Hot Wheels(R) Faster Than Ever(TM) Cars Introduced This Weekend; The 2006 Hot Wheels(R) Models Hit Stores on Oct. 1

Identified by the orange-colored stamping on their five-spokewheels, Faster Than Ever(TM) cars will feature special nickel-platedaxles to reduce friction, making these 1:64-scale beauties faster thanthe previous version of the same cars.

The entire 2006 lineup of 224 cars will be released in wavesthroughout the next 12 months. Included in the lineup are 38 2006First Editions(TM) models, 12 Treasure Hunt and five Mystery Cars.More than 60 different Faster Than Ever(TM) models will be released.

"The Faster Than Ever(TM) cars embody what Hot Wheels(R) is allabout -- speed," said Doug Wadleigh, vice president, marketing, HotWheels(R). "These cars not only roll faster than other cars, but theycall attention to the entire 2006 basic car assortment of licensedvehicles and our own unique Hot Wheels(R) designs. Kids and collectorswho love Hot Wheels(R) will find the Faster Than Ever(TM) cars to beexciting additions to their growing car collections."

A Faster Than Ever(TM) sweepstakes offers kids and collectors achance to win a 2006 Ford Mustang GT or other prizes. Complete detailsare available online at www.HotWheels.com. Kids and collectors who buyany 10 Hot Wheels(R) 1:64 basic cars between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 canmail in their UPC codes for an exclusively decorated Faster ThanEver(TM) car and automatic entry into the sweepstakes.

Among the national retailers expected to release the 2006 basicassortment this weekend include Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart and Toys "R"Us. Hot Wheels(R) fans are encouraged to contact their local store toconfirm availability. The manufacturer's suggested retail price forHot Wheels(R) basic cars is $1.

Since being introduced in 1968, more than three billion HotWheels(R) cars have been produced, greater than the total productionof Detroit's "Big Three" automakers combined.

About Mattel

Mattel, Inc., (NYSE:MAT) (www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leaderin the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products,including Barbie(R), the most popular fashion doll ever introduced.The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as HotWheels(R), Matchbox(R), American Girl(R) and Tyco(R) R/C, as well asFisher-Price brands (www.fisher-price.com), including LittlePeople(R), Rescue Heroes(R), Power Wheels(R) and a wide array ofentertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in ElSegundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 25,000 people in 42countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout theworld. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands --today and tomorrow.

HOT WHEELS and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned byMattel, Inc. (C) 2005 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.