Injection molding might be expensive, but Chinese companies are catching up and very fast. Heng Long for example, 6 years ago, their 1/16 tanks were crap!, but every year they got better and better, new models are crisp and accurate, some tanks side by side with Tamiya are indistinguishable,top it up with new modern releases of British Challenger,Chinese ZTZ , American Abrams (H.L. released before Tamiya) and OMG! Russian T90 super detailed, remote volume control,sound still a bit generic,but in a couple of years,that will be corrected as well. For about $120 you can order MFU from a Taiwanese company that is tiny compared to Tamiyas and the sound is super sharp and authentic. The upgrade market is huge, metal tracks and body parts, you name it, not speaking about starting price of $220 to about $300 us. For $500 you have a super machine!!! This video is official Heng long release of T90 kit
http://showtodaytv.com/play-clip-off..._tvZ19QqRGs0kA
Tamiya, wake up and smell the profits!!!