What are Tamiya doing...?

MrHappy · 08-20-2003, 08:36 AM

I don't know if anyone else has discussed this before but what's happened to all Tamiya's 1/24 car releases.
Just looking at the release lists on their web site shows only 1 or 2 NEW 1/24 cars.
Most have been re-releases / re-vamps of old cars (blue Focus and new 206s), not to mention the finished body series.

Even the 2003 catalogue was full of cars from the last 3 years!!!

Just when I thought things were getting good with the release of the Enzo its all come to a stand still.

In the mean time rival companies are releasing cars like the Mazda RX8, new Honda NSX and custom Fast & Frustrated kits..

Have Tamiya lost the 1/24 car plot or are they planning something big for the future??????

RogsR34UK · 08-20-2003, 08:40 AM

Maybe after the superb Enzo (I really must get one of those at some point) they are having to rest and recuperate due to the amazing amount of work that must have gone into producing it.

Maybe they think there is nothing worth modelling after that.

Oh, and by the way, Hi "neighbour"!

MrHappy · 08-20-2003, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogsR34UK

Maybe after the superb Enzo (I really must get one of those at some point) they are having to rest and recuperate due to the amazing amount of work that must have gone into producing it.

Maybe they think there is nothing worth modelling after that.

RogsR34UK · 08-20-2003, 08:45 AM

I suppose we can expect some curbsides before too long.

primera man · 08-20-2003, 09:06 AM

Apart from the ENZO, Tamiya have really done nothing to get excited about in quite a while now

RogsR34UK · 08-20-2003, 09:17 AM

I can't even remember the last Tamiya car I bought. I suppose not having anywhere that sells much Tamiya locally doesn't help, though of course there is always mail order. I have a suspicion that one of the last Tamiya models I bought was the 1/12 Caterham a couple of years ago. Now I really ought to make that sometime soon.

Vric · 08-20-2003, 09:32 AM

nothing new since Enzo.. it's a shame... maybe they will relase Audi TT DMT and Porsche Carrera GT for xmas !

MrHappy · 08-20-2003, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogsR34UK

I can't even remember the last Tamiya car I bought. I suppose not having anywhere that sells much Tamiya locally doesn't help, though of course there is always mail order. I have a suspicion that one of the last Tamiya models I bought was the 1/12 Caterham a couple of years ago. Now I really ought to make that sometime soon.

Theres a good shop for Tamiya stuff in Carterton near Witney (off the A40) and a great one in Swindon.
PM me for mpre details..

exhaust smoke · 08-20-2003, 10:48 AM

i think that the Enzo had used up a big chunk of their development budget for this year. I think we have to make do with revamps of existing kits this year, until they build up their budget for next year. Well we have the 2003 Peugeot to look forward to next.

Martbee · 08-20-2003, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vric

nothing new since Enzo.. it's a shame... maybe they will relase Audi TT DMT and Porsche Carrera GT for xmas !

I wish for that.

malsheem · 08-20-2003, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exhaust smoke

i think that the Enzo had used up a big chunk of their development budget for this year. I think we have to make do with revamps of existing kits this year, until they build up their budget for next year. Well we have the 2003 Peugeot to look forward to next.

That's true. I'm not up on the financial news, but has anyone looked into Tamiya's financial reports over the past few quarters? I haven't, but if they aren't doing too well, high expenses, low revenues, etc, they wouldn't be too keen on making a brand new kit and the cost associated with that until the get things back on the level. Hmmm, I think I'll do some research.

flyonthewall · 08-20-2003, 12:10 PM

What do you mean? As far back as I can remember, Tamiya have never released a stack of new kits each month so this seems very normal to me- quality not quantity. I would however have expected at least on all new tooling since Enzo's release but as mentioned, i would imagine it sapped quite alot of their budget.

EMAXX · 08-20-2003, 12:19 PM

Yeah, I wish that they would put out some more models. I really like the build quality of Tamiya models and I would love to build a e46 M3 or something.

hirofkd · 08-20-2003, 01:26 PM

They must be saving money and directing their limited human resources to release the next detailed kit.
Technically, they only have one team to develop car models, so that translates to 2 detailed kits per year. As we know, last years resources were spent for the Enzo and FW24. I don't know their plan for this Christmas, but I'm sure those who are behind such superb kits are working their butt off to finish the design on CAD, and just about to translate it to the mold now.
My wish is the Carrera GT to go with (or against) the Enzo, but we don't know until the fall hobby show.

A Tamiya engineer told me that they want to make at least one 1/20 scale F1 kit per year, but personally, they should skip 2003, because of the lack of strong subject, and release mod. reissue like '03 Impreza WRC and 350Z Nismo.

RogsR34UK · 08-20-2003, 01:28 PM

Perhaps they will re-release some more of their older models.

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