SPH motoring mag Torque ceases print, merges with sgCarMart ops

Torque, a motoring magazine published by SPH Magazines, will be going fully digital after 29 years. According to a press release, SGCM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPH that operates sgCarMart.com, myCarForum.com as well as STCars.sg, will take over the operations of Torque from 30 November 2019.The bi-monthly print magazine will cease publication from its November/December 2019 issue to focus on developing its footprint in the digital, web and social space. This will complement sgCarMart’s digital presence in new and used car listings and provide "greater one-stop convenience as well as value proposition" to both car buyers as well as car dealers, said the company. Torque’s content team will continue to also provide other SPH publications with relevant motoring content.The restructure seeks to leverage the strengths of both brands to create a holistic outreach and strengthen SPH’s automotive presence. The portals operated by SGCM account for more than 80% of the market share in the online automotive space in Singapore. With Torque, SGCM looks to have a complete coverage of the online car listing industry.SPH Magazines CEO Maureen Wee said: “Torque is an institution in the local motoring content space and the next thrust of its growth will surely be powered by the digital audience." She added that the merging of Torque with SGCM will ensure that the magazine continues to be a highly relevant automotive content brand.Vincent Tan, co-founder and general manager at SGCM, said: “Leveraging on SGCM’s strength in the digital space, we are committed to grow Torque’s online presence to stay relevant and abreast with the growing digital audience while maintaining Torque’s established brand identity and quality content.”Read more: CLEO Singapore to now publish 10 issues a year, revamps magazine and digital Times Publishing and SPH Magazines’ new push for digital content consumption SPH Magazines reorganises sales and marketing teams in major restructure SPH Magazines names new CEO SPH Magazines promotes Diana Lee to MD