Automóvil Panamericano or simply Automóvil is a Mexicanautomotive enthusiast magazine first published in 1995. Owned by Motorpress-Televisa and partner of the GermanAuto, Motor und Sport, it is the ninth most read magazine in Mexico, and the most read Spanish language automotive magazine in the world. Critical testing, motor sports and buyers guidance have been a regular since its founding.
History
Originally based on the Spanish magazine Automóvil Fórmula, the first issue of Automóvil Panamericano was officially released on 15 January 1995, whereas a sample #0 issue had appeared months earlier in October 1994. The layout of this first issue's cover would retain a simple style that would abide until today, presenting Automovil's logo on the top header, the months' featured tested car centered, further tests on the bottom and various articles elsewhere. The first renewal of the magazine was issued in February 2002 as editorial director Ricardo Chan Robles took charge. The magazine's frame changed to black and the logo was changed, now using a bolder typography.
Sister projects
Auto Plus was Automóvil Panamericano's sister publication, targeted at young enthusiasts and focusing on practical issues within the automotive world, short tests and a price list. It was published monthly for eight years between 2002 and 2010.
Automóvil TV was the television counterpart of the magazine. It featured from 2003 to 2008 on Televisa's Galavision.
Automóvil Digital is a running online project appeared in July 2007 to distribute a digital version of the magazine to a VIP readers list. MyAutomovil.com is the online counterpart appeared for the Latin market in North America in March 2008.
Special issues
On May 15, 2003 was launched the magazine number 100th. The cover was coloured yellow and were added up to 50 pages. The cover showed 20 exotic cars that were considered the best of the world, featuring the Pagani Zonda S, the Ferrari 550 Maranello and the Mini Cooper. The ten-year anniversary commemorative was launched on February 15, 2005. The frame now changed to red and were added up to 30 pages. In the cover featured the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The cover had remained the same since then. On February 15, 2010 was launched the magazine special editionthe 15th anniversary.
Since its first issue, Automóvil Panamericano would raffle off a brand new automobile with the Juzge su coche y gane un coche contest. The readers would review several aspects of their current car and send the answer sheet via post mail to Automóvil's headquarters in Mexico City. After the deadline, a winner would be chosen and the results of the survey would be published in the following month's issue. However, in 1999 the contest's rules underwent a major renewal, resulting in the Best Cars of the Year contest, in which the favourite automobile for each category would be picked by readers, no longer having to review their own car; the contestants would send their answers via post mail as before. Since 2003, actual silver prizes would be awarded to the people-chosen winning cars; marques would send a representative to collect the small statue at a special ceremony. Additionally, a special golden award to the Best Car of the Year would be given.
