The Maisto Story: How a Hong Kong Toy Factory Became Bburago's Owner

Pick up a Maisto 1:18 model in a toy shop and a Bburago in the next aisle, and you'd assume they came from rival companies. For most of their history they did. Since the mid-2000s, though, both have sat under the same roof: Hong Kong's May Cheong Group. Understanding that one corporate fact explains a lot about what is on collectors' shelves today.

This is the story of Maisto: where it came from, why it matters for 1:18 collecting, and how to think about it as a collector rather than just a buyer.

Quick answer: what is Maisto?

Maisto is a brand of scale model vehicles registered in 1990 and owned by the May Cheong Group, a company founded in Hong Kong in 1967. It is best known for licensed 1:18 diecast cars, but it also makes 1:24, 1:64 and other scales, along with motorcycles.

Before Maisto: May Cheong and the "MC Toy" years

The company behind Maisto did not start as a diecast maker. According to May Cheong Group's own history, the business began in 1967 as the May Cheong Plastic Toy Factory in Hong Kong, founded by brothers P.Y. Ngan and Y.C. Ngan. Plastic toys came first.

Diecast followed later. The company says it produced its first die-cast toy, and the first motorized die-cast vehicle made in Hong Kong, eleven years after its founding, which points to about 1978. Early products were sold under a brand built from the company's initials, "MC Toy." Collector histories note that some of the first MC Toy cars were direct copies of Matchbox models, alongside original designs. That was not unusual for the era: Matchbox set the template for the small-scale die-cast toy car, and many makers in Asia and Europe built their early ranges in its shadow. (For the original, see our Matchbox story.)

1990: the Maisto name arrives

The Maisto brand was registered in 1990. The company describes itself as the first Hong Kong manufacturer to produce the collectible 1:18 scale, and says its 1:18 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL made it the first die-cast model car manufacturer in Asia to work in that scale. Treat both as the company's own claims: they are plausible and widely repeated, but they come from the manufacturer's history rather than an independent audit.

Two years later, in 1992, May Cheong established Maisto International Inc. in Fontana, California. That gave the brand a base in the North American market, where licensed 1:18 cars were becoming a serious hobby segment.

Why 1:18 mattered

At 1:18, a car about 4.5 metres long becomes a model roughly 25 centimetres long. That size is large enough for opening doors, hoods and trunks, steerable front wheels and a detailed engine bay, all on a model you can put on a shelf. It is a very different experience from a 1:64 pocket car. If you want the full comparison, see our guide to 1:64 vs 1:43 vs 1:18.

The Bburago connection

The most important chapter for today's collectors is the Bburago acquisition. Bburago was an Italian maker, founded in 1974 according to reference histories, and was a long-time competitor in the same segment. After the Italian company ran into financial trouble, May Cheong took it over.

The date is worth stating carefully. May Cheong Group's website says it acquired Bburago in 2006, while Maisto's own anniversary material gives 2005, and hobbyist histories place the Italian company's bankruptcy in late 2005. The most likely reading is that the insolvency and the deal straddled the two years, but the sources do not spell it out, so "2005–2006" is the honest answer. We covered the Italian side of the story in The Bburago Story.

The practical result: two long-standing rivals now share an owner. Maisto and Bburago are still sold as separate brands with separate catalogues, but the common ownership helps explain why the two often overlap in scale, licensing and price.

Beyond cars: Maisto Tech and the wider group

In the early 2000s the group saw the traditional die-cast business under pressure from more technologically advanced toys and launched Maisto Tech for radio-controlled products. May Cheong describes itself as a vertically integrated company, manufacturing, distributing and marketing in 115 countries, with offices in Hong Kong, California, France, Italy and China.

What Maisto does well, and where it differs

• Licensed variety. Maisto's catalogue covers a wide spread of licensed road cars, muscle cars and motorcycles, so it is often the most affordable way to own a recognisable model in a larger scale.
• Accessible pricing. Compared with resin or high-end diecast makers, Maisto is generally positioned as an entry and mid-level collector brand.
• Scale range. One brand can cover 1:18 display pieces and 1:64 lines such as its Muscle Machines series, which makes it easy to build a themed collection.

What it is not: a hyper-detailed, limited-run brand. If you want sharp photo-etched details, those come from premium makers. Maisto's appeal is breadth and value.

Collector Perspective

Most collectors meet Maisto early, often as their first "big" model, and then branch into more specialised makers. That is not a knock; it is a role. Maisto is a sensible way to learn what you actually like before spending more. A few points from a collector's angle:

• Value is mostly about the car, not the logo. A popular licensed subject in good condition with an intact box will hold interest better than an obscure one. As with anything in this hobby, packaging condition matters; our piece on loose vs. carded value explains why.
• Shared ownership is a reason to compare. If you like a subject, check whether both Maisto and Bburago make it. Differences in detail, finish and price are real and worth a side-by-side look.
• Don't assume rarity. Maisto is a mass-market brand. Run sizes are generally large, so treat it as a collection-for-enjoyment brand, not an investment one.

Practical Takeaway

• Start with a model of a car you genuinely love in 1:18 or 1:64 and see how the scale feels.
• Browse the Maisto collection to see the full scale range, or go straight to Maisto 1:18 or the Maisto 1:64 Muscle Machines line.
• If a Bburago version of the same car interests you, compare it in the Bburago 1:18 range.
• For a wider look at licensed models, the Official Die Cast collection is a good starting point.
• In India's heat and humidity, display away from direct sun; our storage guide covers the basics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Maisto?

Maisto is owned by the May Cheong Group, a Hong Kong-based company founded in 1967 by brothers P.Y. Ngan and Y.C. Ngan.

When was Maisto founded?

The Maisto brand was registered in 1990. Its parent company, May Cheong, dates to 1967, and its earlier diecast toys were sold as "MC Toy."

Is Maisto the same company as Bburago?

They are separate brands with the same owner. May Cheong Group acquired Bburago around 2005–2006; sources differ on the exact year.

What scales does Maisto make?

Maisto is best known for 1:18, but it also makes 1:24, 1:64 and other scales, as well as motorcycles and radio-controlled products under Maisto Tech.

Is Maisto a good brand for beginners?

Yes. It offers licensed cars across many scales at accessible prices, which makes it a practical starting point before moving to more detailed, limited-run makers.

Are Maisto models rare?

Generally no. Maisto is a mass-market brand with large production runs, so most models are better collected for enjoyment than for scarcity.

Sources

• May Cheong Group, About Us and homepage
• Maisto, anniversary press release
• Wikipedia, Maisto and Bburago
• HobbyDB, Maisto brand
• HobbyTalk, Bburago production history

Company histories are the manufacturer's own account; where sources disagree (such as the Bburago acquisition year), both are noted above.