10 Hot New Vehicles to Start Online Communities For

January 28, 2008 – 11:12 pm

It’s no secret that there is money to be made by building a thriving community around a popular vehicle platform. Just look up any popular vehicle make and model on Google to see that there is at least one Forum site built around it, usually multiple sites. A lot of people have caught on to this, especially those who already own an auto enthusiast community forum. I know of a few community site owners who bring in over $100,000 per year in advertising revenue from these communities. It’s no wonder everyone is trying to start online auto enthusiast communities - many of them just want to cash in. Though it’s pretty easy to tell the difference between the passionate site owners and those just looking to make a quick buck by looking at the site’s content.

So with all the competition out there how do you determine the best make and model vehicle to start building your site around? My first suggestion would be to rule out models that have been in production for more than a year. Chances are good that the competing sites will have a pretty big head start and it might be too much work to try and compete with them, though it’s not impossible. I would suggest you try and find an automobile that hasn’t hit production yet and one you can be passionate about. I still believe that the best auto enthusiast sites are those in which the site owner also owns (or owned) the vehicle the site is focused on.

So what are some hot new models that would be good candidates for online communities? I like these:

1. 2008/2009 Chevy Camaro

Yes, you’ll already find a number of sites out there already focused on the Camaro but most of them are focused on the older chassis. And owners of the new Camaro will likely want to be part of a site that focuses only on their car, not the older models. The newer sites are still young enough to where you’ll have a chance to make an impact. But I wouldn’t wait too long. This car is certain to have enormous appeal and an outrageous aftermarket following. And that means the successful site owners will have huge revenue potential.

2. 2008/2009 Dodge Challenger

That’s right, another muscle car. This car will compete directly with the Camaro and Mustang and will be huge among enthusiasts and aftermarket companies. Ever since Dodge showed the concept car enthusiast sites have been popping up like crazy. But again, just like with the Camaro it’s still early enough in the game for you to have an impact if you got started soon.

3. 2009 Nissan GT-R

If you’re into sport compacts you’ve undoubtedly already read all the hype surrounding the upcoming GT-R. Nissan has been running a marketing blitz on this car for almost 2 years now. It’s finally going to be produced and will be available for sale in the U.S. for the first time. This is a 480 hp AWD monster and everyone will be talking about it. The only drawback is the car’s price tag. At somewhere around $70k nobody is sure how the aftermarket will latch on to it. I think it’s still a safe bet regardless.

4. Lexus LF-A

Slated to be the arch rival of the Nissan GT-R, the Lexus LF-A should rekindle the old Supra vs. Skyline GT-R battle. Though Lexus is being secretive on the final specs, the rumors are that it will get a V8 that puts out somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 hp. Just like the GT-R the price tag is the only drawback on this one. It will be out of reach for many enthusiasts.

5. BMW 1 series/M1

This car is already on the road but it’s still new enough that there aren’t a whole lot of sites focusing on it yet. You will come across the larger BMW-generic sites that will have a section for it but that’s where the opportunity comes about. Owners of this car will most likely be drawn to a site that is focused specifically on their car, just like the M3 owners. The 1-series is a smaller version of the 3-series and it’s been rumored that an M version of the car will be unveiled soon. Not that the twin-turbo 135i model isn’t enough to guarantee a religious following on its own.

6. Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Hyundai is going to replace the Tiburon with a 300 hp RWD coupe that is being built to compete with the other popular enthusiast makes on the market. Rumor has it there might be a V8 or a turbocharged 4 cylinder for engine options. Either one would be a huge hit in the performance enthusiast arena.

7. Toyota Tundra Diesel

The folks at Toyota are showing how serious they are at capturing more than just a small piece of the full size truck market, currently dominated by GM, Ford, and Chrysler. And we all know that the truck market is by far the biggest niche in the aftermarket. Diesel powered trucks are surging in popularity these days and chances are good that this platform be no exception. The concept vehicle had an 8.0L Hino engine! The Big 3 better look out.

8. Dodge Demon

Here’s another 2-door roadster that will compete with the popular Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, and Mazda MX-5. The Dodge Demon is said to weigh in at 2600 lbs and will be powered by a 172 hp 4-cylinder engine. And Dodge officials have even told reporters that there could be a 300 hp turbo 4-cylinder model too. If that happens we might be looking at a huge roadster rivalry between GM and Dodge. That should spark some interest and attract a good enthusiast following.

9. Volkswagen Scirroco

The new Scirocco concept is a big hit already. It’s powered by a TSI engine (VW’s supercharged and turbocharged powerplant) that is rated at 210hp with a DSG gearbox. Expect the production version of the Scirocco to be very similar to the concept when it appears in late 2008. Unfortunately, Volkswagen of America decision as to whether this vehicle will be available for the U.S. market. But there has been more and more talk about it lately, which is a good sign.

10. Alfa Romeo

It’s been confirmed that Alfa Romeo will be coming back to the U.S. and when that happens there will certainly be enthusiast sites popping up all over for these cars. The Alfa Brera Spider and 159 Sportwagon (and/or sedan) will most certainly be among the vehicles headed for U.S. shores. These would be prime candidates for enthusiast community sites.