Motor Trend
Encyclopedia
Motor Trend is an American automobile magazine. 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". Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP
in 1998, who sold the former Petersen magazines to Primedia
in 2001. As of 2007, it is published by Source Interlink. It has a monthly 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 company turned it down. The award 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 as well as SUV of the Year. 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.
vehicles. In September the issue looks at the latest automobiles for the next coming calendar year
, whilst in October the magazine looks at off-roaders, MPV
s and sport-utility vehicles.
Motor Trend Classic, which took a break from publishing in the late 2000s, will be restarted in 2010. It includes articles about significant classic cars from around the world made during the last 60 years.
and Cincinnati, Ohio
. As explained in their press release, the program is powered by EasyCare.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, and bearing the tag line "The Magazine for a Motoring World". Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP
EMAP
Emap Limited is a British media company, specialising in the production of business-to-business magazines, and the organisation of business events and conferences...
in 1998, who sold the former Petersen magazines to Primedia
Primedia
PRIMEDIA Inc. is privately held American media company fully owned by TPG Capital.Consumer Source Inc. is the sole operating division of PRIMEDIA and helps millions of consumers find apartments, houses for rent, and new homes for sale through its Internet, mobile, and print products...
in 2001. As of 2007, it is published by Source Interlink. It has a monthly circulation of over one million readers.
One of the earliest and most enduring of the magazine's creations was its Car of the Year
Motor Trend Car of the Year
The Motor Trend Car of the Year is an award given by Motor Trend magazine, an American monthly that is published since 1949.- Background :...
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
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
; the company turned it down. The award 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 as well as SUV of the Year. 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.
New Car Guides
The magazine releases a special edition every September and October listing the latest newvehicles. In September the issue looks at the latest automobiles for the next coming calendar year
Calendar year
Generally speaking, a calendar year begins on the New Year's Day of the given calendar system and ends on the day before the following New Year's Day. By convention, a calendar year consists of a natural number of days. To reconcile the calendar year with an astronomical cycle , certain years...
, whilst in October the magazine looks at off-roaders, MPV
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
s and sport-utility vehicles.
Offshoots
Truck Trend and Motor Trend Classic are two offshoots of Motor Trend magazine. Truck Trend magazine presents features and the latest news about the truck, SUV, and crossover segments. Additionally, the Readers' Rides section allows readers to post images and information about their own vehicles.Motor Trend Classic, which took a break from publishing in the late 2000s, will be restarted in 2010. It includes articles about significant classic cars from around the world made during the last 60 years.
Used car warranty
In 2009, Motor Trend introduced a certified used car program, beginning with dealers in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. As explained in their press release, the program is powered by EasyCare.