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You Won’t Be Getting the Cybertruck Hot Wheels for Christmas, After All

When Mattel Inc. launched the remote-controlled Cybertruck Hot Wheels earlier this year, it said it was the only way in which you could enjoy the Cybertruck in 2020. It turns out that, no, this is not the way.
Mattel delays delivery of the Hot Wheels Tesla Cybertruck, to May 2021 17 photos
Photo: Mattel
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Two Cybertruck Hot Wheels models were made available to customers in the U.S. and Canada, both of which are sold out right now. The smaller, 1:64 model, was a regular Hot Wheels toy retailing for $20, while the 1:10 model was deemed a specialty collector’s piece, had working headlights and tailights, superior detailing, all-wheel drive, and functional parts - all for a $400 price tag.

Both models were supposed to ship by mid-December, making this first-to-market Cybertruck the perfect Christmas stocking stuffer. It won’t be happening, Bloomberg has learned. Due to “unexpected challenges,” Mattel is delaying delivery of the Hot Wheels Cybertruck by as much as five months, and it’s been informing customers of the most expensive model that their item is now on backorder.

“Due to an unforeseen production issue, we are experiencing delays in the shipment of our Hot Wheels R/C Cybertrucks,” Mattel tells the publication in a statement. “We are diligently working to ensure these products arrive by May 1, 2021.”

The toymaker claims that it was “an isolated problem” that caused this serious delay. Those who were lucky enough to be able to place an order on the specialty collector’s item, which sold out right after it went live, have to inform Mattel if they’re keeping the order and agree to have it shipped next spring, or choose to cancel it.

As it so happens, the real Cybertruck from Tesla is also said to be facing a delay in delivery. Unconfirmed reports note that the late 2021 date may have been pushed back to spring 2022. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said before that the timeline for the Cybertruck is dependent on the completion of the Austin Gigafactory.

*Update (December 19):

Here is the full statement from Mattel to autoevolution: "Due to an isolated production issue, we are experiencing delays in the shipment of our Hot Wheels R/C Cybertrucks. We have directly reached out to all customers who have placed orders for this specialty collector’s item, as we know our fans are excited. We are diligently working to ensure these products arrive by May 1, 2021."
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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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