D14D
10-26-2006, 05:29 AM
Hi all,
Felix, Christian, Michael and the group have been extremely busy working on next year's line. The Matchbox brand is getting stronger with each passing day. Matchbox has finally begun to get on track following its move from New Jersey. This means the current production schedule will pick up and we should start seeing New models or re-colors coming out on a regular basis without the long gaps we are currently experiencing.
Matchbox sales volume has increased to become the 2nd biggest boys brand following only Hot Wheels. Sales are up and have increased 40% over the past year. What does this mean? It means that Matchbox has turned the corner and has become an integral part of the Mattel line. More sales mean more products going forward. The Matchbox team is strongly committed to the brand and the future looks promising.
The 2007 Line Preview date has not been finalized and I am hoping this will materialize in the next couple of months. Stay tuned.
1-75 range
I am verifying and hoping these 2 numbers were a typo. They would be duplicates if not. I will update all when I find out.
MB705 #59 Honda Ridgeline was the Sea fire Boat
MB712 #65 Desert Thunder (Service Truck) was the Seeder trailer
The new 1-75 models and variations should be showing up shortly if not already. Please report to me what you have found and I will try to compile all replies received. I hope all are finding the Halloween 2 packs at your local shops. I have seen these at Kohl's. There should be variations mixed in with these but no confirmation yet. If you find them please let me know where as well as what you found in the sets. I will share your results with all.
The Christmas Coal cars will bring a special surprise this year. Look for a specially decorated Jeep Rescue Christmas vehicles and other goodies in some packages. There are 8 model variations accounted for to date.
The new Toy Fair model will be a Land Rover.
Of note to those who may have missed the BMW Z-4: MB607 BMW Z4 was released in the 1-75 range in 2004, as a replacement for the ageing MB533/538 BMW Z3 (which it replaced in real life). After its initial release, it had one change of color coming out in the 2005 1-75 series. Since then, it has disappeared, and the previous model has reappeared in multi sets, and now the Superfast series. It has only been used twice, with the last of these a year. This absence is due to licensing issues. The SUV Superfast 5-pack will not be released. This marketing idea has not worked well and
there are no plans at this time to resume 5-Pack Superfast sets. The Superfast line will be a Wal-Mart exclusive until further notice. The hobby dealers will not be receiving further Superfast shipments. Watch for both a European as well as a USA special offering in this range coming soon.
We all know that the 5th Monster Series model has been released. It is the MB672 Chevy Silverado SS Pickup. Tan in color with brown & black stripes. Side tampo has Park Project, as well as Animal Regulation. This model is accompanied by a brown monster. With the 2 wheel variations on the Highway Maintenance truck this makes 5 models plus 1 variation.
Following the success of their previous release, Burger King will launch a promotion in the 4th quarter of 2007 with 3 cars. They will be generic models but have not been determined yet. There will be a “limited variation model like the chrome cars previously released.
5-Packs
New 5-Packs released are:
- Vintage Classics: out now (Wheel variations on the Cadillac and the Shelby)
- Fire: out now
- Police: out now (look for the window color variations on the Camaro)
- Desert Adventure: out now
- Dirt Seekers: out now
Convoys
Convoy licensing has been going well. The newest model will be the Flat Bed Shipping Container truck. Generic loads will adorn these models but we can expect some really creative graphics on these. Licensing has been secured with General Mills, Honey Nut Cereal, Wheaties, Conoco Jet, McDonalds, and Phillips 66 to name a few. Look for a new DAF cab to be pulling the Conoco Jet Tanker. There will also be a new Land Rover design complimenting the current G-4
Challenge model.
Yesteryears/Dinky
These models are making their way to the market and no new retailers have been identified yet. Let me know if you know of one not listed before. This is a range which does not have a huge appeal so quantities are limited. Packaging and models are beautiful. I hope the interest is enough to keep these going.
Happy collecting.
Jim
Felix, Christian, Michael and the group have been extremely busy working on next year's line. The Matchbox brand is getting stronger with each passing day. Matchbox has finally begun to get on track following its move from New Jersey. This means the current production schedule will pick up and we should start seeing New models or re-colors coming out on a regular basis without the long gaps we are currently experiencing.
Matchbox sales volume has increased to become the 2nd biggest boys brand following only Hot Wheels. Sales are up and have increased 40% over the past year. What does this mean? It means that Matchbox has turned the corner and has become an integral part of the Mattel line. More sales mean more products going forward. The Matchbox team is strongly committed to the brand and the future looks promising.
The 2007 Line Preview date has not been finalized and I am hoping this will materialize in the next couple of months. Stay tuned.
1-75 range
I am verifying and hoping these 2 numbers were a typo. They would be duplicates if not. I will update all when I find out.
MB705 #59 Honda Ridgeline was the Sea fire Boat
MB712 #65 Desert Thunder (Service Truck) was the Seeder trailer
The new 1-75 models and variations should be showing up shortly if not already. Please report to me what you have found and I will try to compile all replies received. I hope all are finding the Halloween 2 packs at your local shops. I have seen these at Kohl's. There should be variations mixed in with these but no confirmation yet. If you find them please let me know where as well as what you found in the sets. I will share your results with all.
The Christmas Coal cars will bring a special surprise this year. Look for a specially decorated Jeep Rescue Christmas vehicles and other goodies in some packages. There are 8 model variations accounted for to date.
The new Toy Fair model will be a Land Rover.
Of note to those who may have missed the BMW Z-4: MB607 BMW Z4 was released in the 1-75 range in 2004, as a replacement for the ageing MB533/538 BMW Z3 (which it replaced in real life). After its initial release, it had one change of color coming out in the 2005 1-75 series. Since then, it has disappeared, and the previous model has reappeared in multi sets, and now the Superfast series. It has only been used twice, with the last of these a year. This absence is due to licensing issues. The SUV Superfast 5-pack will not be released. This marketing idea has not worked well and
there are no plans at this time to resume 5-Pack Superfast sets. The Superfast line will be a Wal-Mart exclusive until further notice. The hobby dealers will not be receiving further Superfast shipments. Watch for both a European as well as a USA special offering in this range coming soon.
We all know that the 5th Monster Series model has been released. It is the MB672 Chevy Silverado SS Pickup. Tan in color with brown & black stripes. Side tampo has Park Project, as well as Animal Regulation. This model is accompanied by a brown monster. With the 2 wheel variations on the Highway Maintenance truck this makes 5 models plus 1 variation.
Following the success of their previous release, Burger King will launch a promotion in the 4th quarter of 2007 with 3 cars. They will be generic models but have not been determined yet. There will be a “limited variation model like the chrome cars previously released.
5-Packs
New 5-Packs released are:
- Vintage Classics: out now (Wheel variations on the Cadillac and the Shelby)
- Fire: out now
- Police: out now (look for the window color variations on the Camaro)
- Desert Adventure: out now
- Dirt Seekers: out now
Convoys
Convoy licensing has been going well. The newest model will be the Flat Bed Shipping Container truck. Generic loads will adorn these models but we can expect some really creative graphics on these. Licensing has been secured with General Mills, Honey Nut Cereal, Wheaties, Conoco Jet, McDonalds, and Phillips 66 to name a few. Look for a new DAF cab to be pulling the Conoco Jet Tanker. There will also be a new Land Rover design complimenting the current G-4
Challenge model.
Yesteryears/Dinky
These models are making their way to the market and no new retailers have been identified yet. Let me know if you know of one not listed before. This is a range which does not have a huge appeal so quantities are limited. Packaging and models are beautiful. I hope the interest is enough to keep these going.
Happy collecting.
Jim