Solido

Solido

Company type	SARL
Founded	1932 (1932) in Nanterre1
Founder	Ferdinand de Vazeilles
Headquarters	Josselin , France
Key people	Jean Blanche Bertrand Azéma
Products	Die-cast scale model cars, military vehicles, commercial vehicles
Owner	Simba Dickie Group
Number of employees	55 (in 2025)
Parent	Simba-Dickie-Group
Divisions	OttOmobile GT Spirit
Subsidiaries	Collection models
Website	solido.com

Solido is a French manufacturer of toys and miniature vehicles created in 1932 by Ferdinand de Vazeilles. The company has been based in Josselin (Morbihan) since 2015.

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  1st model by Solido - Candle Gerogovia.
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  Portrait of Ferdinand de Vazeilles.
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  Transformable models in zamak.

In 1919, Ferdinand de Vazeilles created the Nanterre Precision Foundry. It has become one of the most renowned in Europe for die casting of special materials applied to the automobile and aviation. In the 1930s, it sought to diversify and was contacted to mold an object for use in advertising by the company Gergovia, a French manufacturer of auto parts famous for its spark plugs. The success was immediate and this «Bougie Gerogovia» caused Ferdinand de Vazeilles to have an idea. The French industrialist decided to start producing metal toys and filed a patent for this new activity in 1932. Solido began production. Two years later, the Solido brand was registered by de Vazeilles. Its name refers to the strength of the toys offered. This new company will go through the decades and settle in the French industrial landscape.

Despite the Second World War, Solido continued its activities. Production slowed down, the materials used were of lower quality, but the factory remained open despite the conflict! The brand adapted to the situation and offered «camouflage» toys. It also developed new toys, in-keeping with the times, such as a board game on the UK blockade with ships to be destroyed using small explosive mines. A kind of Monopoly mixed with a naval battle. Guns are also developed for children, as well as other toys related to the concerns of the time.

Sources:²³⁴

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  First Solido's factory in Ivry-la-Bataille.
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  Pannel in front of the first Solido's factory.
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  Entry of the Ivry-la-Bataille's factory.

With the arrival of his son Jean in the family business, Solido expanded its operations significantly. The brand was growing in France, neighboring countries, the USSR and Japan. Jean de Vazeilles had an idea: to propose real cars but on a reduced scale. This is how the 100 Series arrived at the end of the 50s. The 1/43 scale was chosen in order to compete with the N°1 in the sector at that time, Dinky Toys. The success of the "100 Series" was immediate and allowed Solido to develop hugely.

The 1960s accelerated this development and Solido made a name for itself thanks to its many innovations. The arrival of opening elements (doors, hood or trunk) was a revolution. The patent filed in 1961 for metal tracks on Solido tanks showed the company’s ability to propose major inventions. The world of auto sports also allowed Solido to make a name for itself. Thus, during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the spectators of the race could have a chance to own the very same cars of the race that they had experienced live. This capacity opened many doors for Solido, who began working increasingly closely with the car manufacturers. Sometimes, some creations are too forward-thinking or fail to meet success despite their quality. This was the case for the "Built 1000" products. A series of miniature 1/43th dioramas in bricks to build (like Lego), which was unable to find its audience at the time.

The 70s marked the great diversification of Solido, as it offered: cars, trucks, construction equipment, tanks, Formula 1, police vehicles, firefighters, but also helicopters and snowplows. It’s time for Solido. But this decade marks the end of the family business because Charlotte, the daughter of Ferdinand de Vazeilles, leaves the company, giving control to someone outside of the family.

Sources:⁵⁶⁷⁸

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  Catalog Solido 1989.
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  Oulins' factory in 2022.
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  Michel Debrock, project manager of Solido in the 90s.
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  Yves Jarrod, responsible of Solido ads.
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  Golden Age Series' Model.

The 80s began with the merger of Heller and Solido, announced at the Toy Fair in Nuremberg on February 1, 1981. It was at this time that Emile Véron took over the management of Solido.⁹ The co-founder of Norev (Véron upside down) and creator of Majorette is thus appointed to head one of its direct competitors. Antimilitarist,¹⁰ he immediately set aside the Solido's flagship military vehicle range. Nevertheless, a few years later, following a partnership for the commemorations of the Normandy Landings, he decided to relaunch this series of vehicles in the face of very great demand from the public - children and adults! It was under the direction of Emile Véron that Solido developed greatly. The 1/18e arrived at the end of the 80s and highlighted the modernity brought by its new director a few years ago.

In the 1990s, approximately fifty percent of miniature cars sold in France came from the Solido/Majorette association. Some models of these cars have sold more than a million copies. This is the case with the Bugatti Royale or the Char Patton M47. The company sells multiple types of cars, like 1/18 scale and 1/43 scale.

Source:¹¹

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  Citroën Xsara WRC at 1/18.
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  Clément Rouvière Project Manager at Solido.
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  Frédérick Guilier Sahuqué, CEO of Solido, OttOmobile and GT Spirit.
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  History of Solido Documentary's cutscene in 2022

The 2000s brought challenges for Solido, as it was bought by toy giant Smoby. Faced with a new generation of children more attracted by electronic toys and video games, they adapted and reacted, focusing on quality and strong partnerships. Like those made with Peugeot and Citroën in the World Rally Championship or Mitsubishi in Rallye-Raid: the launch of the new Pajero miniatures took place at the same time as the Paris-Dakar rally. The Tuning wave is also followed by Solido. Unfortunately, the situation became critical and Smoby resolved to close the historic plant in Oulins, France in 2006.¹²¹³ This period was complicated further with the takeover of Smoby by Simba-Dickie in 2008 and a market that was then in total mutation and in full decrease.

In 2015, Simba Dickie wanted to relaunch Solido and entrusted¹⁴ the management of the brand to a 1/18 scale specialist based in France: Mini Express! The Breton company became known a few years earlier by launching the OttOmobile brand.¹⁵ The focus is on 1/18 models reproduced and sold. Now, Solido only offers collection cars. Solido expanded and reappeared gradually in specialist stores and supermarkets. At the beginning of 2025, the Breton company has more than 700 dealers in France and Belgium. These are toy stores, websites, auto parts outlets, specialty stores or large stores. Solido also surfs on social networks to find a new public of collectors. The brand continues to develop internationally. Europe remains the historical market, but small Solidos are sold in almost a hundred countries. Asia and South America are also developing.

1932: Ferdinand de Vazeilles, director of the Nanterre Precision Foundry, files a patent to create toys for assembly.

1934: Creation of the Solido brand.

1953: Ferdinand de Vazeilles' son, Jean, launches the first reproductions of real miniature cars.

1957: The 100 series is launched with the Jaguar Type D Le Mans. Scale 1/43 is selected to compete with Dinky Toys.

1960: Solido develops its first military vehicles and applies for the patent of metal tracks.

1974: The factory moves from Issy-la-Bataille to Oulins.

1980: Solido is bought by Majorette.

1989: Solido enters the 1/18 market.

2003: Solido becomes the property of Smoby.

2006: Production is completely relocated to Asia.

2008: Smoby is acquired by Simba Dickie who retains the Solido brand.

2015: Simba-Dickie entrusts the management and creation of models to the Mini Express group (Ottomobile & GT Spirit).

2022: Solido celebrates its 90th anniversary.

2024: Solido becomes a major distributor in Europe with brands such as Jada Toys (France & Benelux), MiniGT, TSM and True Scale Models.

• Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA
• Alfa Romeo GTV6
• Alpine A110
• Alpine A110 1600S
• Alpine A290
• Aston Martin DB5
• Autobianchi A112
• Beetle Baja
• Bmw 1602
• BMW 323i (E21)
• BMW 635 (E24) CSI
• BMW 850 (E31) CSi
• BMW E30 M3
• BMW E36 Coupé
• BMW E46 M3
• BMW M2 (G87)
• BMW M3 (G80)
• BMW M3 (G81)
• BMW M4 Performance
• BMW M5 (G90)
• Bugatti Atlantic
• Caterham/Lotus Seven
• Citroën 2CV
• Citroën D Special
• Citroën Dyane 6
• Citroën H
• Citroën Mehari
• Citroën Traction
• Dacia Duster II
• Dodge Challenger
• Fiat 131 Abarth
• Fiat 500
• Fiat F595/695
• Ford Focus RS Mk.2
• Ford GT40
• Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid
• Ford Ranger Raptor
• Ford Shelby Mustang GT500
• Ford Sierra
• Honda Civic (EG6)
• Lada Niva
• Lancia Delta HF Integrale
• Mazda RX-7
• McLaren 600LT
• McLaren 640 LT
• McLaren F1 GTR Short Tail
• Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201) EVO III
• Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 Coupé AMG
• Mini Cooper Sport
• Nissan GT-R ( R35) W/ Liberty Walk Bodykit
• Nissan Silvia S15
• Nissan Skyline (R34) GT-R
• Peugeot 205
• Peugeot 306 Maxi
• Porsche 356 Pré-A
• Porsche 911 (930)
• Porsche 911 (964)
• Porsche 911 (993)
• Porsche 911 GT3RS
• Porsche 911 IROC
• Porsche 911 RSR
• Porsche 935 K3
• Porsche 935 Mobydick
• Porsche 936
• Porsche 956LH
• Porsche Cayenne
• Porsche Macan
• Renault 17
• Renault 21 Turbo
• Renault 4CV
• Renault 4L
• Renault 4L F4
• Renault 5 GT Turbo
• Renault 5 Maxi
• Renault 5 Turbo
• Renault 8
• Renault Fuego
• Renault Twingo I
• RWB Bodykit
• Shelby Cobra 427
• Shelby GT500
• Skoda Superb
• Subaru Impreza 22B
• Subaru Impreza WRX Sti
• Toyota GR Supra
• Toyota Supra MK.4 (A80)
• Volkswagen Beetle 1303
• Volkswagen Caddy I
• Volkswagen Golf L
• Volkswagen T1
• Volkswagen T2

Sources:¹⁶¹⁷

• The Major series - “140”: This is the very first range produced by Solido. The number corresponded to the length of the chassis in millimetres.
• The Junior series – “100” ¹⁸: Created in 1933 and renamed Junior in 1938, this series was Solido’s success. These are toys to assemble and customize infinitely.
• The "80" series: Launched in 1936, the 80 series was renamed "Baby" in 1938. It is based on the same principle as Duplo for the Lego brand: to offer a range of toys aimed at the youngest children.
• The «Mosquitos» series: A series of very small vehicles to accompany trains on the 00 scale.
• Series 100: Launched in 1957, introduces 1/43 scale cars in the Solido catalogue. This series is very popular with nostalgic collectors.
• Series 10: the second series in 1/43 of the history of Solido. The models are «simpler» than the series 100.
• Series 200: The first series of military vehicles at Solido. For 20 years, it will offer many models and see the Patton Char M47 exceed the million units sold.
• Series 300: dedicated to heavy goods vehicles and construction equipment.
• Series 1300: 1980 marks the transition to a 4-digit numbering at Solido. Initially named Cougar, this series was intended for children. This range competes directly with the cars of Burago at 1/43 scale.
• Series 1500: named «Hi-Fi» then «Today», this series is dedicated to «modern» vehicles and follows the automobile releases of the time.
• Series 1800: launched in 1992, this series features cars from the 70s. It then takes the name of “Yesterday”.
• Series 1900: in 1993, Solido launches a range entirely dedicated to motor racing (rally, endurance, Paris-Dakar). It is also known as “Racing”.
• TonerGam series: includes a lot of commercial vehicles, construction sites, but also the first fire engines.
• Series 4000/4100: these are the models «Age d'Or», which are vehicles of the first half of the twentieth century, like the Bugatti Royale.
• Series 4400: a range of commercial and public transport vehicles called «retro».
• Series 4500: the little sister of the «Age d'Or» series, there are cars from the 60s, European and American.
• Series 6000: developed for the 40th anniversary of the Allied invasion in Normandy, this range relaunches military models and becomes one of the most important in the 90s.
• Series 7000: a series of sets combining several Solido models in the same box. Variations and shapes are numerous.
• Series 8000: the "Prestige" series marks the arrival of the 1/18th in the Solido catalogue. It was launched at the end of the 1980s.
• Series 9000: includes the other vehicles in 1/18, modern or competition car.
• Club Solido: It allowed collectors to get exclusive or limited edition models, to exchange with members but also to visit the factory in Oullins. A range of products was dedicated to it.
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  Peugeot 205 Rallye au 1/18 Solido.
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  Gamme Solido Works.
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  Gamme Solido 1/43.

• Range 1/18e: This is the main range of Solido since 2015. It includes civil cars, racing cars (rally, endurance, DTM...) and tuners cars.
• Solido Works range: This range offers fictional 1/18 scale models.
• F1 range: in 1/18 and 1/43, this collection launched in 2018 with the RS18 and now includes four teams (Alpine, McLaren, Kick Sauber and Williams) and many variations of each single-seater.
• 1/43 range: since 2022, Solido is making a comeback in the 1/43 scale. Many new moulds are released every year and focus on modern youngtimers and sports models. These are new moulds at this scale and/or in this price range.
• Trucks 1/24e range: launched in 2022, this range offers tractors and trailers at the scale of 1/24e. These are detailed reproductions, with opening doors and steering wheels, of current trucks (Scania, Mercedes, Volvo, Man...).
• My First Solido: range of first-age cars that can also be used as decorative design elements. Dishwasher safe.
• Specific projects (OEM): Solido makes model cars for different companies, personalities: Starfobar,¹⁹ En Avant Guingamp, Kith, Deus Ex Machina, Renault, Porsche, Bardahl ...