• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, February 8, 2012

As more traditional print entities look to build a viable video presence, Motor Trend is launching a YouTube channel, where new episodes of series will be offered five days a week. The initiative is part of YouTube’s efforts to launch 100 channels with original programming.

The arrangement between YouTube and Motor Trend parent Source Interlink Media also includes content involving other brands, such as Hot Rod and Motorcyclist.

“Automotive is an extremely popular category on YouTube,” stated Alex Carloss, who heads original programming at YouTube.

The Motor Trend channel is ticketed to have eight series running by Feb. 17, with new content each weekday. Motor Trend has had a channel presence on YouTube for six years and says it has more than 150,000 users.

Source Interlink Chief Content Officer and Motor Trend Channel Executive Producer Angus MacKenzie stated the new venture is the “next logical step” as his company “continues its transformation from a legacy magazine publishing business to a media-neutral content creation company.”

While some programming on the new channel could be considered Webisodes, there is a 22-minute series about hot rods with two Hot Rod magazine editors who have a “love/hate relationship” with the vehicles. “Epic Drives” is also 22 minutes and focuses on road trips at points around the globe in appealing cars.