HEY MATTEL - LISTEN UP AND READ THIS...

Making the molds for these models is very expensive so I can understand their attempts at getting the most mileage out of a given model. You could add to your list the endless variations on Schumacher F1 cars (season introduction, official model, raced version, cf black version, chrome version, with/without driver inside/outside the cockpit). I can't blame them for playing that game.

Having said that and knowing Mattel got the exclusive rights to Ferrari's cars, I'd say, "C'mon Mattel, think outside the box and boldly produce cars we don't already have!" Be daring and take the risk of producing a 4 seater model (OMG!) or an early F1 car before there was mass media marketing.

Overall I'd say Mattel is getting the message: Their quality is improving with every new model and they have come out with some unique old models like the Barchetta. So it is not all F40 and Enzos.

 

You said it yourself. Mattel is a toy company. If they make the same car over and over, and kids buy it because it is a shiny red car, they succeed. Every day, a million new 10-year olds want a shiny red car. Minor changes and they have a "new" product on the street.

They are not an adult collectible company. It is too bad that they recieved the exclusive rights to a product that should stay in the adult collectible lane.

They have gotten better, but there is no motivation to create what the small adult segment wants, if the much larger kids' toy segment succeeds.

I do not think you will get your desires (which are great ideas) from this large of a company focused on toys. And that is not a slam on Mattel; that is their business.

 

I disagree about your assessment of Mattel. I think they do target the adult collector market in addition to the toy segment. The fact that they announced the Elite collection speaks to that.

 

Thus far, Mattel hasn´t done that much to meet the demands of the true Ferrari-fanatic. They still focus upon the ´usual suspects´. Ferrari´s that are known amongst a broad audience, not necessarily limited to Ferrari-fanatics, but mostly carfanatics in general. This, apperantly, is Mattel´s business-strategy and I suppose a very good one from a commercial point of view.

But let´s face it. When you are a Ferrari-fanatic collecting Ferrari-miniatures with the objective to own a miniature of any Ferrari type ever built, then you have an expensive hobby, since collecting Hotwheels won´t suffice. Sooner or later, only the likes of BBR, AMR, Looksmart etc. meet your collecting demands.

The Elite-collection is nothing more than an excuse to put Mattel in another price-range, but we are still talking ´usual suspects´ here.

 

Except those that go for handbuilts.

 

Nice post, I feel your pain. Being in manufacturing myself I do realize the costs of making new molds and products, even down time costs for changing over machines. However, I don't think it would be as severe in the toy making business as it would be in the food biz especially if you consider where the cars are made. My company has a few plants in the Orient and to one claim of a party bag of snacks for kids, an R&D team said, "Show us any Western product we can produce it ourself in three weeks... even better."

Is licensing slowing them down? No one has sent the graphic designer a jpeg of a F50GT, Modulo, a friggin Mondial? I can't think of any explination and would expect more. My advice, find the name of that division's lead guy and just the amount of Fchat email bombardment alone would definitely make him realize he is missing out on some product that would move and make a profit.

RocketBoy

 

Hey all,

I've even phoned their Hot Wheels division and begged them to make the Mondial t Cab. It all fell on deaf ears. Was I so bloody stupid to think that it would be a moderate to good seller? I can't understand there there coming from:-(

Oh well, cheers anyway,
Hank

 

That's because I called them 5 minutes after you did. I told them not to listen to you.

Who wants a Mondial when they could be making the Modulo?

nananananana

 

Rob,
I totally agree with you... I understand what others are saying about the costs of manufacturing these models, molds, machinery, yadda yadda yadda, but Mattel isn't being consistent!

They released new model after new model for YEARS, and all of the sudden, that's come to a screaching halt. It's as if they didn't mind making new molds a few years ago, but they do now. And the last couple new models they HAVE churned out, while the level of detail seems to be up, they are still lacking in EASILY CORRECTABLE ways.

I know, I know - "These are only $30 models - not Exoto or BBR."

Fine, but the first time I saw the HW F430, I thought they'd just gone and released it as a "Whips" edition from the start - you know what I mean. The same goes for the MC12. The Enzo is the exact opposite - monster-truck tires on the back. Blech.

I fell for the marketing gimmick and purchased the first "Showcase Edition" 1:18 HW that came out - a yellow 250GTO. Fortunately, I got it at the regular $30 price before the dealer decided that a clear plastic tube is worth another $10. I haven't bought another Showcase since - it's not worth the extra $ to have a duplicate model, essentially, in a different color. Now these "Elite" models are coming...

I was planning on buying one version of each, but now I'm not so sure. I think I'd rather spend $150+ on eBay for a 1-off FXX that somebody "custom made" (i.e., 612GTC that caused such a stir). At least that model will be close to the real thing in proportion, whereas the pictures I've seen of the Elite FXX just don't get me excited. Not $70 excited, anyway, when there's Kyoshos out there that can be had for less. I'll add another Kyosho 512BB or Daytona for $70 before I'll ever add a duplicate HW for the same price.

New (old) vehicles are a MUST, Mattel. I'm fine with the however-many versions of Schumacher cars. I buy one or two here and there, but I don't have 'em all. One day, maybe. In the meantime, I occupy myself with filling out my roadcar collection in 1:18. I'd like to add certain vehicles without having to go the eBay route and buy an old Guiloy or Bburago (275GTB/4, anyone? How about a 330P4?). They've made the 166MM - now let's see a 250TR (I know, there's the raced blue/white car - I want one in red), an 860 Monza, 410SA, and so on...

Some of the most beautiful cars Ferrari has ever made don't exist in Mattel 1:18 scale, and they should.

Aaron

 

What's a Mondial Modulo?

Hi Andreas

 

I've dealt directly with Mattel for years as a wholesaler/retailer. I even discussed doing limited editions and exclusive releases.

Money is bottom line. It costs alot to be Mattel. According to articles (C&D Aug 2005) Mattel pays $5 mil a year to Ferrari. Costs about $200k to develop a model and they need to sell over 10,000 to just break even.

Somewhere someone talks about new Ferrari models...and that someone determined that a rebody of an F40 will make more for their bottom line than say a brand new model of a 308GT4.

Often times the real manufacturer (in this case Ferrari Spa) will dictate what models they want to see released and then commit to a certain amount of that production.

This is why we as consumers/enthusiasts/retailers will always see new model releases and sure fire hits released..then sometimes..only sometimes...an off-the-wall model released

 

I teamed up with other model retailers as far back as 1992 to get that model made. We asked UT models/Maisto/Jouef/Mira and others though out the years to make one.

Unlike other models people want...like a 308GT4...I think the mondial could have been a hit and been a profit to whatever manufacturer made it