Guffaws aside, new scooter makers zip ahead

Article Abstract:

New technology has improved electric motor scooters. Lower microchip prices have allowed designers to use electronics to control gears, which can be difficult in slow moving vehicles. New light weight motors have made it possible to create ultralight vehicles weighing less than 50 pounds. Designers have eliminated the risk of spills by replacing liquid battery acid with gel. Electric scooter marketers face a challenge in convincing people its all right to look goofy while using the product. Manufacturers say 3,000 to 5,000 have already been sold in 1998. The prices range from $649 to $1,000. Patmont Motor Werks Inc. and EMPower Corp.'s scooters go on sale soon.

Industry Market Data, Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing, All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing, Mopeds, Rec Vehicles NEC, Transportation equipment, Article

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Lego's robot set for kids grabs crowds of grown-ups

Article Abstract:

Lego Group AG expected sales of about 12,000 Mindstorms sets in the U.S. in 1998, but now it looks as though it could sell about 80,000 if it could supply the robot-building sets fast enough. Some stores, maybe many, will not get the sets in time for the holiday gift-giving season. Another factor the company didn't expect is that about one half of the purchases are by and for adults, aged 25-45. Another factor the company didn't expect was that many purchasers wanted more sophisticated software to program robots for weightier tasks. So the firm has placed a free software development kit on the Internet; 10,000 copies have been downloaded as of this writing.

Prepackaged software, Marketing procedures, Game, Toy, and Children's Vehicle Manufacturing, New Products/Services, Games, toys, and children's vehicles, Demographics, Scientific Toys, Supply and demand, Entertainment software, Robot toys, LEGO A/S

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Sixty goofy-looking little figures spark a toy craze

Article Abstract:

Crazy Bones toys could be bigger than Beanie Babies, bigger in sales, not size. Created by a Spanish toy inventor, they are introduced in the U.S. by Toy Craze at Boy Scout meetings and other gatherings of mostly boys. The characters have names and come in packages of 4 that sell for $2.00. They are collected and traded avidly in Philadelphia, Cleveland New York and other places.

Comment:

Young boys collect and trade Crazy Bones figures

Toys and Sporting Goods, Plastic Toys, Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing, Toy Craze Inc.

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