Automotive Events

The classic car market is seeing a generational gear-shift as younger collectors pivot from traditional 1960’s sports cars toward modern classics, including 80’s and 90’s “hot hatches.” While The Economist highlights these trends in the UK, we are seeing the same demographic shifts occurring in the U.S. As these market moves accelerate, is your brand ready to engage the next generation of enthusiasts? At Automotive Events, we specialize in helping companies build brand equity and prestige through world-class vehicle launches and media experiences that will reverberate across every era. Learn more at https://automotive-events.com/. Read the article at https://www.economist.com/britain/2026/02/05/demography-puts-the-brake-on-classic-car-values-in-britain.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF DRIVING BUSINESS: To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re looking back at 10 cars throughout the year that have defined our success—starting with the 1977 BMW 320i. At an original price tag of $8,000, the 320i featured a 2.0L M10 four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and a distinctive driver-angled cockpit, offering classic BMW sporty handling with simple mechanics. In a 500-mile test drive from NYC to New Pittsburgh, Ohio, Car and Driver at the time called the vehicle “superb:” “It ran like a train...the absence of features like a radio or air-conditioning was never noticed.” It’s surprising how inconsequential such things become when you’re in a car that works.

2026 marks 50 years of driving business at Automotive Events. Since our founding in Cleveland in 1976, we’ve managed more than 1,000 projects in nearly 500 locations worldwide for the industry’s most prominent manufacturers. Our half-century track record reflects the expertise built into our name. See our work at https://automotive-events.com.

Merry Christmas, and happy holidays, from all of us at Automotive Events.

The put out its Best Dishes in America list, and we must say that the whole trout at .tavern is divine. We’ve tried a few of the others, too. Our job is to make sure clients are already introduced to the best—whether it’s food or locations—so when lists like this are released, they can say, “Already been there.” Check out the list at https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/dining/best-dishes-america.html.

“Best Places to Go in the US in 2026” by dropped this week, but our team’s already been to every spot. We make sure our clients have access to every “best” launch location—long before any lists hit the internet. Check it out at https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-places-to-go-in-the-us-in-2026. And our work at automotive-events.com.

We're deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ken Block, who we worked with multiple times over the years.

He was an incredible, international rally star who will be missed.

Pictured here in April 2021, Ken, at left, was in a Subaru WRX STI, alongside co-driver Alex Gelsomino.

At the time, he said, "Beyond stoked to be back in a rally car full-time this year, and having it be in a Subaru again, it's got a nice symmetry to it!"

Track AE's president, Iain Dobson, as he competes in the East African Safari Classic Rally. The rally is from Feb. 10-18 in Kenya.

LIVETRACKING OF East African Safari Classic Rally 2022 Welcome to our LIVETRACKING. We provide you here with an interactive tool to follow our rally online. You can configure your view with multiple filters.

Best wishes to AE's friend, Jeremy Easson, as he competes in this week's Roger Albert Clark Rally in his immaculate Datsun 240Z!