Toy Industry News for May 2013 — Sony and Lego join forces to blur the lines between blocks and video games ...read more toy news from May 2013

The T9 pick-up will have your children imagining daring adventures over tock-strewn trails and long trips to places only a beloved pick-up can take them.The will enjoy taking the T9 apart as well rebuilding it and dreaming up their own creations. Pop off the roof and quickly snap together the front and rear blocks or exchange them with parts from other models for countless hours of fun and learning.

With deck and chin spoilers, rear diffusers, side skirts, large blue wheels, silver top  and other high performance styling cues, this Silver S9-R of the Automoblox R-Line speaks the language of serious driving fun. Fully interchangeable with other models, R-Line owners can mix-and-match parts to build unique performance models or just add a little horse power to the current Automoblox styles.

With deck and chin spoilers, rear diffusers, side skirts, large red wheels, silver top and side accents plus other high performance styling cues, this White C9-R of the Automoblox R-Line speaks the language of serious driving fun. Fully interchangeable with other models, R-Line owners can mix-and-match parts to build unique performance models or just add a little horse power to the current Automoblox styles.

Design is in the details and the C9-S will add a strong dose of sophistication to your existing Automoblox collection.

The stylish A-9S features a speedster body and driving lights set lower than on the standard A9. The beech wood construction is complemented by shiny black wheels and white molded components that are interchangeable with other Automoblox designs.

This sport utility vehicle is built for high-quality performance on rugged terrain. The wooden replica features durable body accessories permanently fixed to the simple wooden body blocks. Launch date: February 2008.
— Jeanette Lauture of Aunt Jean’s Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., told TDmonthly in summer 2008 that Automoblox are top sellers in her store. “This product has mass appeal for girls and boys,” she said. “Children love to pull things apart and build them up again, and the variety and interchangeability of these cars offer many hours of play.”
— Automoblox are top sellers at Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., Owner Patricia Fiedler said in spring 2009. “They’re fun, well-made, and offer endless mix-and-match possibilities.”

This replica of the purpose-built, performance-oriented sport sedan features durable body accessories permanently fixed to the simple wooden body blocks. Launch date: February 2008.

The purpose-built, performance-oriented car features durable body accessories permanently fixed to the simple wooden body blocks. Launch date: February 2008.
— “Automoblox always does very well. Usually, when we get those in, we sell through,” Leslie Chiaverini, owner of Adventure Toys and Teacher Supplies in Los Altos, Calif., told TDmonthly.
— “Automoblox have become very hot. They're a little pricey … but people really seem to like them,” Yamil Castillo, owner of The Red Balloon Toy Store in Salt Lake City, Utah, told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— In spring 2008, three of 50 retailers mentioned Automoblox to TDmonthly, when asked about best-selling construction toys and those they are interested in selling in their stores.

Automoblox Minis are a reinvention of the classic wooden toy car — a fusion of heirloom craftsmanship and ultra-modern styling, transformed into a mix-and-match design system that allows kids to create their own special car styles. This truck features blue wheels and a transparent blue top. “The fact is, there are no similar products. That’s what sets the Minis apart from everything else,” Manager of Public Relations Tina Noelle Mezzina of Automoblox told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2007.
— A smaller version of the original Automoblox, the Minis earned a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award by coupling classic wooden design with sleek, colorful modern appeal. Automoblox vehicles drive away with a prize because they have a construction component, feature quality materials, come in various styles, are virtually indestructible and are ideal for both play and display.

Automoblox MINIs are a reinvention of the classic wooden toy car — a fusion of heirloom craftsmanship and ultra-modern styling, transformed into a mix-and-match design system that allows kids to create their own distinctive car styles. ”We’ve combined old-school durability, ultra-modern style and an innovative play pattern to create a new generation of classic car toys. The Automoblox MINI line makes it fun for kids to explore their own unique design instincts by combining warm wooden blocks, colorful rubber tires and bright translucent plastics to create super-cool car styles,” PR Manager Tina Noelle Mezzina of Automoblox told TDmonthly. A three-pack plus accessories are also available (MSRP: $24.99). Launch date: August 2007.

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.

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.

The S9 is the perfect family car. Equipped with large 12-spoked rims, bright blue low-profile tires and a large sweeping roofline, it exudes coolness. With four-passenger seating and a body extension block used to lengthen the wheel base, the comfort of the ride is improved and the Automoblox lineup is more versatile. Dramatic headlights and taillights add distinction and will enhance any car your child might create.
― “Automoblox ... [we sell] at least a dozen per month,” said Rosie Morris, manager of Whiz Kids Toys in San Luis Obispo, Calif., when asked in early 2009 about best-selling wooden toys in her store.

The rich purple roof and soft rubber tires appropriately dress the Automoblox King of the Road. With an increased ride height and extra-large rims, this ride rolls with the big boys. Increased storage capacity in the rear block allows this ultimate lifestyle vehicle to be equally big on adventure and style.

The Automoblox M9 comfortably seats eight of our cool, blue people. The extra-long main passenger compartment and additional seating for four in the rear block give this vehicle the longest wheelbase in the line-up. Now your child can build a minivan like mom’s that even dad will want to drive.

Inspired by the compact cars popular in Europe and Japan, the A9 is certainly big on style for its small frame. Featuring small three-spoke wheels, low-profile tires, and a generous roofline with plenty of headroom, it is sure to get great mileage from this little gem.
—  As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 6 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: One reviewer mentioned that the price was rather high, but then said the quality of the product was worth it.
— “We have some Automoblox. It's a fairly new line and we're doing great with them. I've reordered three times this month,” said Melinda Pontanares, manager of Apple Box Toys in San Diego, Calif., reporting sales of about 150 per month during a July 2009 survey of best-selling collectibles.