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Kyosho is trying to do a little too much without initial market penetration. Are the dNano meant to be a true-scale enthusiast collector's car? (the price of the "fitting parts" and bodies, would almost make it seem so) ...if not, the fitting parts should cost no more than $10. Bearings, diffs and other parts need to be priced slightly under those of the Mini-Z, both to counteract inferior clone parts and to keep the all-in price for 2.4 GHz racing slightly under that of the Z.
Are the dNano meant to be marketed as racing league indoor scale? Probably, maybe, should be ... and ironically the lap timing component (which we all used to whine was so very expensive in the days of AMB race/transponder timing sets) is priced spot on. Or are they meant to be just fun hobby/toy cars? Nope, too expensive for that. Let's not even go there ...these are not Microsizers or even X-mods ...the quality, engineering, and ironically, market niche planning are far in excess of most other attempts.
Small scale enthusiasts will spend the money to race competitively and the internet-linked racing and small space requirements are indeed the hot selling points that no one else can touch. This could be extra income for established R/C clubs that can generate another class without investing in sq. ft. which is their biggest expense. Hint to Kyosho: watch the official tracks expand faster than bailout handouts, if you shift the focus from expensive retail space sq. ft. to a club-based setting.
Regarding the naysayers on cost, these are still much cheaper than anything competitive in 1/10th or other racing classes. And much cheaper than a fully-pimped Atomic Mini-Z that I was shocked to see can run north of $600 ... If we keep in mind the racing league target and don't for one minute confuse these with Radio Shack toys.
The name is catchy, but not really in-tune with the North American market; NASCAR or NASCAR haters aside.
Given the very infrequent and spotty appearance of Kyosho USA on this forum in general, I suspect that they are operating very independently of the otherwise customer-oriented Japanese head office. Japan probably has both eyes on China anyway, as any marketing manager worth his salt is becoming heavily invested in that high-growth market.
So what am I saying? Kyosho is sending mixed signals with what they are really trying to do with this car in North America. If they want a racing league to drive sales then do it right ...start by selling the official Kyosho tracks to approved Mini-Z clubs or established R/C clubs in North America. You'd have 100 tracks out in a few months. The track is also small enough to license a home-version for practice. Did these ideas not enter the marketing launch discussion? The trickle-down exposure from 100+ tracks would do more for anyone selling the cars (HTA) and Kyosho USA in general.
And if there are indeed genuine problems with getting the official tracks made as another poster suggested (somehow I think it's something else to do with politics and money) then K of NA needs to chime in here once and a while to stop the rumor mill, and perhaps, lay out their vision of what they want to do with this in North America.
With one of the major ebay stores lowering some of their prices yesterday, Kyosho NA needs to act quickly and decisively if they don't want to lose out to the grey market.
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