Information flows a bit more freely whenever someone from marketing turns up in the Chat Room here at HWC™. Hot Wheels® collectors were recently treated to some advance info and new announcements when HWC Bryan dropped by. There were many revelations and a lot of exciting news if you asked the right questions.
Following is the Q&A transcript for those of you who may have missed the session.
HWC Bryan: How is it going everyone?
burgerman48661: What is the first HWC car for 2009, and when will it go on sale?
HWC Bryan: I'm not 100%, but I’m being told it will be out of the Larry Wood segment in March. We will start off slow and pick up in the 2nd and 3rd quarter.
ryoni: What can we expect in the ways of 2009 HWC/RLC cars?
HWC Bryan: Hopefully some cool Hot Wheels with some cars that have been requested heavily. Sugar Caddy, Ramblin' Wrecker and Pit Crew Car.
HabsFan1988: Can I expect to see any Dairy Delivery releases in ‘09 or ‘10 online?
HWC Bryan: No Dairy in ’09, and I don't think we have one for 2010 -- but that means we could put it in sELECTIONs to see how you really feel.
kpeterson: Will there be any Dairy Delivery releases in the mainlines this year or next?
HWC Bryan: Yes, the Dairy will be getting some use later this year in a line called Hot Wheels Deliveries, and it will be in a 2010 line as well.
HabsFan1988: Is this Hot Wheels Deliveries line a mainline series? Or is it separate from the mainline?
HWC Bryan: It is a Target exclusive for this year. It is a Fall Item though, so you won't see it for a while.
thuntking: What is the Hot Wheels Deliveries line? This is the first I’ve heard of it.
HWC Bryan: It will be a line of delivery-like vehicles. There will be more info in the coming months.
thuntking: Thanks, Brian. The line sounds interesting. Will there be a Dairy Delivery in it by any chance?
HWC Bryan: Yep.
HabsFan1988: How many castings are in the Deliveries lineup?
HWC Chris: Bryan, must not give out too much information, since this is going to be posted on the site...
HWC Bryan: Chris is saying I'm saying too much. How do you like that?
HabsFan1988: When will the 1:87 Dairy Deliveries begin hitting shelves?
HWC Bryan: I'm not sure. They came up with some cool concepts, then sales slowed -- but they are picking up now, so maybe by the end of the year.
HabsFan1988: Will we ever see a larger scale Dairy?
HWC Bryan: There was an idea once long before I worked here to make one, but it fell through. 1:18 are just not selling like they used to. Plus, many retailers aren't carrying them.
JOESHERE0042: Any new ‘56 Ford Panels coming out soon?
HWC Bryan: I believe it is in Deliveries as well.
vingsthing: Any more Drag Buses in the future?
HWC Bryan: There will be no more HWC/RLC Drag Buses this year or next. Another possible sELECTIONs car.
moss81: Is there going to be a ‘67 Camaro offered on HWC this year?
HWC Bryan: I don't think so.
moss81: Is there going to be a ‘69 Camaro hard top or a Heavy Chevy offered on HWC this year?
HWC Bryan: I don't believe we have any Camaros in the line this year. We really have tried to do things a little different. Maybe sELECTIONs?
thuntking: Will we ever see the Jack Rabbit Special again?
HWC Bryan: The soonest the Jack Rabbit would happen is 2011.
thuntking: Well, now I can’t wait for 2011 to see if it happens. Are we really going to see a Pit Crew Car this year?
HWC Bryan: I didn't say it would be in 2011, but that would be the soonest possible cause all 2010 is done less the sELECTIONs. There will be a Pit Crew Car in 2009!
thuntking: Yes, go Pit Crew Car! Will it be a Neo or Real Rider?
HWC Bryan: I'm not 100% on that cause it was suppose to be a "special car," but we had trouble with a car and it was pulled forward. Not that it isn't a special car.
thuntking: Is there a known date that the Pit Crew Car will be sold? Soon, I hope...
HWC Bryan: I think it is toward the end of the year since it was a replacement.
thuntking: Dang it. Looks like I got some waiting to do. When and what is the next sale going to be?
HWC Bryan: I think there is a sale in March, then we have a break, then April we go full on. In 2010, we are trying to avoid this. We are on track to have the membership car here 12/31/09.
5-ball: What other old castings will be making a return like the Sugar Caddy? Also, how about a S'Cool Bus being offered again?
HWC Bryan: The S'Cool Bus isn't in one of the set HWC/RLC slots, but could be in the sELECTIONs. I always fear if it isn't the yellow deco, then it ain’t the S'Cool Bus.
5-ball: That is true. The yellow on the S'Cool Bus is the best. A larger scale casting would be awesome.
HWC Bryan: We tried a couple of larger scale ideas, and they looked awesome but tested poorly.
burgerman48661: Will we continue to see three segments in the HWC line for 2010 or will we go back to two?
HWC Bryan: It will stay at three for 2010 and see how it goes. I think 2010 could be the best year if everything goes as planned.
gunslinger2000: Any chance we will see the Custom Ottos that were reportedly going to be the RLC cars?
HWC Bryan: Right now the Custom Otto is on a break.
vingsthing: What are the ‘09 Rewards cars going to be?
HWC Bryan: I think we’re going to see a flash forward to something after Spectraflame.
5-ball: Will we ever see the ‘57 Chevy convertible casting again?
HWC Bryan: I'm sure it will be used by either basic or adult in the future.
5-ball: Will we ever see the ‘57 Chevy or the ‘56 Flashsider with the opening hood offered again?
HWC Bryan: Possibly.
moss81: Do you know the production number on the 1955 Chevy Panel Kmart promotional car?
HWC Bryan: I could guess, but I would be almost 100% wrong! That would be a question for HWC Jamie.
5-ball: Is there any way to get production numbers on some of the employee-only or operations meeting cars?
HWC Bryan: For the ones that aren't numbered, you would have to know who ordered the car! Basically… Mission Impossible!
burgerman48661: Will virtual vending machines return?
HWC Bryan: HWC Chris is on that. We are hoping to bring them back though.
HabsFan1988: What's your personal favorite Hot Wheels casting?
HWC Bryan: There are so many cool cars and trucks to choose from… it's just too hard. I like the ones I'm working on for 2010 though.
thuntking: Do you know if there is going to be any new VW Fastbacks anytime soon (Nationals car, HWC/RLC car, anything like that)?
HWC Bryan: I don't think we will be using it in HWC/RLC, but that doesn't mean it couldn’t be used in one of the other lines.
BismrkBear: Anything special for my friends north of the border in Canada?
HWC Bryan: Sorry, nothing I know of.
JOESHERE0042: Just wondering… will the Buick Grand National be a Treasure Hunt soon?
HWC Bryan: That is a question for HWC Jamie. I look at their stuff, but there is no way I can remember it all.
BismrkBear: With the success of Larry's Garage, anything along that line for next year?
HWC Bryan: We will have a follow up to Larry's Garage. It will just be Garage or Hot Wheels Garage but it will feature three designers.
HabsFan1988: Are the Military, Cop, and Fire rods in the lineup for 2010?
HWC Bryan: Unfortunately, they are not. We had to make some very tough decisions. It was very painful!
HabsFan1988: Can you tell us what other lines we can expect besides the mainline for next year?
HWC Bryan: We will have Hot Wheels Garage, the very cool Drag Strip Demons, Deliveries and the IRL line.
HabsFan1988: IRL… what does that stand for?
HWC Bryan: Indy Racing League.
HabsFan1988: Okay, cool. Didn't realize they were doing a line for that. A Danica car perhaps?
HWC Bryan: Apparently it is stealthy. I don't know which drivers they have gotten to comment.
hotwheeler: Will Modern Classics make a return?
HWC Bryan: I'm sure the toolings will be used again. There won't be a Modern Classics line.
burgerman48661: Will regular Classics return next year?
HWC Bryan: Classics will be taking a break in 2010. For how long, I don't even know.
HWC Bryan: Well, I need to get back to work. I'm outty.
There will be more Chat Room appearances by special guests in the future! Just check in here at HWC™ for updates on who to look for, and when. Until then, see ya in chat!