Brandwave

Axial vs Tamiya:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Tamiya had more branded searches than Axial among RC car brands in New Zealand. Tamiya had about 860 branded searches, while Axial had 480. Tamiya made up 34.7% of all RC car brand searches we track, and Axial accounted for 19.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about RC car brands, Tamiya appeared in all five answers and Axial in four. Tamiya was mentioned before Axial in three out of four answers.

Among RC car brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Tamiya, about 79% more searches than Axial

Tamiya 860 searchesAxial 480 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Tamiya, mentioned in every answer we collected

Tamiya in 5 of 5Axial in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Tamiya, named ahead of Axial in 3 of 4 answers

Tamiya first in 3Axial first in 1

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Top RC car brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Tamiya appeared in all five answers. Axial was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Tamiya was listed before Axial in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Arrma1st
  2. Traxxas2nd
  3. Tamiya3rd
  4. Losi4th
  5. Axial5th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Tamiya5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Arrma5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Traxxas4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Axial4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Losi4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about RC car brands

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Axial or Tamiya more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Axial and Tamiya by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five RC car brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Axial and Tamiya among RC car brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Tamiya, Axial. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthTraxxasTamiyaAxialArrmaLosi
Oct 202539.1%29.9%20.8%8.5%1.8%
Nov 202538.8%29.7%20.6%9.1%1.7%
Dec 202543%32.3%14%8.7%2%
Jan 202641.8%32%14.8%9.2%2.2%
Feb 202647.9%27.7%15.6%7.2%1.6%
Mar 202651.2%21.7%19.5%6.5%1.1%
Apr 202648.8%24.5%18.1%7.4%1.2%
May 202644%29.9%19.8%4%2.3%
Jun 202640.5%28.8%22.3%6.8%1.5%
Jul 202637%35.1%18.1%7.9%1.9%
Aug 202638.9%33.8%17.5%8%1.8%
Sep 202636.7%34.7%19.4%7.7%1.6%

How has the Axial and Tamiya comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Tamiya was ahead of Axial in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Axial’s share of searches among RC car brands in New Zealand moved from 20.8% to 19.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 590 to 480.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tamiya’s share of searches among RC car brands in New Zealand moved from 29.9% to 34.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 850 to 860.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand RC car brands in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Axial gained share of searches among RC car brands in New Zealand, from 17.5% to 19.4%.

  2. In September 2026, Tamiya gained share of searches among RC car brands in New Zealand, from 33.8% to 34.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Axial’s and Tamiya’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Axial

1 branded search term

  • axial

Tamiya

2 branded search terms

  • tamiya
  • tamiya rc car

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among RC car brands

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