Hello Kitto merchandising fad penetrates the autoverse

Though it may seem odd to us Westerners, the three-liter can of Hello Kitty synthetic engine oil is by no means the weirdest of all Hello Kitty items.  The Japanese cat brand has appeared on everything from contact lenses, to tailpipes, to the AK-47 assault rifle.

Hello Kitty was created by designer Yuko Shimizu, and is owned by Japanese firm Sanrio.  The character was first introduced in 1974 as a vinyl change purse.  The character is said to generate more than $1 billion annually, not including sales in Japan.

The oil will be sold by Italian fuel station company Agip for ¥2,980, currently equivalent to €26 or $33.