These 1:18 cars represent an emerging muscle car revolution — old-school muscle cars meet new-school performance technology. Car builders have been restoring classic muscle cars for years, but now builders are rebuilding these cars with the latest technology. These G-Machines are getting the hottest upgrades, such as brand new Corvette or Viper engines, racing suspensions, aftermarket brake kits, roll cages, custom hoods and offset wheels.
— "The only thing I carry is Hot Wheels," said Melissa McCollum, owner of Learning Express in Hoover, Ala., when asked about the die-cast category.
— Two of 34 retailers TDmonthly spoke with in spring 2007 named Hot Wheels among their best-selling die-cast toys.
— “The Hot Wheels 1:18-scale vehicles feature exclusive licenses from some of the world’s most famous car makers,” said Michele Sturdivant, director of PR for Mattel Brands. “Collectors can choose from a wide range of popular models such as the Corvette C6 Z06, Ferrari F430 Spyder, 2007 Escalade, Ferrari FXX and Ford Shelby Cobra GT500.”

This figure and vehicle assortment features three powerful new vehicles that give Batman and Robin the ultimate transforming crime-fighting vehicles on land, air or sea.  The Gotham U.A.V. Urban Assault Vehicle is a mega-armored tank with various weaponry to battle crime on the go.  Meanwhile, the Batblade protects the skies of Gotham City with quad-blasters, while Robin figure’s Blitz Copter can morph from helicopter to jet mode with a few simple maneuvers.  Each vehicle comes with weapons.
— "We have several new figures that we introduced this year for 'The Batman' animated series," said Michele Sturdivant, director of PR for Mattel Brands.

The ultimate crime fighter needs the ultimate crime-fighting vehicle. Enter the new ShadowTek Batmobile.  This tricked-out cruiser features electronic lights and sounds, twin projectile launchers, and two modes of play: “stealth” and “attack.”  The ShadowTek Batmobile fits with most 4-3/4” figures, which are sold separately.  The ShadowTek Batmobile requires three button cell batteries, which are included.
— "Some Batman cars" were best-selling in the action figure category according to Terri Bracken, owner of Earth Explorers Toys in Zionsville, Ind.
— Mattel is “accommodating to small stores beyond what is expected of such a large company. They give free shipping for very small orders and special discounts for small stores,” Harold Herskowitz of Toy Trade told TDmonthly.

This 1:18-scale die-cast SUV model is highly detailed.

Now girls can give Polly or Lila the ultimate outdoor adventure as they take flight with the Stylin’ Flyers sets. Girls simply attach Polly or Lila to the pair of wings, load the wings into the launcher, plot the doll’s course and watch her fly. These sets were designed as fun and exciting outdoor toys for girls. Launch date: January 2007.

These candy-colored stylin’ mini Polly Wheels come with a mini-sized doll and are the first-ever die-cast vehicles designed just for girls. There are 50 different collectible cars available. Launch date: January 2007.

The Dance ‘N Groove party includes Polly and her gal pals – Lea, Shani, Crissy and Kerstie. Kerstie’s Hula-licious 12-piece set includes a hula outfit, a backdrop, a purse, a lei, a guitar, a bird and more. The Dance ‘N Groove dolls were designed in response to the current trend of reality shows and dance competitions. Launch date: January 2007.

Sharpay, Gabriella, Troy, Taylor, Chad and the rest of the Wildcats from the Disney Channel’s “High School Musical 2” are featured in this collection. Each doll is designed in the likeness of his or her onscreen character and is dressed in an outfit featured in the movie. Each of the dolls also includes an extra beach outfit for fun in the sun. Each doll is sold separately. Launch date: September 2007. 7/25/2007
— Over 17.2 million viewers tuned in to watch the premiere of “High School Musical 2.”
— In 2007, the movie the set the record for the most-watched cable telecast in U.S. history.
— The movie won the 2007 Teen Choice award for Choice TV: Movie.

Girls will feel like real-life princesses with this majestic royal throne filled with princess accessories and surprise, including a chair skirt that can be detached for princess dress-up. The chair houses secret hiding places, including a special, locked compartment under the seat. The throne even plays a royal tune every time a princess sits down in it. Launch date: June 2007.

Girls control the action and help Barbie, Raquelle, Nikki, and Teresa perform amazing moves on the gymnastic high bar. The set includes gold medals, trophies and two dolls that can flip side-by-side or link to one another for complicated stunts. Launch date: June 2007.

Skip-Bo provides card game players with some sharp-minded fun. From the makers of UNO, Skip-Bo is the ultimate sequencing game. Players create sequential stacks of cards. The first to use all their cards wins the game. It's designed to be played by two to six players and a game takes less then thirty minutes to complete. Yes, it takes skill, but it also takes a bit of luck, too.
— Skip-Bo was among the classic card games that sell well in the store of Phil Wrzesinki, owner of Toy House and Baby Too in Jackson, MI.

This deluxe version makes for a more sophisticated evening of UNO. It also makes for the perfect gift. Designed for two to ten players, and taking less than thirty minutes to play, one of America's most recognized family games comes in elegant tin packaging for style and sturdiness. It also comes with score pad and pencil so that there's a winner to be declared at the end of each fun game.
— "UNO by Mattel" was the best-selling card game in the store of Michelle, manager at Whippersnappers in St. Simon’s Island.
— Two of 29 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in the summer of 2007 said that UNO was a customer-favorite card game in their stores.
—  "UNO is the number one card game in America and now fans of the classic game can experience an entirely new version with UNO Deluxe.  The new version features a wipe off scoring system, a removable draw and discard tray, and a premium box that folds out for easy scorekeeping," said Michele Sturdivant, Director of PR, Mattel Brands.

This 1:55-scale die-cast car is part of the Disney Pixar Cars Supercharged line. Launch date: June 2007.

This High School Musical edition of the traditional Uno game comes with an exclusive Duet card and a special rule. Soar above the competition and then yell “Uno!” to win. Launch date: September 2007.

This is the first “premium” doll in Mattel Inc.’s I Love Lucy doll collection. Fully articulated, Lucy comes dressed in a baggy clown suit and holds a cello. Launch date: October 2007.
— In 2002, TV Guide selected “I Love Lucy” as the second greatest show of all time.
— Lucille Ball won four Emmy awards for her role in “I Love Lucy” and the cast and crew of the show, as a whole, received 19 Emmy nominations during its six-year run.
— This item premiered at Toy Fair 2007 in New York.

The super-hip, don't follow trends - they create 'em. That's the way Fashion Fever Barbie®doll and friends show off their style. Check out Raquelle doll's latest wardrobe wonder ... and how much do you love those shoes?

Fashion Fever Barbie®doll and friends know how to rock the world of style! And Barbie doll is the ultimate trendsetter with this gorgeous gown, turning heads and wowing everyone in sight.

Here are the perfect classic Dora dolls to start a little girl's collection. Dressed in the ideal outfit for whatever comes her way, Dora is ready for her adventures in these traditional everyday themes: Cowgirl, On-the-Go and Fairytale. Realistic hair with brush included.

Elmo is back and more ticklish then ever, and he’s laughing like he’s never laughed before. T.M.X.™ Extra Special Edition™ is so popular that Mattel is limiting orders to five per customer.

The 3” x 12” x 24” mountain track features a spinning wagon wheel, a bridge, crazy curves and more. The set comes with a Willy’s Butte Deco Lightning McQueen die-cast car.

The dinosaur-shaped launcher “eats” and spits cars onto the track. The track set measures approximately 16” x 11” 22-1/2” and comes with an excavation city and sound effects.

The Laugh & Learn line, a new venture of Mattel’s Fisher-Price division, uses life-based items for baby’s learning play. The battery-powered Laugh & Learn phone uses a screen with animated images; and a handset with buttons, lights, and sounds including songs and greetings. Baby gets to Laugh & Learn while imitating adults baby has observed on the telephone. Some of the skills the phone helps baby learn are colors, shapes, words, the alphabet and counting skills. Uses three AAA batteries.

This game invites kids on an adventure where they race around a wacky contraception constructed of random kitchen utensils. As they run around, kids must try to finish adding ingredients to the soup before Chef Skinner sees them. If Chef Skinner spots them, a wild and funny chain of events ensues. The first player whom successfully completes the soup wins.

Remy comes with five food items tucked into the pockets of his apron. Simply press the button on his hand, hold one of the food items up to his nose, and watch him sniff and recognize the item. Remy is constructed of polyester and stands 15” tall. He also comes with three AA batteries.

The highly detailed doll is dressed in traditional Indonesian clothes and wears jewelry and an elaborate golden headdress. She hails from the exotic Indonesian island of Sumatra.
— Barbie is the best-selling fashion doll at Mr. G’s Toys & Expressions in Los Angeles, said Manny Rocha, general manager.
— Disney-themed Barbies were the hotties for the 2007 holidays at Toy Safari in Alameda, Calif., according to Owner Helen Dean. She said the store “sold tons of them.”
— Eight of 63 specialty toy-store owners agreed in January 2008 that Mattel’s Barbie is their best-selling fashion doll.