This was not created by me. This is the work of Mattel UK’s PR company, who have kindly sent along to me (as well as various other media outlets, so hoping to see it in magazines and newspapers etc.) and I am simply replicating here. I wanted as many to see it as possible. Not just those who live in the UK, who will like a certain little footnote at the end. This is extremely exciting to me, as I am seeing proof that Mattel are working hard to try and build the brand back up in its native country. So without further delay, here is the press release….
NEWS RELEASE
Mattel Celebrates Matchbox® 70th Anniversary with Limited Edition Toy Vehicles that Utilise Recycled Zinc
Mattel is commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Matchbox® brand and seven decades of die-cast adventures by reflecting on its legacy and looking to the future. To celebrate, the brand is introducing a line of special limited-edition vehicles, paying tribute to Matchbox’s heritage of inventing highly detailed and realistic vehicles that have inspired generations of kids while remaining a trusted brand for collectors.
Conceived in 1953 by English engineer Jack Odell, a vehicle mechanic for the British Army in World War II, Matchbox reinvented the toy vehicle category with a revolutionary scale, affordable price, and mass availability for consumers. These early values of innovation, quality and realism continue to be upheld by the Matchbox brand 70 years later.
The celebratory line will include special 70th anniversary die-cast vehicles featured in seven different assortments across the Matchbox line, all honouring the platinum 70th anniversary with special platinum details. These selections are a combination of collector favourites and iconic vehicles spanning seven decades and regions around the world. These include new castings inspired by iconic models from Matchbox’s history in the Collectors series, such as a Jaguar D-Type and Porsche 910 that benefit from extensive detailing and True Grip tyres. A special edition Routemaster bus and vehicles from the brand’s Moving Parts line that includes a Porsche 911 Turbo and Morris Minor Convertible with opening doors and bonnet respectively, will appear as limited editions.
Individual 70th anniversary die-cast vehicles will be rolling into retail throughout the year and will be available throughout Matchbox’s 2023 die-cast product line. This is just the first of many ways Matchbox will be celebrating with more announcements to come in July 2023.
“We are so excited to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Matchbox and the trusted legacy this brand has imprinted on kids and collectors all over the world,” said Roberto Stanichi, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Vehicles at Mattel. “We look forward to continuing to redefine the die-cast category as we move towards a more sustainable future.”
Matchbox celebrates its history while also looking toward the future. The Mattel brand will continue its commitment towards sustainability in the die-cast category. To support this commitment, a portion of the new 70th anniversary die-cast collection will be made from recycled zinc.
Matchbox is committed to integrating more electric vehicles and eco-friendly themes into products with a vision to make all toys and packaging from 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials by 2030. Embracing sustainable production processes and more will help the brand inspire the next generation of kids and collectors.
Matchbox toys are planned to be available in 2023 at Tesco, Sainsburys, B&M Bargain, Morrisons, The Entertainer and Toymaster stores. With RRP starting from £2.30 for a single die-cast vehicle.
For more information on the Matchbox 70th Anniversary, visit: https://shop.mattel.com/pages/matchbox-70th-anniversary
About Mattel
Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) is a leading global children’s entertainment company that specializes in design and production of quality toys and consumer products. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic franchises, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, American Girl®, Fisher-Price®, Thomas & Friends® and Mega®, as well as other popular brands that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 40 locations and sell products in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and technology companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in exploring the wonder of childhood and empowering kids to reach their full potential. Visit us online at www.mattel.com.
So, are you as excited as I am? Especially if you live in the UK and are seeing that, we will see models sold in a variety of outlets. Not just Tesco! Oh yes, I am extremely excited about this 2023 model year. The most excited I have been for a number of years. Thank you to the PR guys for sending this over to me to publish.
Absolutely 💯 brilliant news that Matchbox is being sold in more outlet’s for all kids/adults to buy.
More youngsters into the brand…. How did we start?!… Great news and thank you Mr Tilley.
Some cool lookin’ models mixed in there. Have to look out for that premium 4Runner with those beefy wheels.
That Porsche 906(?) looks like a nice piece for a collection also!!
UK was once home to a finest diecast, not just Matchbox but also Corgi (very popular in Poland in the late of 1980’s), Husky, LLedo and others thus diecast toys = British. Sure, others were to follow, West Germany (Siku), France’s Majorette sometimes described as the “French Matchbox”, Japanese Tomica, see ? British success in diecast toys sparks inspiration others to achieve similiar success.
Great news, but what is so difficult for today’s @matchboxworld designers who can’t seem to get the wheel arches filled proportionally correct? — both 910 and 911 Porsches [and a few other models] look like you can park a truck in the rear wells.
Still, there’s room in your very large maw for at least two. Stop moaning or stop posting.
Where would the world be if you wasn’t aloud to moan/grumble or whinge, whinge?!!!!….. They help towards progress and highlight issues, some may not like it and some agree…. He had his say… And he is entitled to it….
Looked at your response, you using another ID and all that…quite sad tbh. If you ARE going to post something, at least give the flaky impression that you are semi literate and use spell check. In the context of your post, the word is “allowed”…not ALOUD. Bless your little cotton socks.
No sane person likes a whingeing, whining creep, so do not labour under the impression that organisations, view it through the prism of highlighting where they can improve their work. Plain 5tup1d of you.
Let’s just say “you have won!!!” Well done!!!… 💯✔️Let’s sing ” Everything is awesome!!!”🎶🎶🎶…
Criticism isn’t your thing… But yet you are criticising others for criticising??!!…..
As again having a moan/ grumble help to solve…
Btw thank you for the fuzz buzz lesson. W⚓😁👍 until next time for a toy car hobby!!!….
Hmmm…..let’s see how this pans out. Will there be enough room on their pegs which are already stuffed with HTI generics and Hot Wheels?
Great news that it looks like Matchbox is going to get some decent distribution in the UK at last. My local Tesco just re-stocked with more case E (OK, I know, whinge, whinge!) so it’s a fair bet they’ll skip case F and go straight to the 2023 stuff. With more outlets there should be a greater throughput, so if Mattel can walk the walk rather than just talk the talk, this sort of famine-or-feast problem might finally go away.
As for the models, I’ve never been a fan of “commemorative” liveries though at least some of them look good (In particular that Porsche 910). Can’t help thinking there’s a bit of overkill with too many models though.
Matchbox singles and 9 packs now appearing at The Entertainer. Seemingly great news until you discover they are charging £2.40 and an eye watering £21!!!
Well. that press release does say FROM £2.50 so perhaps that reflects the current situation. When I remember that Asda were selling singles for close on £2.00 before they dropped Matchbox, I have to wonder what sort of deal Tesco had to sell at only £1.50 (even less on the clubcard promotion).
By the way, what singles are The Entertainer offering? My recent visits to that chain found onlywhat appeared to be opportunist purchases of old stock from the far east…
True though I always felt Asda were taking the pee with prices even back then and certainly towards the end of their exclusivity deal. I just can’t see how they now cost so much especially considering they are still one Dollar in America.
The batch appears to be 2023 Case B, same as Morrisons who are only charging £1.80.
Gosh… Wow!. that’s steep. the worrying thing is how much are the Hotwheels singles there?… 3 for £4 ish?… I think they tripped at the first hurdle with them prices set on Matchbox. As good news as such for this brand to be coming back here.
My local Morrison’s still haven’t put anything out for Matchbox, The worrying thing is there ain’t much of toy Isle …
I suppose bit by bit this brand will find its way back here. Good news tho.
Thanks for the heads-up on Morrisons, Craig. My local branch hasn’t put any Matchbox out yet but I found 2023 case B in a neighbouring town. Then I found I’d left my wallet at home! Oops, senior moment! Still, it gives me something to do tomorrow, WITH a wallet!
But the real reason for this post is the anniversary models. I stand by my comment that there are too many, but if Matchbox MUST announce more models later in the year, then it would be good to include some construction vehicles. As you all know, these have always been a feature of the range, particularly in the early years. And yes. I’m assuming that someone at Mattel DOES read these posts. I’d particularly make a case for the MB029 Shovel-nose tractor, assuming that the tools are still usable. Not because it’s a good model (It’s not IMHO, but I’m a “sniffy adult collector”) but because it’s been part of the 1-75 range for well over half of those 70 years (around 46 of them, I think) so although I don’t think it’s a great model, there must have been plenty of Matchbox’s customers who have over the years. All those years of service must be deserving of recognition! Or is it “Oh no, not another MB029?!
Just a heads up Case C are now appearing at The Entertainer which means the AMC Eagle 🙂