Motor Trend celebrates its 50th anniversary during 1999 still not set in its ways, still not settled down, still driven to excellence, still eager for the future, and still the world's automotive authority.
Every issue, Motor Trend renews itself and expands on its rich tradition. Beyond its definitive road tests, the magazine's scope includes aftermarket product evaluations, insightful features on the sport of racing, and entertaining adventures throughout the automotive world. That panoramic editorial vision has earned Motor Trend a 1.25 million issue circulation and attracts 5.7 million readers every month. And it continues to lead its category in newsstand sales.
Still, there's more to Motor Trend than the monthly magazine. "Motor Trend Television" on Speedvision brings motoring's excitement to vivid life, and Motor Trend Online (www.motortrend.com) is hit more than 1.7 million times every day from consumers looking for the latest automotive information and enthusiasts participating in discussions. Last year, Motor Trend launched Truck Trend magazine, which has established itself as the premier source of information for truck owners and buyers. This year Truck Trend Online (www.trucktrend.com) appeared as an ambitious new site on the Internet.
Moving beyond media, Motor Trend has also established the Motor Trend Driver's Association, whose members get discounts on automotive products and services, including emergency roadside assistance. And the Motor Trend Auto Program, which brings low, "no hassle" new-car pricing to anyone with a telephone.
During 1999, Motor Trend will test over 300 new cars, trucks, and vans from every maker in the North American market and many of the top tuning shops, far more than any other media outlet. From stripped work trucks to incredibly luxurious exotics, Motor Trend's exhaustive testing schedule is unmatched. The breadth of those evaluations shows in the quality of Motor Trend's road tests, news features, and historical articles, and culminates in the coveted Car of the Year, Import Car of the Year, Truck of the Year, and Sport/Utility of the Year awards.
Motor Trend has been around a half century, long enough to be considered a classic. But it's quality and distinction that define a classic, not persistence. And in that way, Motor Trend earns its place every day.