TOYS TAKE NEW YORK.

Mattel revs up for 2001

Matchbox and Hot Wheels products are gearing up for Mattel's 2001 lineup, and some new play sets make their debut this spring.

The Matchbox Basic Car Collection (ages 3 and up; sold separately, around $1 each; gift packs $4.99 and $9.99) will contain 75 different die-cast vehicles, including 35 first-time models, and features all new police cars, fire trucks, tow trucks, ambulances and other rescue vehicles, many of which come with realistic opening doors, turning propellers and extending ladders.

Matchbox Playsets 2001 is a turnout of high-flying rescue assemblies and energetic action packs. With the Sky High Rescue play set, kids can launch five rescue vehicles to put out fires, catch bank robbers, and other critical missions (ages 3 and up, $18).

To keep collections looking showroom spectacular, Mattel has. created the Splash 'N Dash Car Wash play set, featuring real foam, rinse and dry mechanisms (ages 3 and up, $10).

And the Matchbox Build 'N Bash Construction (ages 3 and up, $15) play set lets kids make with a wrecking ball to tear down a factory, a large dumpster for cleanup and a cement mixer for the new highway.

Did somebody call 911? Matchbox is big on rescue vehicles this year, evidenced in the Rescue and Adventure Vehicles 2001 collections (ages 3 and up, $3.99). No road is too dangerous for the Rescue Net All Terrain Vehicles. This collection of rough-riding auto motion vehicles includes a Police SUV, a Mountain SUV and a Mountain Rescue ATV.