Mattel's line of buildable cars focuses on adult collectors and promises miniatures with real metal parts in 2026
Mattel has chosen the Nuremberg International Toy Show in Germany to announce a strategic expansion of its adult portfolio. The industry giant revealed, on Monday (26), an unprecedented collaboration between its Mattel Brick Shop division and three major automakers: Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Toyota.
The initiative aims to sophisticate the Hot Wheels product line for 2026, mixing traditional collecting with the experience of manual assembly, in the style of Lego blocks. Unlike conventional die-cast metal carts, the proposal of the Brick Shop line is to offer high-standard building block sets. The new models promise fidelity to the original design of the partner brands, incorporating customizable elements and, as a technical differential, real metal parts in the structure of the toys to increase realism.
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The line, originally launched in 2025, seeks to compete in a market segment that values precision and proportion. Before the arrival of the trio announced in Germany, the brand’s “garage” already had collaborations from manufacturers such as Audi, Chevrolet, Honda, Maserati and Mercedes-Benz.
According to Ted Wu, the company’s global head of Vehicles and Building Blocks, the goal is to deliver an “immersive experience”. “With the arrival of Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Toyota to the lineup, we continue to expand the Mattel Brick Shop ‘garage’ to house some of the most iconic names in automotive history in a reinvented way,” said the executive.
There is still no specific date for the arrival of the products on Brazilian shelves, but the sets are expected to be available at selected retailers globally throughout 2026. The move reinforces the toy industry’s tendency to invest in “premium” products that dialogue both with children and with the nostalgia and technical demands of adults.
