Holiday Shopping Profile: RIDEMAKERZ Myrtle Beach

Who cares if they’re too young to drive? Let the kids pimp their own ride for Christmas!

RIDEMAKERZ(TM), an innovative new toy car customization retailer inspired by Build-A-Bear Workshop® and with a customizing shop right here in Myrtle Beach, recently announced its partnership with Scion to unveil the Scion RIDE, based on the new xB urban utility vehicle and the latest model in the RIDEMAKERZ lineup. The partnership and product will please tuners, kids and parents alike.

"Scion is iconic for the ways in which our customers make customization happen, and we and RIDEMAKERZ both look at cars as canvases for self-expression. We now have the opportunity to take this experience to kids, as well," said Lisa Materazzo, Scion national marketing and communications manager. "SEMA represents the customization and originality that is possible within the automobile industry and Scion feels it is the perfect showground to celebrate our new venture with RIDEMAKERZ."

The two brands are complementary in their approach, with the "driver" in charge of uniquely customizing their "ride." RIDEMAKERZ invites guests, or "Customizers(TM)," into the ultimate car-customizing shop where they travel through seven zones to create a one-of-a-kind RIDE. The zones, entitled CHOOZE, SONICIZE, MOTORIZE, MOBILIZE, CUSTOMIZE, PERSONALIZE and CRUIZE(TM), are used to select body style, paint job, sounds, engines, accessories, and decals. Between them all, RIDEMAKERZ estimates there are more than 649 million possible combinations, not including individual decal placement.

"We're thrilled to partner with Scion to help bring the car-customizing movement to the next generation," said Larry Andreini, ZEO (CEO) and founder of RIDEMAKERZ. "The process of building a kid-sized Scion and then personalizing it is pure fun. It sparks creativity and 'engineuity' and lets kids, in particular, create their own cool, customized version of an extremely popular real life car. There's truly no experience like it."

The Scion RIDE is available in Cannonball Black, Comet Blue and Wasabi Green and measures approximately 12 inches long. Once the approximately 1:18 scale xB models are tricked out, Customizers create a personalized license plate and receive their own Certificate of Title, which includes a unique RIDE Identification Number (RIN). This number can be used to view and interact with their RIDE online at http://www.RIDEMAKERZ.COM. The pint-sized xB ranges in price from $22 for the Cannonball Black and Comet Blue versions to $25 for the Wasabi Green. Custom accessories range in price from $2.50 for grille guards and hood scoops to $15 for a deluxe "Muscle Kit" that includes a blown engine, spoiler, side pipes, muffler tips and roof vents. Radio-control can be added for $25.

In addition to its store at Broadway at the Beach – one of only four RIDEMAKERZ customizing shops nationwide – kids of all ages can build the new Scion RIDE online.

Source: PRNewswire/Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.