Few things are in a state of constant flux as car culture, and the car community as a whole. While the car community is divided into countless niches, subsects, and smaller groups, the public perception from non-car people tends to lump us all into the same group. At PASMAG, we've been around for 25 years to see the attitudes, styles, and transformations take place in the car community over the years, and there are some thing we've noticed tend to stick around for good reason. Here are 5 things we think the car community needs more of:
Educational Workshops
The more hands-on experiences we can give the younger generation, the better. With younger generations leaning away from cars, any help we can give them from experienced individuals in the industry would go a long way. Even virtual tutorials could help them retain interest, or even better, get started on a career in the industry. Anything from DIY maintenance, fabrication, tuning, and even detailing - a little instruction or how-to could be enough to spark someone's passion to pursue a career or hobby in our small industry. This ethos is what stands behind a big portion of our how-to and educational content at PASMAG, so if you offer an educational workshop in the automotive space, please reach out to us!
Recognition of Grassroots Talent
Platforms that spotlight local builds and builders, small shops, and up-and-coming talent are much appreciated, and that's something we try to do here at PASMAG as well. We still always have love for the big name influencers and industry icons, and we will of course spotlight their work as it comes along, but it's important to recognize the local heros who haven't achieved that level of superstardom, at least not yet. Often times, the stories of the local shops, grassroots racers, and up-and-coming talent are some of the most interesting, especially in contrast to the bright lights and crowds of superstar influencers and icons. You might notice our image example comes from our friends at the aptly named Grassroots Performance.
Support for Local Businesses
Supporting a local business as a car enthusiast goes far beyond the simple transaction. It's also about fueling your local community, economy, and culture with people who share the same passions. Often times, local shops or smaller suppliers will offer a unique experience of personal touch that you might not get buying from big-box retailers or drop-shipping companies. You might even make a lifelong friend or connection! By investing in these businesses and shops, you're keeping the heart of your local car scene alive when you buy your parts of services. Shop local whenever you can!
Collaborative Projects
Collaborative efforts between different car clubs, different teams, or even different brands are always fun. For the collaborators, it's a good way to get your name in front of a potentially new audience. For the audience, it's fun to see our favorite brands working with perhaps another brand we like. We've seen a handful of incredible collaborations from brands in the past couple years alone, including the Puma x Porsche 911 Turbo Anniversary shoe, or the G-Shock x Livestock watch. Collaborations at the grassroots level foster a sense of community between collaborators and their audience alike.
Respect
We saved perhaps the most important for last. Respect is one of the foundations of the car community as a whole, and it goes deeper than respecting each others' vehicles. Respect for the public, respect for the locations and venues of car shows and meets, and respect for the pioneers that made our culture and modifications possible - all of these are paramount to a good time and thriving car culture. We want public perception on our side, so it's best to lead by example - especially when takeover clowns and other fools are hurting our public image. Respect those around you, even outside of the car community. Don't drive like a racecar driver through residentail neighborhoods, don't rev your exhaust obnoxiously in busy parking lots, and drive with respect. A little effort can go a long way in shaping public opinion of car enthusiasts.
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