Amt - Mpc - Polar Lights: The Official Press Release

[John G - Retro Hobby Inc.]

Auto World licenses tooling for AMT, MPC & Polar Lights model kits, American Muscle/ Ertl Collectibles die-cast

March 7, 2008

South Bend, IN – Auto World (a division of Round 2, LLC) has signed a licensing agreement with RC2/Learning Curve Brands, Inc. of Oak Brook, Illinois. The contract will allow Auto World to produce and market plastic model kits under the well-known brands of AMT, MPC and Polar Lights. Also included are the rights to manufacture 1:18 and 1:24 scale die-cast replicas using the trademarks of American Muscle and Ertl Collectibles. In addition, Auto World will now be handling production of Custom and Premium promotional die-cast vehicles for RC2’s current C&P customer base, with sales continuing through established representatives.

Thomas E. Lowe, President and Owner of Round 2, is now assembling a team of knowledgeable plastic model and die-cast specialists who are excited about this license opportunity and passionate about reintroducing these brands to their respective communities. Lowe states, “Our goal is to bring back many sought after vintage kits of all types from the AMT and MPC tooling banks, some that haven’t been available for decades. We've recruited model kit expert and creative designer John Greczula from Retro Hobby, Inc. to work with us. The American Muscle tooling bank has great potential, too, and Craig Flickinger, who was the Product Manager for American Muscle for several years, is on board to ensure that collectors are kept as priority one. Using our own production facilities, we will have the capability to adjust quantities of the model and die cast lines to satisfy market demand. We will not rely solely on old tooling, but will develop new tools as well.â€

Further, Lowe states, “2008 is going to be a roller coaster ride for us as we prepare our game plan and get things moving. There is an incredible amount of information to be absorbed and organization that must take place. We understand the modeling and die-cast markets have changed and that several large mass-retail chains are beginning to turn their backs on stocking these products. We will try and slow that down by introducing new and innovative products, hopefully enticing them to support our brands. I learned a lot when I ran my previous company, Playing Mantis, and I intend to use all of my knowledge and contacts to the maximum. For me, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime.â€

Tom Lowe and RC2 Brands, Inc. are no strangers to each other. Lowe, an entrepreneur known for his expertise in collectible automotive subject matter, sold his first company, Playing Mantis, Inc. to RC2 in 2004. Lowe founded Playing Mantis in 1994 and resurrected the classic Johnny Lightning brand, producing small-scale die-cast replicas and electric slot cars catering to the adult collector. Enthusiastic response resulted in phenomenal growth of the brand, and spurred Lowe to venture into other areas, including Polar Lights plastic model kits and Memory Lane seasonal product.

Round 2 was established by Lowe in 2005 and reintroduced electric slot cars under the Auto World brand, an iconic hobby catalog trademark which Lowe purchased from Auto World’s founder, Oscar Koveleski.

Round 2 is an innovative collectibles company located in South Bend, Indiana. Its family of brands includes Auto World, currently featuring X-Traction, ThunderJet and Super III 1:64 scale electric slot racers and racing sets; Forever Fun Holiday Collectibles, featuring detailed recreations of favorite holiday characters and EarthGlow Candles, featuring unique licensed candles and candle toppers. Round 2 is proud to add AMT, MPC and Polar Lights model kits, American Muscle and Ertl Collectibles die-cast to its portfolio of brands.

-END-

[Joe Handley]

WOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck on this venture folks!

[djway3474]

Great news. I have one concern though.

On the Infini T run from Retro Hobby there has been much chatter on the various boards about severe warpage in many of the kits.

I would like to bring this to your attention so that you can look into quality control with your supplier. I really want this new venture to be successful and quality will be part of it.

I wish you the best in the new adventure and I look forward to flooding my shelves with many old and new kits.

Dwayne

[Joe Nunes]

This can mean great fun-filled projects for us in the future!!! Best to all of you in your new adventure, John.

Joe

Edited March 7, 2008 by rhoadapple

[george 53]

I just spoke with John G, and he was tellin me how it'll take a little while to make all this happen, but it WILL happen,just what the hobby needs dontcha think? DJ,I dont think that John himself had anything to do with the quality control of the kits you mentioned,or it wouldn't have happened. But like he was telling me there are alot of old tools that have to be refurbished and it will take time.But rest assured great things are ahead!

[John G - Retro Hobby Inc.]

Great news. I have one concern though.

On the Infini T run from Retro Hobby there has been much chatter on the various boards about severe warpage in many of the kits.

I would like to bring this to your attention so that you can look into quality control with your supplier. I really want this new venture to be successful and quality will be part of it.

I wish you the best in the new adventure and I look forward to flooding my shelves with many old and new kits.

Dwayne

Hi Dwayne,

Wow, I feel awful just reading about the warpage problems now! Auto World didn't receive any complaints and neither did I directly at Retro Hobby. Even though we don't have direct control over the production in China, it's no excuse. What I can say is, moving forward, we will not be producing the kits through RC2's facilities, so I will do everything I can to try and eliminate warpage issues as I will have direct contact with the factory.

Thank you,

John Greczula

[Ronster]

This is wonderful. John, I don't know you, but THANKS! It all sounds excellent! Best of Luck!

Regards, Ron Garbez

[kevinm]

I love it!!!!!!!! -kevin

[Ron L]

I have no idea who is/was in charge of which departments, so I want to know. What does this do about the gross inaccuracies and poor molding qualities we've seen in the latest-tooled kits? I'm talking sink marks, engines that look like they belong on a Star Wars model rather than the car it's in, hood hinges going through the firewall diecast-style... I hope this isn't just another cash grab from the "living my youth" crowd because you know, regardless of quality, they'll buy anything they haven't seen since 19xx and this applies to most hobbies.

I don't want a T-bucket shaped like an outhouse, a Mustang narrowed 2 feet to make into (yet another) dragster, or whatever other abominations were made back then. What does AMT have to look forward to, not look back at?

[kurth]

Great news! Thanks for stepping up and taking this on. Any chance of seeing some of the airplane kits AMT did in the 90s? Best of luck in this venture.

[robertw]

Congratulations.

This is excellent news for the hobby during a time when all we seemed to hear were suggestions of doom. I am sure that getting the product back into one or more of the big box stores will be high on your agenda which will be needed to grow the hobby in a new and younger generation of modellers.

I know that we'll all look forward to seeing how your plans develop and what interesting kits reappear from the past.

Rob W

[larrygre]

John, that's wonderful news. I wish you and Tom the best of luck in this new venture. I'll be in touch.

Edited March 7, 2008 by larrygre

[crispy]

As we all know this announcement is abuzz at all the hobby sites including the Hobbytalk board.

Apparently someone was disappointed that all they were going to get were car model re-issues.

Tom Lowe's retort?

"Then why am I about to sign a license for Star Trek, Universal Studios and Warner?

Tom Lowe"

I knew that with Tom as head of this whole thing(John too I am sure) that we would not only get cars/trucks, but some sci-fi and other kits.

I look forward to the next years...

Chris

[Ron L]

OMG Ron !! I swear, if some people could walk on water they'd complain about getting thier feet wet !

Give them a chance to see what they can do and what happens before you start griping. These people have a reputation for careing about the hobby,, I'm shure everything will be lightyears better than what was going on under Rc2's regieme.

Walking on water? More like passing a kidney stone. I asked a question, I wasn't griping. Besides, did I stumble onto the "Kiss AMT's butt" thread by mistake? I wouldn't be so sure about anything until it's in my hands.

People are so quick to bury their noses into their heroes' cleavage (and I don't mean chest) these days. Let them come in here and explain it themselves, rather than letting their sheep do the talking. Manufacturers, vendors, sales reps, and various individuals from certain industries are alive and well in forums except car modeling. Why is that? Why can manufacturers of, for example, $15,000+ CNC machines explain their machines in detail to their customers on forums, yet we can't get someone to explain why the engine is screwed up on a $15 plastic model? All we get are the fanboys who are defending their favorite brand and/or are just plain blind to the fact that a roof is 3 scale inches too tall. I want to know who designed what we're looking at, and why they were done that way. Questions like "Who decided to aim these gauges (mounted on the airbag no less) at the sky?" Maybe there's a good reason, maybe not - it would be nice to just get an answer. Is that information really that hard to get?

[djway3474]

Hi Dwayne,

Wow, I feel awful just reading about the warpage problems now! Auto World didn't receive any complaints and neither did I directly at Retro Hobby. Even though we don't have direct control over the production in China, it's no excuse. What I can say is, moving forward, we will not be producing the kits through RC2's facilities, so I will do everything I can to try and eliminate warpage issues as I will have direct contact with the factory.

Thank you,

John Greczula

Hey John,

I have been writing all these guys on the various boards and suggesting that they contact your company. I have called Retro in the past and everyone there has always been very helpful.

I just opened my kits tonight, I hate to do that until I am ready to build but, everything was ok with my two. Now if we could just get the Bugaboo and Maxi Mav that would be great

Dwayne

[larrygre]

I've met Tom Lowe several times and, knowing what I know about him, the future of AMT/MPC/Polar Lights is secure. He's very much a nostalgia buff (which the Polar Lights catalog can account for) - that being the case, just imagine what new subjects are possible! If he surrounds himself with topnotch people (which he is also known for, and having John G. on board proves it) than we are in for one helluva ride, folks.

Now is not the time to bitterly complain about the mistakes of the past. Now is the time to have great positive hopes for the future.

[Joe Nunes]

Ya know Ron L.....if you don't like what you read here and you want to start bashing someones dreams before they even get off the ground with your whining ######...you could just go somewhere yourself...where the cleavage is dark would certainly be OK...don't think many of us would mind IMHO.

[Ron L]

See what I mean? The defense bandwagon is on full alert without even reading carefully as if my hand reached through their monitor and slapped them in the face, yet I still await answers to my questions.

You know ron,, if you don't like the product you don't have to buy it. These guys JUST announced thier arrangements and intentions mere hours ago and already you'r jumping all over them and they haven't even produced a kit yet. Do you know something the rest of us don't?

How do I know not to buy it until after I've already bought it? Based on magazine reviews? Larry can tell you how well that worked out. Yes, and these guys JUST announced their arrangements and intentions mere hours ago, and you already think the hobby is saved. Does ANYONE know what the rest of us don't, which are the questions I asked earlier?

They didn't design or OK the design of any kits yet.

So who does? That was one of my questions. Rather than "Tom, John, your designs are bad" as you are seeing it, it is actually "Tom, John, what can you do to prevent bad designs?"

And in the future if you want to accuse me of having my nose up anyone's @$$ you should do it in person.

Although it was your quote I included it wasn't directed at you, but as you can see in this thread alone it applies to many people. I've been to more corporate and school meetings than you can imagine and yes, I have called people whatever I want. If we had a meeting with the head of some company speaking and some guys start talking down to me because I asked questions, you bet I'll call them what they deserved to be called. Dragging someone out to the schoolyard and saying "Now tell it to my face" or telling someone to "just go somewhere else" is just childish and an admittance of defeat. Also, asking me to say it to you in person means you're challenging me to some sort of physical confrontation, which I believe is against board rules. Or did you want to give me flowers and hugs?

Now is not the time to bitterly complain about the mistakes of the past. Now is the time to have great positive hopes for the future.

Larry, I've got positive hopes, but what does that do? My 9 y.o. daughter had positive hopes with her snap kit, and now she swears she'll "never build another one of these stupid things." Good thing she got her start on planes and Gundam kits beforehand, or she would've given up the hobby for good like many people have. I had questions about the future and what's to be done about mistakes of the past, yet instead of answers I'm blasted for being a whiner.

Let me summarize and sugar coat it for those that get sand in their urethra too easily:

1) How do we, as a group of passionate hobbyists, get in contact with the people that put the final "OK" on the parts, so we end up with kits we can all like? "Hey guys, here's a preliminary draft on the 2010 concept Gremlin engine, what do you think?" How cool would that be?

2) Why aren't model car industry people more involved in forums, and I don't mean just sellers and vendors relaying what they heard from further up?

3) With all the concerns about past inaccuracies, mistakes, etc. why hasn't someone come forward to explain why the decision was made to create such parts?

4) Now that it's headed towards a seemingly better future, will points 1 through 3 be handled differently than in the past, if at all?

So there you have it. If you wish, let's forget everything and pretend that all I wrote were those four questions. Answers from those who are qualified and can prove it are welcome. Now I'm off to prime and paint my AMT '09 Camaro.

[walt francis]

John and his crew we will back you all the way don't worry about the negitive nannys me for one will be happy with what ever you guys do, Someone had to step up and you did and we praise you for it

so good luck and we are here for you

[larrygre]

Larry, I've got positive hopes, but what does that do?

Right now, Ron, I would say that positive hopes are the best attitude we can take right now.

First off, the people involved in the revived AMT/MPC/PL are product people, not mere money men. That in itself speaks volumes about possibilities. Money men only care about how much return on investment they get and how quick they see profit, they don't give a flaming ###### about product. Product guys know it's all about product and that you won't make money without good product. Had GM not put a product guy - Bob Lutz - in such a key position as he is in, they would still be making unremarkable automobiles. Because enthusiasts like Tom and John are involved in the production and marketing decisions of the new AMT/MPC/PL, I and many others feel a sense of confidence.

Second, complaining to Tom and John or any of the new product team about errors, omissions, or inaccuracies made by RC2's Chinese engineers 1999-2006 or by pre-RC2 Ertl makes no sense at all. That's simply complaining to complain.

Third, These guys ARE involved. Just because you don't see many of them posting on Internet message boards like this one doesn't mean they don't have their fingers on the modeler's pulse. In the case of the new AMT/MPC/PL, they just launched. Give them time to bring product to market. Then bring comments to bear.

It's been my experience that model company people get very turned off by complainers. In the 25 years I have been writing for the former Scale Auto Enthusiast and Model Cars, I have kept one primary philosophy about product: if its good, say why it's good. If it's bad, don't diss the company, say WHY it's bad and if it can be fixed. Having that outlook and writing tone has made me friends in the model industry and also engendered lasting relationships - the end result of course being what I am able to convey in the pages of the magazine for all of you. Let's not make those who would be proud to serve up good product turn a deaf ear to our wants and desires. Maybe we will get a really superb '09 Camaro from the new AMT. Time will tell.

[Gregg]

Exactly!!!!!

Opinions are welcomed, and respected, and tolerated.

But, if you start getting personal, making attacks at others, I will step in.

You can say what you want, think, or feel.

Just don't attack someone.

I am da boss, remember.....

Now you guys know why I posted all those requests for what kits you would like to see from AMT.

Tom and John are great people, and I had a blast with the "Roudy Bunch" at the Chicago iHobby Expo a couple of years ago.

I think John owes the next round......

[crispy]

If I read correctly and to maybe answer a little portion of Ron's question, I believe Tom L. said that production would be moved to their facilities. Where I believe they have much more control.

If that is the case I think we'll be seeing some nice stuff. Re-issued or new.

Although announced here for 2008 I would suspect we won't see something *new* until 2009 from them. Got to get those ducks in a row first....

Chris

[Guest Davkin]

Am I missing something here? How is this any different than what Model King has been doing? The only difference I can see is MK licenses one kit at a time while Autoworld has made an agreement that gives them access to the whole inventory, or am I understanding this wrong? I'm sure I'll be happy to see some of these re-releases but I'm not going to keep paying $20-$25 for kits produced from old, worn out molds. Either the quality has to significantly improve or the price has to be in-line with at least the typical Revell reissue. I have no problem paying good money for a quality kit but I won't pay Tamiya money for poorly molded 40 year old kit designs. Also, I'm not going read too much into that "our own production facilities" line, that could just mean a different factory still in China.

Yes, like Ron I'm a skeptic, I'm not about to go around jumping for joy until I at least see more real details, not just some vague marketing spiel press release. This isn't a criticsm against the people running this show, I'm sure they are competent but this press release doesn't really tell me all that much about their intentions or resources.

David

[Biscuitbuilder]

Am I missing something here? How is this any different than what Model King has been doing? The only difference I can see is MK licenses one kit at a time while Autoworld has made an agreement that gives them access to the whole inventory, or am I understanding this wrong? I'm sure I'll be happy to see some of these re-releases but I'm not going to keep paying $20-$25 for kits produced from old, worn out molds. Either the quality has to significantly improve or the price has to be in-line with at least the typical Revell reissue. I have no problem paying good money for a quality kit but I won't pay Tamiya money for poorly molded 40 year old kit designs. Also, I'm not going read too much into that "our own production facilities" line, that could just mean a different factory still in China.

Yes, like Ron I'm a skeptic, I'm not about to go around jumping for joy until I at least see more real details, not just some vague marketing spiel press release. This isn't a criticsm against the people running this show, I'm sure they are competent but this press release doesn't really tell me all that much about their intentions or resources.

David

Guys, it's certainly OK to be skeptical of this, or any other thing that comes up in our hobby lives, but I do think we ought to all remember, we are talking about our "toys" in life, not the staples of life itself. There is a huge difference, I believe.

It's also wise to keep in mind that every model car kit or promo you have ever seen, the good, the bad, the otherwise or the indifferent, is the product of someone's imagination, skills, and their hard work. Now, I would submit that there is nobody, so far appearing on this thread, who's got the capabilities of creating the tooling masters, going through the hoops of cutting steel dies for injection molding a model kit--all that stuff. Most of us could probably understand one of the various steps, but not all of them.

Each and every one of us has our own set of eyes, which see the lines, shapes and contours involved in a model car kit body uniquely--no two of us see those things in exactly the same way--very much like the story of the "Blind men and the elephant" some of us had read to us as little kids.

While I can gnash my teeth with the best of you here, when something isn't right on a particular kit, or doesn't fit as it should, or simply isn't as advertised, I hope I've learned to not make a federal case out of it, but move on, correct it to the best of my ability. If I can, then I feel I've achieved something--and to me, achievement is what model car building has been all about, and that goes back, for me, decades.

Another thing that bugs me about what I'm seeing raise its ugly head here, and that is the personal bickering--that's not the model car building family I've come to know over the years, guys. Sure, we do disagree, that's human. But to come to blows, at least digitally, isn't what I would expect to see or hear when I sign on to a great message board, nor experience at a model car contest or NNL.

OK, I've said enough, except to extend my Kudo's to Tom Lowe, and John G., for being willing to step up to a huge plate, and take a big swing at a big project. Go for it, guys!

Biscuitbuilder

[bigphoto]

I for one am very happy to hear this news (maybe some 1/43 reissues could see the light of day)

But before the skeptism gets out of hand lets let them start building some revenue so that they can further

retooling development and starting new tools.

My .02 pennies!