The coming weekend, from 2. – 4. october 2015, we are presenting our Matchbox hobby to hopefully again over 100.000 people at the “Modell, Hobby und Spiel” fair at the new Leipzig fairground. This year it’s the 20. fair and we are there the 14. time in a row!
You can check here for further information on german (http://www.modell-hobby-spiel.de/de/) or english (http://www.modell-hobby-spiel.de/en/meta/factsheets/en/?language=en).
Surely this fair is always worth traveling and we really are looking forward to show the nice models to the public, answer their questions, estimate their collections and give them advice if needed. Also of course we do take the trouble when the distribution isn’t running well, which is our core problem in Europe at the moment. I will show you some pics in a later part.
I also will show you pics of the first resin prototype of the new Skyline which were posted by the Matchbox-Team in Instagram.
Last but not least my friend Larry did send me the list of models that didn’t quite make it to the top 20 but are also all worth doing! And surely we will not forget them for the process 2017 and 2018. Saying this planning for 2017 is really on its way … and it is a real fun to be as close to the heartbeat of Matchbox as I am at the moment – really fantastic – thanx a lot to Gerry and the team for being so open to the collectors world!
So next report will be from the fair at Leipzig and don’t forget to follow us – the Team (@matchboxworld), the Lamleys (@thelamleygroup), the Gathering (@mc_gathering) and myself (@dirk.schleuer) on Instagram!
And we show you first pics of the new color for the Porsche 911 Turbo!
Have fun
Dirk
Yes – I’m fast … nothing more to say!
Beauty to come …
Let’s start with this gem – can’t wait to have it in hands!
European Distribution
When we hear the US guys complaining about distribution it mostly gives us a smile, because they live in the holy land of Matchbox our days!
Some pic give you an idea – it is more a contest to spot the Matchbox pegs but that is a good average picture:
Pricewise we are anything between Euro 1 (dollar 1.10) at the moment of writing to Euro 2,19 (dollar 2.40). The Euro 1 per model is only one chain comparable to your dollar tree – the average sales price is Euro 1,89 (dollar 2.08). So we are already the next step up in europe.
Core problem is that there is still too much old stock on the pegs and we haven’t seen any new 2015 model until after the Gathering in July all over Europe!
To improve the distribution is neither on our or the design team hands, but as a matter of fact the best product will not sell if it is not offered on the shelves.
The models that weren’t supposed to happen:
Other new models to come – you probably saw them on the Lamley blog – thanx John for letting me use the pics!
Everyone saw my last report that had the top 20 Collector’s Choice picks for models we would like to see made. Ever wonder what didn’t make the top 20 list or maybe where your idea fell in line in relation to the others? Well here is #21 through #40. See if your idea is here! I would first like to thank the collector’s community for their valuable input and these models will be added to the list. Anything not making 2017 will carry over to next year along with any ideas submitted by your new ambassador during this upcoming year. Thank you once again for your participation. Happy Collecting, Larry Scaduto (Ambassador #10)
Yeah I can believe that distribution issues are a problem in Europe but like I've mentioned in previous comments distribution issues are also a problem here in Canada (at least in my hometown and probably in other parts of my province) so I'm constantly hoping that it's resolved in my country including my hometown.By the way does anyone know if the Generic Beach Buggy ( I think that's it's name) that's supposed to be released for this year if it will be manufactured or is it cancelled? Speaking of 2015 line up I'm still hoping to purchase the Alfa Rome 4C,Cadillac One Limo,2015 Chevy Silverado(?),grey Dodge Charger police cars but fortunately I was able to purchase some BMW polizei cars and a couple of Tesla Model Ss at a Target Store in Bangor,Maine,USA.
Too bad, so sad that Matchbox brand already DEAD in Malaysia.
Which province do you reside in? Here in BC the situation is just brutal, little to no stores carry them anymore and those that do have only a few undesirable generics from 1 or 2 years ago… Although today I did come across a Toys R Us in Vancouver with a few models from 2015
Same thing here in the Philippines.
Please, MBX, make it rain in Asia (Southeast) next time! Preferably with dump bins filled with all the good licensed stuff.
I am a very happy man! Firstly the Turbo has returned! After my uncountable requests to bring it back or make a new 911, the 996 has finally come back! Thank you very much for this Matchbox! Equally thrilled about the BMW M5 and the Jag F-type. And my Aston Martin is heading the list! How awesome is that? I honestly hope I can get my hands on these models one day.
I reside in the province of New Brunswick and its capital city Fredericton.
I have some suggestions for matchbox cars
1993 Ford Aerostar
2016 GMC Acadia
2015 Dodge Durango
2014 Ford Flex
Mazda5
Scion iA
2015 Hyundai Sonata
1998 Chevy Astro
Chevy Volt
2016 Nissan Titan
Chevy Cruze
Toyota Sienna
Honda Oddysey
Infiniti Q40
1991 Ford Econoline
2016 Ford Expedition
Dodge Journey
2015 Kia Optima
Lexus RX
2015 Dodge Grand Caravan
2015 Audi A4
regardless of where the cars are sold, it would be nice, if for once, when these lists are asked for, or requested, that some actual thought goes into it, and we have something NEW, rather than more Mustangs, or pick ups, **YAWN**, the rest of the world mostly does not care, we would like to see cars that you can see your roads, Fords, Vauxhall's, Citroen's, Peugeot's, Volkswagens (without the Diesel engine) MG's, saloon cars, hatchbacks, and the like.
BUT NO, most of the lists are just more American stuff, surely the inhabitants of the good ole US of A are not that insular that they don't realise there are other countries around the world.
But then saying that, some of them i have met, are truly odd, i heard one comment from an American woman, in the UK, which has been around for over a thousand years, compared to just over a couple of hundred for the USA….. “Oh Look, they have trains”, really, and that was just the first of many comments, it is like the USA, does not care about the rest the rest of the world, well, with the current distribution of the products, it seems just like that, they clearly do not care that MBX and HW are not selling well in Europe, so, maybe it is time a company that can do justice to these brands, actually took control, and started getting the models out there for us, and the kids to buy.
How was Ferrari on the Matchbox poll? I thought Ferrari is completely off-limits to Mattel as a result of May Cheong getting the worldwide diecast rights, or is there hope that there is behind-the-scenes negotiations between May Cheong and Mattel to get the Ferrari sublicense for Hot Wheels and Matchbox?
If a sublicense situation was possible, though, I definitely want to see more classic Ferraris beyond just the 250 GTO and GT California in 1/64 scale diecast form. My top pick would be the GT Lusso, but the SWB is also great.