Brand record
Model Pet
Model Pet was a Japanese miniature-car brand introduced by Asahi Toy Manufacturing in 1959. Its first range consisted of die-cast models based on Japanese cars, in a period when domestic miniature cars were still developing as a market. The brand helped establish the Japanese die-cast miniature-car category and preceded later domestic ranges such as Micro Pet and Diapet. Model Pet is associated with Asahi Toy Manufacturing, also known as Asahi Toys.
- Founded
- 1959
- Final year
- 1964
- Countries
- Japan
- Locations
- Japan · 1959
- Founders
- Asahi Toy Manufacturing
The story of Model Pet
Asahi Toy Manufacturing introduced Model Pet in 1959. The brand entered a Japanese market where miniature cars were still uncommon: earlier domestic cars were generally larger, while imported Matchbox models were smaller and mostly represented foreign vehicles. Model Pet’s initial range focused on Japanese cars. Its appearance helped establish the domestic miniature-car market, and later Japanese brands including Micro Pet and Diapet followed.
Model Pet belonged to Asahi Toy Manufacturing, also referred to as Asahi Toys. It is remembered as an early Japanese die-cast miniature-car brand. The available accounts consulted here establish its maker, launch year and product focus, but do not settle when Model Pet production ended.
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