 |
Tools:
Trends In Die-Cast Vehicles: A Boy’s Paradise To A Collector’s Obsession
Trends In Die-Cast Vehicles: A Boy’s Paradise To A Collector’s Obsession
Die-cast vehicles have been hugely popular in the toy market since 1947 when Lesney Products of England produced the first 1:64 cars.
After meeting success with the “Diesel Roadroller,” Lesney followed with the “Dumper” and the “Cement Mixer.” In 1968, the trend continued as Hot Wheels introduced their first set of 16 cars, followed in 1969 by a set of 24.
Nowadays, boys as young as 2 years old begin their collections with durable and inexpensive Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. For some, these collections can grow until entire rooms become dedicated showcases to these small die-cast cars. Obtaining the newest model, released annually by Jada Toys Inc., Mattel, Playing Mantis and Corgi, can border on an obsession for the adult die-cast collector.
Tricked out street vehicles are at the height of the trend. John Riley, public relations spokesman for KB Toys, says Jada’s Dub City line is the top seller among die-cast cars in the boy’s pre-teen and mid-teen toy market. Many manufacturers are customizing their classic cars, offering shiny, chrome-filled, souped-up versions of these older models. The Dub City “Hummer H2” model, as well as the Dub City “Import Racer Mazda RX-8” and the Dub City “HomieRollerz Chevy Fleetline,” are the top sellers, according to Robert Chiang, marketing coordinator for Jada.
The 1967 Volkswagen Bus is on the 2004 Best Selling list of Mattel’s Matchbox collectibles in the “Coca Cola” series. In addition, Mattel makes Hot Wheels’ limited 2004 release of the “Larry Wood” holiday collection of Volkswagen Beetles in green, red, white and blue.
Craig Zulaf, manager of the Toys ‘R Us store in Waterbury, Conn., says that Hot Wheels and Matchbox brand die-cast cars are still the favorite of local consumers. “Track systems are going to be really big this year, with a broad range of [die-cast] cars to race on them,” Zulaf said.
One of Corgi’s top selling die-cast models of all time is the 1966 Batmobile with the John Player Special Lotus Formula 1 race car. In 2004, Corgi released 11 different models of the Batmobile. Two of these, the Bat Cycle and the Bat Marine, had retractable wings. New releases for 2005 include the Robin Cycle and a 1940’s style of the Batmobile, according to marketing for Corgi. The James Bond series was also very popular with the company.
Die Cast Alley is a Web site that carries new releases of collectible die-cast vehicles in its online store. Russel Hughs, general manager of Die Cast Alley, states that the #1 selling die-cast vehicle is the Johnny Lightning Limited Editions by Playing Mantis. According to Hughs, the Grateful Dead and Holiday Classics series are currently the top-sellers. Greenlight manufactures the City Wheels Indy 500 racing line of pace cars, which is second on its list of best sellers. Hot Wheels’ holiday Coca-Cola ornaments is third on the list. Larry Wood, chief designer for Hot Wheels cars, will release a set of four holiday Volkswagen Beetles in 2004 that coincides with “The Larry Wood World Tour.” A specially designed replica of the mobile home that Woods drove on the tour will be released in 2005.
The primary reason for a die-cast vehicle purchase is as a gift, according to a market research report in 2002 conducted by Unity Marketing. Die-cast vehicles sales show no sign of slowing down, and collectors as well as young boys still have them on their wish lists each holiday season.
Free toy industry news by email
New toys, trends and industry news from The ToyDirectory Intelligence Report.
Subscribe free
Free to join on Substack; a paid plan is optional. Unsubscribe anytime.
 Writer's Bio: A. Antonow is a freelance writer who lives in Canada. She has written for businesses and individual clients alike, developing copy, content, advertising and ghostwritten material. Read more articles by this author
THIS BANNER IS AN AD:
Back to TDmonthly's front page
| |
Advertise on TDmonthly
|
