[Closed] 1:24 equates to American cars, 1:18 equates to the world, including the US

That's certainly true about Mint cars. Over 90% of the ones....

....I have bought were for less then ?30 including delivery, even in immaculate condition. That's only a third of their new value. By contrast, most 1/18 and 1/43 cars will on average keep most of their new value.

A very fascinating observation here.

I had not thought of things that way before, probably because I am in America.

Another point: I have often felt that 1:18th scale models offer more for the money than 1:24th. It used to be that the 1:18th were significantly less expensive but now are catching up which stands to reason.

When I stand and really look at my 1:18th Corvettes, it never ceases to amaze me how phenomenal they look. The finishes are wonderful and the little trim things are eye popping. Of course I am referring to the higher end cars, i.e. AutoArt, UT, Exoto. Last evening I posted some closeup pictures of a few on Forum 18.

Point well taken!

Paul, fascinating perspective. I think The Mints have moved to almost exclusively ...

...devoting their products to American nameplates due to evolution, and not plan. It's no secret that the world economic and the Internet has wrecked havoc on the diecast industry. It is no longer a surprise to hear that another maker has folded up its tent and closed the doors. In all of this financial turmoil, diecast makers are digging in with product that minimizes risk.

The Mints product line was already primarily American cars. I think The Mints followed the less risk trend with not only fewer product offerings, but cars that most likely would appeal to their primarily American audience. For The Mints, that means American nameplates.

The other makers you mentioned are already players on a world stage. Actually, it would appear most of them are following a similar tactic except it is reversed with international nameplates and very few American ones.

One final thought, I think if DM does not survive, that essentially will spell the end to the 1:24 precision diecast market.

Just my take.

Marlowe, great wisdom - thank you.

Marlowe take a look at #35599.3, please

Interesting insights and viewpoints from all.

Paul, your observations may be generally true if the only two scales involved are 1/24 and 1/18 however I also collect 1/43 and all bets are off when it comes to what is available in this scale. Again, I will use the term Generally, it is my observation that most american collectors collect american makes and most european collectors collect european makes. I happen to collect virtually everything other than race cars. I have many CMC 1/24 scale cars, which were all non american cars, yet they have abandoned the 1/24 scale. Except for a handful of 1/43 scale cars, MiniChamps have always stayed with the european brands. I have always felt that the only way to obtain the images I want my collection to reflect, I would have to collect the various scales. The images each company produces are still the result of what they perceive their customers expect and their survival depends on them being right the majority of the time.

Did we just get called "parochial and undemanding"?

Mark, not anyone personally, but it certainly is true of the Mints product offerings.

Mark, 'Parochial' was used in its truest meaning and not to cause offence to anyone.

'The term parochial can be applied in both culture and economics if a local culture or geographic area's government makes decisions based on solely local interests that do not take into account the effect of the decision on the broader community.'

I think this is exactly how DM looks at the US market and takes no account of what happens further afield.

No argument from me, Paul.....

Franklin Mint in its heyday offered a much more eclectic product line and DM, which was closer to its infancy, did offer a few european marques to compete.
Perhaps FM was more adventurous when it had big bucks rolling in from their American marques and could afford to take chances on arcane marques like the Alvis. It seemed like FM was very successful with their Mercedes, Rolls, Hispano Suiza and the like, but towards the end of their dynasty (The Resnick era) they too seemed to have abandoned european marques save for the Alfa Romeo 2900B.
For the last decade, it appears that Barrett-Jackson seems to set their agenda.

It's often hard to remember that DM has a huge catalogue of items that have absolutely nothing to do with diecast automotive replicas. I'm referring to jewelry, sports memorabilia, collectible coins, etc. Unless I'm greatly mistaken, vendors such as CMC, Auto-Art, Minichamps and the like have FAR more invested in the interests of automotive enthusiasts. I'm not saying that DM hasn't created wonderful models, but I am saying that, in the big picture, they have a Plan B, Plan C, and maybe more to fall back on.

No offense taken, Paul. I was just being a smart @ss.