Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Mattel on a toy meant to challenge gender stereotypes. The Matchbox model is a copy of a Mercedes-Benz 220SE that Swedish-born rally driver Ewy Rosqvist drove to victory over male drivers in the 1962 Argentinian Touring Car Grand Prix. Born in 1929, Rosqvist became a veterinary assistant and had to drive 150 to 200 kilometres each day between farms, a commute she used to constantly improve her driving speed and technique. After marrying motorsport enthusiast Ingve Rosqvist in 1954, she began driving in rally competitions, and became a works driver first for Volvo, and then for Mercedes-Benz. Through Mattel’s Dream Gap Foundation, which supports organizations that help girls to reach their full potential, the automaker and toy manufacturer will give thousands of the cars to young girls in the U.S. through a non-profit partner. A teaching toolkit will also be provided. They will also be sold in stores beginning in 2020, with proceeds from the sale used to make and distribute more toys to children. “Through Ewy’s story, we saw an opportunity to inspire young girls to ‘play outside the box’ and imagine all the different opportunities open to them, without the restrictions of traditional stereotypes,” said Mark Aikman, general manager of Mercedes-Benz USA’s marketing services. “We realized that these pioneering women from our past could serve as valuable role models for young girls today.” Rosqvist famously quipped, “They said I could never finish, so I finished first.” That’s a key to a short film clip, No Limits, that Mercedes-Benz USA has put together for the project. We challenge you to watch it below without getting a little lump in your
Origin: Historic Mercedes-Benz rally driver inspires a toy car for girls