Hot Wheels releases new cars throughout the year, but the schedule is broken into distinct "cases" or assortments. The primary launch window for the mainline series is in January, with new cases trickling out to stores approximately every 4-6 weeks. For premium lines and special collections, releases are more sporadic and often tied to specific events or retailer exclusives.
The mainline series, which includes the basic cars you find on pegs everywhere, is numbered by case letters (A, B, C, etc.). Mattel, the parent company, typically plans a full year's worth of assortments in advance. While the official global release is in January, availability varies greatly by store and location. Big-box retailers like Walmart and Target might get new stock monthly, while smaller stores receive shipments less frequently.
Here’s a typical annual pattern for mainline releases:
| Release Wave | Typical Timeframe | Key Characteristics |
|---|
| Case A | Late December - January | The year's first assortment, highly anticipated. |
| Cases B-D | February - April | Early year refreshes, often including new castings. |
| Cases E-H | May - July | Mid-year releases, sometimes with summer themes. |
| Cases J-L | August - October | Back-to-school season releases. |
| Cases M-N | November - December | End-of-year batches, can be scarce due to holidays. |
Beyond the mainline, keep an eye on premium lines like the Car Culture series or Premium Entertainment models. These are announced quarterly and often sell out quickly online. The best way to stay informed is to follow official Hot Wheels social media accounts and dedicated collector websites, which post "leaked" case lists and official announcements months in advance.
