Ertl, based in Dyersville, Ia., manufactures and markets metal toy cars, trucks and farm equipment replicas and plastic model kits.

A: Fred Ertl Sr. started the Ertl Toy Company in 1945 in Dubuque, Iowa. In the beginning, Ertl operated out of his home. Shortly after a successful start, he moved the company to Dyersville, Iowa.

Various oil company promotions have been used to secure loyalty at the retail level, and toy trucks have been especially popular.