Car mats are usually the last thing on any car owner's mind when it comes to personalising their ride. And that is completely understandable, considering the fact that these things are designed to be stepped on, wear out rather easily and are typically 'out of sight, out of mind'.
That is a simple question that would make anyone think twice about starting an artisanal car mat-making business. Not Neomat, though.
You see, although it may be true that most folks would dismiss the concept of customised car mats, there are a handful of drivers who appreciate the finer things in life, pay attention to the little details and seek to make their cars an extension of themselves.
Neomat, which specialises in customised 3D and 4D car mats, aims to provide the highest-quality handcrafted mats at the most affordable prices.
What are 3D and 4D mats?
Not all car mats are made equal. Generally, there are three categories that each one falls into - 2D, which is the basic flat mat and comes standard in most cars; 3D, which has added side walls; and 4D, which comes with an additional layer on top to protect the 3D mat underneath.
Why can't I just get a cheap one online?
Neomat approaches car mats the same way a tailor does with suits. Yes, you can get them off the rack or, in the case of car mats, mass production heat-moulded ones from China. But they will never fit your footwell as perfectly as a well-tailored suit fits your body.
It doesn't matter what size, shape or design you require, Neomat has the tools to make your mat dreams come true. This is done with a 3D scanner, which wasn't actually designed for cars.
It was made for antiques and medical use. However, Kino, Neomat's founder, came across this technology and thought to himself, "Why not try this on car mats?"
But why car mats, though?
Kino used to own a pretty luxurious car. The problem with having handcrafted luxury materials in a car, though, is the amount of time it takes to get a replacement. He then purchased a BMW i8 and approached a factory in China to manufacture a set of customised mats for him. But, for logistical reasons, the factory declined. So, he had to find a better alternative.
Fast forward a couple of years and Neomat has become the first mat maker in Singapore to employ the use of 3D scanning and printing technology in its products. This allows the company to make, from scratch, car mats that cater to football fans, petrolheads, and everything in-between.
It's not just a hobby as well. Kino has invested some serious time and money into the Research and Development (R&D) of his company's mat-making technology and proprietary designs. He even has his own R&D team and factory.
Mad about mats
Neomat doesn't just provide mat customisation services. It has a readily available inventory of cookie-cutter mats, with a wide array of designs, for common car models such as the Toyota Corolla Altis and Honda Civic.
These aren't your typical 'fake mats' that are made of vinyl, though. They are vincoil mats that feature a higher thread count than usual to be more durable. Prices for ready-made mats start at $220.
If you don't see what you like, Neomat is more than happy to make a customised set for you. But you'll have to be patient, considering the fact that the scanning process alone takes a whole day.
Couple that with the manufacturing portion and you're looking at a waiting time of anywhere between a month and six weeks. As they say, good things come to those who wait, or so we've heard.
Quality over quantity
Neomat's 3D mat range is called the Crystal series. These mats are made from PU leather (also known as bicast leather, synthetic patent leather or split leather), which is the highest grade of synthetic leather. This material is scratch-proof and fire-resistant, thanks to the heat bonding process it goes through during production.
This makes it so durable that it doesn't require an additional layer on top to protect it. Oh, and you won't find any China-made versions of this as it's too expensive to mass produce. Prices for 3D mats start at $350. Plans are also in the works for a Signature series so stay tuned for that.
If you wish to go over-the-top, Neomat's 4D top layers come in several high-quality materials such as Italian Wool, Pile Material and Loop Pile, which make it seem like you're stepping on fluffy clouds.
Is a car mat-making business even a viable option?
Granted, artisanal car mats aren't in much demand here, or more specifically, in right-hand drive markets as right-hand drive cars only make up five percent of the world's population and the market is already dominated by a few major players.
The left-hand drive market, however, boasts more untapped potential. According to Kino, there are only about four big brands that cater to left-hand drive cars and they're all based in the U.S.A.
This makes their mats not only expensive for the consumer, but also specially designed for different seasons such as winter, for example.
Neomat, although it started out in 2017, already has a showroom in Bangkok, Thailand. Kino says there is a larger market for premium car mats there as the upper class Thais have the spending power and are more willing to personalise their rides. It's also no secret that modifying cars is in their blood. With that being said, Neomat is open to distributorships and welcomes potential partners.
For more information on Neomat, please visit the Neomat website or Facebook page.
