MicroAce - New Releases

[cteno4]

Um?  The is only one Kiha 72 in existence and is runs between Hakata and Beppu on the Kyudai Line.

 

Yeah I am completely aware of MA problems.  Which is why I think doing re-releases now rather than releasing completely new models that require completely new tools and molds would be benfiticial to them.

 

As per some of the conversations in the past 3 pages.  Some models there is a market for.  Clearly MA needs capital since they have had a year plus of severely decrease income.  Rereleasing models that there is a market requirement for and that would cost them less to manufacture as the tooling is already developed, would be a quick way to gain some quick capital required to make a larger effort to all other parts of their business.

 

The point is.  They are broke, (only a guess, otherwise they wouldn't be suffering issues).  They have a market requirement for older models.  The market is willing to pay more for those older models.  MA nets more profit selling those older models at a increase price.

Kato

 

Yes you do state guess and opinion in some places, but much is worded as certainty here. I'm just saying that these guesses and opinions don't have a lot of real data to stand on to say this is the current situation. You says its guess, but try to say it must be true or they would not be having issues. There are a whole bunch of reasons they may be having issues other than being broke. You can't have it both ways.

 

Jeff

[kvp]

An example:

-market size for a reissue: 20 people, willing to pay double price

-market size for a new model: 100 people, they want to pay standard price

-per unit cost of producing old model: 75, price 400

-per unit cost of producing new model: 100, price 200

 

So what's better, getting 20*325 or 100*100? (assuming reissues can be sold at double the original price)

[katoftw]

that is a guessing game isn't it?  pluck out some numbers from your head and make an example.  anything is possible doing that.

 

by watching yahoo sales 78 people are willing to pay 150% of suggested retail.  but then only 78 become available per year on auctions.  using one specific MA model A7890 as a reference.

 

the only thing i would bet my life on is that as the price lowers, the number of buyers will grow exponentially.

 

but how is not to say a reissue won't net 150+ buyers @ 130% of suggested retail?  or 300+ buyers @ 110% of suggested retail? 

 

as jeff said, no one know the numbers.

 

i think i posted earlier about MA increasing their suggested retail by 10% and i'm doubtful they would suffer reduced sales.  now i only said that as i was suggestion to a theory that they might be in money troubles, hence their inability to sort out their factory issues. again i will repeat it was only a theory.  more money = fix factory issues.

[kvp]

Modell makers are low priority in China. They require lots of parts in low volume. Even maerklin had problems with its contractor when it decided that a higer volume toy order had priority over the modells. Tomix had to cancel a product when the sales estimates made it unprofitable to source the electronic components from an external source. Most companies own the molds, but buy non plastic parts parts, including motors. If a part is not available then the modell can't be reissued without a redesign and a new mold for the new internal parts.

[E6系]

Hello,

 

There is no fact in any of the comments regarding the health of Micro Ace Arii.

 

So, to put the matter straight.  This is the situation that I know from my long-time supplier, Mokei BigMan in Gifu:

 

As you may know, most manufacturers contract to factory in China.  Some of Micro Ace and Modemo product actually come from the same factory.

 

Nearly 2 years ago, there was a dispute in a China factory.  I heard from BigMan that it was regarding wages and union.  Apparently, factory workers wanted higher wages for manufacturing foreign product.  I do not know how or why.

 

The situation became worse about 1 year ago.  Then, I am told one factory in China went bankrupt, which has stopped many MA product.  Although product has been rescheduled BigMan told me that some may never be released.  Other factory now manufacturing new release product for MA.

 

I will find out more.  MA is not in financial trouble other than that which you would expect from lack of product.

[kvp]

Seems logical. Getting the equipment back from a bankrupt company is hard. For some cases (like maerklin's) it's easier and faster to make new ones for a new (preferably non China) factory. One good solution is to own the factory, but that's complicated and it's safer/easier to locate it somewhere else. It's not a possibility for small companies that always outsource production since their low production volumes couldn't support a dedicated factory.

[katoftw]

So the one bit of new info the that a factory went bankrupt.  That will take time to come back from.  Sometimes you loose everything.  Especially in China.  Thanks E6.

 

---

 

Surprized there hasn't been any models released for shipping this month of March.  Normally we see a few  mid month.

Edited March 25, 2015 by katoftw

[Ochanomizu]

Hello,

 

So sorry to join this debate, but to set the record date on such speculation here is the actual press release from Micro Ace last year:

 

商品発売遅延に関するお詫びとご案内(2014.05.19)
2014年3月以降の弊社新商品の発売時期につきまして大幅な遅延が生じておりますことを深くお詫び申し上げます。
2014年4月中旬まで生産ラインにてトラブルが発生しており、製品の出荷が中断しておりました。
その後操業を再開いたしましたが、正常な状態に復帰するまでには今しばらく時間が掛かる見込みでございます。
このため既に発売予定時期をご案内済みの商品につきまして、当初の予定よりも遅延が生ずるものが多数発生する見込みでございます。
お客様には大変ご迷惑をお掛けいたしまして誠に申し訳ございません。
準備の整った商品から順次出荷をして参りたく存じます。発売時期につきましては決まり次第随時本webサイト等でご案内いたします。
なにとぞご理解を頂戴できます様、お願い申し上げます。

 

 

To comment further, it is my understanding that Micro Ace, Modemo, and several other manufacturers tender manufacture to independent Chinese factories.  The factory that E6系  refers to is not owned by Micro Ace.  I read that it is independent.  I also read that closure of the factory delayed some Modemo product but I do not know which.  I have also read that some delayed Micro Ace product will not be released, but it is only rumor.  I have not seen press release on such.

 

Finally, some old gossip here: http://traintrain.jp/blog/detail/mid/27940/date/2014-04-22

 

My best advice is to support Micro Ace and believe the press releases.

 

Edit: so sorry, I fix my spelling.

Edited March 25, 2015 by Ochanomizu

[Guest keio6000]

Thank you for your clarification, Ochanomizu-san.    The point is that starting with a "new factory" can be hard.  Besides getting the tooling from the "old factory", processes and standards must be put in place, quality assured, workers trained, equipment bought and moved, and prices agreed upon.   Given macro-factors in the Chinese and Japanese economies today, there are reasons to suspect both that MA will and will not be successful in this.  Let's all hope,of course, that they will be successful.  Especially to release the Keio 8000 train that would complete the modern Keio major rolling stock inventory :)

 

This one (Keio 8000 Jinba headmark) I've always found moderately amusing, as Keio doesn't actually go to Mount Jinba - but only to Takaosanguchi, though from there you can make a nice several-hour walk to Mt. Jinba and it's terribly ugly horse statue.  But I really enjoy hiking in that region on a series of 'warm up' hikes before more serious mountains nevertheless.

 

 

Hiking on a crowded day in Jinba-Sagamiko National Park:

 

Edited March 26, 2015 by keio6000

[Densha]

Pics of (hopefully) soon to be released MicroAce stuff...

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/ngauge.information/2015032013MICROACE?authkey=Gv1sRgCMiSk8i70-OxGg

 

Including Nankai Rapi:t 50000 series in Peach livery, the JR Shikoku KiHa 32 Shinkansen and some other trains.

[katoftw]

･Kiha40 + Kiha48 J.N.R. Standard Color Type (3-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Series43/10 Express `Suisei` (Add-On 8-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Series43/10 Express `Suisei` (Basic 7-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Metropolitan Intercity Railway (Tsukuba Express) Series TX-2000 (6-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Series 485 Red Express Limited Express Nichirin (6-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Series 485 Gread Up Limited Express Hokuetsu (9-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

[Guest keio6000]

Thanks for that.  Nothing interesting for me. 

 

発売予定

発売予定

発売予定

発売予定

発売予定

 

bane of a Microace collector's existence :)

[railsquid]

Funnily enough that's the bane of the existence of someone like myself who wishes to purchase certain items long-promised by the British company Dapol. I heard recently that they use the same factory as MicroAce, which explains a lot.

[Densha]

Hmm... all of these seem to be either re-releases or existing models in a different livery.

[JR 500系]

Finally, after a long wait, so pending MA sets are released:

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10262168

Series 223-6000 Sixth Edition (4-Car Set)

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10262167

Series 223-2500 Third Edition (4-Car Set)

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10289259

Transportation Bureau, City of Yokohama Series 3000N [Hamarin-Go] (6-Car Set)

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10289258

Transportation Bureau, City of Yokohama Series 3000A (6-Car Set)

 

And by a rare stroke of luck, I managed to pre-order this!

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10189781

Hybrid Diesel Car HB-E300 Resort Shirakami (4-Car Set)

 

Sweet!

[Guest keio6000]

Wake me up when A8785 is finally announced :)

[katoftw]

MicroAce finally release some info about their ongoing issue.  Terrible google translation:-

 

Apology and guidance on some product launch postponed and re-orders (2015.05.18)

We apologize that the significant delay has occurred in regard to the release date of our new products since 2014. 
Among the products of the guidance in more lately, from the situation of production With regard to part of the product, we once allowed to order the cancellation, we will postpone the launch. 
I am sorry if I apologize for inconvenience to customers. Deeply apologize. Corresponding commodity as soon as the falling schedule of production again, it breaks we have guidance, will be re-orders. For more information here please visit.

 

Although not promising if you were waiting for something.  I read it as we are hitting the reset button.  All orders cancelled, and we'll let you know when you can re-order.

Edited May 18, 2015 by katoftw

[JR 500系]

I think this is only referring to the three sets, A8785 , A8788, A8789 the Keio 8000 series, and not referring to the rest of the orders, right?

[katoftw]

Yes you are right.  Those 8000 series have been cancelled due to low order numbers.  My fault for doing a half attempt at translating.  Sorry.

[JR 500系]

Yes you are right.  Those 8000 series have been cancelled due to low order numbers.  My fault for doing a half attempt at translating.  Sorry.

 

No problem, just got worried for a second there the pre-orders are all cancelled... I want my Misuzu Shiosai and my Shirakami...  I already have the Keio 9000 so the other series doesn't really appeal to me much.

[katoftw]

･Seibu Tomu301 Black Color + Wafu101 (8-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Gakunan Electric Train Type ED402 (Brown)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Seibu Railway Type E31 Late Year Underfloor Dark Gray (2-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Kintetsu Series 20100 `Aozora` After Remodeling, Improvement Product (6-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Kintetsu Series 18400 Time of Debut (4-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Izuhakone Railway Series 1100 Improved Product (3-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Izuhakone Railway Series 1100 `Red Color Scheme` (3-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

･Sangi Railway Series 801 (3-Car Set)   Micro Ace (Arii)

 

On HobbySearch but not MA website.  Should see it tomorrow or Friday on the MA website.

[Guest keio6000]

i struggle to understand how keio 8000 pre-orders can be so low when the 6000 and 10-300 sold out quickly as did the 7000 and the 9000 are still around but less so.  I doubt that this is a real "pre-order" issue; i suspect it has more to do with the fact that MA lists these things for crazy prices and so consumers wait until the discounts begin. 

 

anyway, i'm glad i have a well built GM 8000 series, albeit at only 4 cars.

[katoftw]

[Guest keio6000]

 

ya, ok, good luck with that one.

[ToniBabelony]

Whooow. MicroAce. Good going; releasing a hyper expensive Gakunan ED40 just after Tomytec has shown the prototype bodyshells on the Shizuoka Hobby Show. I envision the Seibu E31 also being released by Tomytec sometime soon likewise... But hey, MA provides working headlights. That MUST  be worth all that extra cash. Maybe the only interesting announcement for this run is the Kintetsu 20100 Series Aozora rerun, just because it's an eccentric looker.