[Closed] I need a better understanding of why Danbury and Franklin Mint ceased production

You pretty well hit the major highlights.

The cost of continued business in the Chinese factories that both Danbury and Franklin used, were promising to go up exponentially. Individual's wages had not been raised in many years and that had to be considered for the Mints. The costs of tooling, photographing and measuring 1:1 examples were going up at the time as well.

Additionally, the issues of paint rash and metal rot were weighing heavy in considerations of making more images. Some factories kept the Mints' tooling where others were released to them but the overall costs of re-start up back here at home may have been too daunting.

Mark, you pretty much nailed the situation for the demise of the mints doing 1:24 dicast. With regard to 1:43 scale, of all the things I'm cautioned to "never say never" to, I pretty much 100% guarantee you that I will NEVER buy a 1:43 scale car.

I'm well aware of the three 1962 Old Starfire's that are available in 1:43, but the size and the price will not allow me to go there.

For taste and eyes, 1:43 the size is too small and the prices too big.

Mark let me make one point regarding where 1/43 scale cars are made.

You are correct that Neo and Goldvarg and most resins are made in China however most white metal are made in England.

The idea of paying higher prices for 1:24s was discussed on THIS forum several times and ...

... it was mostly rejected. So... the MBAs at DM decided the profit-margin wasn't going to be there anymore. Next move.... exit stage left.
there was no 'PLAN B' to build cheaper 1:24s -or- relocate for cheaper labor.
They quit.

I've bought a very few 1:18s that I liked. But, like George, I have NO interest in 1:43.

I didn't mean to ramble / rant. This subject always depresses me. I'll continue to enjoy the 1:24s I've got, buy the occasional used 1:24, or a cheapie 1:24.
I'm good with 'that'.

I'll just say that you "never 1/43" guys don't know what you're missing;)

+1

Well Barry, I can't speak for the others your refer to, but I know what I'm missing. I'm not buying "really little" cars that (in my opinion) are priced higher than our previous 1:24's and they are not worth. Again, my opinion.

Another discussion that's popped up here on the Forum a few times is which model size is the best. The answer is, which ever size one likes. Some prefer 1:43, which is fine. We are all different. Some like the bigger 1:18, and that too, is okay.

Me personally, I prefer 1:24 and always will. They remind me of the 1:24/25 cars of my youth, which were plastic kits and promotional models. For me, they were (and are) the perfect size.

I've never bought or owned a Hot Wheel car in my life and sorry, but that's what the 1:43 scale reminds of. They are just too small. I wouldn't even add 1:43 if they were given to me free.

So what am I missing out on by not buying 1:43 cars, I'm missing out on spending money on something that I don't want.

Bob, I did not know that, thank you for the reply.

With regards to scale preference, I too wish for the dealer promotional models in 1/25th scale,

I guess like George, they remind me of when I started collecting model cars, going to the car dealer with my mother spending my money saved from my paper route.

I'm not talking about preference. And they're NOT more expensive than DM/FM 1/24s.

What I AM saying is that there are SO MANY models available in 1/43 that aren't available in 1/24, and by precluding 1/43 from your collection, you miss out on the chance to have a replica of a 1:1 car you like, even though it might not be in your "preferred" scale.
NEO's 1/43s are anything but toylike, and are considerably less expensive than DM/FM 1/24s. Not remotely comparable to a "Hot Wheels" which are more like 1/64 anyway.

Memories Mark, I used to spend my paper round money on 1/25 1/24 kits!

It took years to get here, but after collecting model cars in 1/43, then latter in 1/64 and liquidating fairly large collections of both scales, I finally settled on 1/24 scale. Mostly from both the Mints, but some built kits and resin conversions.
I have pretty much now all the cars I will probably ever have. My latest treasure is the D4C Walker body Duesenberg. An outstanding model in all the ways that actually matter in a static model.
The primary limitations to an expanding collection are two fold.
The era that I enjoy collecting. 1930 - 1952 American cars.
Very few new releases in 1/24 that are of interest to me.

So, 1/24 is both a blessing and a curse, at the same time.
This is the scale I will have until the end and I am not unhappy about that at all.

The problem that I researched was that, like many corrupt companies in China, the owners of the diecast factories for DM and FM didn't pay their taxes to the feds. When that happens in China justice is swift and without mercy. The governmenet swooped down, commandeered all of the machinery, tooling and inventory (even put a lock on completed cars that were waiting to be loaded on to boats).

A lot of the tooling was old and would have cost more to refurbish or rebuild. All was offered for sale and there were no takers. So, it is speculated that all was destroyed.

Of course, no one believed it and we all awaited the return of the diecast Phoenix.

And waited.

And waited.

The thought that the tooling is floating around somewhere pops up every time a new and never offered model suddenly appears on Ebay.

I have cars from micromachines up to a 1/12 Tamiya Porsche

I prefer 1/24-5, but if it's a car I want, I buy it. I've been through spells of having every one of a car in every scale to the biggest or the smallest version. So I have a LOT of "toy cars". I built models as a kid so 1/24 and 1/25 are my preferred sizes. 1/18 takes too much space for a "proper" collection - LOL. 1/43 is too hard to find for impulse buys. LOL. New offerings from Mints would be out of my range. I've built a nice collection of Mint cars in the last couple years though for pretty cheap.

I do have quite a few 1/43s. The ONLY scale you can get a 2007 Ford Edge is 1/43. But with a repaint, it matches my real one perfectly.

I'll buy in any scale if it is appealing in subject matter, detail, and price.