PENANG: Hot Wheels will be collaborating with Proton to produce a 1:64 scale model of the 1985 Proton Saga, the first model manufactured by the national car brand.
This new Hot Wheels model is expected to start shipping and sold worldwide by the end of 2023.
The announcement was made by Mattel president and chief commercial officer Steve Totzke in conjunction with Mattel’s continued investment and commitment to its Malaysian operations.
Mattel Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MMSB) commemorated its 40th anniversary in Malaysia today with the announcement of a plant expansion that is expected to be completed in January 2023.
Aside from being the world’s largest Hot Wheels manufacturing plant, MMSB is also the only manufacturer of Hot Wheels singles, the top-selling toy globally in 2021.
The plant, which Mattel's first manufacturing facility in Malaysia was established in Perai in 1981, has a current average output capacity of approximately nine million cars per week.
This targeted, strategic investment is in line with Mattel’s Capital Light strategy to increase manufacturing capacity, improve productivity, and leverage technological capabilities, while reducing cost and enhancing operational efficiencies.
(From left) Roslan, Norazman and Totzke with the scale models of the Saga.
The plant expansion will support Hot Wheels growth with an expected 20% increase in production capacity by 2025.
Also present at the MMSB 40th anniversary celebration ceremony were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, International Trade Deputy Secretary-General (Industry) Datuk Seri Norazman Ayob, Proton deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah, Mattel Global Manufacturing and Asia Operations senior vice-president T.H. Soo and MMSB general manager Ching Chiau Lee.
