India Today Group launches automotive title 'Autobild'

The India Today Group has flagged off the Indian edition of the international auto magazine, Autobild, as a joint venture with Axel Springer, the Europe-based publisher of the title. Autobild will be the first fortnightly in the current automobile magazine space in India and may soon become a weekly, revealed Ashish Bagga, Group CEO, India Today Group. "The automobile sector in India today is growing at an exponential rate. With so much happening in the space, there is a clear need for a compact, full-of-news magazine that can sustain reader's interest and give relevant information about buying and maintaining a car," he said. Priced at Rs 40, Autobild India is designed to appeal to readers of all age groups, especially modern car owners as well as future car owners. Though Indian in its treatment, the magazine will follow the stringent 600-point testing system, unique to Autobild, against tough benchmarks for every car that will be featured in it. The content will be primarily designed around: news and scoops; car previews; road tests; buying advise and motorsports and motor shows. Edited by Yogendra Pratap, along with some renowned names in the industry such as Vikrant Singh, road test editor and Suresh Narayanan, chief photographer, Autobild India comes with an ad rate slightly higher than the current industry standards, "owing to its superior quality and lineage," said Bagga. The 100-page inaugural issue has advertisers such as Audi, General Motors and JK Tyres.