 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2024) |
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 Assortment of original and licensed Hot Wheels cars from various years | |
| Product type | Scale model cars, racing tracks |
|---|---|
| Owner | Mattel |
| Produced by | Mattel |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | May 18, 1968[1] |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Website | hotwheels |
Hot Wheels is an American media franchise and brand of scale model cars invented by Elliot Handler and introduced by his company Mattel on May 18, 1968.[2] It was the primary competitor of Matchbox until Mattel bought Matchbox owner Tyco Toys in 1997.
Many automobile manufacturers have since licensed Hot Wheels to make scale models of their cars, allowing the use of original design blueprints and detailing. Although Hot Wheels were originally intended to be children's toys, they have become popular with adult collectors, for whom limited edition models are now made available.
- ^ "'Hot Wheels' turns 50: How much do you know about the famous toy cars?". FOX 9. May 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- ^ "National Toy Hall of Fame". The Strong Museum of Play. Archived from the original on 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2021-10-19.