Automobiles
Maisto gained popularity around 1990, mainly competing in 1/18 scale with Italian Bburago, Polistil and the more expensive - and often more spotty Franklin Mint Precision Models. By 2000, a whole host of companies like Yatming, Ertl, and even Mattel's Hot Wheels had entered the larger scale 1:18 fray. Especially since Bburago failed (being now a part of May Cheong), no other company overall has been able to compete as successfully in the market as Maisto at these larger scales. Maisto produces many licensed properties that reflected contemporary motoring and industry trends. For example, it is an official licensee of Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company.
Maisto vehicles of 1/18 scale usually have all features open with nicely appointed engines and interiors. Models are nearly perfectly proportioned and have very good detail for being mass-produced in the hundreds of thousands. Still, paint application may not be uniform, body panels may be uneven, lights unrealistic, and trim rather thick and gaudy (Review: Maisto 2010). Collectors wanting finer crafting in this size must look to AUTOart, CMC, or Exoto at the higher end of miniature modeling.
1/64 scale Maisto die-cast models are comparable in quality and details to Matchbox, Hot Wheels and Johnny Lightning, but new models in this scale are not released very often. Newer lines offer vehicles of more customized themes. One such line is the AllStarz which features custom rims, special paint jobs, lowered suspension and upgraded in-car entertainment systems. Another line is Pro Rodz which uses similar themes but consists of classic American muscle cars. Both lines are in direct competition with 'Jada Toys' 'Dub City' and 'Big Time Muscle' brands that started the 'bling' trends in auto toys.
Around late 2010, Maisto toys sold in Wal-Mart stores took on the name 'Adventure Wheels' on all Maisto packaging with red-orange and yellow gold box and blister pack colors with black trim.
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Famous quotes containing the word automobiles:
“Uses are always much broader than functions, and usually far less contentious. The word function carries overtones of purpose and propriety, of concern with why something was developed rather than with how it has actually been found useful. The function of automobiles is to transport people and objects, but they are used for a variety of other purposes—as homes, offices, bedrooms, henhouses, jetties, breakwaters, even offensive weapons.”
—Frank Smith (b. 1928)
“Automobiles are free of egotism, passion, prejudice and stupid ideas about where to have dinner. They are, literally, selfless. A world designed for automobiles instead of people would have wider streets, larger dining rooms, fewer stairs to climb and no smelly, dangerous subway stations.”
—P.J. (Patrick Jake)