Round2 February 2022

[doorsovdoon]

I kind of agree with Casey. When you start updating certain parts, where do you stop? ..but, I reckon Round2 should still consider updating less popular kits without completely re-tooling the whole thing. Just a new chassis would improve so many old kits cos I find the body's are fairly decent on most that haven't been hacked about too much. They probably already have chassis from newer moulds that would fit these older kits. Even if they don't fit perfect, anything is better than what fits under, lets say, the '77 Pinto! Lol. Nice body, shame about the chassis!

Edited February 11, 2022 by doorsovdoon

[The Junkman]

9 hours ago, deuces wild said:

Ummmm.... What's a boba fet????....??

Well, either a somewhat notorious character in the Star Wars universe OR an obscure rum-based drink you can only get at a walk-away bar in the Florida Keys.  I forget which.

[OldNYJim]

9 hours ago, deuces wild said:

Ummmm.... What's a boba fet????....??

I think he's a Star War

[Rusty92]

On 2/8/2022 at 8:19 PM, PintoKING said:

Very interesting "potential news" at 21:30.

Heard that as well. So far no additional updates on the channel or their social media pages. 

[deuces wild]

Sorry guys! I was being a little sarcastic about that boba fet thing.. I'm not into that star war junk..?

[Luc Janssens]

18 hours ago, Casey said:

Once you start doing that, where do you stop? I suspect that was a topic discussed regarding the AMT '63 Chevy II Wagon, and they decided it was best to create an all-new kit instead of backdating the Boss Nova.

Once you upgrade the engine, then the exhaust to match up with it, and the front and rear suspension, then modify the chassis to make it all play nicely together, and whoops, it no longer fits inside the body shell nicely, and wow does that engine bay with the molded in wires look terrible now...definitely a slippery slope. Where do you stop and run the risk of turning customers off by not going far enough or not leaving things well enough alone? I suspect the latter (and nostalgia) is why we see so little of what you suggest.

Not sure how many other new-in-the-'90s kits Round2 could modify like they did with the '67 Impala/Supernatural 4-door hardtop, though. Shared wheelbases are key, and some of the tooling is one-off and funky (Wagonrod, Phantom Vickie), so not much potential for heavily modified reissues there.

Heck, they'd do well just to re-issue the '94 S-10 SS/LS, '96 S-10 Sportside, '95 S-series Blazer, Ford Rangers (both bed styles), and '55 Chevy Stepside with the Street Machine parts.

 

wrote down some of which I assume are feasible, but won't know 'till the calculating has been done, cuz everything comes at a cost, the bottom line always will be, ROI in a market which for the most part thrives on nostalgia and middle aged men

 

 

[1972coronet]

3 hours ago, Casey said:

They have, although some in the oddball 1/20 scale. GMC Sonoma, Ford Lightning F-150, '88 Mustang GT, Plymouth Prowler, and '94 Mustang GT

You're referring to the Lindberg kits? The AMT/ERTL kits of those subjects were / are all one-twenty-fifth scale.

[Casey]

30 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

You're referring to the Lindberg kits?

Yes-- the ex-Lindberg Nisan Hardbody 4x4, GMC Sonoma, and Chevy Camaro SS convertible kits.

[Tabbysdaddy]

4 hours ago, Casey said:

 

They have, although some in the oddball 1/20 scale. GMC Sonoma, Ford Lightning F-150, '88 Mustang GT, Plymouth Prowler, and '94 Mustang GT come to mind. I think we'll see more re-issues aimed and the Gen Xers soon enough.

When they release them I buy them, I have three of those you listed. But yes, I've been waiting for more of my nostalgia kits to come out. 

[Chuck Kourouklis]

3 hours ago, deuces wild said:

Sorry guys! I was being a little sarcastic about that boba fet thing.. I'm not into that star war junk..?

Yeah, that stuff's for geeks...

[BobbyG]

4 hours ago, Casey said:

True, and while the matching wheelbase issue is a very important factor (IMHO), it's not the only factor to be considered. I suspect to make serious modifications, Round2 wants to hedge their bets in the "this is definitely going to sell briskly" direction, too. I think that has happened with the Supernatural Impala, no doubt due to the legit TV show tie-in.

I'm honestly nor sure how well those annually updated 1:1 big cars you mentioned would sell as 1:25 kits. Maybe fodder for another topic.

Was it supposed to be 5280, i.e. 1320 x 4?

They have, although some in the oddball 1/20 scale. GMC Sonoma, Ford Lightning F-150, '88 Mustang GT, Plymouth Prowler, and '94 Mustang GT come to mind. I think we'll see more re-issues aimed and the Gen Xers soon enough.

Casey, I was not referring to the annual kits, I think someone else on this thread has mentioned that. I am referring to the ERTL era detailed kits and the realistic opportunity for new subjects based off of them. Here's what I mean:

- 57 Chrysler 300 : 57-58 Desoto or easier and 57-58 Chrylser New Yorker Basically all the same vehicles

- 58 Plymouth: 59 Fury or Dodge Coronet, same as above

- 60 Ford Galaxie: 61 or 62 Ford Galaxie

- 71 Duster: 71 Dodge Demon the same car.

- 62 T-Bird convertible, here's a real  easy one, a 62 hardtop.

- 66 Ford Fairlane: 67 Fairlane 500 or how about a 2 dr sedan?

- 69 Olds 442: 68 442

Etc.

Where is their marketing acumen? How many folks have been waiting on a 71 Demon....many with baited breath. I just think Round2 just doesn't have the marketing wherewithal to  make these decisions. Maybe I'm wrong but with that said, I realize it's cost but who of us in the hobby would not want the above mentioned kits? Like I said, Moebius is listening and so is JR Salvino. How many Coke kits do we need at the high prices Round2 charges for blobs? I am just tired of seeing re-issue after re-issue with new box art but nothing new.

[1972coronet]

3 hours ago, Casey said:

Yes-- the ex-Lindberg Nisan Hardbody 4x4, GMC Sonoma, and Chevy Camaro SS convertible kits.

Hmm... I don't believe that I've ever seen the others you'd mentioned in one-twentieth scale (Ford Lightning F-150, '88 Mustang GT, Plymouth Prowler, and '94 Mustang GT), that's why I enquired. 

That's not to say that they don't exist, I've just never seen those particular kits in that scale.

[Tabbysdaddy]

55 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

Hmm... I don't believe that I've ever seen the others you'd mentioned in one-twentieth scale (Ford Lightning F-150, '88 Mustang GT, Plymouth Prowler, and '94 Mustang GT), that's why I enquired. 

That's not to say that they don't exist, I've just never seen those particular kits in that scale.

He was just mentioning that some were 1/20, then listed various scales in the 80s-90s category. 

Edited February 11, 2022 by Tabbysdaddy

[Casey]

1 hour ago, 1972coronet said:

Hmm... I don't believe that I've ever seen the others you'd mentioned in one-twentieth scale (Ford Lightning F-150, '88 Mustang GT, Plymouth Prowler, and '94 Mustang GT), that's why I enquired.

I edited my original post to make things clearer.

1 hour ago, BobbyG said:

Casey, I was not referring to the annual kits, I think someone else on this thread has mentioned that. I am referring to the ERTL era detailed kits and the realistic opportunity for new subjects based off of them. Here's what I mean:

- 57 Chrysler 300 : 57-58 Desoto or easier and 57-58 Chrylser New Yorker Basically all the same vehicles

- 58 Plymouth: 59 Fury or Dodge Coronet, same as above

- 71 Duster: 71 Dodge Demon the same car.

- 69 Olds 442: 68 442

Yes, I understood you were speaking of the newly-tooled-in-the-'90s kits.

I don't see much of a case for the DeSoto nor New Yorker, honestly. They were specialty cars when new, without much broad appeal, and with Moebius' '55 and '56 Chrysler 300s saturating the market for years now, I don't see that as a viable option.

The '58 Plymouth-to-anything else, same thing IMHO. I think the only reason that one ever got off the ground originally is because of the movie association.

A Dodge Demon from the '71 Plymouth Duster 340...maybe. I'm sure Round2 has considered it.

A '68 Olds 442 from the '69 442/ Hurst Olds is possible, but does a '68 Olds 442 have a wide enough appeal to justify the investment? I don't think it does.

1 hour ago, BobbyG said:

Where is their marketing acumen? How many folks have been waiting on a 71 Demon....many with baited breath. I just think Round2 just doesn't have the marketing wherewithal to  make these decisions.

I think they are doing just fine overall. Remember, they have a much larger portfolio as a whole than just plastic model kits, so while the lack of a '71 Dodge Demon 340 kit might seem incomprehensible to some of us, it's merely one product among thousands for them. I suspect the investment partner who injected some cash last year feels very differently, but, time will tell. I have no doubt all the Star Wars kit releases are not a lucky guess on Round2's part, either. They have a good idea of what will sell, and they are in business to make a profit, not satisfy a few hundred peoples' specific kit wants.

1 hour ago, BobbyG said:

Like I said, Moebius is listening and so is JR Salvino. How many Coke kits do we need at the high prices Round2 charges for blobs? I am just tired of seeing re-issue after re-issue with new box art but nothing new.

I'm not so sure I would hold either of those companies in much higher regard.

People need to get over the Coca-Cola branded kits. It's just a decal sheet and box art. Round2 pays for the license and uses it because it is profitable to do so.

Round2's M.O. has been to reissue kits with some added enhancements since they started in 2006, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Their bread and butter is reissuing vintage kits, and one look at the Hobby Lobby topic here on the forum in Gen Disc. will make it painfully clear why that business model continues to be successful.  The masses want cheap kits, regardless of subject, and Round2 is more than happy to fill that demand.

[tim boyd]

I beg to differ a bit ....  I have personally observed that Round 2 has some very knowledgeable and capable people on the Marketing side.   What they also have is what any successful business has, a priority on investing their financial and human resources on projects that will deliver the maximum return on their investment.   

Round 2 has many different product categories, and their new tooling investments must support them all.  Generally speaking, model car kits - unfortunately - don't always generate the same return as some of their other product categories, both when it comes to new tooling and to modified reissues.   

My observation is that Round 2 is pretty savvy about keeping their ear to the ground in terms of what the market (i.e. kit buyers) is looking for.  It's not that they don't have good ideas or are not aware of good ideas from their kit buyers (and btw there are many good ones in this thread), it's simply that their available resources limit how many of those ideas can be placed into development and production.    Supposedly the new Round 2 owners/investors are going to bring increased financial resources for new kit development; presumably some of this will impact car and truck kits, and we may see the fruits of that sooner than later (if the end of the Feb. 2022 video statement can be taken at face value.).  

None of this is to shortchange Moebius, who has developed a very successful kit strategy and is playing it out very well.  Not very familiar with JR Salvino's business model nor its principles, but they too seem to be be increasingly aggressive on new auto model kit topics.   Good for them all!   

TB 

[BobbyG]

57 minutes ago, Casey said:

I edited my original post to make things clearer.

Yes, I understood you were speaking of the newly-tooled-in-the-'90s kits.

I don't see much of a case for the DeSoto nor New Yorker, honestly. They were specialty cars when new, without much broad appeal, and with Moebius' '55 and '56 Chrysler 300s saturating the market for years now, I don't see that as a viable option.

The '58 Plymouth-to-anything else, same thing IMHO. I think the only reason that one ever got off the ground originally is because of the movie association.

A Dodge Demon from the '71 Plymouth Duster 340...maybe. I'm sure Round2 has considered it.

A '68 Olds 442 from the '69 442/ Hurst Olds is possible, but does a '68 Olds 442 have a wide enough appeal to justify the investment? I don't think it does.

I think they are doing just fine overall. Remember, they have a much larger portfolio as a whole than just plastic model kits, so while the lack of a '71 Dodge Demon 340 kit might seem incomprehensible to some of us, it's merely one product among thousands for them. I suspect the investment partner who injected some cash last year feels very differently, but, time will tell. I have no doubt all the Star Wars kit releases are not a lucky guess on Round2's part, either. They have a good idea of what will sell, and they are in business to make a profit, not satisfy a few hundred peoples' specific kit wants.

I'm not so sure I would hold either of those companies in much higher regard.

People need to get over the Coca-Cola branded kits. It's just a decal sheet and box art. Round2 pays for the license and uses it because it is profitable to do so.

Round2's M.O. has been to reissue kits with some added enhancements since they started in 2006, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Their bread and butter is reissuing vintage kits, and one look at the Hobby Lobby topic here on the forum in Gen Disc. will make it painfully clear why that business model continues to be successful.  The masses want cheap kits, regardless of subject, and Round2 is more than happy to fill that demand.

Just my opinion as being in this hobby for 55 plus years. As a consumer, I look at the obvious of what could be. On the other hand, being in the corporate environment my whole career, I see these suggestions as a calculated risk especially when  you have a core product that can be further developed for additional products while minimizing costs. Maybe there is a bigger market for Star Wars and Star Trek followers, so it is their business decision to satisfy both audiences. Maybe the model car business is not as big as it appears and a lot of us have high expectations 

As a consumer, at the prices kits are today, I will put my money on new tooling and subjects that are up to today's standards.

Addressing your assessment of the suggested kits, as you know, just look at what resin casters are getting for modified models based on these subjects. You know the prices they command when they are out of production, such with Modelhaus kits.

Thanks for your feedback, that's what keeps our hobby interesting.

 

[Oldcarfan27]

[Luc Janssens]

8 hours ago, Casey said:

Round2's M.O. has been to reissue kits with some added enhancements since they started in 2006, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Their bread and butter is reissuing vintage kits, and one look at the Hobby Lobby topic here on the forum in Gen Disc. will make it painfully clear why that business model continues to be successful.  The masses want cheap kits, regardless of subject, and Round2 is more than happy to fill that demand.

Except for the cheap part, I agree with most of what you said  

 

Cheers!

 

Luc

Edited February 12, 2022 by Luc Janssens
editing, someday I will learn ;)

[Daddyfink]

On 2/12/2022 at 12:50 AM, Luc Janssens said:

Except for the cheap part, I agree with most of what you said  

 

Cheers!

 

Luc

Yeah, the cheap part is currently going away rather quickly. My LHS has the Round 2 Surf Wagon, AKA Ecto 1, for the meager price of $49.99!

Yes, the low detail, pretty much a snap together, old kit, for $50 bucks! For a few bucks more, I can the get the AMT Transit Mixer! But I am sure that will be going up when they get a restock.

[RSchnell]

19 hours ago, Daddyfink said:

Yeah, the cheap part is currently going away rather quickly. My LHS has the Round 2 Surf Wagon, AKA Ecto 1, for the meager price of $49.99!

Yes, the low detail, pretty much a snap together, old kit, for $50 bucks! For a few bucks more, I can the get the AMT Transit Mixer! But I am sure that will be going up when they get a restock.

With most AMT car/light truck kits now priced in the $35-40 range, I wonder how that is going to effect sales in the long run. It's hard to justify paying that kind of money for an old tool kit that in most cases can be found at swaps & internet for half that price or less, but you don't get the retro box art!