Kyosho has been sold to a Japanese investment bank. We will need to see what plans they have in restructuring for the mini-z future. Hoping that they don't drop the line, and try to expand on it instead.
Lets hope the 'Mini-Z' isn't a casualty of the sale. Regardless, the scale exists well beyond Kyosho now thanks to the multitude of aftermarket platforms now available.
Lets hope the 'Mini-Z' isn't a casualty of the sale. Regardless, the scale exists well beyond Kyosho now thanks to the multitude of aftermarket platforms now available.
I agree that the scale could continue... but, the biggest loss would be the autoscale bodies. Although, they've been a little lame as of late. Which was a hint to the financial woes they were facing.
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EMUracing Micro RC Syndicate /DG Designs /GSR /Reflex Racing /Fast By Faqish /MurderTown Racing
"Japanese business website nikkei.com has reported that long-established manufacturer Kyosho has recently been bought by the Shinsei investment bank. It is understood that the move also means greater internal restructures over at Kyosho, as the company ran into financial difficulties following decreasing domestic sales. Former Kyosho president Akihisa Suzuki is understood to have retired, but will stay on in an advisory role, with Katsumi Watanabe now taking over at the helm. We will bring you more information on the subject as it becomes available.
hmm... dunno what to make out of this... could it be a + or - ? investment banking usually dwells on the bottom line... so from that standpoint, what doesn't contribute, usually will have to go...
it mentions that there is "decreasing domestic sales"... but makes no mention of international sales... and no mention of what particular lines are "decreasing"
i'm still hopeful that they will keep and expand the mini-z line as i believe it does have some good points into entry level remote control cars, (small size, can be run indoors, relatively good entry price point - compared to other scales, ready to run, autoscale detail and collectablity, relatively high fun factor) that may or may not eventually lead to bigger scales... and consequently bigger sales...
as this is a hobby... we are most dealing with expendable / disposable income... the money that is available after taxes and after you've spent on basic needs and necessities - food, clothing, housing/rent, basically the cost of living... so it would also depend on what the economy is like or how healthy it is... so developing or struggling economies, may find it hard to buy into something that may be too costly (like a hobby), as they might just want to purchase or buy more of the basic necessities that they might need, or rather save it or put it into a fund for a rainy day...
just hope all goes well for the mini-z and the new owners...
Pretty much nailed it Herman. If it's not a money making product, it might be axed. Makes me nervous about the mini-z. It has always been treated as collectors items, with very limited production runs. Which increased value for the items after they were no longer available... but the fact that Kyosho never really embraced the competitive racing scene with the mini-z, restricted its general growth at its peak, and they focused on such niche segments in the market (body choices that were not competitive but beautiful).
With no real competitor in the market until recently, they could really milk the scale market. Which is what I feel that they did with the sports. Getting dropped by KO for electronics didn't help their case either.
I really want to see them recover, and expand... but I don't know whether would want to increase investment into the scale. In the last few years, it really has been a very low production amount for mini-z.
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EMUracing Micro RC Syndicate /DG Designs /GSR /Reflex Racing /Fast By Faqish /MurderTown Racing
Kind of a shame. They say that their domestic sales were down. I'd be surprised if international sales aren't down as well. In Austin TX, I cannot find one local shop that sells mini-z's. They have such a poor reseller/distributor presence here, it's pathetic. Also sad that the only hobby shop here is hobbytown. the R/C shop here, no indoor racing.no clubs here. Really jealous of some of the stores I see in the northeast and cali with regular clubs meeting and racing.
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