new for 2018

[High octane]

That is one handsome truck Dave. Even though I am a Chevy Guy, I can go for one of these as well. Maybe we will get a kit of the new upcoming Dodge Ram. Step on up kit makers. There is a market.

While there may be a market for late model pick up truck kits, I believe it is kind of small and wouldn't sell enough kits to break even at the cost of tooling up a new model kit.

[djflyer]

While there may be a market for late model pick up truck kits, I believe it is kind of small and wouldn't sell enough kits to break even at the cost of tooling up a new model kit.

You would think pick-up trucks would have a big enough market to support new kits. The die-cast market certainly thinks so and everything I have found to date says the tooling costs are nearly the same (maybe someone with more inside knowledge can verify this). JADA has even been releasing some of their subjects as plastic kits. I found these all with a quick search on eBay for trucks from 2014 to present:

Edited October 29, 2017 by djflyer

[Luc Janssens]

While there may be a market for late model pick up truck kits, I believe it is kind of small and wouldn't sell enough kits to break even at the cost of tooling up a new model kit.

Most likely, cuz if there was money to be made model kit manufactures would be on top of it.

A friend who used to work in the model kit industry, once said to me, that they sometimes test the waters, by re-releasing similar product (remember where the buying power lies, before formulating your answer ;^)

The fact that one of the manufactures is releasing easy build kits of newer pickups, to me is also some form of ROI measuring meter.

Edited October 29, 2017 by Luc Janssens

[martinfan5]

MENG has a nice F-350 Super Duty on the market. A bit pricey, at $79.00 a pop, unless you find it on sale somewhere.

You can find them for way less than $80 right now,  and you always could of even when they were first release , I bought two at release and my total with shipping was $120, thats $60 each.

Edited October 29, 2017 by martinfan5

[Bucky]

Yessir, I found mine for $47.00 with free shipping. A lot of parts in that box, too!

[niteowl7710]

Most likely, cuz if there was money to be made model kit manufactures would be on top of it.

A friend who used to work in the model kit industry, once said to me, that they sometimes test the waters, by re-releasing similar product (remember where the buying power lies, before formulating your answer ;^)

The fact that one of the manufactures is releasing easy build kits of newer pickups, to me is also some form of ROI measuring meter.

The domestic manufacturers (the one in Illinois in particular) also have a long memories of what didn't work, regardless as to the reasons of why.  They also don't understand trends, and if they kinda, sorta do, they're often weird half-hearted adoptions of them.  Frankly the fact the carried out the Foose line long enough to make new kits out of it was impressive in it's own right.  Particularly if you look back to Revell's complete swing and misses in regards to the Lowriding, DONK, and Import Hot-Hatch trends.

If you talk to industry people about pickup trucks they always point back to the implosion of that market in the late 1990s, which they seem to all forget had less to do with whether or not the subject matter was popular or unpopular, and everything to do with all of the Big 3 releasing essentially the exact same Ford F-150 kit at the same time, and then Revell followed it up with a Silverado that had one of the weirdest set of factory options I've ever seen.  The market and the trend of 1:1 pick-ups had long since passed base trim, standard cab, 2WD trucks and into the the Quad Cab 4x4s and while Lindberg's F-150 was a 4x4 it was still a standard cab.

[High octane]

I'll buy a few current F-150's........want to build mine!!!!

Dave, I bought a new truck last year also, and I have no desire to build a model of it. I can go in the garage and look at it at any time, and I have plenty of other kits that I would rather build than my current ride. I've been driving pick up trucks for about 40 years and have no need for an extended or super crew cab, or even four wheel drive as they plow the snow where I live. Here's a photo of my F-150. While a few late model pick up trucks would be popular with a lot of modelers, I honestly don't think that the model companies would break even toolin' up a newer truck kit.

[waynehulsey]

I could go for a couple of pickup kits. A few of my picks to choose from.

[randyc]

I would not be that insterested in new trucks but would be interested maybe in some of the older trucks posted.  As for building my current ride, I had to search a lot to find a 2007 Ford Edge.  But I was able to find a James Bond Ford Edge in Great Britain.  Diecast 1/43.  $12 to my door.    It was black and had some movie markings.  I disassembled and repainted to match my vehicle.  Only model I've ever owned of exactly a car I owned in 40 ish years of model building.  Most people do not own Nickey Camaros., just as an example  And it was pretty much my exact vehicle, down to the receiver hitch.   I think folks would buy some newer vehicles if offered.  Not sure they would spend $30+ though, if they aren't a dedicated builder.  

[Jordan White]

I really wish Revell would at least try on a new truck kit. Make it a 4WD Ecoboost F150 to be of the most popular configuration, and throw a few bits in for a 2n1 kit. Then down the road, release it again as a different 2n1 kit. If it doesn't sell well, then they can go back to selling repop oldies. What can I say though, I was born in the late 80's and while I find old cars cool, I just don't find models of them as fun to build as more modern subjects. Most of my 1/24 and 1/25 kits are of subjects 1980's and newer. Guess that's why I'm drawn more to the Japanese companies lately!

[Mark]

Jimmy Flintstone now offers an Econoline pickup body as pictured above.  It's mastered off of whatever diecast he got the van body from.  Slightly undersize (about 1/25.7 scale) but then again, so is the Little Red Wagon donor kit that the underbody comes from...

[Luc Janssens]

The domestic manufacturers (the one in Illinois in particular) also have a long memories of what didn't work, regardless as to the reasons of why.  They also don't understand trends, and if they kinda, sorta do, they're often weird half-hearted adoptions of them.  Frankly the fact the carried out the Foose line long enough to make new kits out of it was impressive in it's own right.  Particularly if you look back to Revell's complete swing and misses in regards to the Lowriding, DONK, and Import Hot-Hatch trends.

If you talk to industry people about pickup trucks they always point back to the implosion of that market in the late 1990s, which they seem to all forget had less to do with whether or not the subject matter was popular or unpopular, and everything to do with all of the Big 3 releasing essentially the exact same Ford F-150 kit at the same time, and then Revell followed it up with a Silverado that had one of the weirdest set of factory options I've ever seen.  The market and the trend of 1:1 pick-ups had long since passed base trim, standard cab, 2WD trucks and into the the Quad Cab 4x4s and while Lindberg's F-150 was a 4x4 it was still a standard cab.

As with Muscle cars, IMHO subjects should be chosen with the mindset; what truck would I buy if I had money to burn.

Cuz what's sells in the real world, is always a compromise (family, financial situation, practicality, gas milage, what would people say, etc...), and the kit you want to build, is of the subject you dream to have, so I can follow you reasoning.

That's why I find it strange that Meng didn't offer their F350 as a dualy.

 

[martinfan5]

 

That's why I find it strange that Meng didn't offer their F350 as a dualy.

 

The way they did the part's runners, it looked they had at least thought about it,  I really thought they were going to follow up with a dually, instead, we got a Hummer H1

Edited October 31, 2017 by martinfan5

[Zoom Zoom]

The way they did the part's runners, it looked they had at least thought about it,  I really thought they were going to follow up with a dually, instead, we got a Hummer H1

And the upcoming 2 door Wrangler...when the Wrangler Unlimited sells 3:1 vs the 2 door, and judging by the popularity of modified Wrangler Unlimiteds at local gatherings, I don't think Meng has their finger on the pulse of the US market at all. Revell can't be bothered to do any new trucks beyond the two snap Raptors, the latest the kiddie Build 'n Play. Meanwhile Maisto has a far nicer Raptor in 1/24 diecast, true to scale...as well as a Wrangler Unlimited. Hate to say it, but people wanting modern truck kits better get used to the fact that if they want a model, they're going to have to rip apart a diecast...because the plastic companies have no interest, just apathy.

[Jhedir6]

And the upcoming 2 door Wrangler...when the Wrangler Unlimited sells 3:1 vs the 2 door, and judging by the popularity of modified Wrangler Unlimiteds at local gatherings, I don't think Meng has their finger on the pulse of the US market at all. Revell can't be bothered to do any new trucks beyond the two snap Raptors, the latest the kiddie Build 'n Play. Meanwhile Maisto has a far nicer Raptor in 1/24 diecast, true to scale...as well as a Wrangler Unlimited. Hate to say it, but people wanting modern truck kits better get used to the fact that if they want a model, they're going to have to rip apart a diecast...because the plastic companies have no interest, just apathy.

I have to agree with Bob..apathy. Revell did a beautiful snapper of the 2015 Raptor with a decent number of parts and really nice chassis detail and I honestly thought they were going to do a full glue kit, since really all they'ad have to add is chassis/suspension mold and maybe a body if they were to do an engine...but  the let it go. I too thought Meng was going to do a dually version of the F350 the way the parts were laid out on the trees. 

I've given up hope that Revell will do a full detailed Mustang, which would make sense since they've done so many since the revamp of the Mustang in '05, but again, they havent. So, following Bob's suggestion I've picked up a New Ray 2016 Shelby GT350 diecast and a RC version of the same car with a plastic body and I'm going to make my own. 

 

[martinfan5]

And the upcoming 2 door Wrangler...when the Wrangler Unlimited sells 3:1 vs the 2 door, and judging by the popularity of modified Wrangler Unlimiteds at local gatherings, I don't think Meng has their finger on the pulse of the US market at all. Revell can't be bothered to do any new trucks beyond the two snap Raptors, the latest the kiddie Build 'n Play. Meanwhile Maisto has a far nicer Raptor in 1/24 diecast, true to scale...as well as a Wrangler Unlimited. Hate to say it, but people wanting modern truck kits better get used to the fact that if they want a model, they're going to have to rip apart a diecast...because the plastic companies have no interest, just apathy.

Well the experts in this thread have pointed it out that no one wants to build modern pick up trucks

[Bucket T]

Jimmy Flintstone now offers an Econoline pickup body as pictured above.  It's mastered off of whatever diecast he got the van body from.  Slightly undersize (about 1/25.7 scale) but then again, so is the Little Red Wagon donor kit that the underbody comes from...

Thanks for the info Mark.

[niteowl7710]

And the upcoming 2 door Wrangler...when the Wrangler Unlimited sells 3:1 vs the 2 door, and judging by the popularity of modified Wrangler Unlimiteds at local gatherings, I don't think Meng has their finger on the pulse of the US market at all. Revell can't be bothered to do any new trucks beyond the two snap Raptors, the latest the kiddie Build 'n Play. Meanwhile Maisto has a far nicer Raptor in 1/24 diecast, true to scale...as well as a Wrangler Unlimited. Hate to say it, but people wanting modern truck kits better get used to the fact that if they want a model, they're going to have to rip apart a diecast...because the plastic companies have no interest, just apathy.

I also don't think Meng is trying to have their finger on the pulse of the U.S. Market either.  They're in H.K., not Iowa.  They sold enough of those F-350 that they recently made a resin off-road set (similar to the H1 & upcoming Wrangler) for it a few months ago, which is a couple of years after the kit was released.  It's a very Fujimi attitude.  They make kits for China/Asia, and if they happen to sell them into the U.S., that's just icing on the cake.  For awhile they didn't even have a distributor for the U.S. for the automotive kits - Squadron would import the Military stuff, but not the F-350 or H1 for some reason.

[Zoom Zoom]

Well the experts in this thread have pointed it out that no one wants to build modern pick up trucks

Well, there are experts, and there are experts. 

Any interest in plastic kits of modern American pickups is falling on deaf ears. There's far more of a pulse in diecast and RC at this point. 

Pic for attention:

Quite probably the last modern pickup from Revell that has anything close to detail that might satisfy an adult builder. Thankfully my interests are broad enough that there's always plenty to buy and build when companies are asleep or worse, and my 100 year backlog is available as long as there is paint and glue and my vision and dexterity remain. Personally I can't wait for the Ebbro 1/48 Honda Jet to hit my workbench. 

[Zoom Zoom]

I also don't think Meng is trying to have their finger on the pulse of the U.S. Market either.  They're in H.K., not Iowa.  They sold enough of those F-350 that they recently made a resin off-road set (similar to the H1 & upcoming Wrangler) for it a few months ago, which is a couple of years after the kit was released.  It's a very Fujimi attitude.  They make kits for China/Asia, and if they happen to sell them into the U.S., that's just icing on the cake.  For awhile they didn't even have a distributor for the U.S. for the automotive kits - Squadron would import the Military stuff, but not the F-350 or H1 for some reason.

Completely understood, I was more venting than anything with my previous comment. It's sad that only a HK based company seems interested in tooling plastic kits of modern-ish US trucks primarily for builders outside of the US. The US companies are showing us all how much interest they have for the subject.

[Rob Hall]

It is odd about Meng making those kits at all...can't imagine there is much interest in US spec truck and SUV kits in Asia.  I have the F350, looking forward to the Wrangler.  

[Jordan White]

They sold enough of those F-350 that they recently made a resin off-road set  for it a few months ago, which is a couple of years after the kit was released.

Do you have a link? I'm not seeing anything for it anywhere, other than a photo-etch set and the 3rd party dually conversion.

[martinfan5]

Do you have a link? I'm not seeing anything for it anywhere, other than a photo-etch set and the 3rd party dually conversion.

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/g41fvqmoaau88jaovhcg.html

 

[Exotics_Builder]

Do you have a link? I'm not seeing anything for it anywhere, other than a photo-etch set and the 3rd party dually conversion.

https://hlj.com/product/MENSPS-047

Supposedly 1/24 but box art says 1/35 and they produce in both scales.  But the product number is correct for the 1/24

 

Edited November 1, 2017 by Exotics_Builder

[martinfan5]

https://hlj.com/product/MENSPS-047

Supposedly 1/24 but box art says 1/35 and they produce in both scales.  But the product number is correct for the 1/24

 

Its cheaper at my link