streamline processes, they also introduce challenges surrounding authenticity and originality. In this situation, the AI editing was applied to generate misleading images, which may deceive potential customers regarding the product’s actual appearance and quality.
### Community Response
The automotive community has reacted emphatically to the incident. Numerous enthusiasts and professionals have expressed their disapproval of the tuner’s actions, highlighting the significance of respecting intellectual property and supporting original creators. Conversations on social media platforms have underscored the necessity for increased awareness of copyright matters and the ethical employment of AI in marketing.
### Conclusion
The misappropriation of images and the utilization of AI editing by a tuner to promote a Dodge Charger body kit serves as a cautionary example within the automotive sector. It reinforces the importance of upholding intellectual property rights and the ethical considerations involved in marketing practices. As technology continues to advance, it is imperative for businesses to navigate these challenges sensibly, ensuring that creativity and innovation don’t infringe upon others’ rights. This incident serves as a reminder that integrity and respect for original work are essential in nurturing a vibrant and healthy automotive community.