While a photos of these were released a few months, they have definitely stepped up the design of the packaging and in this case have gone all out for the Mini’s … Mattel definitely didn’t skimp or just “made do.” It’s impressive that they specifically design individual and custom display boxes for each and all I can say is … nice.

Sarge gets the military Quonset Hut look and an exclusive “camo” Mack.

Unlike the other sets, this one pretty much looks the same from the top but still nicely done.

Honestly, I’m too lazy to look through my Mini’s to see which one is the exclusive but I think it’s the orange McQueen or maybe it’s Blue Ramone? – the rest all look pretty familiar but don’t hold me to it 🙂

As you can see when you scroll down further, they took the extra of step of adding the nice window at top for optimal viewing.

The third of the first wave of sets released is the Radiator Springs Fire Department … King is the new MINI in this set.

View from the top – again, nicely done with a DIFFERENT viewing window than the Race Rod set.

All very nicely done. These are all very classy and look great on the shelf. Even if you’re not collecting, they’re all very enticing and serve CARS and the MINIS well … broadcasting that this is a classy line.

(now, if they could only get those long time pegwarmer middling-package design two-packs off the pegs 🙁  ).

There are three more sets coming:

Piston Cup
Dinoco
Highway 66

These are NOT exclusives, just that Target seems to have gotten them first … unlike the Crusin’ At Flo’s set which was a Target exclusive …

Speaking of which … the Crusin’ At Flo’s has gotten the biggest discount I’ve seen so far, down to $8.52 (sorry, cut off the side of the price tag).

So, the Target reset seems to be going well though as usual, Target seems deathly afraid of putting out too much stuff. I cruised around 4 Target’s – one I thought had not gotten the new TEAM HAULERS … but then I spotted a woman walking around with one – so the others must have already been sold.

Not very many new singles though …