GLEN ELLYN, Ill., Feb. 6 -- Racing Champions Ertl announced today that it has entered into licensing agreements with four leading automakers -- Honda/Acura, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Toyota. Under terms of the agreements, Racing Champions Ertl is delivering die-cast car replicas to the marketplace now, with further product introductions scheduled for later this year.
"The expansion of our licensing agreements to include these four key companies reflects our continuing growth and significantly expands our automotive licensing profile," said Peter Henseler, President of Racing Champions Ertl. "It also reflects our continuing commitment to bring collectors and hobbyists absolutely authentic, officially licensed scale-model reproductions."
According to Henseler, the four new licenses are the cornerstone of the Company's plans to make its The Fast and The Furious brand a stand-alone category that will include a full line of collectible toys and hobby products and will be marketed through existing channels of distribution as well as new retail outlets such as automotive, music, and video retail chains.
About Racing Champions Ertl
Racing Champions Ertl (www.rcertl.com) is a leading producer and marketer of innovative collectibles and toys targeted at males of all ages. The Company's diverse product offerings include scaled die-cast replicas of John Deere agricultural equipment and NASCAR stock cars, other licensed vehicle replicas, pre-teen toys, sports trading cards, racing apparel and souvenirs, and collectible figures. These products are sold under the Company's market-focused brand names, including Racing Champions®, Ertl®, Ertl Collectibles®, American Muscle(TM), AMT®, W. Britain®, Press Pass®, and JoyRide Studios(TM). The Company reinforces its brands and enhances the authenticity of its products by linking them with highly recognized licensed properties including NASCAR, NHRA, John Deere, Harley- Davidson, Case, Polaris, Honda, Acura, Caterpillar, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Texaco, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Hit Entertainment, Nintendo, Sega, and Electronic Arts. The Company's products are marketed through multiple channels of distribution, including mass retailers and specialty and hobby wholesalers and retailers, OEM dealers, and to corporate accounts for promotional purposes. The Company sells through more than 20,000 retail outlets located in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
