Primedia Acquires Automotive Magazines and Websites

Posted on July 6, 1999

Primedia's McMullen Argus Publishing has acquired Turbo & High-Tech Performance, Today's SUV, Import Tuner, turbomagazine.com and two other websites from Illustrated Graphics Communications, Inc. of Huntington Beach, Calif. Terms were not disclosed.

With the newly acquired magazines, Primedia reaches more than 21 million automotive enthusiasts with its 30 titles. Brands include Truckin', Automobile, Sport Compact Car, Lowrider, Street Rodder, Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords and Hot Bike. Turbomagazine.com, a content and e-commerce based site which includes the Turbo Virtual Store, will join the 29 other Primedia automotive enthusiast sites.

Turbo & High-Tech Performance, published monthly, was founded in 1985 for enthusiasts of high performance automobiles. Focusing on the high-tech performance field, the editorial blends import and domestic coverage and reports on the latest technological breakthroughs in the automotive aftermarket. Turbo & High-Tech Performance is a sister publication to Primedia's Sport Compact Car, which also targets the high performance automotive enthusiast. Import Tuner is published monthly and Today's SUV is published bimonthly.

"With this acquisition Primedia has bolstered its position in the high performance market - one of the fastest growing segments of the automotive enthusiast market," said William F. Reilly, chairman and chief executive officer of Primedia. "Automotive enthusiasts spend more than $19 billion a year on specialty automotive products. Our advertisers target these enthusiasts through Primedia titles to reach them in the most efficient way," continued Reilly.