By Fernando Alfonso III of NPR.
I got some Hot Wheels for Christmas back in 1968. Right now they don't cost much more than they did back then. How is this possible?
Excerpts from the article:
"the price of a beloved toy has managed to hover around $1 — for more than 50 years.
"Hot Wheels are a retail oddity. They remain one of the most affordable toys in the country at a time when inflation is chipping away at savings accounts and compounding credit card debt for many Americans, experts like James Zahn told NPR."
"Early on, they had what was called Spectraflame paint, which was kind of a glittery paint. It was a very shiny paint," [Kevin] Feeley told NPR. "But the paint they're using now [for most cars] is not a Spectraflame paint, it's not as costly of a paint that they use."
These initial models sold for 69 to 89 cents each (which is about $6 to $7.60 today, accounting for inflation), said Bruce Pascal, an avid Hot Wheels collector and author of Hot Wheels Prototypes which includes the narrative history of the toy."
"Each Hot Wheels made today contains die-cast or metal in them but less than they did in 1968, Wu said. Parts of each car —which are produced in a limited number of colors— are also made of plastic; sometimes that can be the body or the chassis of the car. Investment in high-tech manufacturing capabilities and the introduction of cutting-edge technology have also helped keep costs down"
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