David Tilley
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Posts: 39
(13/11/07 11:25)
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November Ambassador report
Hello Matchbox collector world,
So here it is, my third Ambassador report. I hope this finds you all well. As we head into the new year at Matchbox a few packages will be slightly updated/altered to refresh the products available. We all saw the updated 2008 packaging in the October report (which also gave us a sneaky peek at 3 new models including one brand new casting). This time we can bring you the rest of the 97 models that will be available for 2008. However, it must be stressed that this is not a final copy, and names and/or vehicles are still subject to change. It is also an alphabetical list and the positions in the range will be noted in a future report. A list of models receiving 2 color schemes for 2008 will also be announced later.
MB515 '00 Chevy Corvette Convertible
MB741 '06 Volkswagen Caddy (new)
MBxxx '08 Lotus tbd (new)
MB688 '61 Jaguar E Type Coupe
MB700 '63 Cadillac Hearse
MB713 '65 Austin Mini Van
MB342 '65 Ford Mustang
MB735 '68 Citroen DS (new)
MB637 '68 Mercury Cougar
MB739 '69 Cadillac Sedan Deville (new)
MB328 '70 Chevy El Camino
MB610 '71 Chevy Chevelle SS Convertible
MB720 '72 Ford Bronco 4x4
MB736 '75 Chevy Stepside (new)
MB738 '75 Volkswagen Thing (new)
MB697 '97 Land Rover Defender 110
MB715 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA
MB726 Audi R8
MB696 Audi RS6 Avant
MB441 Audi TT Roadster
MB667 Austin FX4 Taxi
MB731 Baja Bandit
MB727 Bentley Continental GT
MB567 Cadillac Escalade
MBxxx Car tbd (new)
MB546 Chevy Avalanche
MB672 Chevy Silverado SS
MB709 Chevy Van
MB249 Chevy K-1500
MB6662 City Bus
MB702 DAF XF95 Space Cab
MB588 Dennis Sabre
MB712 Desert Thunder V16
MB710 Dirt Hauler
MB676 Dodge Charger
MB680 Dodge Magnum Police
MB517 Dodge Viper GTSR
MB685 Dune Buggy
MB689 Ford Crown Victoria Police
MB733 Ford F-100 Panel Delivery (new)
MB663 Ford F-150 Lightning
MB609 Ford Mustang GT Concept
MB693 Ford Transit
MBxxx Future Corvette (new)
MB742 Garbage Truck (new)
MB555 GMC Terradyne
MB188 GMC Wrecker
MB684 Golf V GTi
MB707 Ground Breaker
MB695 Guzzler
MB708 Highway Hauler
MB705 Honda Ridgeline
MB526 Hummer H2 SUV Concept
MB666 Hummer H3
MB687 International CXT
MB692 Jaguar XK
MB670 Jeep Hurricane Concept
MB677 Jeep Rescue Concept
MB369 Jeep Wrangler
MB131 Jeep Wrangler 4x4
MB660 Ladder Truck
MB524 Land Rover Discovery
MB714 Lexus GS430
MB645 Lincoln Navigator
MB706 Lotus Exige 2006
MBxxx Mazda 2 (new)
MB690 MBX Mixer
MB683 Mercedes Benz CLS500
MB673 Mercedes Benz SL55
MB728 Mercedes Benz Unimog U300
MB668 Mitsubishi Eclipse
MBxxx Morgan Aeromax (new)
MBxxx Motor Home Toy Box (new)
MB611 Nissan 350Z
MB699 Off Road Rider
MBxxx Pierce Fire Engine (new)
MB652 Plow Master 6000
MB423 Porsche 911 Carrera Convertible
MB729 Porsche 911 GT3
MB675 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
MB704 Power Lift
MB737 Quarry King (new)
MB691 Range Rover Sport
MB716 Ridge Raider
MBxxx Rock Crawler II (new)
MB694 Routemaster Bus
MB665 Scion xB
MB745 Scraper (new)
MB744 Shelby Cobra GT500 Convertible (new)
MB561 Smart Cabrio
MBxxx Subaru Impreza Police (new)
MB703 Tractor
MB686 Tractor Plow
MB595 TVR Tuscan S
MB723 Volkswagen 4x4
MB578 Volkswagen Beetle Taxi
MB438 Volkswagen Concept 1 Bettle Convertible
MB734 Volkswagen T2 Bus (new)
MB711 Volvo C30
MB674 Volvo XC90
When batch A arrives in the next few weeks we will still also be receiving the remaining few batches of 2007 in the assortments. As with previous years, they will get updated to be packaged in the 2008 design blisters but will continue to show their 2007 number in the range.
A few people have already clocked on to the fact that the MB46 Mercedes Benz Unimog U300 for 2007 has still not shown up in stores even though the final batch of the year is out. Don't worry, it is still coming. There was a small delay in the approval of the final rendering. Short story, the person at the Mercedes Benz commercial division who Mattel were dealing with left the company. Mercedes did not appoint a replacement for a few months who needed to get up to speed before signing off on the model. This slid the debut back 3 months. It is now in production and will be included with batch B of 2008. Now some collectors like to keep their models in blisters on a year-by-year basis and like to see some continuity in their models. To this end, Mattel have ensured that the model will be released initially in a 2007 style packaging so that these collectors can keep the same look for all 75 of the 2007 models. It is also confirmed that the 2nd issue 2007 color on the model is still scheduled to go ahead. Obviously with the initial release being 3 months late, the 2nd issue 2007 will now be included in batch E. However, 2nd issue colors on 2007 models that are first included in 2008 batches will be packaged solely in 2008 design blisters.
Chrysler has recently been through a few changes, and has recently spoken about trimming their product range in recent months. Matchbox owns the rights to a number of Chrysler vehicles. Due to certain changes, baseplates of various Chrysler products in the Matchbox range will over the course of the next few years be updated to reflect the current Chrysler trademark. At this time, Mattel will hopefully also include a scale on the Dodge Magnum. Talking of which, the Dodge Magnum is a very well liked model at Mattel, and some collectors have noticed it has been used very sparingly. Don't worry there is no problem with it, and we should see a few more versions appearing in the future outside of the basic range.
It was noted that the #11 Construction 5-pack from 2007 debuted in August, but was missing from the next assortment. This was a temporary measure due to one of the molds breaking. However, whilst Mattel were busy fixing the mold another vehicle was prepared on the fly and included for a few batches as an interim to keep the package available in the majority of assortments. Look out for this variation in upcoming assortments before the original model returns late in the day. The final 2007 release has just started turning up and we are now moving on to 2008. As was noted before, the 5-packs are reverting back to 12 releases. One new release will be available on a month by month basis with the first one turning up in December. The 12 titles for the upcoming year are as follows....
VIP 5
Farm
Vacation
Modern Rides
Fire
Dino Mountain
Classic Cars
Construction
Off Road
Police
Ocean Research
Haunted House
The first set, as noted will be turning up in December.
The TV licenses are proving to be a huge success in USA and are set to continue full force into 2008. The final 2007 set; Nick Jr; has recently turned up in stores and in the New Year we will see a host of new 2008 sets turning up. News on upcoming licenses will be available soon. The new style of packaging for these has proved to be really popular with the stores and will continue on for the new year. However, one small thing is that at some point during the year the little stickers that are currently included will be withdrawn from packages (possibly around late spring/early summer). Walgreens will continue with the smaller 3-Packs of TV license vehicles in 2008. It is worth noting that this smaller 3-pack is a Walgreens exclusive, and cannot be ordered elsewhere. Mattel will not offer it to dealers, hobby stores, drug stores, supermarkets or any larger retail chain.
December will see the launch of the new range of playsets by Matchbox. These are pretty much all based on the Pop Up format, with a "mini" 90° style, "compact" 180° style, and a "deluxe" large set with a carrying handle and extra pull out areas. Around 10 of these are planned for release over the next year, with a significant proportion being available in the December release. All sets will include a unique casting, including a Police Car (note: this police car has already turned up in a recent 10-pack), Tow Truck, Plane and Bulldozer. However, one set will see the debut of a brand new casting; the MB732 Badlander. Mattel felt the need to create a casting that really suited the playset theme, and this model was designed with that in mind. As I said they were pretty much all based on the Pop Ups, except for 2 sets. These are special Battle King sets fitting in with the theme that we are used to seeing now (United Alliance vs. Rogue). They are also scheduled to be released in December. All sets are planned on being sold worldwide, although in the case of the Battle King sets, they are to be sold in all countries that already stock the Battle King packs.
Speaking of Battle Kings, the next packs are due to be released around a similar time frame as the playsets. For 2008, there is a slight change to the design of the packaging, with the desire to keep the look fresh. Part of this will be the inclusion of a scenario on the rear of the packaging. Mattel have worked on a clever way to incorporate 2 opposing sets into 1 scenario. You will get the United Alliance set, and on the reverse a story line from their prospective. And then you will pick up the Rogue set, and on the rear will be the same basic storyline, but seen from their prospective. Very clever stuff.
The final batch of Superfast America is due for release very shortly. Expect to find it in stores later this month. There are 5 models still to be released in the current series, and they will be packaged in the cartons of 8 as per normal. Each carton will contain one set of 5 models, plus 3 duplicates of random models. This will bring the series to a close. 2008 will see a new set of 20 being launched. The packaging will be altered a little to incorporate the Superfast name only, as this is how the series will carry on. The cartons will also be changing. Out go cartons of 8 models, and in comes cartons of 10 models. The series will be released in 2 batches of 10 (total series count of 20) with the first batch planned on debuting in January. I must stress that this is still a Wal*Mart exclusive. Again, Mattel will not offer it to dealers, hobby stores, drug stores, supermarkets or any other larger retail chain.
A little later in 2008 comes the "Best of" series. There will be 2 releases with the first being a set of 12 Best of British. A second release will follow later in the year with a smaller set of 6 Best of International, and a smaller set of 6 Best of US Muscle released together as one assortment. These can be ordered by hobby stores and dealers, although will be offered to small chains if they so desire.
10-packs have been selling extremely well in 2007, and the theme of 2 "normal" 10-packs with one exclusive and 1 "all-exclusive" will continue on for 2008. The 2007 year saw the 2 "normal" set exclusives as an MB515 2000 Chevy Corvette Convertible and MB368 1999 ford Mustang Convertible, with a new color on each model in each release for a total of 4 colors of each model. 2008 will see new models taking their place, and being recolored for each of the 4 releases throughout the year. This time the 2 models are MB298 1968 Ford Mustang and MB434 Mercedes Benz S500.
With a sudden glutton of promotionals appearing recently (Dunton Ford Transit, SEMA Taxi and 2008 Toy Fair VW Bus) many collectors have spoken about availability of these models. Mattel would like to clarify that these promotional items will only be available at their intended promotional scene. Mattel will not make any extras to supply to the collector community or hold any back to pass out. For collectors trying to get hold of these, there are really only 2 options. Knowing somebody who attends the event, or by buying from secondary markets (like auction houses). There are currently no new promotional items on the horizon.
Finally, we come to the subject of wheels. Mattel are still working on more new designs to complement the range. The slightly larger double 10-spoke design has now just gone into production and you will soon be seeing this on vehicles that have a larger rear wheel compared to the front (like Corvettes, Vipers and Ford GTs). In fact, the first recipient of this will be the 2007 MB17 Dodge Viper GTSR, which will receive a mid-production alteration to upgrade to the new design wheel. Also of note is that the metal flake of this model was deemed to be too large, and a different, finer paint, has also been put into use for it. Apparently the change is easy to spot. Look out for this one soon. New designed wheels will hopefully start seeing the light of day before the end of 2008. Stay tuned for more updates.
The 2008 line preview is being looked at, and more news on this will be coming soon. A seperate message will be sent out with news on whether this gets the green light or not, and if it does; when.
So for now, this is me signing off.
David Tilley
Ambassador Mk III of Matchbox
  
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