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Question
1. How many new tooled 1/64 items
are up for release in 2005?
Answer
1. We've been
hitting 1/64th pretty hard the last few years. I think you
will see a slow down from previous years. Right now it
looks like less than 10 new tools, but things do have a way
of changing based upon new introductions from the OEMs.
We do have a couple of 1/64th items that were
planned for late 2004 that will most likely slip into early 2005
that might make this number larger.
Question
2. What is the future of 1/16 and 1/16 Precision farm
implements? I know you often mention implements are much
lower. I thought the CNH DMI 530B rippers and John Deere
2700 mulcher were great in 1/16. Does Ertl have plans in
2005 or 2006 to do more 1/16 implements? Any chance for a
new Precision implement?
Answer
2. We are still pursuing new 1/16th implements in both regular
and Precision detail. In fact, the next JD Collector
Center Precision is a 40 with mounted plow.
Question
3. Does Ertl offer extra layout items like road, ballast
, and trees...things of nature? Who ever puts the
displays together for buildings (like the new horse stable barn)
does a nice job! Will Ertl ever show a display of a
complete farm or setup with all of or most the products they
offer?
Answer
3. We hired this out to Companies
that do displays such as this. For a short time we did
offer accessories, but the sales were disappointing and they
were dropped.
Question
4. There was talk of the new Key Series Precision line
for CaseIH and John Deere replacing the original Ertl Precision
line. Will the new series include New Holland and AGCO
too?
Answer
4. You should see others as well in the new KEY Series
Precisions.
Question
5. When you asked for our opinion on Resin and how
we felt...how do you & Ertl feel about testing this medium?
Would you be more likely to use Resin to offer short run
implements such as Beet Pickers, Potato Harvesters, etc.. or to
offer short run tractors like what SpecCast is doing with the IH
Turbine HT-340 and such? And what scale(s) would you be apt to
try it out on?
Answer
5. As you know, we've done a few items in resin, like the 1/32
New Holland TG 285 and 255 mostly in 1/32nd scale, but as you've
seen with Spec Cast and others, really any scale can be done.
Question
6. Ertl has announced several new tractors called 8"
scale. These models would be the CaseIH STX 450 and 500
Steiger with removable duals and dozer blades, John Deere 9620
and 9520 with removable duals and dozer blades and John Deere
8520 and 8420 with loader and all around duals. Why were
these models not called 1/32 scale?
Answer
6. We didn't make it a scale, because it is not a true replica.
These are basic toys, that are to a common size and price point.
These are not for collectors, but for kids who want a farm toy
to play with. They are somewhat close in size to 1/32nd so
that some of our basic 1/32nd implements will work with them,
but that was not the deciding factor.
Question
7. What is the out look for new Ertl Farm Country Sets in
1/64?
Answer
7. Based upon current sales, this is hard to justify. Kids
have moved away from our current sets for a lot of different
reasons. We have to look at a fresh approach for our farm
sets and see where the current market is.
Question
8. Ertl releasing a 1/64
Allis-Chalmers D-19 with the Hinker Cab on October 20th,
will there be a 1/16 scalteto go along with it, and could it
possibly have duals.
Answer
8. We looked at trying to put the Hiniker Cab on the D-19 and it
wasn't going to be easy. Right now we have no plans, but
things can change.
Question
9. What is the process taken to tool a new 1/64
tractor?
Answer
9. When you look at tooling a new tractor, you first
determine how many different types of molds you have to make.
For a 1/64th tractor, you would normally have one mold for the
diecast parts (body halves) and one mold for the plastic parts
(cab roof, fenders, exhaust) and then a mold for tires if you
have to tool new.
Question
10. With the fall harvest approaching is Ertl looking at
producing any more 1/64 classic combines? The
International 1480 Axial-Flow and John Deere Titan combines are
asked for collectors over and over . Is Ertl looking at
any updates for modern combines?
Answer
10. Thanks for all of your suggestions. The 7720 and
1460/1480 do come up quite often. We are looking at both
of these.
We have also talked about
draper heads for newer combines.
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