UPDATED - Volvo 245 by Kiko - Majorette - Manaus made

This seems to be a rather rare model of a Volvo 245. This one has been made in Brazil by a company called Kiko. They used the Majorette molds for the production of this Volvo. This mens that this 3'' scale model is in fact exactly the same as the ones offered by Majorette. There are however small differences which do not concern the model in itself.

They are :

• typical Kiko blister with white cardboard base
• painted body with unusual white bottom-plate
• a small plastic pin placed in the two bottom holes and wearing the logo 'FAB ZF MANAUS' : the goal was to hide the 'made in France' logo
  

Photos used  with permission.

This model has been sold today on eBay for 114.36 € ( 149.53 $ ).


Quote from an Wikipedia article :

Production in Brazil

In the late 1970s to early 1980s, the Brazilian toy firms of Inbrima and Kiko manufactured Majorette models under license. By producing locally, Majorette benefited by avoiding duties on imported French models. Brazil had established the Free Economic Zone of Manaus (in Portuguese, Zona Franca de Manaus) to boost regional development in the Amazon.

Inbrima models had a "black label" attached to the base identifying the place of manufacture, while the majority of models had the later "FAB ZF MANAUS” white plastic tab affixed to the base, indicating that the models had been made in that city.

Around the same period, Mr. A. Kikoler and his toy brand name Kiko also reached an agreement with Majorette to produce approximately 15 Majorette models in Brazil (at a factory in Rio de Janerio), again, as with Inbrima, with local color schemes and liveries unique to Brazil. Kiko models included the Datsun 240Z, the VW T2, Citroen Dyane, and the Renault 4. On the bases, ‘Kiko Majorette’ was cast over the original Majorette name, with ‘made in Brazil’ in Portuguese.

Source & copyright : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majorette