[Closed] Will Danbury/Franklin Mint ever return?

Interesting question, Jay. One factor in that decision may be how well their last releases sold. If there isn't a market large enough to meet profit expectations, I would highly doubt it.

This has been discussed to some degree here over the last couple of years. The general consensus is that DM (or any mint) would not be able to produce a car of the quality they did previously in China, here in the United States.

Which when you think about it, that is so very sad. We have to produce little cars in other countries because in America we can't do it and see a profit.

There is a lot wrong with that!

Assuming DM (or another mint) were to produce them in America, I've read it here previously that they would have to charge in the neighborhood of $300 to $600 (and higher) for the same quality type cars that were sold for $120 to $140 when they were produced in China.

So the real question is, how much of the previous active market and collector base would be able to afford the much higher prices? And the other question is, even if these same collectors could afford them, would they still be willing to pay the higher prices? Many of us do set budget limits and self perceived judgments as to what they are worth.

Though I can't speak for others, I only know that for myself that if I were to consider paying so much more for them, I'd certainly never be buying even close to the number of cars I did previously. There in may lie the answer as to whether DM (or any other mint) could still make a profit if their collector base wasn't as receptive to the prices.

But again, the real sad problem is that we are unable to produce them in America at an affordable price. And it's not just these little cars that face that problem, it's most every thing today.

Yup, seriously a sad situation.

That might be true George but there are many other countries in this world aside from China and USA

Perhaps another country might pick up where they left off??? Being 1:18 is Still going strong I doubt that there isn't some place that could produce these at an affordable price! Time will tell

FM has already made a return, albeit a meager reentry...

They have not returned to primary manufacturing, they resell a small number of other manufacturers models, 1:18th scale.

FM Diecast.

If they do well and if the peripheral resin market demonstrates a profitable future to some neophyte investor group or individual, who knows what may occur.

It's the return of 1.24 diecast that we need. I think the past shows with both FM and DM that there is/was a solid and devoted collector base for 1.24.

I know some collectors are okay with all three scales (1.43, 1.24, and 1.18), but there are also a large number of us that prefer one size over the others. I think 1.24 has the hearts of most diecast collectors.

And too, though 1.43 and 1.18 both have provided some very nicely done replica's, it was 1.24 (from the mints) that set the bar for excellence. At least to my eyes anyway. But I don't think I'm alone in that thinking.

Back in the early 2000s when Franklin Mint had their retail store at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN, it was boasted at that time that the 1.24 cars represented 67% of FM's total sales. I've got to believe that Danbury Mint's revenue was at or near that percentage as well. Obviously with the China shutdown, DM has lost a major impact on their business.

Hopefully DM (and FM too) will find a way to come back to us with 1.24.

Sadly, it's time to ....turn the page and move on. DM / FM will not...

...return to the 1:24 diecast industry unless they have a complete change of their management staff...especially the ones in charge who blew up their talented, development teams. Those teams don't exist anymore.
Now, there's a chance that those individuals may stay in the diecast industry in one form or another...i.e. - working for an upstart or existing company. But, to see DM / FM reassemble their old development teams will probably never happen. So, returning to the glory days when DM was KING of the 1:24s is almost null.

What we collectors need to do now is enjoy DM / FM 1:24s thru the secondary market as best as we can -AND- support any 1:24s being introduced if they are in our interest group and price range.
The 1:24 diecast industry isn't dead...it's evolving. DM / FM didn't build their business base over-night; so, why should we expect a new company to do that?

In the meantime...keep the faith.

You know Billy Collins, I'd disagree. Some here may remember that much of the great development team that was at Danbury Mint, actually evolved from Franklin Mint. And my thinking is that, if any or all of those talented people are still out there, I believe there is a chance that 1.24 is not dead.

And yes, I realize that it takes awhile to build up a company and gain momentum again, but I'm not going to give up the ship completely.

I still think 1.24 can live on, and at an affordable price.

Nicely stated!!

Thanks Phil.

LOL Billy, was Phil responding to your comment or mine? Or maybe both.

Franklin Mint exists only as a brand name under SBG...

They have no assets other than possible designs or plans. Most of the tooling is gone (unfortunately). So the name is used by others who want to create products with the FM branding. I think the only model now that will do that is the Mustang Bullitt being developed through ACME. I assume they will tweak the branding to reflect FM.

D4C/Legacy could actually get a license from Sequential Brands to use the Franklin Mint names on any cars they issue...like the LECC.

Highly Doubtful either will return

It wouldn't be just a matter of resuming where they left off it would be starting over. I don't think there is anyone left working in the Diecast division at either company, and I bet all existing tooling for previous models is gone.

Enjoy what you have

Not sure why DM didn't just switch to 1:18...

like it was mentioned there is still a large market. And why do people like 1:18 over 1:24...when the detail is usually less on 1:18 at comparable prices and they take up more room.

As far as USA is there even a factory here that makes scale diecast models?

+1.