Any current news on MBI/Danbury Mint?

Not to be negative but my only interest in Danbury Mint is if they decided to get back into the model car business for themselves and not as an outlet for other model car companies.

@bob-jackman Understand that sentiment 100% and I too wish the same.  But before models I collected other items so like to see these pioneers of the modern collectibles industry remain.  Though I only like product exclusively designed by the companies.  I am shocked they havn't at least carried on exclusive repaints of ACME and others.

My sentiments are the same as Mr. Jackman's.  I'd love to see Danbury Mint and Franklin Mint return to their heyday of producing 1:24 scale model cars.  Their end is sad, because at one time that model business was over 60% of their respective incomes.  In 2014 the bottom fell out for both when China could no longer be counted on to produce their models.  I've forever been frustrated that WE HERE IN AMERICA are unable to provide a quality 1:24 scale model at an affordable price!  The reasons of course are many that we can't, but I will always be of the belief that it could be done.  

Always good to see you Michael. I'd say that you have more intel than anyone else at this time. Obviously the company has been downsizing and combining facilities to streamline their current and future endeavors.

Like you, I have bought other lines of collectibles from them; resin diorama's, for example, but my main interest, as the above fella's point out, has been the sale diecast cars as well.

But please keep us updated on anything you learn. 

The diecast market coming to an end was one reason I got back into building after many years being out of it. I now have models of cars we may have never gotten. Plus I like modifying diecast to get unique models as well. I'd love to see them make a comeback,  but it's highly unlikely. I have in the meantime enjoyed picking up the Salvat branded 1/24 models. Although curbside, they are accurate and well done. Especially for the price.😊

I do still struggle to understand why 1:24 diecast could not have continued at the mint's. It was a huge business with a hard core following.  Sure they lost factories, but there are others.  Lionel Nascar makes a bunch of models with Early Light Industrial.  I like some of them with all the color and logos.  It wouldn't take much to go the extra step and produce with mint like detail.  I think companies like Danbury Mint and Bradford can grow.  I do wonder what happened to the collectibles of the 1970s and 1980s.  Very fine products.  One would see a stunning set of Audubon Bird Plates from Franklin Mint produced in England by Wedgwood (very fine china.)  FM produced a stunning bird figurine in its American Factory at Rockdale (behind where the mint was located near Lenni).  This was an amazing piece sculpted by George McMonigle and designed by Ronald van Ruykevelt who was the director of porcelain then and came from England's Royal Worcester.   

Bradford has released some items that I am glad to see like scale model replicas of the Rudolph Puppets used on the original show which is very sentimental to my childhood and Christmas time.  The sales are huge on these and many of their programs.  They keep extending the continuity beyond the original planned pieces.  As far as engineered product, no one did it like Franklin and Danbury Mint.

Please see my Australian DDA post in the 1/24 Forum. Company appear to be thriving, maximising the toolings of all their new releases. This is my latest buy

I have noticed similar changes and it seems the company has shifted focus more toward collectibles and subscription based releases. Many collectors still appreciate their build quality and customer support. I even had a conversation about diecast models during a ride with Wood Black Car Service, and interest in Danbury Mint pieces still remains strong.

@geoff-jowett Geoff that is a gorgeous ute. DDA is doing some great stuff. Also, M2 makes some really nice stuff for a decent price. But they need some new tooling. I've got enough Mustang, Camaro, Cuda, Challengers and '57 Chevys. I'd like to see some new and unique images, not the same old rehashes the Mints have already given us. Hence building my own. But not everybody has the time nor skills to build. I've contacted M2 on several occasions with suggestions, but never get a response. They used to listen and respond, but I guess they don't really care what customers are interested in......sadly.

I've reached the conclusion sometime back that to discuss either Danbury Mint (and Franklin Mint too) in any vain other than past tense is a waste of time.  In their heyday of pushing out beautiful 1:24 scale diecast models for us, that I was my only interest in them and that remains the situation. 

I know they sold many other collectibles, but none were ever of any interest to me.  And the other sentiment I will continue to hold is that I will never understand how we in our beloved America, the best country in the world, can not produce a 1:24 scale diecast model at an affordable price.  The fact that can't, reveals a sad story about the country we love. 

I accepted a realization years ago that these models didn't need to have all the "working" parts and accessories to make them desirable.  It would just be nice to have nice replicas of our favorite cars.  

The biggest challenge for 1:24 was the relatively limited market, primarily North America and a few small pockets here and there. 1:18, 1:43, and even 1:64 have a more international appeal and are recognized/collected worldwide. It is significant that those makers who continued to develop models in those scales are thriving.  

The mints' primary appeal was to a certain demographic. As those folks began to age out, the mints had to decide whether to invest in newer tooling, make models that appealed to a younger demographic, or fold. With their most recent releases exceeding $200, rather than risk a loss at much higher prices (keep in mind they ahd to sell several thousand models to justify the cost of tooling), they simply left the market. 

The primary obstacle to producing a high-quality 1:24 model in North America is labor costs. Current minimum wages ($15-20/hr) stand at odds with what used to be called "affordable." When the mints were in their heyday, wages in China were well below the poverty level.

Automodello produces several high-quality 1:24 models without opening features, such as their '69 Kingswood Estate and their award-winning Iso-Griffo, and their prices are in line with those of similar high-end models. Nothing we buy today is priced the same as it was 15-20 years ago. The concept of what is now "affordable" has changed, particularly for those just entering the hobby. 

@jkuvakas Well said John. I love the 1/24 scale models from Automodello and have them all but I can hear screams from those who would not buy a resin curbside model for $250.00 plus and on top of that, they are made in China. I miss DM and FM as much as anybody but have come to grips with the fact they won't be back in the 1/24 scale model car business and have adjusted my collecting accordingly. The models today in 1/43 and 1/64 are growing by leaps and bounds with quality and details I never thought I would see. I didn't mention 1/18 scale because I have run out of room for them and the American cars they make are primarily remakes of models I already own. My conclusion is that the market for models in general is shrinking just as it is for older 1/1 scale cars. With few exceptions, young people are just not attracted to the same things most of us are.

Two great video reviews of these astoundingly cool and detailed Automodello replicas ! They are remarkably well done in all aspects and will be the stars in anyone's collection and display.

"I accepted a realization years ago that these models didn't need to have all the "working" parts and accessories to make them desirable.  It would just be nice to have nice replicas of our favorite cars."

Exactly why I started picking up the Salvat/IXO/Whitebox, etc. branded models. Curbside at a reasonable price. And not the usual subjects. Here's a few that aren't your normal subject matter.😊