The TTMall website states the country of manufacture.

It seems to be 50-50 where new MPs are made. MP-44 is China, so was MP-43, but between MP-18B and MP-17+ the Datsun moulds were moved from China to Vietnam.
Ironhide, Hot Rod and Sunstreaker were all made in Vietnam, but Inferno/Grapple/Artfire were made in China.

Actually, thanks for making me double check, as I now see that MP-47 Hound is being made in China after all. I guess he's going into production right after the Soundwave reissue is finished.

 

I will keep it in alt-mode  

I wonder why is he so expensive? Is it because of the accessories?!  

 

Any/all of these factors:

• Increased articulation = increased parts count, increased complexity, increased manufacturing costs, increased time for design/engineering, increased time for assembly.
• Increased amount of paint
• Use of higher quality plastics
• Chinese factories are charging more
• Other economic factors
• Takara raised prices to increase profit and to continue expanding the MP line

 

Here is my way-too-long-in-coming MP-47+ vehicle mode digibash:



For convenient viewing, here's robot mode again!



(Thank you for all the feedback @Sam, and also to everyone who's ever put a picture of the G1 toy on the Internet, as I've probably looked at it by now   ).

 

Oh, it’s sooo good! Beautiful! You’ve nailed the chrome! Keep em coming Chch!

 

Thanks so much! And will do!  

 

Those reflections on the chrome are incredible man.

 

Awesome job! I'm now waiting to see someone post it on the Internet as a real leaked image.

 

I had to cancel TFS-express order due to issues with the price!  

Luckily wasn't much more on amazon.jp. Just a quick one. I ordered this from Amazon and they haven't yet taken the money for it ? Is that normal?

 

Aw thanks folks!!

That hasn't happened for awhile, I might be losing my touch  

 

I do love the toon shade more. However both are excellent.

 

Totally normal - Amazon doesn’t charge you until the item ships. If you really want to pay for it because you have the funds now, and don’t want to spend them on something else in the meantime, you can purchase electronic gift cards and apply them to your order. Just make sure you do it through Amazon Japan, as gift cards only work on the site you buy them from (i.e. Amazon US cards only work for Amazon.com purchases, Amazon JP cards only work for Amazon.co.jp purchases, etc.).

 

Now THAT'S Hound!!  

Brilliant work on the chrome!

 

I love you.  

 

Awesome. I'll grab now, I'm getting a mortgage soon so can't afford this coming out randomly at Christmas lol.

 

Look at that shine!

 

WOW! Excellent digital work, and this absolutely nails it for a G1 toy homage. Exactly as I would want it, and these images alone are why I'll hold off on purchasing MP-47 in hopes that they follow with a MP-47+ that comes even somewhat close to this.

 

now THAT, I would buy. Love what you did with the face and adding the black arms and shins. This is EXACTLY what I would want. Though I'd be fine with TT just adding back the gloss car paint, silver and chrome. Hound was one of my first car bots and one of my favorite toys back in the 80's and it always bugged my how different and poorly done the cartoon was. I just watched it for story and context but the toys were what made it real.

As it stands, I have canceled my preorders for MP-44, MP-45 and MP-47. If they do "+" versions that bring back the premium paint, silver and chrome instead of all simplified, flat/matte, lifeless "hyper toon" deco, I'd be back in official MP.

 

Nobody’s posted here in over 2 days and the thread is 4 pages back?

Preorder canceled!

 

You sure do know how to hurt a guy. This thread has 247 pages of comments. Totally unacceptable! I’m cancelling everyone’s pre-orders.