October 2009 Notable Toys — Vehicles - Small Toy

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.

This assortment of 12 genuine die-cast replicas of real construction vehicles are each individually packaged in a collectible display case.

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.

These solar-powered, remote-controlled vehicles measure about 2.5" in length and and are powered for 30 minutes of playtime when the micro solar panel in the roof is exposed to direct sunlight. The vehicles can also be charged from the controller. Car and SUV styles are available, and the racers can pop wheelies. Launch date: August 2009.

These slot cars let kids feel they are reliving scenes from the Disney flick "Cars." This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009. Launch date: 2009

Kids can build various models of wooden cars and vehicles using this kit. Included are wooden tools, such as wrenches and screwdrivers, to aid in the assembly. Also included are rubber tires. Baufix is distributec by Carrera of America in the U.S.

The MACK Granite Snow Plow is known for its bulldog logo, quality, and indestructibility. The realistic driver's cabin features doors that can be opened, a tilting engine hood that provides a full view of the engine block, folding side-view mirrors, and the many add-on accessories that give these trucks their chrome look. There is also a Pennsylvania license plate and MACK mud guards. Features include a refillable tank that can open and close … perfect for clean sand or salt. A fully functional gritter with feeding screw has a on and off lever that allows sand or salt to pour out at will. The gritter can be tipped up for transport, as well as cleaning. Alongside the gritter is a movable ladder. The plow is wide, adjustable, detachable, and able to push even the thickest pile of snow aside to provide passable lanes.
The MACK Granite Snow Plow measures 25.8"x 7.3"x10.8".

This 10" dump truck includes two figures. The bed of the truck actually dumps.

The front end loader from the ROADMAX series is a sturdy toy with a design suitable for small children with many realistic functions for playing fun. The transparent driver's cab that opens from above can be equipped with a play figure. Front and back end loader are fully functional and can be locked in position. The front shovel and the rear shovel can also be tilted or moved by operating the respective lever. Fold-out support legs ensure stability and soft tires complete the picture.

The tipping driver's cab of the MAN cement mixer provides a view of the engine block. The mirrors of the driver's cab fold out and the water tank can be filled. The drum with integrated mixing spiral can be turned by operating a crank and the cement chute can be folded out. A bucket is included and tread tyres round off the image. To add to the fun of playing, the MAN cement mixer can be equipped with the Light and Sound Module [art. no.: 02801] (not included). It measures 46.5 x 26.5 x 17.5 cm.

Just like the "real thing", goods on this Mack DHL container truck can also be loaded and unloaded through the rear swing doors. Another great playing option this toy has to offer is the vehicle's swap trailer, which detaches automatically from the vehicle when the support legs are pulled out and set up to allow the lorry to move out from underneath the trailer. Separately available swap trailers allow you to realistically imitate a freight forwarding business. Another special characteristic is that you can use swap trailers as a construction kit and combine certain components with several swap trailers to form, for example, a vehicle garage. It measures 59.5 x 26.5 x 18.5 cm.