If you've spent any time in the 1:18 diecast hobby recently, you've heard the name LCD Models. Gold engine bays on the McLaren F1. Dual-texture carbon fibre on the Pagani Huayra R. Alcantara-like seats. Fully opening panels on cars that used to cost twice as much from competing brands. But who actually makes LCD Models — and how did they get here? This is the story behind one of the most exciting brands in the collector world today.
Table of Contents
- Where It All Began — The Founders
- From Factory to Brand: LCD Models is Born
- The LCD Philosophy: "Persist Because of Passion"
- Official Licences — The Brands LCD Can Make
- The 1:18 Lineup — What Makes LCD Different
- What the Collector Community Says
- What's Next for LCD Models
- Shop LCD Models at Garage 73 — Canada's Official Dealer
1. Where It All Began — The Founders
The LCD Models story starts not in a boardroom, but on a factory floor in Guangdong, China. In 1996, a young man named Mr. Huang Peng began his apprenticeship at a model factory — his first encounter with the craft of scale model making. What started as a job quickly became a passion.
A year later, in 1997, Huang Peng crossed paths with Mr. Lin Weijia, a skilled professional who had spent years immersed in the mould-making industry. The two shared the same obsession with precision manufacturing. Over the next decade, they worked side by side, accumulating deep expertise in CNC machine tools and mould design — the foundational skills that would eventually define LCD's reputation for detail.
2. From Factory to Brand: LCD Models is Born
In 2008, Huang Peng and Lin Weijia took the leap and founded Dongguan Humen Lichengda Mould and Metal Product Factory in Dongguan, Guangdong Province. At first, the factory focused on providing high-quality OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) services — designing moulds and producing models for other well-known brands around the world. This decade of behind-the-scenes work is precisely why LCD models punch above their weight: the team spent years manufacturing for others before ever putting their own name on a box.
Between 2008 and 2015, they built out full production and processing departments, brought in top manufacturing talent, and developed a comprehensive pipeline from design and CNC tooling all the way to final assembly. Then, in 2015, they made the move every collector would come to appreciate: they launched the LCD MODELS brand — and started making models entirely for themselves, their way.
3. The LCD Philosophy: "Persist Because of Passion"
LCD's official motto says everything: "Persist because of passion. We not only sell models, but also make the models by ourselves." That last part matters. Unlike distributors or brands that outsource manufacturing to third-party factories, LCD controls the entire process in-house — from mould design and CNC machining to diecast production and final quality checks.
Their guiding principles are equally direct:
- Reputation first
- Customer first
- Customer satisfaction is our intent
In a market crowded with brands that promise quality and underdeliver, LCD has consistently let the models speak for themselves — and the collector community has taken notice.
4. Official Licences — The Brands LCD Can Make
One of the most important marks of a serious diecast manufacturer is their ability to secure official licensing agreements with automakers. Without a licence, a brand cannot legally reproduce a car's design, badging, or interior details — which severely limits accuracy. LCD currently holds official licences with:
- Toyota
- Honda
- Suzuki
- Land Rover — Range Rover lineup
- McLaren — including the legendary F1
- Pagani Automobili — Huayra R, Zonda, and more
- Lamborghini
- Koenigsegg — officially confirmed partnership, with CC850, Agera RS, Jesko Absolute, and Jesko Attack in development
- Porsche
The Koenigsegg partnership in particular sent waves through the collector community — it signals that LCD is actively targeting the most exclusive hypercar brands in the world, territory previously dominated by AUTOart.
5. The 1:18 Lineup — What Makes LCD Different
LCD produces models across multiple scales (1:18, 1:43, 1:64), but their 1:18 line is where they truly shine. Here's what consistently sets them apart:
| Feature | What LCD Does |
|---|---|
| Fully opening parts | Doors, hoods, engine covers, boots, side compartments — all functional |
| Diecast metal construction | Heavy, solid metal body (not resin) — premium look and feel |
| Interior textures | Alcantara-like seat material, flocked compartments, detailed dashboards |
| Carbon fibre reproduction | Multi-texture CF (gloss + matte) matching the real car's specification |
| Authentic engine detail | Gold foil on McLaren F1, exposed V12 on Huayra R — no shortcuts |
| Official licensing | All major models are officially licensed by the real manufacturer |
| Price-to-quality ratio | Consistently delivers AUTOart-level quality at a significantly lower price |
6. What the Collector Community Says
In the diecast hobby, reputation is everything — and the community verdict on LCD Models has shifted dramatically over the past few years. When LCD launched their 1:18 line around 2018, early reactions were cautiously optimistic. By 2024–2025, the tone had changed entirely:
"Almost Real and LCD have rendered AUTOart a thing of the past." — r/Diecast, Reddit (September 2025)
"LCD Models has built a solid reputation for delivering high-quality, fully functional 1:18 models at price points well below industry leaders." — DiecastSociety.com
AUTOart — long considered the gold standard of 1:18 diecast — has faced criticism for inconsistent quality and rising prices. LCD has stepped directly into that gap: delivering metal diecast construction (not resin, which many competitors have shifted to), fully opening parts, and officially licensed accuracy, all at a more accessible price point. For collectors who remember paying a premium for AUTOart models, LCD feels like the brand that finally got it right.
7. What's Next for LCD Models
LCD shows no signs of slowing down. Their confirmed upcoming releases and partnerships include:
- Koenigsegg CC850, Agera RS, Jesko Absolute & Jesko Attack — in 1:18, 1:43, and 1:64 scale, both sealed and fully opening formats
- Pagani Zonda C12 Coupe — new 1:64 releases in multiple colourways (Q1 2026)
- "More marques" — LCD has confirmed they are actively pursuing additional manufacturer licences beyond their current portfolio
For collectors, this trajectory means one thing: LCD Models is becoming the brand to watch for the next decade of premium 1:18 diecast. Getting into the brand now, before the Koenigsegg and other high-profile releases drive prices and demand up, is a smart move.
8. Shop LCD Models at Garage 73 — Canada's Official Dealer
Garage 73 is Canada's official LCD Models dealer, shipping from Québec with no duties or customs fees for Canadian customers, and free shipping on orders over $300. Every model in our LCD lineup is 100% authentic and officially licensed.
Questions about a specific model or want to be notified of new LCD releases? Contact us at info@garage73.ca — we follow every LCD announcement closely and are happy to help you plan your next addition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are LCD Models made?
LCD Models are manufactured in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China, at the company's own factory — Dongguan Lichengda Model Limited. Unlike some brands that outsource production, LCD controls the entire process in-house, from mould design and CNC tooling to final assembly and quality control.
When was LCD Models founded?
The LCD MODELS brand was officially launched in 2015, though the founding factory (Dongguan Humen Lichengda) was established in 2008. The founders, Mr. Huang Peng and Mr. Lin Weijia, began their careers in the model industry as far back as 1996.
Are LCD Models officially licensed?
Yes — LCD holds official manufacturing licences with McLaren, Pagani, Land Rover, Lamborghini, Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, and most recently Koenigsegg. This means every model is legally and accurately produced with the full cooperation of the original manufacturer.
How does LCD compare to AUTOart?
LCD Models is widely considered by the collector community to be a direct and superior value alternative to AUTOart. LCD delivers diecast metal construction, fully opening parts, and official licensing at a price point significantly below AUTOart's current offerings — while AUTOart has faced criticism for moving toward resin construction and inconsistent quality in recent years.
Where can I buy LCD Models in Canada?
Garage 73 is Canada's official LCD Models dealer, based in Québec. Canadian customers pay no duties or customs fees, and orders over $300 ship free. You can browse the full LCD lineup at garage73.ca.