Was that 2018 Line Preview from Matchbox on Saturday a stunner? Judging from the comments I have heard, it was. Folks weren’t expecting more premium models, opening parts, two new wheels, special series, and such a multitude of licensed models.
It’s that last bit that I want to focus on for a second. I went back and watched the video. Here are all the new licensed vehicles planned for 2018:
2018 Basic Range New Models:
- Skyjacker Ford F350 Superduty
- 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback
- 1933 Plymouth Sedan
- 2016 Chevy Colorado Extreme
- 2016 Yamaha Bolt Scrambler
- 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
- Jeep Wagoneer
- 1948 Diamond T Pickup
- 2016 Cadillac Escalade
- Scania Firetruck
- 2015 Mazda CX-5
- GMC Scenicruiser Bus
- 1964 Ford Fairlane Wagon
- Man TGS Dump Truck
- NASA Space Chariot
- 2018 Nissan Leaf
- 1954 XK140 Jaguar Roadster
- Modec Delivery Truck
- 2015 BMW i8 (basic & premium)
- 1967 MGB GT
- Volvo Fire Engine FL6H
2018 Non-Basic Range New Models:
- 1933 Ford Coupe (5-pack)
- Jeep Rubicon 4-door (Color Changers)
- 1947 Chevy Truck (GM 100th Anniversary Series)
- 2014 Mercedes-Benz G550 G-Wagon (Mercedes-Benz)
2018 Fall Basics Plus (In Process):
- VW Type 3 Fastback
- Mercedes-Benz 220SE
- Nissan Xterra
- Pontiac Grand Prix
- 2016 Chevy Camaro Hardtop
- Ford Crown Victoria Police/Taxi
- Jeep Willies Station Wagon
- Tesla Model X
- ’63 Chevy Camper
- BMW i8
- VW 23-Window Microbus
- Nissan 300ZX
- Renault Trezer Concept
- Chevy Gasser
- 80’s Buick Convertible
- 2018 GMC Sierra
- ’71 Ford Torino Funny Car
2018 Premium Plus (In Process):
- Range Rover
- 2004 Honda S2000
- 2014 Corvette Stingray
- Dodge Charger Funny Car
Look at that list again. Those are all licensed. Of course things can change, or get delayed, or whatever, but I could 46 licensed New Models, spread over several new lines. Last year, in 2017? 14 were announced. The 2018 Basic Range New Models alone total 22.
Did you expect that? I didn’t. Obviously, there is still concern as to what will make it to your local pegs, but demand for these should help with that. Lot’s to be excited about.
It great that they are heading in the right direction
This is fantastic but ultimately meaningless if you can’t find them to buy. I simply cannot understand why Mattel can manage to distribute Hot Wheels to every store big and small and Matchboxes are so freakin’ rare.
Target needs to carry Matchbox.
Where I am, the problem isn’t that Target doesn’t carry them (because they do) but that every time I go there, the pegs are jam-packed with submarines and boats.
They got me when they showed the Jeep Wagoneer. I loved the Majorette version when i was a kid and i am looking forward to some play time with this Matchbox version.
These are some Kool models coming down the road. The one I will be waiting on the most is the GMC ScenicCruiser Bus (GREYHOUND) I hope. Great job Matchbox.
Wow, this is super cool. Fairlane, XK140, MGB, Diamond T?!?! Who’d have ever thought we’d get a Diamond T? Plus a Wagoneer we might have a fighting chance at finding, maybe. And what is that cool 60’s yellow blob in the first photo? I’m excited. Just don’t make me go to Walmart to get them, because I would rather pass on everything than set foot in Walmart.
Agree – I will never set foot in Walmart.
what is the green pick up?
That’s the Chevy Colorado.
Amazing preview from Matchbox. Even the generics look cool, 2018 will be the year of Matchbox for sure.
You know I am loving this all of it. Someone jas said it and it is true. Distribution s an issue. I still have not seen the Boone Co. P/U. It was featured months ago. Like I said in a previous post pegs are littered with the stuff people are not interested in. I’m concerned this will delay restock. So as great as all this news is, we need to be able to find them to buy them. Many retailers in the Philadelphia area are carrying them their just clogged with some peg warmers. I can tell the licesened models are selling because their the one not sitting.
Agreed. The only reason I have the Boone County GMC pickup is because I hit a Walmart right at closing time and became “that guy”, busting into a case of Matchbox when no-one was looking. Never saw it in stores aside from that one time. Never got the debut new MX-5 at all. It looks as though the introduction of tons of new models, along with more realistic generics, might mean the flow will become better (i.e. better turn-over on the pegs) but that’s yet to be seen…fingers crossed.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aolQBjwcKsk/RzUpL7soUDI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/vjXvV3Nftto/s1600/wowzers.jpg
Very exciting stuff! Hopefully this will encourage more big box stores to carry a full line of Matchbox cars. It really shows that Matchbox is listening to the collector world as they develop new products. I’m looking for more details on which Pontiac Grand Prix and 80’s Buick Convertible will be released. A Reatta sure would be cool to see!
The 1933 Plymouth is so pretty. As is the ’47 Chevy truck. I am going to be looking for more Matchbox cars this year.
To me, this sounds like the start of the new Golden Age of Matchbox! Just that stat alone of 46 new (and most importantly, licensed) new models compared to 14 for 2017! That’s a huge leap! And I love every bit of it! Can’t wait for the G-Wagon, GLE, Wagoneer, Escalade, CX-5, Range Rover, the Civic, and more! Finally some love and attention to a brand that I was starting to hate from the drastic direction of late 2011 and early 2012.
Range Rover Vogue?
Yes, brilliant news IMO
Very. Very. VERY. Exciting. There are some serious gems among these new tools. A couple scale-related concerns, however…
1) That flat-bed, while a very cool idea, doesn’t look like it’ll fit pretty much any car on its bed.
2) I really wish they had developed the GMC bus for the Real Working Rigs line instead…it suffers from the same cartoonish size differential that so many commercial vehicles do in Matchbox’s lineup. Come to think of it, the flat-bed could have been developed for RWR too, though I think I recall there being one in the lineup already.
This is a huge leap for matchbox. Amazed at the line-up. Don’t remember when was the last time we had these many new licensed models for a year. I mean this looks even better than the golden age, imo.
A new bus in the line, licensed dump truck, two new European fire trucks, everyday Japanese cars from Honda to Mazda to Nissan, luxury SUVs, classic wagon, hot rod, Jeep, new electric cars that steal the show on the road, 60s-70s classics,… what more do we want in a line?
Way to go, Matchbox. Having said all these, the biggest concern that is yet to be addressed – availability of the models at stores.
Well the best news is their listening and their moving in the right direction. My advice would be to get on Instagram comment about your concerens with distribution and availability. They are listening and that is BIG! If you don’t already know you can find them @matchboxworld on Instagram. I read so much great stuff but how about opening doors and hoods. Oh and hatches and moving parts? I mean someone said this may be better than the last golden age of Matchbox. Maybe but one thing is for sure they are giving the respect that is deserved to the Matchbox name!
Some wonderful new models coming next year! The Leaf, Civic, CX-5, Range Rover, Caddy, Model X, XK140 roadster, MGB, GLE Coupe and i8 are all highlights, and I’m sure some others will end up in my collection too! I pray though that distribution to the UK is improved by the time these go on sale!
I’m liking what I have seen from Matchbox. With more licensed models than generics, this takes us back to the pre-1970 era of the brand, before Hot Wheels forever changed the landscape.
It’s been like touch-and-go for the brand ever since the Lesney collapse in 1982 and the Mattel takeover in 1996. Anyone who lived through these times like I have can recall the ups-and-downs of Matchbox and wonder if Mattel was going to treat them just they did Corgi during their brief ownership period; using both brands to strengthen their market share in Europe while letting them flounder into near obscurity. Corgi management bought the brand back from Mattel in 1995 and re-invented the company. Matchbox itself was nearly a goner until 2004 when the new team headed by John Coyne and Felix Holst revitalized the brand.
I’ve been collecting since 1973, with Matchbox making up the majority of my collection, and I can vouch that Matchbox has a dedicated and loyal following, even more than Hot Wheels. It doesn’t need gimmicks like Treasure Hunts to move merchandise, but it does deserve respect from the parent. I think Mattel is finally beginning to realize that, and hopefully it will continue to restore Matchbox to its former glory.
As for the issue of where product is sold: I understand that some people will not shop in Walmart, and I respect that. But if the reason is because the majority of its merchandise is sourced from China, or from a country where sweatshop and child labor is prevalent, then understand that all retailers purchase their products from the same places. (Global economy-Yay!) There’s not much we can do about it. Personally, I now shop Dollar General and Dollar Tree for Matchbox and Toys R Us for M2, because the local Walmarts do no keep their pegs stocked, and new merchandise routinely show up at those places faster than at Walmart.
I’d like to declare that it was a super nice thing from Matchbox to give us the Volvo fire truck from last year at last AND introduce also the new, Scania fire engine. They could postpone the latter to next year, to have it under their sleeves but they gave it all to us. Thanks a lot, guys!
This is the behavior which allows me to bring up my question. (I think if there is an age I may have the chance to see from Matchbox what I’d like to see, then this is it.)
So… is there any chance to see once SUVs, sport cars, etc with the proportions of Ford F550 Super Duty? It can clearly be made with these proportions and there are shorter models like Scrambulance. With that lenght and with the proportions of the F550, there can be made anything from a Ford F550 ”normal” SUV to any cars. Is it possible, what do you think?
I like the direction Matchbox is going – they need to compete with Greenlight, Autoworld and JL and the way to do it offering the premium line with opening doors etc. I’m not crazy about the European fire apparatus – I would’ve preferred maybe a Lafrance Century, E-One or Seagrave J American fire truck. Hopefully we’ll see those in the new truck line