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Automotive Industry

Editor's Report

Motor, Oct 2007 by Lypen, John

MOTOR'S Source Guide is the one-stop source for all the parts, services, equipment and supplies you need. It's designed to be one of the most time-saving tools in your shop.

Welcome to Motor's 2008 Source Guide-our sixteenth annual directory of the automotive aftermarket, and the industry's only one-stop shopping guide for all of your parts, services, equipment and supply needs.

The Guide was designed to be used often. And, if we did our job well, we think you'll find this about the most worn-out book in your shop when next October rolls around.

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Following tradition, this special is sue starts off with your favorite columns. After all, we couldn't expect our loyal readers to survive a month without the wit of Bob Cerai lo's Trade Secrets, the insight of Karl Seyfert's Trouble Shooter or the timeliness of Tom Rosarios Service Slants. Add Dan Marinucci's Foreign Service and Mark Warrens Drive ability Corner and you'll agree that even this "limited" editorial lineup stands second to none.

Next month, our complete editori al package returns with our annual Domestic Car issue, featuring service insights into the new models you'll be seeing in your shop before you know it. In a special feature, Jorge Menchu will explain how technicians can do their own "reverse engineering" to help them make successful repairs.

The very first page of the Source Guide (page 40), just before the first foldout tab divider, features a step-by-step user's guide aptly titled "How to Use the Source Guide." Take a few minutes to acquaint yourself with the Guide and practice a few lookups. Invest a little time up front and you'll soon be sailing through its pages finding all the resource information you need.

In response to readers' feedback, we've moved the Manufacturers Directory to the front of the Guide, beginning on page A3, followed immediately by the Product Index on page A21, and then the product listings. This section can be used to track down manufacturers and national distributors for over 600 different aftermarket products, organized into almost two dozen major categories and hundreds of individual ones.

Don't overlook the "B-pages" in the back of the Guide, either, because there's nothing second-rate about them. There you'll find comprehensive listings of technical hotlines, automotive associations, program jobbers, sources for old car parts and training providers.

Putting the Source Guide together each October and maintaining it throughout the year is no easy or inexpensive task. So why do we do it? It's simple, really: Motor Magazine subscribers purchase a lot of products and services during the year. In fact, according to independent research," the mean amount spent annually by a Motor shop on tools, equipment and supplies is more than $15,000! Our subscribers are brand-conscious, too, with nearly 90% specifying brand when purchasing tools and equipment. The Source Guide brings our readers together with the companies who provide vital products and services to help them run their shops.

Our goal is to make the Source Guide the single most convenient, complete and accurate place for all of your shopping needs. This year alone we've added nearly 100 new companies and 700 product listings. If we can do a better job for you, just let us know.

"The complete 2006 Motor Magazine Reader Profile Study, conducted by Readex Research, can be found at our website, www.motor.com, under Motor Magazine, Media Kit.

John Lypen jlypen@motor.com

Automotive Industry

Editor's Report

Motor, Oct 2007 by Lypen, John

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