September 2009 Notable Toys — Die-Cast

At 1:87 scale, this UPS Delivery Truck features authentic UPS colors and decorations, an operational back door that rolls up, wheels that move and can be steered, and interior details in the cabin and also in the truck's cargo bay.

The 1:50 Caterpillar 924G features a single piece boom-style lift arm that raises and lowers, three interchangeable work tools including bucket, adjustable pallet forks, and material arm that extends and retracts, authentic rolling wheels and tire tread design, and authentic decorations.

This model all-terrain SUV is fitted with opening doors, free-rolling wheels and tires with rubberized tracks. From the front grill to the rear bumper, familiar details are worked carefully in a 1:87 scale.
— “Siku is the best,” said Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston’s Child’s Play in Baltimore, Md., reporting sales of about 150 Siku die-cast per month during a July 2009 survey.

Beloved by children and farmers alike, the John Deere brand is well known for its durability and reliability. In Ertl’s 1:16 scale line of die-cast replicas, the tractor models’ details are faithfully rendered and finished with glossy paint and decals. The tractors roll freely on heavily treaded wheels ready for pretend-play or collector display.
— In July 2009, one of 49 retailers surveyed said John Deere tractors are the best-selling die-cast toys.

In eye-catching black and white, Schylling’s die-cast model of a police car is ready to respond to any emergency.  Zipping along on working wheels and a pull-back motor, the cruiser  has 9-1-1 printed on the side.
— “They're wonderful sellers,” Michelle Sahr, owner of My Little Red Wagon in Stow, Ohio, said of her Schylling die-cast vehicles in July 2009. Sahr said the police car is a favorite in the line.
— In an August 2013 survey, two out of nine retailers told TDmonthly that police cars were their best-selling type of die-cast toy.

With its glossy paint of bright red and double sets of deeply treaded tires, Case’s heavy-duty farm equipment is rendered in careful detail in Ertl’s 1:64 scale model. The interior of the tractor’s cab is sculpted faithfully and visible from the clear plastic enclosure. The chunky wheels are functional. 
— Two of 49 storeowners told TDmonthly in July 2009 that Ertl provides their best-selling die-cast toys.

An assortment of 10, 1:64 scale cars with realistic details and working wheels, this set of Matchbox cars can stand alone or accompany a collection, parking garage or road set. Familiar vehicles like family sedans, emergency vehicles, sports cars and construction equipment are cast and painted with realistic details to engage imaginative playtime.
— Of 49 retailers contacted during a July 2009 survey, three told TDmonthly Matchbox cars are their best-selling die-cast vehicles.

Color Shifters cars go through a transformation when immersed in warm or cold water. Themes include flames, city, camo, racing and color-to-color. 
— “The Hot Wheels are the best,” remarked Helen Dean, owner of Toy Safari in Alameda, Calif., when asked about her sales in die-cast vehicles in July 2009.
— Four of 49 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2009 that Hot Wheels is a top-selling brand, reporting sales of about 100 per month, on average.
― As of 9.21.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 21 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 24 on the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Sturdy and entertaining. CONS: Does not work well indoors. Must be refilled often.

With swing-open doors, a working stop sign and details in crisp black, Schylling’s Die Cast Bus is an effective miniaturization of one of childhood’s most beloved and familiar vehicles.  A pull-back motor sends the bus zooming across floors or tables, and the interior is detailed with rows of seats visible through clear windows. 
— “The School Bus is always our best seller,” said Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., who told TDmonthly during a July 2009 survey that Schylling provides her top-selling die-cast vehicles.
— “The best seller in die-cast would be [the] school bus,” said Michelle Smith, owner of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore.
— Seven of 49 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2009 that school buses are their best selling die-cast vehicles.
— “Oddly enough, school buses are our best-seller,” said Terri Bracken, owner of Earth Explorers Toys in Zionsville, Ind., when asked about her best-selling die-cast items in July, 2010.
— Four out of 38 retailers specified the Schylling Die-Cast Bus as their top-selling die-cast toy in July 2010.

ActionJetz minijetz are cool diecast planes that each come with a secret code card. With it, kids and parents can chat, play and learn new stuff in the online world of ActionJetz.

GreenLight’s 1:18 line exemplifies quality.  Each 1:18 die-cast replica features a die-cast metal body, functional steering wheels that actually turn the car’s front wheels, opening doors, hood and trunk and a detailed engine.  The factory paint jobs are incredibly authentic and the interior of the car is carpeted and includes fabric seatbelts.  Each 1:18 scale GreenLight replica is sequentially numbered on the base.  Suggested Retail Price for GreenLight 1:18 is $49.99 USD.

First manufactured in 1953, the Chevrolet® Corvette® was the first all-American sports car built by an American car manufacturer.  The Corvette has a history of combining excellent handling with incredible amounts of engine power into an affordable package.  GreenLight captures the sleek and sport style in 1:24 scale replicas of the 2009 Corvette Z06 GT-1!  Retailing at $29.99 USD with a production run of only 1,500 units, this model is a sure way to stand apart during the holiday season!

GreenLight offers six vehicles in this special edition police assortment including a ’65 Ford Galaxie 500, ’71 AMC Javelin, ’06 and ’08 Dodge Charger, and ’08 Ford Crown Victoria!  All Hot Pursuit vehicles feature opening hoods, detailed engines, real rubber tires, metal body and chassis, detailed graphics and custom license plates, and are officially licensed by the respective automobile manufacturer.  The Suggested Retail Price for these vehicles is $5.99 USD with a limited production of 4,500 units. 

GreenLight introduces a brand new product mix presented as an affordable collectible die-cast line that features vehicles from around the world.  The set includes cars and trucks from the USA, Japan, and Europe in three enjoyable themes for kids and collectors:  All-American, Classics, and Speed.  Motor World is available in both 1:64 and 1:43 scale replicas.

1:64 Scale Motor World Series 1 assortment includes twelve vehicles with a suggested retail price of $2.99 USD.  Production is limited to 3,000 units.  1:43 Scale Motor World Series 1 assortment includes six vehicles with a suggested retail price of $6.99 USD.  Production for this set is limited to 2,500 units.  These highly limited sets are a perfect addition for any specialty toy store.  Quantities won’t last long so be sure to order yours today!

These are crystal clear display cases for diecast cars, dolls, sports items, figurines and more. The displays come with "cut out" background images on retail boxes. The sports items come with a grass image and a basketball court floor image on the retail box, and diecast car displays come with the classic car garage image, a modern (Nascar) garage image, and a "ROUTE 66" neon sign image on the retail box. Launch date: June 8, 2009.