Sponsored by:





Keep on Truckin’: The Timeless Temptation of Toy Cars and Trucks
By Paul A. Paterson
May 1, 2003


“On a scale of one to ten, I’d say about five,” said Nakamura. “Toy car buyers are generally interested in only toys, although generally I think the newer toy replicas of the new cars are very well done. I believe there’s a segment of new car buyers who purchase replicas of their car, but my guess is that number is insignificant in terms of increased toy car sales.”

According to statistics from the Toy Industry Association, sales of vehicles rose slightly in 2001, then dropped off in 2002, but still exceeded $2 billion. Nakamura believes the hard-core collector is really a small part of the overall toy car market, but the passion they pass on to their children and grandchildren bodes well for future generations of collectors.

As Nakamura sees it, “When the parents buy collectible toy cars for themselves, I believe they also buy toy cars for their children and as gifts, which may keep the interest in toy car collecting for generations later.”


Corgi's helicopter model

Long the standard bearer for car collectors, Corgi Classics Inc. is making inroads into the North American market through both specialty stores and mass retailers like Wal-Mart and Target. Specializing in a few key product lines, Corgi prides itself in producing high quality fire, military, transportation and aviation models. Kristian Kuh, Marketing Manager for the company, believes the Internet in a huge tool for marketing new cars.

“The whole idea for us is to get the product in the hands of the collector,” he said. “The Web really helps with that.”

Kuh says Corgi is working on a website that will include a bulletin board, enabling customers to give feedback and suggestions on the products.

HotWheelsNow’s Nakamura believes toy cars will remain a childhood favorite as long as the automobile plays such an integral part of our adult lives.

“Real cars and trucks play a huge role in our society,” he said. “They depict our fantasies, and … are part of our childhood memories.”

BACK

 
Want to see a showcase of toys?  Click Here...

Send comments about this article to: emailtoydirectory@gmail.com


Return to ToyDirectory Monthly front page
  Product Review: Science Toys Dig Up Fun and Education

Ask the Experts: Science and Nature Toys

Industry Overview: Blinded By Science

Forces of Nature: Science Toys are Fun2

Retail Strategies:
Experimenting with New Markets

Plush: Product Spotlight: New Plush Lines Ape the Color and Sounds of Wildlife


Plush: Industry Trends: Custom Plush Spreads Out

Cars & Trucks: Product Review:
Mattel’s Hot Wheels Celebrates its 35TH Anniversary with HIGHWAY 35

Cars & Trucks: Industry Overview:
Toy Cars and Trucks

Cars & Trucks: New Models for Summer: New Fast and the Furious Diecast Cars Poised at the Starting Line

Industry Sales: 2002 Showed Major Gains in Online Toy Sales


Advertise on TDmonthly

Home  ToyShow™ Previews & Highlights  Toy Gallery  Contact TD Monthly   Broadcast  Advertise Here

Look up Manufacturers at ToyDirectory.com®

TDmonthly™ Holiday Gift Guide

Disclaimer  Privacy Policy 
Career Opportunities  Feedback
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use.
© Copyright 2003 ToyDirectory Monthly™, a division of ToyDirectory.com®, Inc.