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Topic starter
18/02/2022 10:23 pm
Trax of Australia has announced a 1960 Dodge Phoenix four door sedan in two colors, light green and light blue. Called a Phoenix but I think this, in the USA would be a Dart. Price ex GST is $154.50 Australian. Photo from the Trax website. There is considerable lead time on these models and the run is often sold out. RHD of course for Australia.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
19/02/2022 8:38 am
Yes, particularly since they have now moved on from their original mission of making relatively cheap and cheerful models of home-grown Aussie cars for Aussie collectors and are modelling more foreign makes that were either assembled in Australia or simply imported and sold there. So their models may have a wider appeal outside Australia than before. But so far no-one has been able to persuade them that establishing overseas outlets would be a good idea.
Even though they now operate under the blanket name of "UR Trading International" (URTI) they don't seem to be much more international in their outlook. Or maybe they just don't think that the production levels they are aiming for would make it worthwhile to promote their product more widely overseas. But outfits like Goldvarg, with fairly modest production numbers, manage to supply selected dealers in the UK and elsewhere.
It's been suggested that US collectors would be more interested if Trax did LHD versions of their American cars, but that wouldn't just involve the expense of reworking the dashboard or moving the steering wheel. The exterior trim and/or colour schemes on Australian versions were often different as well, and re-doing those details for the benefit of a relatively small number of US collectors probably wouldn't be cost-effective.
By the way, I've found that the new URTI site often has better pictures, espcially of forthcoming models and pre-orders, than the old Trax site which for some reason is still running in parallel.
UR Trading International – Online Marketplace | Shop Online
Graeme.M. Ogg
London U.K.
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
19/02/2022 9:06 am
Well said, Graeme. On the other hand, if they sell out as quickly as it seems, there's nothing better for a retailer than to have empty shelves in the stock room. Still, you would think someone would have the idea that they could make more and ship them outside the country. It appears there's an opportunity for incremental sales that is being lost.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Topic starter
19/02/2022 2:16 pm
It sure would be great if Trax established a dealer somewhere over her in the States. They make some very interesting models.
Believe me, John, I've tried to promote this idea multiple times with them but the best business arguments of this fellow with an MBA have fallen on deaf ears.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
19/02/2022 3:28 pm
@john-quilter, have they responded to you. I've made several inquiries and never heard back.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Topic starter
19/02/2022 7:41 pm
@jkuvakas Well when I inquired about my standing order for a 1962 Chevrolet Impala sport sedan I got a response from a Mark at tg@topgear.com.au
I do not understand all the names they go by Top Gear, Trax and URTI, quite confusing.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted