Toy cars have been a beloved staple of childhood for generations, offering endless hours of imaginative play. With countless brands available, it's important to know which ones stand out in terms of quality, design, and durability. From classic favorites to innovative newcomers, each brand brings its unique flair to the world of miniature automobiles. For a comprehensive rundown of the top toy car brands currently captivating the market, explore the list below.
Illustration of toy cars
Best brands of toy cars in 2025
Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels, introduced by Mattel on May 18, 1968, is one of the leading producers of toy cars, manufacturing around 10 million units every week, totaling 519 million Hot Wheels per year. The brand has seen tremendous growth, generating over $1.43 billion in gross sales worldwide in 2023, and holds nearly 45% of the market share in the vehicles segment in North America. Hot Wheels has partnered with almost every auto manufacturer worldwide and introduces more than 130 new car designs annually. The brand is popular among both children and adult collectors, with over 6 billion Hot Wheels cars manufactured since its inception. Hot Wheels maintains its affordability through mass production, simplified manufacturing, and economies of scale. For more detailed insights, visit Hot Wheels statistics page.
Matchbox
Matchbox, a renowned brand owned by Mattel, Inc., has been a leading producer of toy cars since its introduction in 1953. Known for its realistic and detailed models, Matchbox cars are often classified as 1:64 scale and have been a favorite among both children and collectors. By 1968, Matchbox had become the biggest-selling brand of small die-cast model cars worldwide. The brand's commitment to realism and quality has helped it maintain a strong market presence, despite competition from other brands like Hot Wheels. Matchbox continues to innovate, with recent trends focusing on collaborations with top automotive brands and a return to its roots of producing realistic, well-detailed models. For more information, explore the official Matchbox website.
LEGO Speed Champions
LEGO Speed Champions is a renowned brand that excels in producing realistic and detailed toy cars, catering to both children and adults. With sets featuring popular brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren, these models are designed with 200 to 400 pieces, making them more accessible and affordable, often priced around $26.99. The brand has seen significant growth, contributing to LEGO's overall market share of 7.6% as the largest toy company, with a revenue increase of 27% in 2021 to kr55.3 billion. The Speed Champions line includes a variety of vehicles, such as the Ferrari F40 and NASCAR-themed Camaro, offering hours of racing and building fun. These sets are part of LEGO's strategy to target both kids and adults, enhancing their appeal as gifts and collectibles.
Maisto
Maisto, owned by the May Cheong Group, is a renowned brand in the toy car industry, introduced in 1990 and known for its high-quality die-cast model cars. Maisto products are manufactured in China and Thailand, offering a wide range of scales including 1:12, 1:18, and 1:64, with many models being officially licensed from popular vehicle brands. The brand competes strongly in the 1:18 scale category, particularly with its Exclusive line featuring finer details. Maisto's models are popular for their realistic and accurate representations, although they may have some inconsistencies in mass production. The brand's products are widely available, including exclusive editions sold at stores like Sam's Club and Walmart.
TOMY
TOMY is a leading producer of toy cars, renowned for its high-quality and innovative products. The company's overseas sales ratio has been around 50% for several years, with notable success in Asia and North America. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, TOMY's Tomica and BEYBLADE BURST products performed well, contributing to the company's solid stock price performance. TOMY aims to expand sales by developing region-tailored marketing strategies, such as focusing on Tomica and game arcade equipment in Asia and baby products in North America. The company's strategic acquisitions, like Fat Brain Toys in 2020, have also enhanced its market presence.
Siku
Siku, a renowned German manufacturer, stands out as one of the best producers of toy cars, offering a diverse range of scale models including cars, aircraft, commercial vehicles, and agricultural machinery. Founded by Richard Sieper, the company has been a leader in the European market since the 1950s, with its Super Series line being particularly popular among collectors for its high manufacturing quality and detailed models. Siku expanded its production to China, Poland, and other countries to meet global demand, ensuring all models adhere to German and international toy safety standards. The company's acquisition of Wiking Modellbau in 1984 further enriched its product portfolio with HO scale models. Despite not being widely popular in the US due to regulatory issues, Siku remains a favorite among global collectors.
Bruder
Bruder Spielwaren GmbH is renowned as one of the best producers of toy cars, having reported record annual sales of EUR92 million in 2021, an 8.2% increase from the previous year. The company's success is largely attributed to its expanding international sales, with a significant 70% of its sales coming from over 60 countries worldwide. Bruder's products, such as the Professional series and bWorld line, are highly detailed and made from high-quality polymers, ensuring longevity and interactive play. The company has also invested heavily in sustainability, replacing injection molding machines to reduce power consumption by 20% and planning further energy-saving projects. Bruder's commitment to quality and durability has earned it the "spiel gut" recommendation, a prestigious award from independent experts. For more information, visit their official website.
Bburago
Bburago is a renowned brand in the die-cast toy car market, known for its detailed and high-quality models, particularly in the 1:18 scale segment. Founded by the Besana brothers in 1974 in Burago di Molgora, Italy, Bburago initially produced models in 1:24 scale before expanding to other scales. By the mid-1980s, they introduced a new 1:43 scale line and became famous for their European vehicle models, with a focus on brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini. After being acquired by the May Cheong Group in 2006, Bburago continued to produce detailed models, with a strategic focus on European marques to avoid internal competition with Maisto, another brand under the same ownership. For more in-depth information, visit their Wikipedia page.
Automoblox
Automoblox is a renowned brand for toy cars, known for its innovative and interchangeable design elements. Founded by Patrick Calello and produced by Automoblox Company, LLC, these toys feature wooden car body sections, patented plastic interconnects, polycarbonate wheels, and rubber tires, allowing children to design and build their own unique models. The brand regained full control of its operations in 2013 after terminating an agreement with Manhattan Toy, enabling a renewed focus on the specialty toy market. Automoblox toys are widely used in educational programs, including the PLTW program, to teach CAD and other design skills. With its premium quality and endless customization possibilities, Automoblox stands out as a top choice for toy cars.
Greenlight Collectibles
Greenlight Collectibles is a renowned American manufacturer of die-cast scale model vehicles, founded in 2002 by Kevin Davey, known for its detailed and collectible diecast models, particularly those associated with movies and TV shows, such as the Fast and Furious series and Supernatural. The company, based in Indianapolis, has gained prominence with over 80% of their buyers being older than 18 years, and 88% are male, with 70% of their products sold domestically and in over 40 countries internationally. Greenlight's products are available in various scales, including 1:18, 1:24, 1:43, and 1:64, with the 1:64 scale being the most popular. The company saw significant revenue growth, reaching $12.5 million in 2015, and has continued to expand its offerings, including a new line of 1:12 scale products launched from 2020. For more information about their collectible diecast models, visit the company's website.
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