TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Cars Product Category

Pop 'N' Push Car by SASSY

Baby can push back on this little car and let it go to see colorful beads pop, pop, pop inside the car’s clear top. The cheery little car has a bright green “chassis” and blue wheels with teal tire treads. A smiling face is embossed on the front of the car. "The movement of the little car encourages baby to crawl after it," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009. 6/3/2009 (Price: $5.49) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Woodman Concept Formula 1 Racer by WOODLAND MAGIC IMPORTS

Created in France, these well-crafted wooden car kits, designed to introduce children to the world of woodworking, give children a chance to build something fun for themselves. The kit comes with pre-cut wood, a hammer, sandpaper and glue and dowels for old-world construction, as well as acrylic paints in durable pots, plus two paintbrushes to personalize the project — one for broad painting and one for details. The set features "beech wood components, which is more durable than pine, and everything the child needs is included," Meghan Ristau, sales and marketing manager for Woodland Magic Imports, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008. ( Watch Video) 4/9/2009 (Price: $19.95)

Haba Car by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

Vroom, Vroom Watch out! The nippy little car is coming into your child's room. This is the ideal child's riding vehicle for dashing around corners as it won't chip or mar cupboards or doors with it's wrap around padding. 3/20/2009 (Price: $299.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

VikingToys Cute Cars Mom & Baby Assortment by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

The VikingToys Cute Cars Mom & Baby Assortment feature cute big "Mom" and small "Baby" car sets in four different themes: Frog, Pig, Cat and Bear. Featuring new colors, VikingToys are sized just right for little hands, and their smooth, soft edges are safe for teething toddlers. "VikingToys Cute Cars are designed to be safe for young children to mouth. They are sanitary, allowing for top dishwasher rack cleaning. Additionally, they are made of soft, pliable plastic with smooth, round forms," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009. ( Watch Video) 2/27/2009 (Price: $12.99)

Camouflage Carabiner & Pen by UNIVERSAL SPECIALTIES CO INC

This fun camouflage pen hooks onto a belt loop or backpack. It comes in assorted colors. 12/12/2008 (Price: $2.00)

Evolution Classic Memories Slot Car Racing System by CARRERA

Featuring the famed ’57 Chevrolet® Bel Air Coupe and legendary 1960 Plymouth® Fury in original form and detail on a 1:32 scale, Carrera’s Classic Memories Set captures the nostalgia of “the happy days” and transports drivers, race fans and collectors alike back to the time when both classics could be found dragging the strip and speeding to the local sock hop. “General Motors’ ’57 Chevy® and ’60 Plymouth® Fury were innovative in their day,” said Alan Hess, president of Carrera America. “Both models’ body styling, revolutionary suspensions and transmissions make them a natural addition to Carrera Evolution’s high performance, original-licensed offerings. With this new set, we’re reviving and refreshing timeless classics in a fun, exciting way.” Launch date: November 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $170.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Carrera GO!!! Batman by CARRERA

Themed after “The Dark Knight,” Carrera of America’s 1:43 scale GO!!! Batman slot car race track system is giving the young - and the young at heart- a chance to step into the cockpit of Batman’s “Hyperdrive” and take on the Joker in his “Joker Mobile” through the streets of Gotham City at scale speeds up to 450 miles per hour. Licensed through DC Comics and WarnerBros. (WB), the set brings the streets of Gotham City to life, featuring the following: two 1:43 scale slot cars: Batmobile “Hyperdrive” and “The Joker Mobile”, straights (114 mm and 342 mm), curves 1/90°, a junction, loop sections with supports, fly over sections with supports, a narrow section, a connecting track section, a straight with lap counter, two speed controllers, a transformer, and accessories: track section bolts, guardrails, replacement contact brushes, spare guide keels and instructions. Dimensions when assembled: 210 x 98 cm/6.89 x 3.21 ft. Track length: 6,2 m/20.34 ft. Launch date: July 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Digital 132 GT Racers by CARRERA

Carrera of America is recreating the excitement, thrills and spills of real-life motorsport racing with its new Digital 132 GT Racer set, which combines superior model making and state-of-the-art technology to provide lightning-quick, brilliant tactical moves, precision drifts in search of the ideal line, pit stops and peak speed capacity, and is compatible with other manufactures’ analog racetrack and slot car systems. Carrera’s 1:32 scale Digital GT Racer set is outfitted with a Porsche GT3 RSR Felbermayr Proton Competition LMES 2007, a BMW Z4 M Coupé Schubert Motors, 11 standard straights, three 1/3 Straights, a connecting track with black box, two Digital 132 lane change sections (four track sections), 10 curves 1/60°, a wireless tower, two wireless speed controllers, a transformer, guardrails, replacement contacts, instructions, verge border sections and track section interlocks. Assembled dimensions are 350 x 179 cm/11.48 x 5.87 ft. Track length: 9,0 m/29.53 ft. Launch date: November 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $250.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Motorhead Miniatures - The Car Show Diorama Accessory Figurine Set by M & D INTERNATIONAL

Collectors can finish their diorama display with their favorite model car in 1:18 scale with the latest set of fantastic figurines from the imagination of Motorhead Miniatures. This is the couple you see every weekend showing off their car and mixing it up with freinds and fellow motorheads. The hand-painted, cold-cast resin figures include metal-framed chairs, a floor sign and, of course, the dog. The product is also available in 24-scale for model kits, die cast and garden railroads. "Motorhead Minitures is the market leader in limited-edition figurines to complete displays of die cast, model cars and garden railroads. The Car Show is just the latest in themed sets of figurines and accessories for the model or train enthusiast," Drew Heitner, president of Motorhead Miniatures LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009. 10/27/2008 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Carrera GO!!! Police Chase by CARRERA

A complete slot-car racing set, Police Chase features two authentically detailed cars. One, a Crown Victoria police interceptor with working headlights, and the other, a Corvette with blue under-lighting, race along the tracks at the command of two turbo-speed controllers included in the set. The lap-counter keeps track of who is in the lead.   
— Five percent of 68 retailers said in October 2008 that slot cars are their top-selling hobby item. 9/19/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Die-Cast Pull-Back Bus by SCHYLLING

Children love the idea of having their own 8-1/2” school bus. This die-cast vehicle has a pull-back motor for pull-back-and-go action, as well as a working stop sign and swinging doors. "Schylling carries around 50 die-cast vehicles, and the large school bus is one of the best sellers," said Stephen Medina of Schylling Toys.
— “[Schylling’s] die-cast school bus,” Marilyn Walker, owner of Play Fair Toys in Boulder, Colo., told TDmonthly, when asked to name the best-selling die-cast in her store. “We sell hundreds each year.”
— Six of 34 retailers TDmonthly spoke with in spring 2007 agreed that Schylling is hot in die-cast. Nine of 55 specialty retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in May 2008 singled out school buses as their best-selling die-cast vehicles.
— Marc Slotin, owner of My Imagination Station in Spartanburg, S.C., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that die-cast school buses were among his best-selling die-cast toys. 5/22/2007 (Price: $3.99)

Nintendo Mario Kart DS Race Set (Mario & Yoshi; Mario & Donkey Kong) by NKOK INC.

Mario’s back, and this time in slot-car form with his buddy Yoshi (or up against Donkey Kong), he takes the virtual Mario Kart DS game and brings it into the real world. With twin controllers, a basic but exciting track layout, and all that is Mario, it’s perfect for the younger car-race set. Lanny Halim, accounts manager for Nkok, explained that “they are selling well, to both kids of DS Nintendo age, and their parents who grew up on the older Nintendo 64 version. It’s different because of its toyness ― it isn’t the video game.” 3/29/2007 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mini Scion by PHANTAZM INC.

The 7"-tall Mini Scion takes the XB trend to a whole new level. Individuals can get theirs customized to look like the car they drive. Customized versions retail at $65.  2/21/2007

Extension Block With Axle - Red by AUTOMOBLOX

Turn any of your Automoblox vehicles into a six-wheeler by adding one of our Extension Blox to your Automoblox garage. Get two Extension Blox and create an eight-wheeler. It includes two C9 wheels and tires, and is compatible with most models.
― Automoblox is “very nice to deal with [and has] great sales reps,” said Martin Goetzinger, founder of www.schooldelay.com, in spring 2007. 1/17/2007 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Extension Block With Axle - Blue by AUTOMOBLOX

Turn any of your Automoblox vehicles into a six-wheeler by adding one of our Extension Blox to your Automoblox garage. Get two Extension Blox and create an eight-wheeler. Includes two C9 wheels and tires. Compatible with most models. 1/17/2007 (Price: $10.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Homie Hopperz - '64 Impala Radio Control 1:25 Scale w/ Jokachild and Ice Cold by LOWRIDE2FREEDOM

The HomieShop together with Lindberg and General Motors bring you the HomieHopperz. Feel the power of hitting switches and making your lowride hop, bounce, slam and dance. 9/5/2006 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Vigilante Custom S.U.V. Lowrider by LOWRIDE2FREEDOM

The remote-controlled Lourdes model car features a four-wheel hopping action. The 1:25 scale car dances and hops to beats, locks in poses and flashes headlights and breaklights. The car is controlled by a four-button computer game style controller attached by a chord in the back. 9/5/2006 (Price: $19.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spy Video Car by WILD PLANET

This remote control car with video camera, infrared night-vision headset screen and hand-held control will blow kids away. Kim Bratcher of Wild Planet told TDmonthly that the Spy Video Car is the first Spy-themed RC vehicle that offers infrared night vision and a private head-mounted display. It works up to 75' away.  “It combines imaginative Spy role-play adventures with action-packed RC fun,” Bratcher said. This product received a 2007 T.O.T.Y. Award for “Boy Toy of the Year.” In fall 2006, it was the Grand Prize Winner for RC Toys in FamilyFun Magazine's Toy of the Year awards. 3/29/2006 (Price: $149.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]