Fans and enthusiasts of Tamiya 4WD and plastic model kits have reason to celebrate Christmas early this year. In its bid to bring the Tamiya brand closer to to a much wider spectrum of the target market, Tamiya Ph forged a partnership with the country’s largest automotive retail store Blade Auto Center. “Staring this month, Tamiya will be available in Blade stores in SM, Robinson’s and Ayala Malls nationwide. Blade will allocate a Tamiya corner inside Blade outlets containing plastic model kits, paints, 4WD scale cars and modeling tools,” reveals Justin Uy, co-distributor of Tamiya in the Philippines.
Tamiya is a manufacturer of plastic model kits, radio controlled cars, battery- and solar-powered educational models, sailboat and airplane models, acrylic and enamel model paints, and various modeling tools and supplies. With Blade’s chain of retail outlets in SM and Robinson’s malls around the country, Tamiya would be a welcome addition to their consumer product line. “This is an opportunity for hobbyists to gain more access to the Tamiya brand anywhere around the country,” says Robertson Sy Tan of Blade Auto Center.
Aside from its line of plastic model kits and tools, Tamiya will be aggressively pushing the mini 4WD in all Blade outlets. The Mini 4WD is a miniature model within the mini scale of between 1/20 (1:20) to 1/48 (1:48) scale. This mini sports utility is easy to assemble and use, and powered by a AA battery that requires no remote control. All four (4) wheels are direct-drive, thus “4WD” for 4-wheel drive, as opposed to “AWD” or All-wheel drive. Horizontal side rollers guide the vehicle against the vertical walls of the un-banked track for steering, providing very fast speeds up to 65 km/H (40 mph) on the track. “We are excited about this partnership and I am sure that it will expose the hobby to more people,” adds Uy.
Also present at the launch were mini 4WD enthusiasts and hobbyists who traded parts and raced at an indoor track set-up by Tamiya. The Tamiya product launch was held at Blade’s corporate office and showroom along Timog Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.
Established in 2004, Blade Auto Center is the largest chain of car accessories shops in the country with over 35 stores nationwide. Known as the alternative venue to “Banawe”, a popular car accessories and parts area in Quezon City, Blade is a convenient alternative due to its location, whose stores are strategically spread nationwide in all SM and Robinson’s malls. As an automotive lifestyle store, Blade offers everything you need to accessorize your ride, from audio, video, detailing products, dash cameras and motor oils among others.