The discounted price difference between Accurail and others like Athearn,Bachmann, etc. is too low for people to buy kits to save money. Same is true for high end car kits vs high end RTR.
As Athearn (Horizon Hobbies found out) most people really prefer RTR over kits. And it’s not just cars - locomotive kits are gone.
RTR track, buildings, and scenery continue to grow in popularity. Eventually they will dominate the market.
Lowering costs will need more automation.
Paul
I think this is an important point. It seems the market wants detailed RTR models. There are kits out there, and nothing is stopping people from buying them.
I suspect that the challenge with kits from a manufacturer’s perspective is that the used market is still large given the size of the clientele.
Simon
You are not going to beat the tariffs, period. No consumer is. All costs associated will be passed on the to consumer. Manufacturers not effected by the tariffs will raise prices because that is now what the market will bear. They want more profits for stakeholders.
The only way to beat the tariffs is to remove them.
Otherwise, we pay, and no large manufacturer or country will suffer. Small hobby focused companies with niche markets might be damaged.