Events that followed suggested that Mattel was slowly allowing the Matchbox line to languish.
MATCHBOX PLAYSETS DINOSAUR SERIES
A second series I75 line sold in blister packing was launched. Matchbox was assigned to a Mattel group in El Segundo, California. In 2002, Matchbox issued a line of special edition cars to mark its 50th anniversary. Matchbox and Hot Wheels now were owned by the same company. Tyco, in turn, was purchased by Mattel in 1997. Tyco Toys bought the Matchbox brand in May 1992. Because of the high costs of production in Macau and Hong Kong, Matchbox outsourced production to China in April 1984. Production continued in England until the tooling and dies were moved to Macau. Yeh took the new company public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1986. Jack Odell also purchased some tooling and continued to market Matchbox Yesteryear-like products under the Lledo brand. Universal Toys and David Yeh bought the Matchbox brand name and some tooling and mods.
Promotional vehicles also were created, a process that accelerated in the years ahead.Īt the end of the 1970s, Lesney experienced financial difficulties. Commercial vehicles were added to the Yesteryear line. In the 1970s, Lesney formed relationships with Matchbox Collectors Clubs. Other new lines included Adventure 2000, Battle Kings, Sea Kings, Sky Busters, and Two Pack series were launched in the 1970s. Rola-Matics and Streakers joined the line. Once Matchbox adapted to the challenge, Lesney prospered. Matchbox responded with its Superfast line, initially adding low friction tires to its 1969 line. Mattel’s Hot Wheels and Johnny Lightning cars challenged Matchbox for market supremacy. Associated Packs and Models of Yesteryear were introduced in 1956. Major Pack included larger-scale model cars. Vehicles included buses, cars, lorries, motorcycles, trailers, and tractors.Īdditional diecast scales were added in the 1950s and 1960s. Auto-steering became a feature on some cars in 1969. By 1968, Matchbox was the largest selling diecast car model worldwide. Moko (Moses Kohstam) was the principal distributor. The I-75 series was designed for a total of 75 models. Lacking competition and a low affordable price point, Matchbox dominated its market. Photographs and drawings of actual vehicles were used to create the scaled-down models. Eventually, vehicles made in America, Germany, and other countries joined the line. Initially, the Matchbox line focused on British vehicles. Odell designed the Matchbox vehicles because his daughter was not allowed to bring anything to school that did not fit inside a matchbox. John Odell (1920-2007), Leslie Smith (1918-2005), and Rodney Smith were responsible for the Matchbox line. Matchbox was a brand name for British die-cast vehicles produced by Lesney Products beginning in 1953.
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