Die-Cast Cars - toy line - Product Announcement - Brief Article

DSN Retailing Today, Oct 2, 2000

Die-cast metal cars may excite adult collectors but self-propelled, die-cast cars that imitate real cars are what excite kids. Irwin Toy Limited has introduced a series of miniature cars based on popular sports cars, such as the Corvette, Mustang, Viper and Thunderbolt. Like a real car, these vehicles rely on a key to get the wheels turning. With a turn of the key the car can travel up to 30 feet. Each car is packaged with a clip-on storage case that holds the car and the starter key. Children can clip the case to their belts for convenience.

Hasbro also has a line of hands-free, die-cast cars, Micro Machines. The Duel racer series is an assortment of two packs of Nascar's best drivers. Each comes with two vehicles, a specialized launcher and a launch connector. This past September, Hasbro launched packs featuring M&M's Peanut vs. Crispy, and Tony Stewart vs. Bobby Labonte.