While the Japanese have dominated the US automobile market, we haven’t found that so much for the baby automobiles (or strollers as you might say).  Aprica, the top-selling stroller brand in Japan exited the US market in 2001 and we’ve heard very little about them since.   Well that is about to change!

Graco has purchased the Japanese company Aprica and is relaunching in the US with stroller designs and colors cherry picked for the US market.  While Graco has a lower-end but utilitarian reputation in the US, Aprica is being launched as a more sophisticated line for urban on-the-go parents who want a functional, but light, lightweight stroller.

While Quinny momentarily won over the lightweight market a couple of years ago with their sleek Zapp stroller, we’ve found these days that Baby Jogger City Minis, UPPABaby G-Luxe and G-lites and Maclarens seem to have the corner on most parents light-weight searches.  Stand-outs like the Valco Ion, brand new Cybex line, and Peg Perego Si have a tough time gaining momentum in this ultra-competitive market.

So how will Aprica fare as it readies for it’s 2010 release?  We’re guessing pretty well!  Why?

Aprica invited us to an exclusive San Francisco launch to debut their ready-for-US line and we were impressed. I have to admit, I knew Aprica from pre-2002 days and I didn’t think it would fare well in the US so I was skeptical.  Let me say, these were not the same Aprica’s.  Both lightweights they showed had solid, sturdy frames with fun eye-catching colors.  They were well thought-out introductions to gaining US parents trust and love.

Here’s what we liked:

1)   The seat is 4 inches higher than the Maclarens and UPPA’s of this world.  This give tons more basket room and easier to load and unload babies

2)   The weights are 14lbs and 12 lbs respectively for the two models – definitely within the weight limits parents like to consider for their lightweights

3)   Both models can be folded without bending down – wonderful for those in rainy or snowy climates who don’t want to get gross just to fold their stroller or any with back issues

4)   They both stand folded, nice for standing in public transit or just loading up your car

5)   Really nice removable padding (yes washable, we asked!)

6)   Awesome harness buckles – big and very easy to clip on and off or adjust sizing on

7)  Cool factor: they have a heat reflective element on the seat back so that the heat from the sidewalk gets reflected away from the seat, keeping your little one from baking in their stroller on hotter days.

8)   Canopy and recline are decent, 130-140 degrees.  I’m hoping they revamp the recline system though which is a big clunky

Also worth noting: Aprica has the deep pockets of Graco (and it’s parent company Newell-Rubbermaid) standing behind it and investing in brand development, recognition and customer service/warranty.  This is huge! It’s hard to love a stroller if you haven’t even heard about it or don’t trust the brand.   Aprica wants you to know who they are.

On a side note (pun intended), Aprica also debuted a side hip carrier.  It is simple and streamlined.  We loved everything about it except for the price.  At $60, I might just keep using my pouch sling from the newborn stage rather than investing in a separate hip carrier.  It was cute though!

So when are they out? Well depends where you are.  Aprica is launching in NY and CA in January 2010 with their 14 lb-er and hip carrier.  Their wider distribution and 12 lbs stroller will debut in July 2010.  We’ll definitely have them in January though!

P.S. These aren’t coming to the US but in case you wanted to spend $100 for infant shoes to help your baby walk faster – head to Japan!

So the question is what do YOU think? Does this new line sound attractive to you?

Amazingly enough it’s one month after the show and there is still tons to report from the show!  On today’s agenda is covering all the newest Valco additions.

Valco Baby is unique among many of the juvenile manufacturers because they show items that might never come to market.  They use the trade shows to collect critical retailer feedback and then make changes accordingly.  The disclaimer is something you see here might never come into being.  The plus is that once it does come into being it will usually be even better than when we saw it.

First up improvements:

Valco Latitude Single and Twin EX Versions:

Valco made some much needed improvements to their first generation of the Latitudes.  Currently only available in the Licorice (black) but coming in January 2010 in all colors, Valco raised and expanded the canopy, and improved the basket construction on their Latitude series.  Here is a short video I found on this topic.

Expected Date: January 2010

Our Rating: We love the new changes.  This makes a great concept into a great reality. 4 1/2 stars.

The Viva Bassinet:

This is a super cute half bassinet that can be inserted into the Twin Ion or Twin Trimode (separate versions for each) to turn one seat into a bassinet.  One or two can be used on both of the twin strollers and one can be used on the single strollers.  Makes it less expensive and bulky for parents to use a bassinet with their stroller.  The downside is you cannot lift and carry this child in this bassinet attachment.  To the right you can see what parents see looking down into it.

Expected Date: Early 2010

Our Rating: Great concept for the twin especially but parents might miss the stand-along capacity. 4 stars

Valco’s cadre of lightweight options:

Valco showed a number of forgettable lightweight options that they wanted feedback on.

Expected Date: TBD

Our Rating: 1 star.  They seemed heavy and not memorable.   We’d stick with the UPPABaby Glite, Gluxe versions

The Valco Pleather Stroller

For those who are fashion forward, Valco showed a white pleather Trimode with a black frame.  I think the pictures say it all!  Definitely interesting but would that get hot?

Expected Date: No date yet

Our Rating: Love the black frame. Don’t like the white pleather! 2 stars

The Valco Quad:

This is Valco’s attempt to meet the growing demand for the Trimode functionality with a more urban (less rugged) look.  They took off the larger front air tire and added two smaller air chamber front swivel wheels.  They also added a footrest that can be raised or lowered and locked in place.  It had the deluxe padding and features of a trimode for the more urban set.  Plus it will take a toddler seat!  That means for people who worry about potential tippy-ness of a 3 wheeler and a toddler seat – now there is this 4 wheel option that rocks.  And it was relatively light too! Valco showed it in the Raisin color which was sleek yet not all black – great color.  Basically one of our all-around favorites from the show and definitely our favorite Valco new offering!

Expected Date: Early 2010

Our Rating: Universally positive! 5 stars.

Valco Rebel – Remodeled & returning for an encore:

For those of you who have been around for a long time, Valco used to have a 3 wheeler with a reversible seat.  It was a beast (about 40 lbs) but pushed beautifully and took a toddler seat for reversibility with 1 or 2. I used one with my now 5 and 7 1/2 year olds.  I loved it but never ever wanted to lift it.  They phased it out. They have brought back a 4 wheeled reversible Rebel version with toddler seat capability.  It was still in demo form when we saw it and there was something about having to load the baby into the stroller first before you can put the toddler in. . .hmmm.  Overall I’d have to say we are with-holding judgement but given the Baby Jogger City Select and the UPPABaby Vista with Rumbleseat, the redesigned Rebel would have to improve upon those to be a worthy 1-2 child option.  We did love the fabric circles material that Valco showed it in though.

Expected Date: TBA

Our Rating: Reserving judgement but not in love.

New Trimode EX Colors:

Valco revampled the Trimode for late 2009 with the EX extended canopy.  The frame and fabrics remain the same but for 2010 the color will have the accent color as the EX part of the canopy.  So zip it up and the canopy is one color, unzip it, and you have the dual color canopy.  It looked pretty cool.  We already love the Valco Trimode so the EX canopy with a burst of color is just a nice plus!  We show the new colors in the photo here.

Expected Ship Date: January 2010

Rating: 5 star. The trimode stroller is awesome and just stays that way!

Valco Matrix

This is an less expensive version of the Valco Trimode to meet the “new economy” budgets at $399.  It feels “cheaper” as well.  I think it is a better option than a Jeep 3 wheeler but if you really want the legendary Valco quality and push, it’s worth it to spring for the Trimode EX.

Expected Date: January 2010

Our Rating: 2 stars – pay less than $100 more and you’ll be much much happier!

Enjoy our blog? Stay tuned for a huge stroller giveaway coming soon!

So what is your favorite up-and-coming 2010 Valco release?