NJ-based Hess says holiday toy tradition will continue even after $53B merger
One of the holiday season's most sought-after toys is now available for purchase, as Hess announced a pair of first responder vehicles as its annual model last week.
The New Jersey-based Hess Toy Truck company unveiled the Hess police truck and cruiser, available at HessToyTruck.com for $42.99 with free shipping and batteries included. The items boast 74 flashing lights and four realistic siren sounds, along with features such as a slide-out battering ram, rotating turret and pull-back motor.
Hess also released a plush tugboat, the fourth in a line of toys designed for young children, for $34.99 including shipping and batteries.
The announcement comes amid Monday's news that Chevron had purchased Hess Corp. for $53 billion. Representatives noted that the acquisition would not affect the company's yearly collectible toy rollout, which has been a staple of the holidays since 1964.
"We want to assure all of you that the Hess Toy Truck, a long-standing, cherished tradition, will continue on for future years!" Hess said in a statement Monday. The company added that it has "exciting things planned" for the event's 60th anniversary in 2024.
Hess is also continuing its educational giving program by providing 20,000 toy trucks, along with a STEM curriculum guide featuring the police truck and cruiser, to classrooms throughout the country. Additionally, the company is donating more than 10,000 trucks to police department toy drives benefiting children in need.
Hess Corp. was founded in 1919 as Amerada Petroleum Corp. It was acquired and renamed in 1969 by Leon Hess, an Asbury Park native and longtime owner of the New York Jets.
Hess operated gas stations in several states before announcing that it would withdraw from refining and retail sales of petroleum products. The company began making miniature replicas of its trucks for customers in 1964, and the annual holiday toys have been collectibles for the past six decades.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Hess says holiday toy trucks to continue after merger
