GREENLIGHT INTRODUCES MOTOR WORLD
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (June 26, 2009) – GreenLight Collectibles first stormed onto the collector die-cast scene in 2005 with a fresh new look for 1:64 scale die-cast model car replicas that immediately captivated the high-end die-cast collector. The introduction of successful lines such as Corvette Collection and Muscle Car Garage simultaneously in late-2005 quickly spawned into a wide range of collector die-cast product lines that are widely distributed by mass market and hobby outlets around the globe. As a compliment to the GreenLight Collectibles product mix, GreenLight is launching 1:64 scale Motor World as the first GreenLight Toys product line.

Motor World is presented as an affordable collectible die-cast line that features vehicles from global car manufacturers headquartered in the United States, Japan and in several European nations. Under a three-pronged sub-series branding system, Motor World is brought to market with color-coded blistercard packaging that designates the individual product designations – Classics Series, All-American Series and Speed Series. Well known domestic brands such as Corvette, Mustang and Viper are paired with some of the most popular global car brands such as Jaguar, Lamborghini and Porsche to create an eclectic mix that appeals to die-cast collectors in every corner of the globe. Motor World is the first line of GreenLight die-cast model cars to include vehicle replicas from outside of the United States.

1:64 Motor World Series One includes the following twelve vehicles:
• Classics – Jaguar E-Type
• Classics – Porsche 356A
• Classics – Shelby Cobra 427 S/C
• Classics – Volkswagen Samba Bus
• All American – Chevy Corvette
• All American – Ford Mustang
• All American – Oldsmobile 442
• All American – Pontiac Trans Am Convertible
• Speed – Dodge Viper SRT/10 Convertible
• Speed – Lamborghini Gallardo
• Speed – Lamborghini Murcielago
• Speed – Porsche Cayenne Turbo

All twelve cars from Series One will be available at Toys ‘R’ Us stores throughout the United States and through GreenLight Hobby Distributors/Wholesalers and Online Dealers around the world beginning in early August 2009.

Motor World die-cast model cars feature 100% authentic metal bodies in true 1:64 scale, plastic chassis, authentic detailed wheels and are officially licensed by the respective automobile companies. As with GreenLight Collectibles offerings, the “Green Machine” chase car program carries over into the Motor World line with 2% of the production run manufactured in alternate schemes to provide the marketplace with the rare vehicles the collector craves. In addition to the model features, Motor World die-cast replicas are presented in blistercard packages that feature individual unique car art for each vehicle in the assortment. The Suggested Retail Price for 1:64 Motor World is $2.99 USD.

On the heels of 1:64 Motor World will be a 1:43 scale counterpart. This line will premier later in 2009 and will include the same type of global vehicle mix found in the smaller assortment.

GreenLight® Collectibles is a premier manufacturer and marketer of officially licensed, authentic die-cast replica vehicles. In 2009, the company has expanded to thirteen distinct product lines. GreenLight die-cast replicas are available in 1:18, 1:24 and 1:64 scale and are officially licensed by General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, Carroll Shelby Licensing, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, 20th Century Fox (SPEED Channel), Grand-Am Road Racing Association, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Bridgestone Americas. Motor World items are produced in collaboration with HIGH SPEED Metal & Plastic Products Mfg. Co., Ltd. who furnishes Jaguar Cars Limited, Lamborghini Artimarca S.p.A., Porsche AG and Volkswagen AG licenses.

Those are all HighSpeed castings. I like them but you are going to have some folks that are not going to like this. Hopefully the pricepoint is around $2 due to lack of opening parts. Walmart had trouble moving this series as 'Malibu' in nice plastic cases. I like the Firebird ALOT. The Olds should do well as it has only been available as a Readers Digest Mail-in promo previously.

94SS, both questions you just posed - price-point and chassis composition - are addressed in the document above.

Sincerely,

Russell Hughes
GreenLight Collectibles
Director of Sales & Marketing
e. rjh@greenlighttoys.com

I already edited. Thanks. You did not comment on the Highspeed question though? Will we be seeing the 69 Camaro conv casting as that is one of the best of this model ever done. I see the Mustang is also a Readers Digest model.

Last line of the press release:

GreenLight® Collectibles is a premier manufacturer and marketer of officially licensed, authentic die-cast replica vehicles. In 2009, the company has expanded to thirteen distinct product lines. GreenLight die-cast replicas are available in 1:18, 1:24 and 1:64 scale and are officially licensed by General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, Carroll Shelby Licensing, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, 20th Century Fox (SPEED Channel), Grand-Am Road Racing Association, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Bridgestone Americas. Motor World items are produced in collaboration with HIGH SPEED Metal & Plastic Products Mfg. Co., Ltd. who furnishes Jaguar Cars Limited, Lamborghini Artimarca S.p.A., Porsche AG and Volkswagen AG licenses.

I don't know how many would catch my fancy, I would have to see them in real life first. BUT I love the fact you guys are branching out and offering a wide mix of products.

It's simple math, the broader the offering, the better the support for the lines that I collect. So I wish you all the success in the world! Knock a home run with these.

I miss your IRL series as I collect racing replicas, so hopefully this will position you to expand more into a few more international racing lines.

I dig that you guys are expanding up to 1:43 scale. This clearly states your intention to market to the world, as this is such a popular scale outside of the States. Looking forward to your future and good luck!

Ward

i love this, especially the firebird. but $2.99 could be a little high though. $2 would be ideal but beggars cant be choosers. I have one question though. Can that convertible also be changed to be a t-top car or will we only see this as a convertible?

Russell that's good news-the E Type looks great. I would like to see a 1/64 1975-1977 Mercury Capri as sold in the U.S. at Lincoln Mercury dealers. A Lotus Cortina and Ford Escort Mk1 wouldn't hurt either.

I agree with 69 Stang.

I must say that I am encouraged that this company sees enough demand for toy cars in the current economic malaise that it has the guts to release two separate series/scales.

However the selection of vehicles to model is certainly uninspiring, to be kind. How many times to E-Types, Mustangs and Vipers need to be done?

High Speed are good models. I have many in 1/43 scale and they are not only produced and packaged with more care than your average M2 or JL, they have great variety. I have many High Speed 1/43 Porsche models - some of which are castings I had not previously seen from any maker. If GL intends to release these and other High Speed toys, that is good as the availablility of High Speed in USA has been spotty at best. Though I would hope for a more eclectic group of subjects, it is good that GL is willing to invest and compete.

- ranchero -

Missed that. Thanks. I will be picking up a few of these. They have some nice molds with good details. I like that fact that you guys are being very frank with everything as well. I hope these do well to help facilitate the release of their other castings and the GL logo and even hopefully working with them to develop more castings. Their Range Rovers are to die for and are unmatched at this pricepoint especially the LR3. Last line of the press release:

GreenLight® Collectibles is a premier manufacturer and marketer of officially licensed, authentic die-cast replica vehicles. In 2009, the company has expanded to thirteen distinct product lines. GreenLight die-cast replicas are available in 1:18, 1:24 and 1:64 scale and are officially licensed by General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, Carroll Shelby Licensing, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, 20th Century Fox (SPEED Channel), Grand-Am Road Racing Association, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Bridgestone Americas. Motor World items are produced in collaboration with HIGH SPEED Metal & Plastic Products Mfg. Co., Ltd. who furnishes Jaguar Cars Limited, Lamborghini Artimarca S.p.A., Porsche AG and Volkswagen AG licenses.

i love this, especially the firebird. but $2.99 could be a little high though. $2 would be ideal but beggars cant be choosers. I have one question though. Can that convertible also be changed to be a t-top car or will we only see this as a convertible?

The Firebird casting is a convertible only (for the time being at least).

Thanks,

- Matt

http://underthehoodclub.com
http://www.greenlighttoys.com/

I recognized these as High Speed Castings as well, but I really liked High Speed and am happy to see these return. The green Gallardo is my Favorite with the firebird in a strong 2nd. I won't be purchasing every single one, but you can put me down for at least half :). I too am happy to see GL at least making an effort to get some foreign makes and models in their stable.

One question though to GL. Will we ever see a 91-96 C4 Corvette. Just wondering as this is my favorite Vette's ever :)

Nice Collector's Edition convertible.
I'll have to get alot of them. :cool:

George :cool:

I am confused?

Why would a company try to compete in the "lesser cost market" employ another manufacturer to re-release cars that have all ready been released in three other lines - under the Schuco name plate, under the High Speed name and the Malibu name.

While I guess the partnership brings them castings without tooling costs and probably increases the margin on the manufacturers side, The price is not reflecting the level the competitors have gotten to. The selections are bleek and these castings never sold very well. Additionally, to put them out to a market established on Muscle Cars dominantly seems odd. Further these castings are completely in a smaller 1:64th scale which will be dwarfed by a number of the GL castings.

Most of the folks who desire cars like this all ready have them from the previous companies.... I include myself in that mix, but don't need repaints. I agree with 94ss - the Rovers are nice, but again, not something GL is built on.

JL hit the nail on the head by using their existing castings and merely changing out the bases and the blister. They have had phenomenol success. I am not sure this obvious counter action is even going to have an impact............. the $.75 - $1.00 per car more than they were previously released at and that the competition is selling for seems odd as well.

For the sake of argument, let's say these sell well, High Speed is out of castings with appeal to this market after this set, so what's the follow-up?? The competitor is releasing twelve new pieces a month........

Seems like an odd move - sorry to rain on the parade.............. Just trying to understand the logic and how this fits into the GL product mix.........both as a retailer AND as a collector.

JL hit the nail on the head by using their existing castings and merely changing out the bases and the blister. They have had phenomenol success. I am not sure this obvious counter action is even going to have an impact............. the $.75 - $1.00 per car more than they were previously released at and that the competition is selling for seems odd as well.




I don't agree that JL hit the nail on the head. They reused old castings that have been used a million times. Let's not forget the very first part of the 40th success formula. FIRST,,,,,,,,,,,you must STARVE your hardcore collectors for new product for a good long time, then they'll buy pretty much anything you put out. I am not a 40th fan. I doubt I will be buying any of these "GLs" either. To each his own but after experiencing what JL and GL are REALLY capable of producing,(gold series,MCG) I'm not goin' back the other way.
Well over 90% of my collection is American Muscle after weeding out TONS of other stuff and cheaper diecast. Why go back?
As I said, to each his own, if you like these by all means buy and enjoy them.
But like I have said before, I didn't ask for reduced price/reduced quality diecast, WalMart did. Think I'll pass.:cool:
Whatever the case I wish GL much continued success, they consistently bring quality diecast to the stores which is a lot more than I can say about the competition.;)

Some interesting castings there..definitely want a few of those. Good to see a separate brand rather than make it look like they were 'cheapening' Greenlights.

I don't agree that JL hit the nail on the head. They reused old castings that have been used a million times. Let's not forget the very first part of the 40th success formula. FIRST,,,,,,,,,,,you must STARVE your hardcore collectors for new product for a good long time, then they'll buy pretty much anything you put out. I am not a 40th fan. I doubt I will be buying any of these "GLs" either. To each his own but after experiencing what JL and GL are REALLY capable of producing,(gold series,MCG) I'm not goin' back the other way.
Well over 90% of my collection is American Muscle after weeding out TONS of other stuff and cheaper diecast. Why go back?
As I said, to each his own, if you like these by all means buy and enjoy them.
But like I have said before, I didn't ask for reduced price/reduced quality diecast, WalMart did. Think I'll pass.:cool:
Whatever the case I wish GL much continued success, they consistently bring quality diecast to the stores which is a lot more than I can say about the competition.;)

I will agree with you on most of your points - And for the record will say that I don't necessarily agree with how JL got to their 40th Line, could have been some better paths........... however, its castings and its price point are an obvious success and it IS including many new or rarely seen castings from days gone by. Little argument there.

With that said, it is obvious that it has been recognized due to the market and the economy, a less expensive price point is appealing or a venture like this would have been moot.

I am merely saying that with a track record of successful highly detailed and nice castings (be them, in my humble opinion and those of many of my customers, on the high end of the price range), it seems odd to use recycled castings to break into that market/venue.............. that is all I am saying.

I am all for great new castings at a low price. I have a customer base that would also be for it, but utilizing someone elses tooling that has been around since 2006 in many formats seems like a odd move for a company trying to be an innovator.

Who knows, maybe it will be successful, just seems to be a weird gamble and an strange competitive move.

my $.03.............

I would make the guess that they are looking for a way back into the mass market just as JL used the 40th to re-open those doors.

I have to disagree about JL and the 40th. I think they have a fantastic hit on their hands and one that is growing, next year as the line develops and becomes profitable and as more stores (Wal-Mart is testing the line) sign on you will see the line and castings grow.

JL 2.0 is something that every manufacturer must take into account for 2010.

Have Fun,
Fred
www.1StopDiecast.com

I would make the guess that they are looking for a way back into the mass market just as JL used the 40th to re-open those doors.

I have to disagree about JL and the 40th. I think they have a fantastic hit on their hands and one that is growing, next year as the line develops and becomes profitable and as more stores (Wal-Mart is testing the line) sign on you will see the line and castings grow.

JL 2.0 is something that every manufacturer must take into account for 2010.

Have Fun,
Fred
www.1StopDiecast.com

Well they sure are not a hit with me.
Depends if you are the fortunate collector who is lucky to find JL 40th in their local WalMarts. I still have not seen any of these in the 2 WalMarts I shop at in Anaheim since the line came out.

And I will not pay 4 bucks each (this BS OLD mark-ups and shipping).

If GL learns anything by the JL 40th line is to make darn certain their product makes it to as many RETAIL stores (in areas that have large populations) as they can and not by spin the wheel of chance as it seems JL 40th is doing where it seems distribution is very haphazzard and lopsided - typical for JL nothing new here.

Stan:dude:

And I will not pay 4 bucks each (this BS OLD mark-ups and shipping).

This is a tough one for most folks - personally our markups are at retail and well below some of the others out there.

I struggle with buying product online as well be it a dealer or EPay or the like. When I reconcile the immediate purchase against time, gas and search, immediate gratification usually wins out - I do recognize that is not the case with everyone.



If GL learns anything by the JL 40th line is to make darn certain their product makes it to as many RETAIL stores (in areas that have large populations) as they can and not by spin the wheel of chance as it seems JL 40th is doing where it seems distribution is very haphazzard and lopsided - typical for JL nothing new here.

While I do not disagree - GL struggles significantly here as well. Distribution right now is very sporatic - losing Target and others due to excesssive price points, stale store inventories and failed turnover. OLD dealers like myself turning to less expensive brands that we can turn larger inventories. Customer service and employee attitudes also driving relationships. Ironically, they seem to be following the same footprints as JL a number of years back.

I have two TRUs here in Minneapolis/St Paul - they are the ONLY stores with GL here locally in an extremely large market heavy with collectors. They are still trying to turn Christmas 2008 product. They never moved in Target stores here, they eventually were clearanced.

M2 in contrast are blowing off the pegs at Target as are Maistos Red 100s. To me it has to do with price point, perpetual re-paints of castings, and, did I say price-point??

Mass distribution in every store of say this new line won't help either, OLDs will be competing with discounter price points, too much saturation will kill both sides of the equation - it all goes back to balance and product mix that equals out the Hobby side against the mass retailers. Sadly, IMHO, GL has never gotten that.

In this age, a die cast company has to fulfill numerous criteria to be successful - I could go on for hours about what those criteria are.....

Thank you for the insight Dip, it's interesting to hear from that side of the sales counter. I enjoy reading this debate (when the writer has real knowledge) as we have been having it for years concerning the JL line. So again, thanks for sharing your experiance as a retailer.

I for one hope they all survive, I like toy cars!

[QUOTE=dipstick;2879641]This is a tough one for most folks - personally our markups are at retail and well below some of the others out there.

It is not Mini Motors that I had in mind guilty of this practice.


Mass distribution in every store of say this new line won't help either, OLDs will be competing with discounter price points, too much saturation will kill both sides of the equation - it all goes back to balance and product mix that equals out the Hobby side against the mass retailers

I do not have this problem with Mattel brands and other brands like Shelby, Yatming and M2 - I have been finding a lot of M2 - they get it!!!!!!!. They are always in the stores here.

Johnny Lightning has never been good about consistant distribution here is California (I notice also in large urban areas of Arizona too)- EVER - they have always had the problems of their product NEVER evenly spread out to their retailers. Seems completely random. There does not seem to be any reason or research or that they have ever cared for this which I find mind numbing that they have huge potential markets $$$$$$$$$$$ that they leave up to the "fate" of their retail partners. No follow-up. Folks with cash in their pocket ready to spend. No product to be seen or heard from until a year or so later that it turns up in huge mother loads of US product shipped at Canada at discount.

So it is luck of the draw that they wind up in your local store or you pay a buck or more extra to have these lower priced cars shipped to your house?

Where is the bargain?:confused:

Stan

I don't disagree regarding JL but I think they are trying to get that undercontrol and are trying to publish the stores where the product is. Not intending to minimize the problem but they are testing in Walmarts to reposition and so forth. I don't think they will ever be back to the way things were....... I suspect their actions are driving GL here as well.

Along that line, I don't think diecast collecting will ever go back to the way things were either. Too many players which is odd as one would use the economy to dictate shrinkage.

The days of $1 sales and <$3.00 traditional casting are over. There is a new collecting wind and it includes the less expensive pieces. I think the sweet spot for die cast right now is the $2-4.00 range: the buyer willing to compromise on the low end, higher expectation on the upper end. One outlier I will grant is M2 who's success has been in the detail and the non-traditional.

As far as the bargain, I will speak personally, we are seeing a huge influx of new customers right now. Most are buying across many brands and are spending more but looking for most cost efficient, if that term can be used, pieces. More bang for the buck, better valued castings.

The value, at least to me, buying on line (including but not limited to die cast) is getting, or even just seeing, the stock from the comfort of you desk chair. No gas money spent, no time wasted. Some put higher value on that than others. Gas is high, postage is high, taxes are high, not really even playing fields for comparison.......... it is definitely more costly to be a collector no matter the route. I think the collector of today needs to be smarter with their money than they have in the past....

About the only thing I buy at Target or Wal-Mart are the occasional new Hot Wheels or Matchbox that catches my eye.. I've stumbled on a few M2s at these stores, but generally, it's much easier to just point and click with my favorite online vendors to get the latest GL, JL, M2, etc releases that I'm interested in, than running around wasting time looking at retail stores...esp. now in the disgusting AZ summer, I'd rather be in the pool.. :)

About the only thing I buy at Target or Wal-Mart are the occasional new Hot Wheels or Matchbox that catches my eye.. I've stumbled on a few M2s at these stores, but generally, it's much easier to just point and click with my favorite online vendors to get the latest GL, JL, M2, etc releases that I'm interested in, than running around wasting time looking at retail stores...esp. now in the disgusting AZ summer, I'd rather be in the pool.. :)

Perfect - I could not have said this any better :thumbsup:

I think all diecast distribution is spotty.

Maybe it IS about price point. But to me it's more about quality than quantity.
I doubt I average more tham 1 purchase a week at retail. I do MOST of my purchasing online even though it would be cheaper to buy them at TRU. I am an avid GL collector and TRU always has the latest stuff about 3min from my house. I could very easily get my fill there of regular issue GLs. I buy online simply for a real shot at a GM which I do not get at TRU due to my work hours. I was all for the 40th when it was announced. But after purchasing a few at a local hobby store and opening them I was VERY disappointed in the quality, I could write a LONG list of what was wrong with the cars I opened.
Take away the painted grill and lights and HW makes a better product, period.
They are twice the price of a HW, maybe it's just me. I don't mind paying $6 for a quality piece like a JL Gold Series but I am not like some people who have to buy something every day. I have learned to be patient and give my purchases careful consideration. I still don't think it's about us, it's all about Walmart. They don't carry much $5 diecast because when they did it didn't sell because it was old news. They continued to put out the same stock of JLs over and over, they buy it by the trainload. Maybe at $2 that 6mo-1yr old product will continue to sell, we shall see. We don't have super Wally's here and my stores are not carrying the 40th so that was my final reason for not staying behind the idea. I tried to get behind Super Hunts too until all I ever found was regs, just a frustration to find a cheapie after tons of time and effort.
All in all if ya like it buy it. As for M2? I have seen a ton, including some of the chase pieces I have found that are falling apart or mis-assembled/glued so I am not too impressed there either. As usual I will check out these "GLs" but if history has taught me anything I feel that I'll probably end up passing.
These are just MY highly biased opinions, sorry if anyone is affended, buy what ya like folks! Thanks for the input Dipstick!:wave:

My personal opinion is this line will struggle. The $2-3 price point for cars with little more than extra tampo to offer will have a difficult time against the $.99 Matchbox/HW lines which are offering more of that sort of detail now. Collectors will want more car and it won't sell as an impulse item for mom's trying to keep 'lil Johnny Snotnose quiet when she can get by with a .99 HW/MB model.

As a long time collector I might buy one or two because a particular model car may not be offered in any other line but my money is best spent on the .99 cent models I like and the more extremely detailed M2 (LOVE THEM!) and GL lines at the $4 mark.

And as for the JL 40th - the plastic base was a sad move, they bow and cheapen a once good product, had they kept the metal base I might have been happy but this really seems to be their last gasp :(

Unlike many I see in the threads above me, I am not interested in buying individual mainline diecast from any brand via OLDs. There was a time when I purchased cases of the GL product from a fantastic individual that was a real pleasure to deal with, but having too many duplicates became a problem, as I don't open but a few cars each year.

Truth is, I still enjoy the thrill of the hunt, though the thrill has diminished significantly in the last year. Gas costs be damned, its still fun for me to burn some dead dinosaur and hit a few stores around town. That said, there just isn't anything to be found! TRU occasionally has some new stock, but by the time the manager and the stock guy have taken their pick (and yea, I know they are doing it. Know em' both by name...) the leftovers are never enough to complete a full set of anything. I've accepted that any Green Machine or WL purchases will be made via ebay... sucks, but I'd simply rather not be the guy working at TRU for the priviledge of buying them at retail.

I mourned the loss of Greenlight at Target, as it was my place to get each and every series I wanted, and I even landed a few GMs along the way. We all know that poor distribution killed GL with Target ((aside: GLs going to Wal-Mart in Canada = HUGE mistake for GL (apologies to my Canadian friends), and now those Canadian marked cars are showing up at Gordmans?)) but it is simply a problem Target and other mass retailers don't understand. If the cars are selling fast, the POS systems just keep sending multiples of the same series, allowing for the duds to clog the pegs, thus leaving no room for the next series.

The solution? Well, I'm no logistics expert, but two simple answers come to mind. One is eliminate the duds. Hard to do? I'll bet it is. So if that isn't easy, would it be possible to delay portions of a shipment to the retailers in order to ensure that the demand remains constant and 3 or 4 cases of the same series don't end up on the pegs at one time? I'm no retail expert, but I'm guessing someone among us has a great idea as to how GL can assist the big box stores in effectively selling their product.

So that may have been just a bit off topic. As for the Motor World series... I bought a few of these back when they were Malibu branded and marketed in the little jewel cases. Some were fantastic, but the majority of the pieces I passed on were left sitting for one major reason: the price point simply did not match the quality and / or detail of the casting. Though the new pieces will bear the Greenlight name, I will still pass on them if the casting does not justify the asking price. Its all about the little details with me.

While I like the High Speed castings for the most part they did not move really well in the Wal Marts near me. I am not too crazy about the color choices GL made.

Those are all HighSpeed castings. I like them but you are going to have some folks that are not going to like this. Hopefully the pricepoint is around $2 due to lack of opening parts. Walmart had trouble moving this series as 'Malibu' in nice plastic cases. I like the Firebird ALOT. The Olds should do well as it has only been available as a Readers Digest Mail-in promo previously.

the CE trans am vert is going to be my favorite with the olds coming in second. i have both of the high speed castings and like them a lot. i will have to take some pics later and post them to show everyone how nice these are.

i love this, especially the firebird. but $2.99 could be a little high though. $2 would be ideal but beggars cant be choosers. I have one question though. Can that convertible also be changed to be a t-top car or will we only see this as a convertible?

i doubt the vert could be changed to a t-top car. you will most likely have to settle with johnny lightning's version for the t-top. the reason i don't think it can be done is because the rear spoiler is part of the solid casting. in order to do a t-top version, they would have to work a good part of this casting to get the accurate spoiler which is different between the vert and t-top. i'm sure they could slap a plastic roof on it but they would still have to round out the deck lid portion of the car to have the back window look right.