Nikko R/C
Largest toy-grade RC manufacturer with licenses from major automakers.
Nikko R/C (written as NIKKO R/C) holds the title of the world’s biggest maker of toy-grade radio-controlled vehicles. The company produces models under licenses from Dodge, Ford, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, and Porsche, along with its own original designs. In 2014, Toy State, a global toy firm, bought Nikko. In 2017, Toy State created a new arm of the Nikko brand, Nikko Air. Then, in 2019, Nikko Toys Ltd. took over as the new operator of the Nikko RC brand. Takeshi Hattori founded Nikko R/C in Japan in 1958. The company introduced its first radio-controlled vehicle line in 1966 and began full-scale production in 1973. By 1977, Nikko had set up manufacturing plants overseas in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America, and New Zealand. Its lineup included a wide variety of vehicles: buggies, speed cars, off-road vehicles, boats, special action vehicles, and aircraft. One early Nikko design was the F10 series frame buggy, a 1:10 scale two-wheel-drive dune buggy sold under both the Nikko and RadioShack names. Several versions of the F10 existed. This buggy also served as the foundation for the Traxxas Cat, which was upgraded with hobby-grade electronics, including an electronic speed control, and a revised front end with a wider track. The Cat became Traxxas’ first ready-to-run hobby-grade model—and the industry’s first. In 2014, Toy State acquired worldwide rights to Nikko by buying the combined operations of its Japan and Hong Kong offices, as well as Nikko Entertainment BV, the European branch. After the purchase, Toy State added several new R/C products to the Nikko line, including the VaporizR, Velocitrax, and Barracuda X. In 2017, Toy State created Nikko Air, which manufactures racing drones in partnership with the Drone Racing League (DRL). The first Nikko Air products hit the market in fall 2017: the Nikko Air Race Vision 220 FPV Pro, the Nikko Air Elite 115, and the Nikko Air Elite 115 Race Set. In January 2019, after Toy State International stopped trading in September 2018, Nikko Toys Ltd. became the new home of the Nikko RC brand. Nikko Toys Ltd. also designs and manufactures toys for the Road Rippers and Machine Maker brands. Nikko America handles US distribution of Nikko toys and models. As of 2006, it is the sole US distributor for Erector Sets, the longest-running toy brand in the country.
- Founded
- 1958
- Founder
- Takeshi Hattori
- Founded in
- Japan
- Rc vehicle line launched
- 1966
- Full manufacturing line started
- 1973
- Acquired by
- Toy State
- Acquisition year
- 2014
Lore & Background
Nikko R/C was founded in 1958 by Takeshi Hattori in Japan. The company launched its radio-controlled vehicle line in 1966 and began full manufacturing in 1973. In 1977, Nikko expanded operations overseas, opening manufacturing plants in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America, and New Zealand. The Nikko R/C line contained an expansive number of vehicles ranging from buggies, speed cars and off-road vehicles to boats, special action vehicles, and air flight. An early Nikko design was the F10 series frame buggy, a 1:10 scale two-wheel-drive dune buggy sold both by Nikko and RadioShack. There were many versions of the Nikko F10. It also served as the basis for the Traxxas Cat, which was refined with hobby-grade electronics including an electronic speed control and a revised front end with a wider track, becoming Traxxas' and the industry's first ready-to-run hobby-grade model. In 2014, global toy company Toy State secured the worldwide rights to Nikko by acquiring the consolidated operations of its Japan and Hong Kong offices, as well as Nikko Entertainment BV, the European arm. Since the acquisition, Toy State added R/C items such as VaporizR, Velocitrax, and Barracuda X. In 2017, Toy State created Nikko Air, which manufactures racing drones in partnership with the Drone Racing League (DRL). In January 2019, Nikko Toys Ltd. became the new home of the Nikko RC brand after Toy State International stopped trading in September 2018.
Reader's Guide
Nikko R/C is notable as the largest toy-grade radio control manufacturer globally, holding licenses from major automakers including Dodge, Ford, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, and Porsche, alongside proprietary designs. The company's early F10 series frame buggy was a widely used design in R/C and served as the basis for the Traxxas Cat, which became the industry's first ready-to-run hobby-grade model. This highlights Nikko's influence on the transition from toy-grade to hobby-grade R/C vehicles. After Toy State's acquisition in 2014, the brand expanded into new product lines such as VaporizR, Velocitrax, and Barracuda X, and later into racing drones under Nikko Air in partnership with the Drone Racing League. The Nikko America division, as of 2006, is the sole US distributor for Erector Sets, though ownership of Erector remains with British manufacturer Meccano. The Nikko TEC subdivision produced special vehicles like Thor-type trucks and Hilux/Unimog Winch vehicles, with the ProClass series being its current offering. The brand's legacy includes its role in popularizing R/C vehicles globally through extensive manufacturing and distribution networks established in the 1970s.
Did You Know?
- The Nikko F10 series frame buggy served as the basis for the Traxxas Cat, the industry's first ready-to-run hobby-grade model.
- As of 2006, Nikko America is the sole US distributor for Erector Sets, though ownership remains with Meccano.
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