DSkippy

Yet to play w/ my RC (has different springs, motors, diffs, pretty interesting little kit.

[quote]Collectibles: No red light in GreenLight's drive to expand
Thursday, January 03, 2008
By Don Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Last year was a dramatic one for one of the model car industry's most notable new members: GreenLight LLC.

It was a year when the 5-year-old firm, based in Indianapolis, expanded its reach from hobby shops to the nation's largest retailers. It was a year when GreenLight's tiny but well-done 1:64 model cars became a hotly sought-after commodity on eBay, with many selling for $200 or more to collectors.

And it was a year when the company introduced a large number of new models, and launched several new series.

"But the main thing that has happened to us, I think, is that beginning this year, we have been quite successful in attaining distribution in the mass market stores," said Kevin Davey, president of the firm. "Because of that, we have been able to accelerate the pace of our introductions, especially in the 1:64 arena. We've brought on board over 20 new [models] in the past year."

GreenLight's products are being sold in Target, Kmart and Toys R Us, expanding availability to collectors.

"We've also launched the Under the Hood Collector Club. Membership includes a specially packaged car and the ability to buy other toys through the club directly," Mr. Davey said.

GreenLight added several product lines, including the Barrett Jackson Auction Block Series.

One reason for GreenLight's success -- and something that sets the company apart -- is that it is one of the few new companies that does not use third-party tooling for its models, preferring instead to manufacture its own.

That has resulted in more accurate renditions in its 1:64 models than in the models of most competitors, and it's meant that the company can include details that astound collectors who eagerly buy GreenLight products.

Taillight detail, emblems, decals, tiny bits of chrome-colored accents, opening hoods, accurately done engines and undercarriages, and comparatively highly detailed interiors are all part of Greenlight's repertoire.

The firm sells its 1:64 muscle cars, Indy cars and pace cars for about $4.99 to $5.99, with a series of street and pace car Corvettes selling for about $29.99 and some 1:18 scale models selling for $49.99.

"The difference is in the details," Mr. Davey said. "We worked very hard on them. We did authentic rally wheels and Magnum 500 wheels where applicable, and we included engine details like paint and so forth. We also numbered all of the cars on the bases. We wanted to do little things to finish our cars off, like license plates and painting the chassis, so that's why they cost a little more.

"We're expanding by adding more license agreements and two more products lines -- they will include trucks, police cars and some foreign sports cars." Next year the company will add between 25 and 30 new models.

There's another strategy that has worked well for GreenLight, Mr. Davey said.

"We've been careful to focus on cars that we know are popular, but haven't been done before. … In addition, our focus is following closely the trends and what's going on in the car business. We're doing the latest Camaro and Challenger concepts, and we will probably be one of the first companies out with models of the production Dodge Challenger. We'll also be gong back doing things like models of Yenko Camaros."

As for the future, look for a line of accessories and special items to go along with 1:64 cars and trucks -- that would be a first for the model industry.

"In February we are launching a program of accessories called the Muscle Car Garage collection, and it will be distributed with all kinds of 1:64 gauge accessories like tool boxes, lifts, engine stands, jacks, work lights and other things that play off the Muscle Car Garage theme," Mr.