January 2010 Notable Toys — Vehicles - Small Toy

Each Marble Racer includes a plastic chassis, racing decals, 1 inch marble, wheels and axles. Marble Racers are designed to run on 1:64 Hot Wheels tracks. 4 different Marble Racers to choose from.

92377MT Jada Toys Dub City - 1959 VW Beetle Hard Top. 1:24 scale diecast collectible model car. This Volkswagen Beetle is a 7.5" long x 3.25"W x 2.5"H die cast car with openable doors, hood & trunk. VW Stock Babymoon rims. This volkswagen Beetle is manufactured by Jada Toys. 4 pcs per display box in assorted colors.
— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that he sells four Dub City die-cast cars each month.

The Winner's Challenge Set features NASCAR authorized cars—Chevrolet Monte Carlo Car of Tomorrow J. Burton and Dodge Charger Car of Tomorrow K. Petty. The slot cars feature realistic acceleration and braking, and a polarity switch to change directions. Set includes 5 standard straights, 1 connecting section, 12 high banked curves, 2 controllers, transformer, guard rails, and instructions. 1:32 Scale.
— In the autumn of 2010, 2 of 33 toy-store owners told TDmonthly that slot cars were their best RC/hobby line.
— ''We carry the full line and have a Digital Set set up for customers to try out,'' said Dave Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont.

The wide tracks of this tactical slot race track provide optimal racing in bends with sensational drifts and power slide action—you can accelerate, brake, even pass and change lanes at full speed with the touch of a button. Maximize the action by racing up to six cars at once on a stable track system with perfect track contact every time. Both the track and cars are made to scale (1:24 and 1:32 respectively). Cars are individually codable with five speeds and are controlled digitally.

Carrera's Digital 143 set can race up to 3 cars at once. You get realistic tactical racing in 1:43 scale with the ability to change lanes and pass. Full speed lane changing and passing at the push of a button. It is compatible with the Carrera Go series, making for expansive possibilities.

Kids can play out RPM adventures with this cycle and figure. They transform the cycle to cruising chopper mode for the ranger to stand on, and create "battlized" Power Rangers figures and vehicles by collecting and combining with the entire Auxiliary Trax System — Guardian Figures ($9.99) and Formula Transporters ($19.99) (sold separately). "Vehicles can be collected and combined with Formula Transporters and Guardian Figures to create a whole new level of play, Power Up mode," Kathleen Bush, assistant account executive for Weber Shandwick, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

Doors and hoods dislodge and trunks open when these remote-controlled vehicles are smashed and crashed together. The unhinged parts can simply be pressed back into place. The cars require 2 AAA batteries and the remotes take 3 AAA batteries (not included).
— “We sell dozens and dozens of Kid Galaxy’s R/Cs,” Owner Joe Berardoni Sr. of Pun’s Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in fall 2009.
— Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Books & Games in Oklahoma City, told TDmonthly in fall 2009 that her store sells about four Demolition Derby items per month.
— Two of 40 specialty retailers pinpointed Demolition Derby as a hot-selling R/C item.

This four-wheel drive, remote-controlled vehicle can be navigated over land and on water. It has working headlights. The vehicle takes three AA batteries and the controller takes two AAA batteries (not included).
— J. Christopher Toys in Jonesboro, Ark., sold 68 Morphibians since August, Owner Mary Horne told TDmonthly in October 2009.
— Five of 40 retailers specifically named Morphibians as a best-selling R/C item in fall 2009.

For the first time in Hess Toy Truck history, a race car takes the spotlight as the main featured vehicle. It features a touch-release canopy compartment that opens to reveal a hidden compartment with surprise cargo — a smaller, faster race car powered by a pull-back racing motor and its own set of working lights. Features include 29 lights with an optional flashing mode, three realistic sound features (ignition, acceleration and horn), alloy-look racing wheels, chrome detailed rear view mirrors and air vents, low-profile headlights (a first for a Hess Toy Truck), rear spoiler, canopy compartment with a spring-release hood that opens with a touch, and two Energizer ‘C’ batteries. The Small Racer boasts 15 lights, pull-back racing motor, alloy-look racing wheels, chrome detailed rear view mirrors and vents, low-profile headlights, rear spoiler, and one Energizer ’AA’ battery. Launch date: October 30, 2009. NOTE: This product is not available wholesale.

5"L x 1.875"W x 2.75"H diecast metal vehicle with pull back action, openable doors and detailed interior. This Ice-Cream truck is manufactured by Kinsmart/Kinsfun Toys. 12 pcs per display in assorted colors. 72 pcs per inner box.
— Tim Holliday, owner of Children's World and Uniform in Sarasota, Fla., told TDmonthly in an August 2013 survey that police cars and ice cream trucks are their best-selling die-cast items.
— In a August 2014 survey, three out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Toysmith made their stores' best-selling die-cast toys.

The NKOK TMNT line puts kids in the middle of the action with a collection of R/C vehicles and Race Sets. With the ATV Rider sets, Leo and Raph can settle their sibling rivalries with a fast-paced race through the sewers. Each ATV Rider comes with one ATV and either Raphael or Leonardo. Running on different frequencies, the ATV Riders are designed to make for an exciting race each time. Launch date: October 2009.

Raphael is the most assured martial artist of the group and this R/C vehicle follows in the same tradition. It is a full function R/C vehicle that is able to stop, turn and spin on a dime. It also features removable weapons and cool spinning action. "It is part of the only line of R/C vehicles featuring the ever-popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," Andrew Eugenio, intern at Productivity PR Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

With a future-retro design, and connectable, interchangeable parts, this sleek toy vehicle can fit in the palm of a hand. Automoblox Minis received a TDmonthly Top Toy Award 2007.
— Automoblox has been a best-selling line, according to retailers surveyed by TDmonthly, since 2007.
— "That little three-piece Automoblox set sold extremely well. I've sold about 40 of them in two months," Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow in Anchorage, Alaska, told TDmonthly leading up to Christmas 2009. Two of 44 specialty retailers named Automoblox as an overall best seller in late 2009.
— In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, two out of 14 retailers said that Automoblox were their bestseller in the category. Pam Byrd, manager and buyer at The Little Cottage Toy Shop in Franklin, Tenn., told TDmonthly that "Automoblox is still strong."

Where to Buy: Blue Turtle Toys; Camelot Kids; The Satin Button

Rocky, “the hardest working truck on the block with the most engaging personality,” not only hauls like a dump truck toy; he also tells jokes and dances. Headlights light up and sensors allow him to interact with kids. Batteries are included.

This talkative dump truck says over 40 phrases and sounds. Sound recognition cues him to roll his tires when he's called, so that he starts moving when children want him. A storybook and batteries are included.

This performance design of the S9 sedan features a deep blue shade with two color emblems and fully branded center capsg. It rides lower to the ground on bigger wheels with low-profile tires, and has been reduced to three blocks. The front and rear blocks accept a front splitter and a rear diffuser.

Explore and experiment combining the hexagons with the triangles and squares to create your own favorite XL Cruiser. There are hundreds of possible 3-D combinations using these three geometric shapes. Feel the magnetic force and have countless hours building and designing different XL Cruisers.
— Hardware Center Inc. in Paoli, Pa., reported sales of 60 Magformer sets per week in late fall 2009, according to Manager Mike DiAndrea.
― Three of 43 retailers who participated in an April 2010 TDmonthly survey listed Magformers as a top-selling construction toy.
— As of 08/06/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 15 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Helps develop spatial awareness and problem solving skills; encourages creativity; durable.