NEED FOR SPEED UNDERCOVER!
oh yeah – remember way back when we told you of a really big story? and then yesterday we apologized, but said it might be coming today? well BOOM! Maisto is pleased to announce a new partnership with Electronic Arts to produce a line of die-cast based on the their new game, Need For Speed Undercover, launching on November 18. check it out…
here is the deal – each vehicle has it’s own code located somewhere on the package – plug the code into a game that you are playing and Boom! you are now playing with a vehicle that looks just like the Maisto dc you just bought.
here is the “official” press release if you want to download (pdf) spelling everything out…
Need For Speed – Maisto Press Release
aside from an awesome partnership with a high-level company, collectors will be especially pleased at some of the new casts that will be coming out over the next 10 months – 12 brand new 1:64 scale. you won’t believe some of the designs – we’ll pass them along in the dd as we get closer to release dates. in the US – 1:64 scale will be available at WalMart to coincide with the game release on November 18.
for more information on the video game, take a look at the Need For Speed Undercover website
and check back to the dd for more information on titles, designs, etc…
Ultra Big News Coming Tomorrow?
look – we didn’t forget. i know it seems like months ago we promised BIG news, a new signing, something you all can sink your teeth into. it’s happening soon, my friends. they tell me maybe tomorrow. we are all ready, no hold-ups on our side. just need to get a couple of i’s dotted, think all the t’s are crossed already. we’re that close. i promise. and it’s a good un. we like it a lot… you will too… just have to keep it undercover 1 more day. but we Need it. For Sure.
sometimes it pays to run an errand…
last friday i left the office early. not so unusual. had to pick up my kid from school, her regular ride couldn’t make it, so i figure what the heck. took her for a jamba juice, then to the local kmart to pick up a couple of things. there is a bbq restaurant off to one side of the parking lot, and we noticed a couple of old cars parking. interesting. then an old nomad comes driving up – whaaaa??? and then a 57 chevy, and then a fairlane, and then this bada** rat rod truck, and it’s on! i have no idea what the event was, but i took some photos that might be of interest to one or 2 of you….
Hidden feature
When you get a Maisto 1:18 Audi R8, #36143, you might not notice that the wing is adjustable. Here it is in the raised position.
When new, the hinge may be a little stiff so open the rear hatch and press down on the little lever with an old ballpoint pen to raise the wing. Move the wing up and down a few times and then close the hatch. Now you’ll be able to raise the wing by putting your fingernail under it.
Here’s how it looks in the down position.
GSM Report #3 – The Meeting and the Tour…
last week maisto and bburago held their 2 annual global sales meeting in hong kong. about 30 reps and distributors from around the globe along with about 25 company people gathered to hear the state of the biz, and to get a preview of the offerings for 2009. the meeting was held at the grand stanford hotel, an excellent facility because they had this really big screen which showed off everyone’s powerpoint presentations really well. that, and the room was mostly square, as opposed to last years rectangle that had the most unlucky participants sitting back at the goal line while the action was taking place at the opposite end. this year, we had tables with pretty tablecloths:
on the other side of the room, we had more tables:
all total, the meeting lasted about 6 hours, including lunch, and about 627 powerpoint slides. most of these had to do with raw material cost increases…
on friday, we took a tour of macao. about a 50 minute ferry trip from hong kong. macao is a lot like hk, except it is less crowded, and has a lot of casinos. we like it!
first stop is lotus square, which has a lucky lotus flower in full bloom, and weighs in at 6.5 tons. when we get off the bus, one of our resident smart-a***es (JIM M.) comes up with the idea to take pics of everyone taking the pics. of course, i say, brilliant!
here is another one, or is it 2???
and the object of their attention, lotus blossum:
after that, it was off to wynn’s hotel and casino. complete with fountains in the front and another lucky tree thing in the lobby:
this one rose from the ground (the floor opens, unlike how most trees grow), and then turns from green to gold (also unlike most trees):
ok, off to some real sight-seeing, a visit to the ruins of st paul church, which had burned down, leaving only the facade:
then it was off to some burial grounds / church area, where the incense was intense. here are some of the maisto faithful finding a small bit of shade:
next, it was off to the venetian for some well deserved rest and air conditioning. here are our gracious hosts hoisting a cold one trying to stave off the heat:
then it was off to the macau tower, atop 61 stories for a fine buffet dinner.
but not before i stepped out for a little fresh air… click to see it, and stay with it after the lame opening interview…
and then it was back on the bus, back to the ferry, and back to hong kong. good times, ya’all – good times. thanks to everyone for making it happen.
GSM Report #2 – Random Pics
of course, whenever i am in hk, i always find some good stuff to shoot – this trip was no different. take a look at the new 2008 team gresini 1:18 gp racing motorcycles:
and a new yamaha r6
but my favorite find was this new color of the 1:24 audi r8 – a beautiful white:
enjoy – and there is plenty more to come…
and btw, when i say plenty to shoot, i don’t mean myself – these are pro shots from our veteran staff in hk.
GSM Report #1 – New Dirt
there is some new dirt on the horizon for maisto, and DD is giving you the inside scoop. conceived by our german distributor, and given it’s soul by your friends in fontana, the new dirt riders line is sure to make you feel a little grimy, maybe a little dusty, all in a good way of course. think of an off-road truck, coming back after a long w/e in the trails, gas prices be damned, not yet hitting the drive-thru car wash – that’s dirt riders. each piece is unique in it’s mud sprayed design, and titles will be available in both 1:24 and 1:18. first up, the 1:18 H2 SUT:
next is the 1:18 jeep rescue – a concept vehicle a couple of years ago, but they might as well get it a little dirty…
and the last of the 1:18s, for now, also a concept, but rumored to be appearing in the new blockbuster next summer, the hummer hx:
we have a couple of 1:24 to show you as well, starting with the mercedes-benz m class (hey, our german distributor came up with the idea – we had to throw them a bone, right???):
and also check out the brand new hummer h3t:
there you have it friends – light-bars, brush guards, off-road tires, and dirt. you got to love it. in germany this xmas, in the usa in spring.
HK GOODIE BOX!
Sorry for the lack of updates folks, things have been pretty busy around the ol’ Maisto offices. Our annual global sales meeting is in full swing and 2009 product is rolling down the assembly line. Oh yeah there is still that BIG announcement! We’ll see what turns up around the corner, cause there’s really no NEED for us to keep beating around the bush! So things are speeding along and today low and behold a new package from HK. You don’t know the feeling a CAPD designer gets when something we worked on shows up at the office as a PPS (Pre-Production Sample). Then the even greater feeling to see it show up on the store shelves around the world! IT’S AWESOME! Here are some new Street Tuners decos from our Twin Sistah Bburago! Also some sweet new Tonka decos!
The Way We Roll… In Slovakia!!!
see, this is why I need to spend more time in Hong Kong. i am in the office not more than 30 minutes and they are already feeding me stuff from other parts of the world. this time, our friend Pavel, distributor extraordinaire in Slovakia. he has some new liveries on his delivery vans that we thought you might like to see.
we are in hong kong for our second annual global sales meeting, which brings together all of our global distributors, sales reps from the americas, and staff in one big kumbaya meeting where we go over all of our new stuff for 2009. honestly we have been preparing for this like madmen (and madwomen), which is why the posts have been a little weak lately. hopefully we’ll pick up the pace a little bit over the next week or so, and we’ll bring you as much info as we are allowed to reveal. check back often
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