November 2008 New Specialty Toys — Remote Controlled

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.

The HEXBUG Inchworm is the first Micro Robotic Creature in the HEXBUG line to feature a full-function IR remote control. Users drive the Inchworm forward, back, left and right. A and B control bands allow users to control two Inchworms at once or multiple Inchworms on the same band. The product features a unique crawling and pirouette motion around its center pod foot. "This unique HEXBUG Micro Robotic impulse item is offered in a five-pack impulse counter display with five-color variety assortment," Joel Carter, VP of marketing for Innovation First, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 15, 2008.
— The Inchworm has been a top seller at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., for at least a year, according to co-owner Susan Blanton in fall 2009.
— The Hexbug Inchworm is a popular item at the Toy Shop of Concord in Concord, Mass., Owner David Hesel told TDmonthly in late 2009.

Kid Galaxy’s Morphibians unite a wide variety of play types as they are safe not only for land, but also for water. Battery-operated and remote-controlled, a Morphibian is an all-terrain vehicle, going from driveway to living room to bathtub easily. Simple controls and aggressive styling make this chunky, four-wheel-drive vehicle appealing to a wide range of ages. Morphibians are available in two frequencies to allow two cars to be driven at once without interfering with one another’s signal.
— “For RC toys, we turn to Kid Galaxy for dependable electronics and age-appropriate play value,” said Sallie Kashiwa, manager of Timbuk Toys in Denver, who noted the Morphibian as a best seller for older boys.
— Ten percent of 68 retailers named the Morphibian as a best-selling hobby toy in October 2008, citing average sales of eight to 10 per month.

Fast, compact and lightweight, the KG Racer is a hardy, easy-to-use remote-control car. Requiring no charging, the Racer is powered by batteries that stay safely in secure compartments in the car and the kid-friendly, two-button controller. Several styles of car are available with color schemes to suit boys and girls, and the cars are available in two frequencies to allow for two vehicles to be run at the same time without interfering with one another’s signal.
— Amy Barrett of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., named KG Racers as her best-selling remote control toy in October 2008.
— Almost half of 68 retailers surveyed listed Kid Galaxy as their top-selling brand of RC and flying toys.

A more full-featured remote-controlled aircraft than some of Kid Galaxy’s simpler models, Field Flyers are more than just launch-and-fly gliders.  The combination launcher and charger allows even beginner pilots to guide the airplane after launching. With a 20-minute charge, the Field Flyer will fly for about four minutes with a range of 100’.
— “Kid Galaxy Field Flyers, [the] remote planes you fly,” said Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys in Oklahoma City, Okla., when asked about best-selling aircraft in October 2008.
— “They’re very popular and easy to use,” Carol Knight, owner of The Toy Store in Ketchum, Idaho, told TDmonthly.