The Hot Wheels reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Hot Wheels

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Hot Wheels is a popular brand of toy automobile, introduced by U.S. toymaker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to that brand as well.

Most Hot Wheels cars measure about 2 1/2 inches in length, and are approximately 1:64 scale.

Aside from their popularity as toys, Hot Wheels cars are also popular collectibles. Mattel estimates that 41 million kids, mostly boys, grew up playing with the toys, the average collector has over 1,550 cars, and children between the ages of 5 and 15 have an average of 41 cars.