Oct 3, 2002

Next Mini-Compact Cars Debut

The next big thing in the auto market might be a very small thing. RadioShack, a company that has decades of experience in compact car design, has unveiled ZipZaps, the first line of micro radio-controlled cars (micro-RCs) available for mass-market distribution in the United States just in time for the 2002 holiday season. Fashioned after the hottest toy craze in Japan and Hong Kong, ZipZaps, sold exclusively at RadioShack, are pocket-sized, full-function radio-controlled sportsters that are customizable, with a wide variety of parts and accessories so owners can tune their cars to their own specifications.

Bearing an MSRP of $19.99 for the base model starter kits, the new car line targets a younger driver than any of the new youth-oriented car designs out today, the 8- to 15-year-old set. At a price point no other manufacturer can touch, what RadioShack calls "the ultimate compact car" was launched at a press conference that featured the ultimate miniature -- actor Verne Troyer, who portrays Mini Me in the Austin Powers movie series.

"Micro-sized radio-control cars are all the rage in Hong Kong and Japan," said Don Carroll, senior vice president, general manager, Connecting Things, RadioShack. "It's a grassroots craze that is as popular in classrooms and playgrounds as it is in offices and in boardrooms. We knew the excitement would translate to the United States so we designed ZipZaps to realistically capture the cars that are hot here. Kids of all ages, from 8 to 80 years old, can collect them, race them and show off their customization skills."

The ZipZaps Starter Kit comes with the Ford SVT Mustang Cobra, Porsche 911 Turbo, Honda Civic or Chrysler PT Cruiser body top and all the parts needed to zip the car together, zap it on the charger and then zoom away. The racers charge in less than a minute and move with great speed and alacrity. There is even a collector's trading card included for each car type and a Web site with a showroom, tuning tips and downloads.

The most exciting ZipZaps action takes place "under the hood" as RadioShack created a broad assortment of accessories and upgrades. The Performance Booster Upgrade Kit allows owners to tune up their motors and gears, adding more zip to their starter kits. And ensuring that ZipZaps burn rubber in style, the Custom Tire and Hubcap Upgrade Kit offers a variety of wheels and hubcaps.

Younger racers can get into the spirit with the SpongeBob SquarePants Starter Upgrade Kit, inspired by the hit Nickelodeon series "SpongeBob SquarePants." This kit comes with a body top featuring SpongeBob as well as one for his goofy starfish sidekick, Patrick.