DREAMCARZ, A new monthly automotive magazine

akhilesh51 · 15th June 2009, 18:49

Carbeez.com has released a new automobile monthly magazine, DREAM CARZ, starting from the month of may. As usual, on my trip to news-stands for monthly dose of automobile journalism, I came across this new addition and frankly I was not too impressed in first look but, going by the saying, ‘Never Judge a book by its cover’, I decided to give it a try alongside usual buys like Autocar, Top Gear, and Overdrive.

STYLE
As I have already mentioned, This magazine does not attract immediate attention in first look and it is most to do with the styling. Photograph selection is dismal and to top it, the actual photoshop work is minimal giving this magazine a very casual and unprofessional look. Their team needs to really look into this department in order to garner a subsequent look and maybe a purchase.

CONTENT
This magazine is aimed at automobile listing magazine going by their tagline and it shows from their stories. A new Toyota dealership in India gets as much space as the launch of Maruti Ritz, which is also the cover story. The fluidity of content is missing. You move from news round-up to cover story, and over to Tech Talk, only to return to news round-up again.

Most stories don’t give the feel of having been compiled by auto-enthusiasts rather by a journo completely disinterested and detached from automobile world. The language is bland and strictly informational.

EDITORIAL
The inaugural editorial talks about how this magazine stands apart from rest of the ‘pack’. One of the reasons given is that this magazine caters to ‘niche automobile segment’, editor might have been at benefit to explain this segment. Other difference is that it is an automotive listing magazine and proves it by having half the pages of the issue covered with adverts of sellers dealing in imported cars.

QUALITY
Quality of the magazine is quite decent and frankly the only saving grace. It actually feels like a proper magazine rather than classified section of some newspaper. That is, till you do not flip through pages. The advertisement quality is dismal. Pictures are stretched and their is not a single advertisement by a company, rather by dealers themselves. Back page is covered by Tata Motors assured advert which frankly is probably the best advert in the magazine.

COVER STORY
Maruti Ritz seems to be on cover page of every magazine this month and this one is no different. Cover page has a picture of Maruti CEO literally squatting next to a brand new Maruti Ritz. Coverage of the article is quite informative but nothing new for Team-Bhpians.

VERDICT
This is one magazine that can be overlooked on your next trip to news-stands at least till they go for a revamp.

AbhiJ · 16th June 2009, 00:35

Thanks for the review...

Money saved is money earned

GTO · 16th June 2009, 12:23

Unless they find a differentiator / USP, I don't think their magazine is going anywhere. ACI, OD & BSM (in that order) cover pretty much everything related to the Indian car scene. And if they want to focus on the classifieds part, well, there are other players as well.

P.S. : Carbeez.com is under construction!! All in the attention to detail.

akhilesh51 · 16th June 2009, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

P.S. : Carbeez.com is under construction!! All in the attention to detail.

I noticed that, too. Just goes on to show the level of professionalism involved.

15th June 2009, 18:49	#1
akhilesh51 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jaipur, RAJ Posts: 631 Thanked: 339 Times	DREAMCARZ, A new monthly automotive magazine Carbeez.com has released a new automobile monthly magazine, DREAM CARZ, starting from the month of may. As usual, on my trip to news-stands for monthly dose of automobile journalism, I came across this new addition and frankly I was not too impressed in first look but, going by the saying, ‘Never Judge a book by its cover’, I decided to give it a try alongside usual buys like Autocar, Top Gear, and Overdrive. STYLE As I have already mentioned, This magazine does not attract immediate attention in first look and it is most to do with the styling. Photograph selection is dismal and to top it, the actual photoshop work is minimal giving this magazine a very casual and unprofessional look. Their team needs to really look into this department in order to garner a subsequent look and maybe a purchase. CONTENT This magazine is aimed at automobile listing magazine going by their tagline and it shows from their stories. A new Toyota dealership in India gets as much space as the launch of Maruti Ritz, which is also the cover story. The fluidity of content is missing. You move from news round-up to cover story, and over to Tech Talk, only to return to news round-up again. Most stories don’t give the feel of having been compiled by auto-enthusiasts rather by a journo completely disinterested and detached from automobile world. The language is bland and strictly informational. EDITORIAL The inaugural editorial talks about how this magazine stands apart from rest of the ‘pack’. One of the reasons given is that this magazine caters to ‘niche automobile segment’, editor might have been at benefit to explain this segment. Other difference is that it is an automotive listing magazine and proves it by having half the pages of the issue covered with adverts of sellers dealing in imported cars. QUALITY Quality of the magazine is quite decent and frankly the only saving grace. It actually feels like a proper magazine rather than classified section of some newspaper. That is, till you do not flip through pages. The advertisement quality is dismal. Pictures are stretched and their is not a single advertisement by a company, rather by dealers themselves. Back page is covered by Tata Motors assured advert which frankly is probably the best advert in the magazine. COVER STORY Maruti Ritz seems to be on cover page of every magazine this month and this one is no different. Cover page has a picture of Maruti CEO literally squatting next to a brand new Maruti Ritz. Coverage of the article is quite informative but nothing new for Team-Bhpians. VERDICT This is one magazine that can be overlooked on your next trip to news-stands at least till they go for a revamp.
	() Thanks

16th June 2009, 00:35	#2
AbhiJ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,476 Thanked: 1,207 Times	Thanks for the review... Money saved is money earned
	() Thanks

16th June 2009, 12:23	#3
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,512 Thanked: 300,697 Times View My Garage	Unless they find a differentiator / USP, I don't think their magazine is going anywhere. ACI, OD & BSM (in that order) cover pretty much everything related to the Indian car scene. And if they want to focus on the classifieds part, well, there are other players as well. P.S. : Carbeez.com is under construction!! All in the attention to detail.
	() Thanks