The "I want this kit" site.

[willimo]

So.

I was reading the newspaper today while I waited two hours to see a College of A&S counselor, and there was this article. About some website. Where people go to "express their interest in TV shows becoming DVDs." tvshowsondvd.com. Ok. Sounds great, though I'm not sure how much power this site has. But the article asserted that it has some, and publishers actually look at this site to guage interest to some extent. I don't know how I beleive that, but, it can't hurt.

Then I thought:

"WAIT!"

I am not only a TV show watcher. I am also a... car modeler. Anyone follow me so far? Yeah, we've had those threads but... what about a site? Where people could go to "express their interest in cars becoming models?" Imagine, a list of cars that the model manufacturers could look at and think, "Gee, that new Mustang sure has a lot of pople interested in it... perhaps it would be worth looking into."

Just an idea.

[Dr.AK]

That's a good idea I think. Only , how to guarantee that the manufacturers will look at it?

[freakray]

Sounds like an idea, then you have to get the model companies to read it.

Come to think of it, don't Revell AG already have that on their site?

[tonioseven]

Not a bad idea; I suspect that at least Aoshima and Fujimi view AF regularly based on their wheel releases, engine kits, and updates made to certain kits (RX-8). I support the idea wholeheartedly

[bigfrit]

Good Idea there Will, for as long as the companies don't already surf the web.

And Ray was right, there is such a thing on the revell AG site, I voted several times for the MK2 escort, and look what's gonna happen (thanks who? )

but it's pretty idillic, tho, dunno the real way they do their marketing, but I support the idea to atleast do something.

Oli

[MPWR]

At first glance, it sounds like a clever idea. But, in truth, if model manufacturers wanted our opinions, they'd have asked!

Modeling enthusiasts (of which I'd say the vast majority of us here are) are notoriously specific and fickle about kits they'd like to see. Another poll here of "What kit do you want Tamiya to make?" will again turn up 20 different 'must haves' from two dozen people. The major manufacturers long ago came to the truth that they just can't do everything we want, and because by nature we'll never agree, they rely to find other selection criterea for what to put out next. Believe me, Tamiya and the like have well established research and marketing departments that ponder these decisions in depth. If they thought that the model building public's opinions were of value in this process, they definately would have created a way to get it.

Yes, RoG does have a page where you can send them your suggestion, but I suspect that's more an excercise in public relations then in real market research.

If it'll make you feel better, than do so- but, we can't make the manufacturers care.

[Chuck Kourouklis]

I WANT A NEW FORD GT FROM TAMIYA!

Oh. Wait.

Was this the right thread for that?

[malsheem]

While I think it is a good idea, the devil's advocate in me has some thoughts, too.

Every time we have a thread on what cars people want in scale form, it very diverse and all over the place in terms of cars and even groups of cars. There were only a handful of cars that multiple people wanted. It would be very hard for any model company exec to get reliable feedback from such a wide array of choices. They might even be turned off by it, seeing choices from old school classics to current superexotics and everything in between.

At best, such a site, if a model exec visited it, might give them some interest to further research specific cars.

[Spitfire7]

It sounds like a good idea, but most of the model companies don't seem to be interested. I'd like to see some new original releases instead of bringing out supposedly 'new' models when they are just repacked old ones with new decals.

[willimo]

I understand both of your points, and they are very good. I am quite aware of them as well, I only decided that this idea was worth sharing because instead of a list of people and what they want, it would be a list of cars with how many people wanted it. Granted, I would want not the same cars as you, but there would probably be some overlap, and when that happened, especially when that overlap happened a lot, then it might be worth their look. I'm not planning on making such a site, or even calling for it to be made, it was just a thought. I don't think that the companies would base all their tooling on such a survey, but if "Chevrolet Cavalier" somehow had a runaway vote count, they might take notice.

[mike@af]

For all of you that want Ford models, theres a rumor floating around that Ford isnt signing any more modeling contacts due to liability. Not sure if its true or not, but theres been some articles in some mags.

So, maybe this site Will is thinking of will get those knuckle head Ford people to know that we want Fords.

[Vric]

I agree with others.

Manufacturers don't want our opinion, they want our money. And as long they won't understand that our opinion mean money in they pocket, it will not give anything.

[gasman03]

Originally Posted by GTmike400

For all of you that want Ford models, theres a rumor floating around that Ford isnt signing any more modeling contacts due to liability. Not sure if its true or not, but theres been some articles in some mags.

So, maybe this site Will is thinking of will get those knuckle head Ford people to know that we want Fords.

Polar Lights is doing the GT, and Revell is doing the new Mustang, plus, AMT has a bunch of Ford kits coming out so that kills that rumor

[Amazon]

One thing to remember,is that it`s quite expensive to develop a model, so if the kitcompanys marketing folks don`t think it ( the New kit) is going to bring them in lots of cash and in a reasonable time,they`re going to ditch the idea..
It HAS happened, think it was AMT who had come a long way with a Oldsmobile or Studebaker`49 and then just months before release, they cancelled the kit. SAE ( th e magazine) has a poll every year of what kit people would like to see. And after a specific 1:1 have been on top for a few years, it usually turns up in styrene ( =Chrysler 300C)

[gasman03]

Dave Burkett (Model King)has been the modelers friend over at AMT, he been able to get alot of rare kits reissued that modelers want, like the Hemi Under Glass, Open Road Camper, and the upcoming newely announced 59 Imperial, plus AMT is reissuing the stuff that modelers want, plus, AMT is giving us the 300C kit, which make everyone happy, and hopfully they use the guys who did the new Polar Lights kits, becouse if they do, we have one hell of a kit coming our way

Revell has missed the boat lately, they've taken alot of cost cutting ways, like no stock parts for the new 66 Chevelle Wagon, when They already have the stock parts tooled in the 66 El Camino kit, and the way outa scale stock wheels in the 99 Honda Civic kit