Auto Show season is upon us, with the big ones about to start rolling out here in North America this month, with #NAIAS in Detroit, followed by the Chicago International Auto Show in February. Up North, the Canadian International AutoShow rolls into the downtown Metro Toronto Convention Centre from Feb. 16-25, and this year Mattel is bringing Hot Wheels into the action! The number one selling toy in the world races into Canada with an explosion of activities to commemorate its 50th anniversary. This includes appearances by some of the iconic full-sized rides from the Hot Wheels garage, including the famed Star Wars Darth Vader character car and the Special Edition 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS!
From the Official Announcement: Developed by toy maker Mattel in 1968, Hot Wheels is one of the most iconic toys of all time making childhood — and adulthood — awesome for everyone.
The 50th anniversary of Hot Wheels will be a feature attraction of the 2018 AutoShow, being held. While more than 1,000 conventionally powered cars and light trucks will be on display, the focus of this year’s show will be The New Movement. Manufacturers of 14 all-electric and hybrid vehicles will not only show them off but make them available for test drives.
There’s no doubt, however, that along with Art & the Automobile, Auto Exotica and Tuner Battlegrounds – AutoShow edition, the Hot Wheels anniversary will be a major attraction.
“Since 1968, we’ve made six billion cars that have contributed to the happiness of children and adults everywhere, and no doubt inspired the imaginations of today’s global automotive designers,” said Akram Sharkawy, Brand Communication Marketing Manager at Mattel, Inc. “It’s almost impossible to have grown up without Hot Wheels, and through our 50th anniversary celebrations, we’re aiming to fuel a new generation of fans and ignite, nurture, and celebrate their challenger spirit.”
HOW THE GENERAL PUBLIC CAN WIN BY CELEBRATING #HOTWHEELS50
Visitors to the AutoShow who upload images to social media tagging #HotWheels50 and #ChallengeAccepted will receive a free die-cast vehicle by visiting one of the Brand Ambassadors at the Hot Wheels activation on Level 700 of the South Building.
To ignite its monumental anniversary year, Hot Wheels is also inviting the public to enter a design contest where they have the chance to win a Hot Wheels prize pack and to have their design produced as a future die-cast car by Hot Wheels. Those interested can enter the Hot Wheels Design Challenge at hotwheelschallenge.ca. Stay tuned for contest details.
INFORMATION ON THE CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL AUTOSHOW
Tickets are available now at the AutoShow’s website, www.autoshow.ca. Early Bird tickets can be purchased for $18 – a saving of 25 per cent from the regular price of $24 – until Jan. 15, 2018. After that, tickets will be available online at a 10 per cent saving until the show opens.
The Canadian International AutoShow dates and hours are:
February 16, 2018: 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
February 17-24, 2018: 10:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
February 25, 2018: 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
