Nikko R/C

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 America

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.