SEXY AT 50.(Column)

Byline: KC Crain

The more I think about our 50th anniversary, the more excited I get. We've had a lot of meetings talking about what to put in the issue, thinking about everything that has happened in the automotive world in the last 50 years.

One great thing about our industry is that people love to talk about cars. It is a very sexy industry. It doesn't matter if they like to talk about the business (good or bad) or the actual cars. People just love to talk about it. I'm sure AutoWeek readers find the same thing. There is something for everyone. Old cars, new cars, racing, credit and loan issues. You always can get someone going on one topic or another. Folks are never shy about giving an opinion. It's an instant party conversation.

The business is sexy because of the massive amounts of money involved and the sheer beauty of the objects. Revenues are enormous, and marketing spending is impressive. According to one of our sister publications, Advertising Age, there are always a few automakers that make the top 10 on their biggest-spenders list. General Motors alone spent a few billion dollars on advertising last year. There isn't a major sporting event, television show or concert that doesn't have ...