My topic that I created in August, RIP CLUTCHGONESKI DIECAST!!!!!!!!!!!, sort of answers the question. The diecast has been made, (there is a pic if it at the end of the post) but 2 things have slowed it's production;

1) the chaacter was added late into the movie.
2) some Car company made a Car that looks "somewhat" like Rip. They sued Pixar for that dumb reason.

So while the millions of Finn McMissiles and Lightning McQueens were done and being shipped to stores, Rip was just getting started on production.

I hope that somewhat answers your question on the Rip Saga.

The whole thing it utterly ridiculous.  On every Cars package where they used a known car, there are logos (Ford, GM, etc.).  Why on earth would Pixar steal the idea for one car?  The case has no merit, just as Jake Mandeville-Anthony had no merit in his case against Pixar.

And also, Rip will probably not make it out I the wild until early-mid 2012, as we still have all of these newly announced Cars that will make it's way here before it.

I have no idea on the 1:48 scale Rip. I don't collect those because Of no Disney Store in 4 hours from me so I'm not sure on that. I would say yes it would but it would probably be later coming out than the Mattel version, but no one will know for sure until about a week or two before it's released!

Reports of finding Ben Crankleshaft, Oliver Lightload, and Chet Boxkarr have been seen at stores like Big Lots, TJ Maxx, CVS Pharmacy, etc. I doubt te Shiny Wax, View Zeen, and Vitoline Haulers will ever cone out though. ;( it's a shame. I call it empty promises, like Chocolate Bunnies you think are solid but are instead hollow an filled with a bunch of sour hard candies made in shapes like Spongebob.

Ahh, of course. Too funny! And, BBigMike says "diecast mafia." So, as long as it was Mater and not Ivan that did the towing I think you'll be ok. 

oliversmom said:

Nothing can put me in danger!

Mater towed it to me from far far away….

then he changed his slogan!

Fillmore1234 said:

Reports of finding Ben Crankleshaft, Oliver Lightload, and Chet Boxkarr have been seen at stores like Big Lots, TJ Maxx, CVS Pharmacy, etc. I doubt te Shiny Wax, View Zeen, and Vitoline Haulers will ever cone out though. ;( it's a shame. I call it empty promises, like Chocolate Bunnies you think are solid but are instead hollow an filled with a bunch of sour hard candies made in shapes like Spongebob.

That there is funny!