3rd-Jan-22, 01:29 PM
Some news on 2022 prices...
We know that manufacturing and transport costs have risen significantly over the past 12-18 months - and that's right across the board, not just slot cars. There have shortages of semi-conductors and big price rises in raw materials, including plastics.
Scalextric increased the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) for a full-price car from £40.99 to £46.99 last summer and then - looking at the website today - £49.99. Some Movie, TV and special edition cars are £53.99. I understand there won't be any further increases next week with the 2022 catalogue - when a 'normal' amount of new tooling is expected, ie 10+. We'll find out next Monday.
Carrera have released a list for 2022 new releases to retailers today. There are six new moulds in 1:32 scale - a Super Mario Kart, a build 'n' race car, racing truck (?), a BMW M4 GT3, X-Bow GT2/X and the highlight, a 70s Mercedes 300 SEL. The price has risen from £39.99 to £49.99 for an Evolution (analogue) car.
SCX Original (analogue) cars currently have an RRP in the UK of £49.99 (up from £39.95 a year ago) - I have also seen a figure of £59.99 mentioned for 2022. Nothing on new tooling.
There are no firm announcements from other brands or distributors, although most crept up a few quid during 2021. How much that was retailers absorbing some of the increases, I don't know. They can't do that for ever.
With prices going up 25% or more, I suspect fewer slot cars will be bought - which means what is available needs to be more desirable... Investment in new tooling is probably a wiser move than relying on increasingly obscure re-liveries - although re-releasing a model that sells for mega-bucks on eBay is never a bad choice. Scalextric did okay with their 1976 F1 triple pack last year.
I also expect manufacturers will do everything they can to keep prices of their starter sets down - that's where the price point is absolutely vital to winning new customers.
We know that manufacturing and transport costs have risen significantly over the past 12-18 months - and that's right across the board, not just slot cars. There have shortages of semi-conductors and big price rises in raw materials, including plastics.
Scalextric increased the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) for a full-price car from £40.99 to £46.99 last summer and then - looking at the website today - £49.99. Some Movie, TV and special edition cars are £53.99. I understand there won't be any further increases next week with the 2022 catalogue - when a 'normal' amount of new tooling is expected, ie 10+. We'll find out next Monday.
Carrera have released a list for 2022 new releases to retailers today. There are six new moulds in 1:32 scale - a Super Mario Kart, a build 'n' race car, racing truck (?), a BMW M4 GT3, X-Bow GT2/X and the highlight, a 70s Mercedes 300 SEL. The price has risen from £39.99 to £49.99 for an Evolution (analogue) car.
SCX Original (analogue) cars currently have an RRP in the UK of £49.99 (up from £39.95 a year ago) - I have also seen a figure of £59.99 mentioned for 2022. Nothing on new tooling.
There are no firm announcements from other brands or distributors, although most crept up a few quid during 2021. How much that was retailers absorbing some of the increases, I don't know. They can't do that for ever.
With prices going up 25% or more, I suspect fewer slot cars will be bought - which means what is available needs to be more desirable... Investment in new tooling is probably a wiser move than relying on increasingly obscure re-liveries - although re-releasing a model that sells for mega-bucks on eBay is never a bad choice. Scalextric did okay with their 1976 F1 triple pack last year.
I also expect manufacturers will do everything they can to keep prices of their starter sets down - that's where the price point is absolutely vital to winning new customers.
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