Toy Vehicles Entice Young Mechanics

“Even the little girls now are into cars somewhat.” — Brandy Lindstrom, Little Blue Choo Choo

Toy vehicles — perennial favorites for kids — become even more desirable when youngsters can construct the cars, trucks or trains themselves. New products from Automoblox (ToyShow) and HaPe International's (ToyShow) Woody Click line are having varying degrees of success, according to retailers who spoke with TDmonthly. And old standbys, such as LEGO, BRIO and Erector, continue to be popular.

Although Automoblox just rolled onto the market in 2004, it’s making huge inroads in the constructible vehicle business. The modular, lacquered wood vehicles are available in six designs and include interchangeable parts.

Betsy Judkins, owner of Betsy’s on Ross in Auburn, Ala., said the X9 Sports Utility has been her biggest seller, probably because it comes with the most people. “(Customers) seem to like the ones with the most pieces.”

Brandy Lindstrom, manager of Little Blue Choo Choo in Scottsdale, Ariz., said that although she has only been selling Automoblox for about five months, “people love them. Even the little girls now are into cars somewhat.”

Dave Kessler, owner of Little Wonderland, a specialty online toy dealer, said he sells more Automobloxcars “by far” than other vehicles. He also mentioned Woody Click, with snap-together-parts, as a popular toy. “They are great quality and require no tools or glue or anything.”

For Lindstrom, Woody Clicks have not enjoyed the same success as Automoblox but are increasing in popularity as more people find out about them.

In addition, brands that have been around longer continue to sell well. LEGO, for instance, has recently introduced the Ferrari Racing Collection, which features ready-to-build scale models. Erector has released The Best of 50 Models Erector Set with 605 parts that can build 50 different models.

Even BRIO now offers a line of wooden building sets called the BRIO Builder System. Senior product manager Kay Thomson told TDmonthly that the bestselling product in that line is the Construction Vehicles Set. Kathy Lorkovic, in marketing at online retailer Fat Brain Toys, agreed.

Belgian-made CLICS — on the market since 2001 — are small, plastic pieces that snap (or click) together. Judith De Bie, president of Toykimo (ToyShow), which imports and distributes CLICS in the United States, said, “We have specific packages” and is growing the brand.

Unique to the market are Dynatech Action Inc.’s (ToyShow) Atomic Blox — blocks with circuitry that causes them to light up. Andrew Kamondy, marketing manager, said the company will begin releasing rolling wheels for the Blox this year.

New to the market is Mighty World, play sets produced by International Playthings. The sets include constructible vehicles with interchangeable parts and toy trucks with alternate suspension parts as well as working tools.

"All of the existing trucks in the line can be taken apart down to just the chassis. Children can adjust the suspension to three different heights, add the transmission, drive shaft, exhaust, engine, battery and so on into their revised truck,” explained Susan Tice, public relations director for the company.

“It has more details (than other similar toys) and it’s multicultural,” said Ricki Block, owner of Ariel’s Child in New Windsor, N.Y. The whole line sells well at her store, but the police and fire sets are bestsellers. She added that the sets appeal to both sexes.

Take a look below to see details on some of the hottest vehicles that manufacturers are rolling out.