Matchbox Monday digs into the first half of batch D

Batch D of the 2026 basic range consists of 9 models in total, although there is a Super Chase to be hunted down. I did notice that this particular batch did not contain much in the way of regular cars. And, due to my current way of showing them off, by running in a strict numerical order, the few we do have in the batch are all part of my second half of the batch report, which is due in a couple of weeks. As is the norm, Wheel Collectors sent me some models over. However, there appears to have been a delay to the USA, so I only had power grabs at the time of writing. Luckily, my local Tesco store was selling them as well on short card, as power grabs did not contain the entire batch. A couple of models were simply too long for the boxes. Now, Wheel Collectors do have the batch on long card as well, so if you were like me and originally just had power grabs, there are a few you do need to get on blister. One in this report, and another in the later one. So, as I got really stuck into these 5, I had best get going on chatting about them. 

We start with one of the 2 new castings in the batch. The MB1604 '15 Honda Ridgeline. It debuts in the basic range in red in the MB20 slot.

Well, this ain't no ordinary Ridgeline. If you were to look at the road going Ridgeline, Honda debuted the 1st generation in 2006, where it was sold until being phased out in early 2015 (technically classified as a 2014 model). The second generation did not arrive until 2017, leaving a sort of 2 year gap, of which a 2015 model technically doesn't exist. But, as I said, this is not an ordinary Ridgeline. Perhaps I should give it it's full name. 2015-23 Honda Ridgeline Baja Trophy Truck. This is a completely different machine than what you would see on the road. Back in the mid-late 2000s, Matchbox made a number of original designed vehicles along this line of vehicles. Baja Bullet, Rock Shocker, Desert Thunder V16, to name a few. None of them was of a licensed vehicle. This one is.  

It is real. And Matchbox has made a replica of this trophy truck. Trophy trucks are nothing like their road-going counterparts. To try and compare this to the earlier Ridgeline that Matchbox made would be pointless. They are unique. And, as you can see, they even created the debut in an official Honda Racing livery. 

I think it is fantastic that we finally get a real, licensed trophy truck. The original designed ones are decent enough, Quick Sander, Ridge Raider, Ridge Raider II, to name a few more. But, I have always wanted them to create an actual vehicle. Abe Lugo was tasked with creating the casting, and I think he has done a great job with it. 

The front end does suffer slightly from the lack of tampo printing. Getting the lights, badge and grille depicted would have made this just about perfect. But, I think he did a great job capturing the shape. 

I have to admit to being somewhat surprised to see the spare wheel at the back cast as part of the body. But, I think this was a bit of a compromise. The front of the interior pokes out through the open window. Had they extended it out to the rear, I think the factory would have a really tough time trying to put it together. As we know, basics tend to be constructed via the drop method with the body section grabbed first, turned upside down, and then the other parts dropped into place on top, and then riveted before being turned over. Including the wheel into the interior would have meant that it would need to be slotted into the back, and then dropped down, then slid back towards the front to align correctly. It may only be a second or 2 of additional work, but these factory workers in Thailand are machine like. They are cranking out thousands upon thousands of these at a time. 2 seconds per models will quickly add up to hours, if not days of additional construction by the time the model's run is completed. So, this is understandable, and most logical. 

As you saw in the picture of the real vehicle, the front hood section is relatively short. These trophy trucks don't want a big overhang at the front. 

I am also impressed with how much tampo print has been applied here. I guess, due to the model only having 3 parts (no window), there is that fractional cost that can slip in a 3rd pass. Usually when a model gets the sides done, that's it. But, this also has the top printed. It really does help it to stand out. As I said, I would have liked the front to have been done as well, but I guess they do still have to adhere to limits on the amount of tampo printing that they can do. 

And I think the design works so well. It is based on a real one, but the team have had a little fun in adding a few Matchbox touches. Their own logos, the D.E.R. logo. This really does look good. 

So, scoring this? Well, I do like seeing some of these trophy trucks, and being the first licensed one is fantastic. Great work there. I give it a 10 for inclusion. Casting. Abe did a great job in replicating the real vehicle. He did have to make a few compromises do make it work in the factory, so I can't really nab points off for that. You can't tie somebody's hands up and then complain that they weren't using their hands. I can think of nothing that could have been done any better, so that by default gives it a 10 as well. Design. Brilliant. Just brilliant. What a debut look. Is it all downhill from here? Ha ha! Not if they come up with some recurring themes for it. A Team Matchbox orange or green model must surely be in the pipeline? And with 3 passes through the tampo machine, I am not deducting because they didn't do the front as well. Which, um, gives that a 10. Wow! What a start. 30 out of 30. That's how you do a Matchbox model.

It is a new casting, so we get the obligatory base shot. 

Now, this is one of the 2 models in the batch that were too long to fit in a box. The MB954 Plowverizer. AKA Plow Master 6000. AKA Highway Maintenance Truck with plow. It has been around a while. 1990, to be exact. Wow! In its 37th year, it comes in orange and black as MB39. 

This model has good and bad points. Good point? This look is based on another from its past. I do like when they do things that are so familiar. The bad? Those wheels in pale grey don't suit it. I think they should have done them in white. They look almost dirty on the model. I am not keen on them like that. With the base and plow being bright white, they look out of place. Especially as the model also sees snow splashes over the side. It would make sense that the wheels would be white as well. The orange and black, as well as the tampo print work well. 

I know this might sound a bit harsh, but I think the wheel issue is a big mistake. I am not happy about it, and as such, I am deducting 2 points for it. Yes, you heard me. 8 out of 10. Had those wheels been white, this would have scored as well as the Honda. 

And, if you were wondering how the name keeps changing, if you were to check the base, you would actually find no name on there. They can call it whatever they want. Now, as I did mention this livery was based on another in its past, I think that means a dive back. Deep breath....

1990. Universal were in charge of the Matchbox brand at that time when they launched a new MB222 Highway Maintenance Truck with plow into the basic range in yellow. It ran for 2 years in the debut yellow. Most people would notice the remarkable similarity to the Chevrolet B-series truck. Yeah, it was. There was actually a Chevy bow tie on the front. But, at that time, licenses were optional. Ha ha!

In 1991, the USA marker saw a series of Action models. These vehicles were in exclusive liveries and came with a large blister that also included various accessories that were compatible with playsets at the time. The Highway Maintenance Truck was one of the models, and came in red. 

In 1992, the basic range model saw a small change. The rear was changed from yellow to red. This continued for another 3 years.

However, during those 3 years, there were a few optional variations. One of them was a Sam's set issue. A large set of 30 models, where 15 of them were given alternate colours. This was a 1992 Christmas promotional, and this one was switched from yellow to orange for the set. 

And for those who follow countries, manufacturing was switched from China to Thailand in 1994. 

Talking of 1994, this was the year that Tyco really went nuts with many models. But, White Rose stepped in and created a set of 24 models in realistic, and highly detailed looks. This was one of those model, featuring a lot of extra detailing. I was so sad that series 1 was never followed by a series 2. 

In 1995, the basic range saw a new look. White and blue. This ran for 2 years, and during that time, they stopped doing the tampo print after a while. 

1997 saw another new look. This orange was the worldwide release, although if you were in the USA, you might have found 1 of 10,000 in plain gold, as part of the Gold Challenge.

It was also given its first 5-pack outing in the Construction pack. All models in the pack sported the same simple pumpkin colour scheme with Matchbox logo.

1998 saw the orange basic range model turn red, but still sporting the same design. 

And this time, it was given 2 different 5-pack outings. The green model was in the Highway Crew set, while white was a part of the Airport pack. 

For 1999, the model was dropped from the ROW range, continuing on as a US exclusive in orange. Mattel also created an ASAP blank model for code 2 use in pumpkin.

2000 saw it back for sale worldwide, although if you lived in the USA, the first 10,000 sold there had a Matchbox 2000 logo on the back.

This orange model was also a part of the Test Centre launcher set that year.

In 2001, Matchbox set up a deal with the Pleasant Book company, and over the next half a decade or so, we saw a number of children's books themed, each coming with a unique Matchbox model that was a part of the story included (although the last runs saw the exclusives switched with regular issues). This one was part of the Plow book in story and in reality. 

For 2002, it was chosen to represent North Dakota in the Across America series in blue.

For 2003, it returned to the basic range in green. This was worldwide, and the first 10,000 saw a large Hero City logo on the hood.

It was also a part of the On The Job 5-pack. Now, the Hero City logo system was supposed to be just for the basic range, but randomly, this 1x 5-pack also saw the first 10,000 sport a logo on each of the models. Nobody knows why.

For 2004, it was only a part of the Disaster Crew 5-pack in orange. 

However, that year saw them create a couple of unique playsets, that were the size of a large cup. The idea was that they could be slotted into the cupholder in a car, and allow the children to play with them while travelling along. They were known as Car-Go (not affiliated with the later CarGo recurring theme), and the Construction set contained the Highway Maintenance Truck in an exclusive yellow look. However, due to the size, it could not fit in with the plow attached, so they simply didn't add one to the front. Due to the change, it was given a new manufacturing number MB652. 

The original was still plodding along. For 2005, it was in a City Services 5-pack in yellow. 

2006 saw another 5-pack release in orange as part of the Construction set. We also had a Target exclusive series called Monsters, where a uniquely designed model was accompanied by, well, a monster. In this case, the white model came with a yeti. Although I don't show it here, there is a wheel variation on that one, as it sported wither sawblade or crown wheels. 

For 2007, they decided to lean into the non-plow variant. The basic range release was in yellow, and we also saw a 10-pack exclusive in the Action set.

The Monsters set model from 2006 was also included as an extra in non-exclusive 10-packs. And, just like the single release, this was also sporting both wheel types, but came with no plow, so is technically a variation (even though you can simply pop on and off a plow front)

2008 was the final year for the plow-less model, and this brown look was only found in the US assortments, due to the 3-way split taking place that year. 

But, this was also a point for a very minor, but significant alteration. 2008 was the year that they finally decided to delete the Chevy bowtie off the front of the model. You can see the brown one doesn't have it, but the 2007 yellow one did.

It was also a part of the Farm 5-pack that year. This green look was noted for the tampo on the side. Is it orange or brown? Or both! Yes, I love shades.

For 2009, they added the plow back. This was a worldwide basic range look, and was to be found in both green and silver as it was available in 2 versions.

It was also in the Action 10-pack again in an exclusive look in tan.

In 2010, it was again a part of the Action 10-pack, with this one coming in orange, with a very familiar looking design. Yes, the new look is loosely based on this one, tweaked with a slightly different company name over the logo, and a new tag line (plus snow splashes). 

Hey, look, white wheels. They do know hot to do them. After taking 2011 off, it returned to the basic range in blue for 2012. 

With this yellow one being from the 2013 basic range. 

2014 became a year of change. Early in the year we saw the green Construction Zone 5-pack release, which came with either dot-dash or 6-spoke wheels. 

While later in the year, the basic range saw this grey model. So, why was this a year of change?

Because the 5-pack release was using the MB222 tooling with removable plow. But, by the time the basic rolled in, the casting had been revamped. The plow was now a part of the base, fixed in place. As such, it was given a new MAN number, MB954. 

The new tooling was also a part of the 2015 range in orange, before taking another year off for 2016. 

When it returned for 2017, it was given the recurring Forest Ranger theme, which is fairly similar to National Parks. But, it is a different theme. After this basic range outing, the model went on hiatus until 2022. Plenty of time to undertake some major surgery. 

When it returned in 2022, it was still MB954, but the rear half was now a part of the window section, and it gained a tow hook.Plus, this time, the basic range model was given a National Parks look. 

Which I often find is good for a shade or 2.

2023 was the model's last outing in the basic range before the current one, and was given a recurring City Works theme look.

2024 saw another recurring theme, as the new Matchbox Construction theme was used for a Construction Zone Hitch & Haul set.

For 2025, the model was used in a carry forward 5-pack. However, this was a carry forward of the 2010 10-pack outing that is the inspiration for the new release. This means that there is a casting difference between the 2010 and 2025 models. 

And the Matchbox Construction theme was revisited for another outing earlier this year, as the 2026 Construction Crew 5-pack also sees this model. It has had a massive line-up to date, and I think it is showing little sign of slowing down. 

Phew! After all that, this model has only been around for 2 years. The MB1500 '25 Polaris RZR Pro R 4 Sport, which takes the MB42 slot for 2026 in grey. 

Wait, wasn't grey the debut? 

Yes, it was. Okay, so last year's debut release was a lighter grey, and the tampo print is black, and this year is red. But, I was hoping for a bit more of a change. If you were to Google the vehicle, one of the first pictures is of a bright orange one with red flashing down the side. That looks cool. Why are Matchbox not making it look cool? Grey, followed by grey. Meh!

Wouldn't that stand out?

Even matte black with teal roll cage and accents would be cool. It has possibilities. Not grey or grey. I know grey is popular on cars on the road, but I think the models could have been much brighter, and stand out much better. 

So, as it stands, I am giving this a 2. As I said, meh! I really hope that the next time we see it, they have come up with a funky colour for it. The real vehicle sees it. So why not the model? 

If they do another grey one, I think I may have to do my first negative score!!!!

Is this grey? Luckily, it is not. This is the MB1519 '24 Toyota Tacoma. This is also a model in its second year, but this is technically a brown model, appearing in the MB43 slot. 

Technically, Toyota calls this bronze oxide. It is a real colour option on the Tacoma. It is quite a unique colour. Not something that we see much of in the Matchbox portfolio. That makes it pretty cool. I like it. I also think the gold wheel hubs suit it as well. As with the debut last year, we see simple front and rear tampo prints. The window is smoke, and I do wonder if it is perhaps a little too dark. I think it may have been a little better being a little clearer. But, that is a minor quibble. It is not bad. Far from it. I just think a clearer window could have set this off perfectly. 

I prefer this to last year's debut. I think the colour is different to the norm. So, I am going to be slightly mean and deduct a half point for the window. A 9.5 out of 10. I look forward to seeing what they come up with next. There are some great colours. Solar Octane (a deep orange), Supersonic Red, Blue Crush Metallic, to name but 3. All colours I hope they do in future issues. 

In the meantime, I will be more than satisfied in finding a cool shade on the current one. Yes, I still find these shades. 

Which works well, as the white debut last year was also good for a shade. 

Although when it was used as the 2026 Toy Fair model later in the year in the recurring bronze theme, I doubt a shade even exists. 

3 down, hopefully many more to go. I am looking forward to the next one. 

The final model I am looking at this week is the other new casting in the batch. The MB1614 Pierce Volterra EV. It debuts in the MB44 slot for 2026 in red. 

This is the second Pierce casting to appear in the basic range. The original Dash, I used to refer to as the fire thingy. I was not a fan. This new one, you can still see the Pierce look, but it is not as ugly in my opinion. Pierce does seem to have tidied up their look. This is also an electric fire truck. As we know, Matchbox does like to throw in as many electric vehicles as they can. I am sure this was a no-brainer to them when Pierce announced it was coming. Mind you, it has taken a while. The first EV put into service was in 2001, when the Madison Fire Department in Wisconsin took delivery of engine 8. Note to Mattel, try and get the Madison livery for a future issue. 

This model has been built to a similar style to other fire trucks. The upper roof section of the front is a separate piece to the rest of the body. This means that we will also hopefully see some red body/white roof examples in future years. However, to keep the parts quantity down, this does mean there is no interior. The window section rolls through to become the top of the rear half. 

Usually it is the interior that forms the rear, and then the window is simply a small piece that incorporates the roof lights. Making them all black means that the roof lights are also black. I don't know if that really works. It is a shame that Matchbox doesn't have the capability of creating multi-coloured plastic pieces yet. Just imagine if the front half of the plastic was blue and the back half black. The crossover would be hidden under the front roof section. I have seen mult-coloured plastic in use in other areas. One day, Matchbox will catch up with that technology. In the meantime, I do wonder if the back half could not have been a part of the main body. Then the window would just have been a window. Then it could have been blue. 

The front end has been well detailed. I am happy to see that the bumper section does not stick too far out. I know they do in real life. It is ugly. I don't like it. This looks much neater being a short section. 

I know having the window section extended to the rear gives the model a colour break. But, I think I would have preferred the rear half as part of the body. No colour break. We have had it in previous fire engines. They worked fine. I am thinking of the International Pumper as I type this. 

Without taking the model apart, I am trying to figure out if actually the metal body is actually two pieces. With the base section forming that middle part, I am trying to figure out if it was possible to put it together as 1 metal piece. I am thinking no. So, that means that this is a 5 part build? Is it? I don't know. Is the body connected narrowly through the middle, covered to the sides by the base going up the middle on the outside, and then covered over the top with the window piece. Please correct me if I am wrong. Again, had the upper rear been a part of the body, it could have all been connected to the front half. The middle would simply be part of the body, and tampo printed a shiny looking chrome effect. 

When it comes to the design, I do wonder if they could not have done the upper front section in white, to show off it is a different piece? After all, this is a Matchbox original design. I think that was a missed opportunity right off the bat. i do like the Volterra Electrical logo and lightning bolt. That is cool. This is definitely a huge improvement over the old fire thingy, but I am still a little underwhelmed with it. 

So, let's score this thing. Inclusion. Hmm! An electric fire truck. After the no-starter of the Rosenbauer, I can see why they went with an alternate. Is being an EV that important? To Mattel, yes. To the consumer, maybe not as much. I see their ideals being put in place with this stuff, but I am not overly fussed. I will give it an 8. Casting. Hmm! A little clunky, black roof lights because of the window situation, quite light due to all the plastic. I am giving it a 7 here. Design. Missing a white roof piece was a faux pas. An own goal to debut. But, the rest of the design was decent enough. Another 8. That gives it a 23 out of 30. It is not the worst, and at least it is an improvement over the old fire thingy. I am sure there are some fire truck people who are loving it. Me? Not so much. I do expect to see many more of these. This is going to be used quite a bit methinks.

And on that low note, I do believe with this base shot of the new casting, I am done for the week. 

2 new castings, both debuting in red. And both getting quite a contrasting view from me. 

And with the other 3 being no-car models, I am looking forward to getting some cars in my next report. 2 of these are 2 years old, the other is 37! Boy is that contrasting as well. 

So, as these 5 head off to join the collection, my attention turns to what I have planned for next week. Ooh, a bunch of cars. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.