Majorette

Majorette was founded in 1961 by Emile Véron - of the family that also created Norev (Véron spelled backward). Initially, the firm produced model railways and was known as Rail-Route and by 1964 the first cars came to market which featured the Majorette brand name alongside Rail-Route. In 1967 the brand name Rail-Route was discontinued leaving Majorette as the sole brand.  In the 1990s production was moved from France to Thailand.  Since 2010 Majorette is owned by the German Simba-Dickie Group. The brand mostly produces small die-cast cars, particularly in three-inch size. Scales vary according to the sizes of the real vehicles; scales of passenger car models are usually around 1/60. Traditionally, Majorette production was centered in the urban area of Lyon, but in 1987 production moved to Thailand.  Here a few other historical facts:

• 1976: First Majorette TV advertisement for die-cast cars.
• 1980: Majorette acquires Solido, the famous French manufacturer of models for collectors. In the 1980s Majorette enters the lucrative business of advertising models.
• 1990: In the 1990s light and sound vehicles are introduced into the range for the first time, along with garages.
• 1992: The company declares insolvency for the first time and in 1993 is acquired by Idéal Loisirs, who in turn are taken over by Triumph-Adler in 1996.
• 2000: The new millennium sees the range extended with model railways, remote-control vehicles and lots more.
• 2003: Majorette and Solido are acquired by the Smoby Group who continue both companies as "Smoby Majorette", but in 2007 they once again have to declare themselves insolvent.
• 2008: French financial investor MI 29 acquires Majorette.
• 2010: The Majorette brand becomes part of the Simba Dickie Group.
• 2012: The tsunami destroys the Majorette factory in Thailand. It is rebuilt with new, ultra-modern machines, moulds and tools.
• 2015: The product range has been virtually completely revised since the Simba Dickie Group takeover. And at the International Toy Fair Majorette showcases a new packaging and point of sale design.

Majorette was founded in 1961 by Emile Véron - of the family that also created Norev (Véron spelled backward). Initially, the firm produced model railways and was known as Rail-Route and by 1964 the first cars came to market which featured the Majorette brand name alongside Rail-Route. In 1967 the brand name Rail-Route was discontinued leaving Majorette as the sole brand.  In the 1990s production was moved from France to Thailand.  Since 2010 Majorette is owned by the German Simba-Dickie Group. The brand mostly produces small die-cast cars, particularly in three-inch size. Scales vary according to the sizes of the real vehicles; scales of passenger car models are usually around 1/60. Traditionally, Majorette production was centered in the urban area of Lyon, but in 1987 production moved to Thailand.  Here a few other historical facts:

• 1976: First Majorette TV advertisement for die-cast cars.
• 1980: Majorette acquires Solido, the famous French manufacturer of models for collectors. In the 1980s Majorette enters the lucrative business of advertising models.
• 1990: In the 1990s light and sound vehicles are introduced into the range for the first time, along with garages.
• 1992: The company declares insolvency for the first time and in 1993 is acquired by Idéal Loisirs, who in turn are taken over by Triumph-Adler in 1996.
• 2000: The new millennium sees the range extended with model railways, remote-control vehicles and lots more.
• 2003: Majorette and Solido are acquired by the Smoby Group who continue both companies as "Smoby Majorette", but in 2007 they once again have to declare themselves insolvent.
• 2008: French financial investor MI 29 acquires Majorette.
• 2010: The Majorette brand becomes part of the Simba Dickie Group.
• 2012: The tsunami destroys the Majorette factory in Thailand. It is rebuilt with new, ultra-modern machines, moulds and tools.
• 2015: The product range has been virtually completely revised since the Simba Dickie Group takeover. And at the International Toy Fair Majorette showcases a new packaging and point of sale design.