|
 Gene Klein established the Automart magazine in the Hudson Valley region of New York. Originally designed to be a part time job for Klein, who was a music director at a local school, the new magazine was developed in order to bring car shoppers more information about the possible of dealers out there.
What started out s a part time endeavor quickly grew beyond the Hudson Valley and into the Westchester County area. At this point, Klein’s daughter, Illene, came on to assist her father with the growing popularity of the Automart magazine. The magazine truly became a family business when Klein’s other daughter, Ann, joined the team to represent Westchester County in the publication.
Due to this increase in popularity, Automart came to the attention of Harmon Publications that had previously released real estate magazines, and they were looking to grow into the automotive market. In 1988, Harmon Publications bought the Automart magazine to only discontinue the product about one year later. It was at this time that Illene decided to purchase the magazine back to continue the Klein family business but under the new name of Autoguide Publication, Inc.
Growing popularity in the Hudson Valley Autoguide decided to branch north into the Capital District and Albany area. During this time, Illene’s husband, Patrick, headed this new territory. He also worked vigorously to include the Mohawk Valley territory to the magazine as well.
 Autoguide was also one of the first publications of its kind to go electronic on the web. Since its first pioneering effort on the internet, the website had undergone a number of new upgrades including the newest edition which launched in May of 2009. This new website is fully searchable so the automotive retail buyer can find exactly what they are looking for.
Autoguide Publications, Inc started out as an affordable community based local advertising magazine, and they continue on with that same philosophy today with a web presence as well as in print! |
