New-Ray in South Africa: Budget Diecast Worth a Second Look

Walk through almost any SA toy shop and between the Hot Wheels pegs and the Maisto boxes you will find New-Ray: no-frills packaging, real licences, and prices that undercut everyone. We covered the brand properly in our New-Ray brand guide – this post is about what to actually buy.

What New-Ray Does Well

The 1:12 motorcycle range is the standout – licensed MotoGP and superbike replicas that display far above their price. The 1:32 trucks and long-haulers are solid diorama material, and occasional licensed 1:43 gems (older VW and classic castings) are cheap fun.

Where It Falls Short

Paint thickness, window fit and interior detail lag behind Maisto and Bburago at only a slightly higher price. Check the casting in hand before paying: at near-Maisto money, buy the Maisto.

The Budget Brand Hierarchy in SA

As a rule of thumb for the SA market: New-Ray and RMZ City at the entry level, then Maisto and Bburago, then Welly, then premium 1:64 and 1:18 above that. The full landscape is mapped in our Diecast Brands A-Z.

Last reviewed: 2 October 2026 by the Unnew team. Checked against official sources – Hot Wheels, Matchbox and hobbyDB – plus the South African collector community.