Last week's column, which reported that diecast and plastic models giant RC2 may get out of the business next year, really hit a nerve with hobbyists.

The question on everybody's mind was "What can we do?"

Without question, one of the best ways to help rejuvenate the industry would be to get younger generations involved, whether through contests, local shows at hobby shops or special exhibits.

Would it work? I think so. While television, video games and high- technology toys are enticing, cars are pretty darned exciting to youngsters -- and not-so-youngsters, too.

Anytime I get an interesting test car for a week, my children want me to drive them to school where they are peppered with questions, "thumbs up" and expressions of "wow" from their friends. And it's no longer unusual for kids in my neighborhood to come up to our house, camera in hand, to take pictures of the cars we have parked out front.

The bottom line is that there are plenty of car-crazy kids out there; the model car industry just hasn't done a particularly good job at marketing the hobby to them.

Another societal change that has hurt the hobby has been the disappearance of leisure time. Putting together plastic kits is a time-consuming, sometimes frustrating venture.

And with a host of other activities, not many of us have much time or patience.

But the good news is that there's been a growth in pre-painted, simplified kits that snap together or use very little glue -- and they look just fine.

The model car industry needs to adjust by shifting its resources to these simplified models that can be assembled in minutes rather than days and weeks.

It also is time for model makers to return to emphasizing the smaller 1:24 cars.

I'm not saying 1:18 cars should be dropped, but I'd like to see a much more balanced mix made available.

Some people claim that 1:18 cars are popular because you can pour more detail into them, but I don't think that argument holds up anymore. Anyone who has seen a West Coast Precision Diecast, GMP, Danbury Mint or Franklin Mint 1:24 cars would tell you.

Since 1:24 models are lighter and more compact, they would use less of the expensive raw materials than 1:18 models require, and usually are considerably less costly.

They don't take up nearly as much room in display cases either, so hobbyists could buy more.

In the end, though, the most effective remedy might be better marketing and coverage by the media so that more people -- especially youngsters -- can get interested in a hobby that for years has given joy to a lot of people.