Fast food giant McDonald's, toy manufacturer Takara Tomy, and automotive company Toyota join forces to put smiles on children's faces with a golden trio.
In an exciting turn of events, McDonald's Japan has partnered with Toyota GAZOO Racing and Takara Tomy to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Tomica, Takara Tomy's iconic mini car brand. This special collaboration, which kicked off in July 2025, features exclusive Tomica toys inspired by Toyota vehicles and special McDonald's designs.
At the heart of this initiative is the Golden GR Corolla Tomica, a collectible toy offered as part of McDonald's Happy Meal campaign. This mini car toy, designed to resemble the real GR Corolla, has become a hot commodity among children in Japan.
The Golden GR Corolla Tomica is not just a toy, but a symbol of this unique partnership. The collaboration aims to bring joy to children by offering these collectible mini cars through McDonald's Happy Sets.
The campaign extends beyond the toy collaboration. The partnership is also celebrated in a TV commercial, where WRC champion Kalle Rovanperä and drift driver Ken Gushi perform flashy drifting skills with the real vehicles. Remarkably, the commercial also features drone technology, with 1,000 synchronized drones reflecting the actions of the toy cars and the real vehicles.
The collaboration between McDonald's, Toyota, and Takara Tomy is not a fleeting moment. It represents a long-term commitment, as evidenced by McDonald's Japan's 10-year history of featuring Tomica toy cars in the Happy Meal.
The excitement surrounding this special edition of the Happy Meal collaboration has reached new heights. A video of Chairman Akio Toyoda receiving his Golden GR Corolla Tomica toy has generated a lot of buzz on Instagram. Moreover, actual gold GR Corolla and gold GR 86 vehicles were displayed at a McDonald's location in Tokyo, adding to the anticipation.
From May 10, toy cars from both the first and second rounds of the series will be available, offering more opportunities for children to collect these mini cars. The second round of the Happy Meal series includes a Crown police car toy, further expanding the range of collectibles.
In a show of support for the collaboration, Chairman Akio Toyoda himself was seen enjoying a Happy Meal, complete with the Golden GR Corolla Tomica toy. His excitement for the toy is evident, making it a special addition to this unique partnership.
This collaboration is more than just a marketing strategy; it's a celebration of innovation, fun, and the enduring appeal of mini cars. It's a testament to the power of partnerships in creating memorable experiences for children and adults alike.
In this unique partnership, McDonald's Japan plans to brighten up homes as they incorporate home-and-garden elements into their Happy Meal sets, offering special mini car landscaping accessories for children to enjoy.
The collaboration between McDonald's, Toyota, and Takara Tomy not only adds excitement to lifestyle experiences but also invests in the future, aspiring to encourage an appreciation for cars and design among children, shaping their lifestyle preferences.
