HPI RC cars
If you are a radio control racing fan, then you've probably heard about hpi rc cars. HPI is one of the fastest growing
companies in the r/c car industry, and they have an interesting history behind them.
The "HPI" in hpi rc cars stands for Hobby Products International. The company was started in 1986 by Tatsuro Watenabe and a partner for an
initial investment of just $200! One of HPI's first products was a line of electric motors known as the "Uno" series. In the same year (1986),
HPI opened an office in Japan.
The racing world sat up and took notice of hpi rc cars in 1987, an HPI Uno motor won the IFMAR World Championship in England. HPI was on the map!
In 1988, HPI began to conquer the Japanese market with multiple popular exports.
By 1992, hpi rc cars were gaining even more traction, with multiple designers branching out into graphite parts and tires as well as engines. By
this time HPI's office space had grown from 300 square feet to 1400 square feet. By 1994, Tatsuro Watanabe bought out his partner, just in time
for the next level of big success.
The next step for hpi rc cars was to come out with a full car kit that would be a smash hit. The Super F1 was exactly that. Along with this
success, HPI began expanding by hiring IFMAR World Champions to help with marketing and graphics, for a total of nine employees. By 1998, with
many more kits produced and plenty of acclaim and excitement, HPI expanded to a total of 25,000 square feet. But that still wasn't enough- they
expanded to 45,000 square feet in 2002.
Moving from success to success, and with hpi rc cars assured a long life in the spotlight and operations in Japan and Europe, Tatsuro Watanabe
retired in 1994. But HPI is still doing lots of great things, and the best days may still be ahead!
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