It's undeniable that the diecast car market is trending away from where it has been since around 2000 when new diecast companies like Maisto, MotorMax, Welly, and others couldn't seem to release enough new models in a zillion colors with an unlimited production. Many serious collectors bemoaned this overabundance of mediocre releases of boring street cars. Now there seems to be little choice in the matter as the well has dried up and 2007 will see the lowest number of new releases in a decade with some companies choosing to either delay or scrap new releases or exit the market entirely.

Maisto will reportedly not release any new 1/18 Premier Edition models, instead choosing to revamp existing molds. Ertl RC2 will only release a handful of their limited edition Authentics models, abandoning their popular Joyride Studios entertainment and movie cars. Highway 61 will have some fresh cars but no word from Lane Exact Detail on their high-end, superb quality 1/18 scale American muscle car offerings other than new colors or convertibles of existing models. Even Jada Toys has slowed somewhat and will throttle back their stock despite feeling the pinch less than other developers due to foresight in purchasing metal contracts at lower premiums. Their wholesale costs have risen only slightly from last year compared to inexcusable increases from AUTOart year after year. Our advice to the diecast model car collector? Choose your purchases wisely and look for high-quality limited edition pieces for the next few years. Like it or not, this downturn is likely to last.