Editing Matchbox (brand) (section)

===Regional issues===
[[File:Matchbox Bulgarian model.jpg|thumb|Bulgarian Matchbox model of a Lincoln Continental Mk. V]]
By the 1960s, it was clear to Lesney that sales in certain already profitable markets might be increased by providing the markets with models "of their own".  Since the regular series was primarily aimed at the UK and the US, models for the Commonwealth and North America could easily be integrated into it.  But early on, Germany established itself as a major market for Matchbox models, not however one large enough to warrant numerous castings of German cars in the line. Certainly, the major internationally known German brands ([[Volkswagen]] and [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]], as well as [[Magirus|Magirus-Deutz]]) were represented in the range, but in order to cater to that market using the dies at hand, it was decided to develop a model ''version'' just for Germany.  The model chosen was the #25 Bedford Tanker, which, for the German market, was changed from its usual yellow-and-white colours and [[BP]] livery to a blue and white model with [[Aral AG|Aral]] decals. This first regional issue was followed by a second, when the Bedford was retired from the series and replaced, effectively, by the #32 Leyland Tanker. This model, too, was produced in a blue and white Aral version for Germany.

This proved to be a successful strategy, which was then expanded in the late 1970s and the 1980s. At first, it was again Germany for which models were produced, as many as 6 at a time (Polizei cars were developed, trucks offered with German logos, etc.), some even in specially constructed boxes.  Later, the idea was expanded to larger models (''Yesteryears'' such as the previously mentioned Y{{nbh}}12 Ford Model T Van, or numerous ''Super Kings'' models), and to other countries (Australia, Denmark, etc.), even including regional issues for the UK or the US.

For a short period in the 1970s to 1980s, Lesney also produced or licensed Matchbox production in other countries. Having started by developing several model variants in England specifically for the Japanese market, they later produced four Superfast models in Japan, based on Japanese prototypes. Dies and tooling were later also licensed to groups in Hungary and Bulgaria ([[Mikro'67]]), in an attempt to gain a foothold in the Communist bloc countries. Although only standard models were produced there, there were numerous colour variations, some of which are very rare today.

Beginning in the Matchbox International era, it was decided that the line should be regionalised more generally, which led to multiple versions of the ''1-75'' series being available; depending on where in the world the customer was, almost the entire range might be different from in the rest of the world.  Although this philosophy is still followed today to some extent, it has been largely scaled back. Usually, there are ranges for the US and the rest of the world, with some "local" mini-series still being offered in certain countries (e.g. an annual 12-car release in Germany called "Stars of Cars", or a similar set of models in the UK called "Best of British").
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