and The First Years Inc., while the Thomas & Friends range was discontinued. 2008 - Round 2 LLC signs licensing agreement to produce and market AMT, MPC, Polar Lights, and 1:24 and 1:18 scale diecast 2009 - Ertl celebrates 50 years in Dyersville, Iowa 2010 - Ertl celebrates its 65th Anniversary 2011 - Tomy acquired RC2; maintains control of Ertl, Racing Champions and Johnny Lightning tooling 2012 - Round 2 LLC acquires full rights to AMT, MPC, Polar Lights tooling 2013 - Tomy discontinues Johnny Lightning brand 2015 – Round 2 LLC obtains the rights to use Racing Champions, American Muscle and ERTL Custom and Premium tooling 2016 – Round 2 LLC obtains the rights to use Johnny Lighting tooling 2018 – Ertl sells Die-cast Promotions (DCP) company to First Gear Inc. 2020 - Tomy reintroduces Johnny Lightning brand Products Plastic model kits In the late 1970s, Ertl offered a series of plastic model kits of heavy commercial trucks, over-the-road trailers, tractors, plows, and farm wagons. Although these kits never achieved the hoped-for popularity, they led to the acquisition of AMT. In 1983, AMT was purchased by Ertl from Lesney, and renamed AMT/Ertl. AMT/Ertl then had a 24-year relationship until AMT was sold in 2007. Movies and TV franchises In the 1980s, Ertl got licenses to produce and commercialise model cars from movies and TV series, such as KITT from the Knight Rider and the Batvehicles from the 1989 Batman film. American muscle diecast In the early 1990s Ertl started the American Muscle line up of diecast collectible cars and trucks. These were 1:18 scale replicas that quickly found a dedicated following of baby boomers. Limited editions of 2,500 were especially sought after. Many of the earliest releases have fetched upwards of $500. The most popular and desirable is the 1957 Chevy Bel Air known as Peggy Sue. Airplanes Ertl has also produced a number of die cast airplane models over the years, including some promotional items for Texaco, Continental Airlines and others. See also Bumble Ball Thomas & Friends merchandise#Ertl Company References External links Toy cars and trucks Die-cast toys Companies based in Iowa Toy brands Toy companies established in 1945 Dyersville, Iowa American companies established in 1945 1945 establishments in Iowa