The rise and fall of Matchbox toy cars is an example of failing to keep up with changing tastes. As reported by Hagerty, Matchbox began in post-war Britain and quickly grew to dominate the toy car market. "By 1969, Lesney was building a thousand toy cars per minute," the article says.
However, Matchbox was stuck in idle gear with the arrival of Hot Wheels in 1968. While Matchbox focused on realistic replicas of everyday vehicles, Hot Wheels introduced fantastical designs and emphasized speed and performance. This new approach captivated children's imaginations and rapidly gained market share.
Matchbox attempted to compete by introducing its "Superfast" line, but struggled to match Hot Wheels' appeal. Economic challenges in the UK further complicated matters for the British company.
Ultimately, Matchbox's parent company Lesney went bankrupt in 1982, marking the end of an era. The brand changed hands several times before being acquired by Mattel, the maker of Hot Wheels, in 1997.
Today, Matchbox continues as a distinct brand under Mattel, focusing on more realistic designs compared to Hot Wheels' wilder concepts.
Previously:
• This hotdog run slides a weiner down a Hot Wheels track and onto a BBQ
• Modded, post-apocalyptic Hot Wheels cars
• Watch a group of Hot Wheels toy cars zoom down an empty waterslide
• GoPro modded on a Hot Wheels chassis
• Braille Hot Wheels cars
• Tiktoker delights driver with secret gift of a Hot Wheels model matching his car
• Hot Wheels car designer Harry Bradley dead at 84
• Restoring a 1970 Hot Wheels Red Baron car
