RCCrawler Forums - HPI & Axial! Sister companies?

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- - HPI & Axial! Sister companies? (http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/axial-ax-10-scorpion/101881-hpi-axial-sister-companies.html)

HPI & Axial! Sister companies?

The questions.
Are Axial and HPI sister companies?
Is Axial owned by HPI?
I’m asking only because the box art for both companies seem very similar.
The product pictures for both websites seem very similar.
Also how parts from the Wheelie King readily fit the Scorpion?
Did HPI want to get into the crawling scene but didn’t want to put it under their name? Kind of like the way they own or are a sister company with Hot Bodies.

Is it just me or does anyone else notice this too.

Just for the record. I have always supported HPI and enjoyed their products. The Axial Scorpion is also a fantastic truck.

I do not believe they are owned by the same company, however it is very possible they share the same Taiwanese manufacturuer hence the similarities in parts.

It has been stated that several people that worked for HPI went to work for Axial. They probably use all the same contacts and manufacturers.

If people left HPI to go to Axial, also using the same manufacturers / vendors would explain the similarities in design and art work.
So my question isn’t crazy? Other people see this too right?

I think both companies put out some of the best stuff on the RC market.

I've noticed the same thing. A bunch of the plastic parts on the Scorpion are identical to those used on my HPI Savage nitro truck, including some of the stuff that isn't used on the parts trees.

The instruction book even resembles HPI's instructions.
They must be using the same marketing people, and if any of the HPI designers / CAD guys did go to Axial, that not only would account for the similarities but makes me look forward to seeing what products Axial will be coming out with next. Maybe something in small scale 1/18th or 1/24th would be very cool.

I think the reason some of the parts are interchangeable is sometimes theres no need to "reinvent the wheel"... the wheely king was a great example of re-purposing parts for crawling... so I think Axial just ran with the idea with those parts in mind.... thats my take on it

I was told that Axial was owned by HPI when the AX10 first came out by my LHS. I then proceeded to ask the Axial customer rep on this forum and he advised that there is no association between the two companies. Still though, a lot of similarities.

Quote:

Originally Posted by '04 Rubicon (Post 1020411)

I was told that Axial was owned by HPI when the AX10 first came out by my LHS.

Yet another reason to not believe a word your LHS says... :lol:

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailjunkie (Post 1016728)

The questions.
#1 Are Axial and HPI sister companies? NO

#2 Is Axial owned by HPI? NO

# 3 I’m asking only because the box art for both companies seem very similar.
The product pictures for both websites seem very similar. See # 1,2 and 6

#4 Also how parts from the Wheelie King readily fit the Scorpion?
I will answer this one with questions and then and answer…sort of. How come parts from the Tamiya 415 fit my HB Cyclone? How come parts from the HB lightning fit the Kyosho? Many RC platforms between manufactures share bearing sizes, differential sizes, shock dimensions and so on. This is nothing new.

#5 Did HPI want to get into the crawling scene but didn’t want to put it under their name? Kind of like the way they own or are a sister company with Hot Bodies. See #1 and 2

#6 Is it just me or does anyone else notice this too. Im sure others have noticed similarities in many RC products and literature. I just don’t think most people dwell on it.

Just for the record. I have always supported HPI and enjoyed their products. The Axial Scorpion is also a fantastic truck.

HPI thanks you for the support. Glad to hear you are enjoying our products.

To quote Forrest Gump "and that's all I gotta say about that".

Dang, in the time it took me to reply I could have been out crawlin’ Enough of this sitting behind a keyboard, I’m off to the rocks!

Thank you Thad for clearing that up.

If you get some time, please call me 937-672-9222.

Danke.

I don’t think you’re using the word "dwelling" in the proper context. When questions like these are asked it usually brings out one of the company’s reps to answer it. case in point, this thread, and your answer.

"Dang, in the time it took me to reply I could have been out crawlin’ Enough of this sitting behind a keyboard, I’m off to the rocks!"

With 7 posts under your belt. You either type very slowly, or you’re always on the rocks, OR Racing thru the desert, ;-)

Thanks for clearing up those questions, Thad "thumbsup"

You’re correct. Instead of ‘dwell on it’ I should have put ‘care’.

I type slowly and I’m busy;-)

You’re welcome! :)

Axial and Hpi aren't related but Axial and Robitronic are! They are owned by the same company or are sister companies or whatever you want to call it. Similar to Hpi and Hot Bodies relationship I think. I know this wasn't ther question but it is just a piece of trivia in case anyone didn't know.

someone asked a very similar question a couple of months ago, cant find the thread... and Axial came up and said that they have their parts made in the same factory as the wk, and that is the only affiliation between the two.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCminded (Post 1023318)

Actually, we are not related to Robitronic. We distribute their product in the US and helped them in the past with some of the development of their product. We also included some of our product in theirs as part of this relationship.

The Wheely King is not made at the same factory as our product. Their is no affiliation between Axial, HPI, Robitronic or any other company. Other than partnering for business reasons or employees that used to work for one of them.

Thanks,
Axial