Rob Laidlaw

VerticalScope launches AutoGuide.com: Car Reviews & Auto News

Yesterday we officially launched the latest addition to our growing collection of premier-destination content sites with the introduction of AutoGuide.com.  AutoGuide will serve as the content-hub for our AutoForums network of automotive community websites. AutoGuide will provide car reviews, and auto news, along with new car prices and used car classifieds.

We began putting AutoGuide together in late October, and went through many different domain name options, but ultimately settled on AutoGuide.com as the authoritative name that would co-exist best with our other premium content destinations such as Motorcycle.com, ATV.com, Snowmobile.com etc. We launched AutoGuide to coincide with the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, and as you can see our coverage has been top-notch. We have once again brought Colum Wood on-board as Editor-in-Chief. Colum previously worked at VerticalScope having launched and grown Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine.

Be sure to visit AutoGuide.com and leave some feedback with your thoughts on the new site.

AutoForums SEMA 2007

I will be off to the SEMA Show on Monday for yet another year. This year however will certainly be different. I don't have a Modified shirt to wear, no required black-on-black dress code, and no SEMA party at the TABU lounge. It will be weird to just "walk the floors" but we will certainly be there doing our best to continue building AutoForums.

AutoForums has really picked up speed lately. Its amazing what a string of acquisitions by a competitor (CarsDirect) can do for a market. There is now 2 companies - CarsDirect/InternetBrands, a mainstream, investor-funded, IPO company that cares little about enthusiasts, and mostly about investors and profits... and AutoForums, a nimble, enthusiast-owned, enthusiast-operated, company going head-to-head. It sounds so similar to the Modified vs. Primedia battles that we came to know so well..... we will be victorious again. Currently we have over 60 sites in the AutoForums family, and are looking to continue growing that number as web site owners choose their alliance - BigCorporate, or Enthusiast-owned.

We promise we'll update our website soon with all of our new sites :)

Link: AutoForums.com

Impressive: Modified Magazine June Issue

I just saw the June Issue of Modified Magazine and have to say I was really impressed. The guys have really stepped it up - the design (it looks like half the book was re-designed again!!) and editorial was great. I loved the sneak preview of the Tuner Shootout. Nice work.

It bugs me a little bit that it was only 176 pages, but I think that was bound to happen. Now hopefully they can get a few 200-page issues out over the summer....

Also impressive was the latest Modified Luxury & Exotics - I meant to blog about that one earlier. That book kicks ass. Plain and simple. It was a brilliant idea that took a few years to catch-on and hit its stride. But now, wow.

Its good to see the books still doing well - I knew the Modified team would pull through, and continue doing what they do best!

PRIMEDIA Acquires Modified

PRIMEDIA Inc. (NYSE: PRM - News), America's leading targeted media company, today announced that its Enthusiast Media Segment acquired Toronto-based VerticalScope Inc.'s Modified Automotive Group (MAG), publisher of Modified Magazine, Modified Luxury & Exotics Magazine, Modified Mustangs Magazine, and their related event partnerships and websites. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read more: PRIMEDIA Acquires Modified Automotive Group: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance.

2006 SEMA Show - Las Vegas

Its that time of year again... the whole crew at Modified heads off to the SEMA Show. This year's show seems to be a bit more focused around domestic & muscle cars. The presenting sponsors are Ford, Chevy and Chrysler. I think it is great for the industry, and will certainly bode well for our Mustang title. Most exciting though I think is the growth of the luxury market. Our Modified Luxury & Exotics title is growing faster than anything out there right now. Considering its intended for a well-to-do audience, the demographic of this book is extremely valuable.

SEMA is a real grind for our staff. 4 days of tradeshow, and 4 nights of events. It leaves everyone pretty tired! I'll be gone from this Sunday until next Sunday at the show, but will be sure to post a few updates along the way!

Link: 2006 SEMA Show | Home.

Link: Modified SEMA Coverage

Lamborghini Gallardo Nera

Flat black seems to really be in these days. It started off in the tuner scene, and now seems to be on everything from the Charger R/T (poor execution in my opinion) to the Lamborghini Gallardo.

I'm not sure if I like mixing the panels. See the front end on this thing... its a bit weird to have the 'stripe' effect going. I would have to see it in person. Regardless, with only 185 being built, i'm sure there will be at least 200+ people in-line to grab one. The one thing I really do like is the black car with black wheels. This trend was popular in Japan, then came over to the US and in my opinion is now taking over from the bling-bling rims. Its a bit more gangster-ish in a Mafia way not a rapper way.

Link: Paris Motor Show: Lamborghini Gallardo Nera - Autoblog.