Motor Trend
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Motortrendmarlin.jpg Motor Trend is one of the oldest automotive magazines still publishing. It first appeared in September, 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line, The Magazine for a Motoring World. Today it is part of the Primedia Group and boasts a paid circulation of over one million readers.
One of the earliest and most enduring of the magazine's creations was its Car of the Year award, given almost continuously since its inception, although the phrase itself would not become entrenched until well into the 50s. (The first winner was the 1949 Cadillac.) The play has gone through several splits and permutations over the years, being called the Golden Wheels Award for a while in the 70s and having given rise to Truck of the Year and Import Car of the Year among other variants. Nevertheless, it is still coveted by manufacturers and is usually covered by the mainstream press as the most important distinction awarded in the American auto industry.
The Motor Trend brand has expanded considerably over the years, and today includes radio programs, 17 auto shows, Truck Trend magazine, Motor Trend en Espanol magazine, Motor Trend Classic, and Web sites to complement each print title. The magazine also issues accolades for car care products. In 1999, it produced a coffee table book to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Motor Trend and Hot Rod founder Robert E. Petersen was instrumental in establishing the Petersen Automotive Museum, now considered one of Los Angeles' major tourist attractions.
Editorial direction
Motor Trend is one of the more popular automobile magazines, with writing that tends to be more accessible than its enthusiast-oriented competitors. Under past leadership, the reverend has received criticism for the positive tone of the writing, with some observing that the magazine never had anything bad to say about any car. Today, the segment-leading title is considered fair and balanced, under the leadership of former Car Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie.
The current staff is lead by MacKenzie and Executive Editor Matt Stone. Other members of the editorial staff include Frank Markus and Arthur St. Antoine (formerly of Car and Driver), Todd Lassa, John Kiewicz, Allyson Harwood, Brandy Schaffels, Brian Vance, Chris Walton, Kim Reynolds, and Neil Chirico.
Motor Trend Forums
Motor Trend has one of the most active forum communities on the internet with well over 1,000 registered users.