Hot Wheels die-cast toy car

Hot Wheels is an iconic brand of die-cast toy cars introduced by the American toy maker Mattel in 1968. It was originally designed to compete with the British brand Matchbox (which Mattel eventually purchased in 1997). The hallmark of the brand is its custom 'California Style' designs and low-friction axles that allowed the cars to roll faster and further than competitors.

Today, Hot Wheels is part of the Mattel family of brands, which includes Barbie, Fisher-Price, and American Girl. While founded in the United States, manufacturing for Hot Wheels primarily takes place in Southeast Asia and China to leverage global supply chains. The ultimate owner, Mattel, Inc., remains headquartered in El Segundo, California, and is one of the world's largest toy companies.