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On Friday, September 13, 2024, the car news site Autoblog.com will officially shut down. Founded with the intent to cover every aspect of automotive news, the site is closing its doors after two decades. While there were moments of rivalry with Autoblog from our end, it’s hard to find a former Jalopnik writer who wouldn’t agree that the talented individuals at Autoblog deserved a better fate.
My journey in automotive journalism began at AOL Autos, where I shared an office (and ownership) with Autoblog. The two teams eventually merged in a striking meeting led by Sharon Carty, who became the Editor-in-Chief of this newly formed entity. It was here that I honed my skills and forged a friendship with Steve Ewing, a truly wonderful companion both personally and professionally. I had the privilege of working alongside industry veterans like John Neff and Mike Austin from Road & Track, as well as Sharon, who faced her share of challenges as a female editor-in-chief, capturing significant attention.
I consider myself fortunate to have been part of two remarkable internet publications. While at Autoblog, we often reflected during meetings, saying, “Don’t do anything too Jalopniky.” Once I transitioned to Jalopnik, the message flipped: “Don’t do that, this isn’t Autoblog.” This rivalry stemmed from our differing philosophies regarding the automotive industry, but it was all in good spirit. The automotive writing community is tight-knit. Although there may be the occasional toxic individual, for the most part, it’s a group of dedicated people striving to inform their audience.
In light of Autoblog’s closing, I contacted colleagues from the site to share their favorite memories. I’ll start with one of my own: a spontaneous road trip with Steve Ewing after only a few weeks of knowing each other. Our adventure took us halfway across the country, driven by the desire to meet in the middle as we took turns with long-term test vehicles—a Hyundai Veloster in Detroit and a Mazda6 in California. Along the way, we bonded over stolen “The Simpsons” episodes in cheap motel rooms in rural America, traversed Nebraska twice in one day, and garnered some bemused looks from gas station staff. That road trip also marked the initiation of our collection of speeding tickets, showcased like prized catches at a tackle shop.
However, there were countless other experiences. We covered auto shows as if we were in the midst of a war, striving to fulfill our mission of comprehensive coverage with fervor. The nature of our auto journalism was intense, and I genuinely miss that energy. Evenings were often spent at whiskey bars toasting our accomplishments, before waking up at 6 a.m. to do it all again the next day. We also enjoyed team trips to northern Michigan for car testing that felt almost like family reunions.
Reflecting further, here are some thoughts from others about their experiences at Autoblog throughout the years:
The Current Staff Says A Final Goodbye
It’s often said that it’s about the journey, not the destination, and this rings true as Autoblog closes this chapter.
In this case, we pass the site into new hands, as Autoblog will continue under fresh ownership. Nonetheless, the legacy of our 20-year mission of “obsessively covering the auto industry” remains.
Over time, the team has evolved, with countless talented writers contributing to Autoblog’s enduring success.
The site originally debuted on June 1, 2004 and went on to document one of the most turbulent stretches for the industry in over a century.
In our 20th anniversary post, we shared some impressive statistics: nearly 159,000 articles, 43,000 photo galleries, and 848 podcasts have been created. We’ve also produced over 5,000 videos, including shows like The List that featured on television.
Additionally, we celebrated over 10 Technology of the Year awards, evaluated high-performance sports cars, and explored every corner of the globe in our adventures from Patagonia to Iceland and beyond. Our reviews, buying guides, and columns solidified Autoblog as one of the most influential websites in the automotive domain.
What truly made Autoblog stand out was our blog — a must-read for automotive enthusiasts of all kinds. From amateur tuners working on their aging Civic to executives in high-rise offices at the Renaissance Center and Glass House receiving their daily car news, Autoblog has been a reliable source for all.
To close, we extend our heartfelt thanks to you, the reader, for two incredible decades. May the road rise ahead.
John Neff – Former Editor In Chief
As the Editor in Chief of Autoblog for much of its first decade, from around 2004 to 2014, I witnessed a fierce rivalry with Jalopnik over traffic. I believe we frequently emerged victorious, yet here I am commemorating Autoblog on Jalopnik’s platform, suggesting we may not have truly won.
My entire career is owed to Autoblog. I began as a freelance writer earning about $15 per post, eventually becoming EIC, then transitioning to full-time status, ultimately overseeing other writers, while Autoblog itself expanded significantly.
My experience with Autoblog paved the way for my next two positions, requiring every lesson learned to excel.
What I learned is that a site like Autoblog, Jalopnik, or Motor1 operates not solely on a singular editorial vision but is shaped by the eclectic mix of personalities of its team. When writers feel appreciated and secure, the content they produce can be remarkable. Conversely, if they feel undervalued and anxious, the site may face difficulties.
I haven’t been involved with Autoblog for the past decade. It has undergone multiple management changes and seen many faces come and go since my tenure. The sense of ownership I once felt has faded away, replaced by decisions I’d have contested if I remained.
What’s troubling is the uncertainty of Autoblog’s fate once the lights go out for the last time. There’s speculation that AI software may take over, generating search-optimized content to manipulate Google rankings. Is this a fate worse than death for a brand that my colleagues and I dedicated so much effort to building?
Perhaps. I’m uncertain. What I do know is that many digital brands are continuously being bought, with new owners failing to recognize the value of those who contributed to their success, offering little in return—often just dismissals. My advice to readers is to seek out alternative sites when a favorite brand is acquired, particularly those with a track record of respecting their team members.
Mike Austin – Former Editor In Chief
It’s disheartening to see Autoblog turn into yet another venture capital-operated site. What stands out most in my memories of working there is how much I appreciated the camaraderie among the staff. The positive atmosphere was essential to cope with the demands of producing so many stories and videos.
Looking back, I find it hard to believe how we managed to sustain such a hectic pace. It was challenging and demanding but wouldn’t have been achievable without the collective effort of so many outstanding colleagues supporting each other. We were allowed to make a real impact through our timely publishing and solid stories. There were eccentric goals for traffic growth, and I remember questioning the validity of these goals, only to be told we simply needed to hit them.
That was my first experience managing a large team, and while I hope I made everyone feel valued, I often think that the wisdom I possess today would have been beneficial during those times. I would have advocated strongly against some of the unreasonable demands from above and ensured that any major redesigns would undergo user testing before launch.
It was an enjoyable experience, and I take great pride in what we accomplished together. On a lighter note, it’s a shame that the Car Boom concept didn’t gain viral traction.
Steve Ewing – Former Managing Editor
During my seven years at Autoblog, I experienced the site’s remarkable evolution from a “scrappy blog” known for its quirky content to a more professional platform that garnered serious attention. We experienced laughter, tears, and those late-night smoke breaks outside auto shows. Most importantly, we dedicated ourselves to delivering comprehensive automotive coverage ahead of the competition.
At Autoblog, I honed my craft as a writer and editor, established lifelong friendships (shoutout to Erin!), and created enduring inside jokes that I still weave into my stories.
I attribute my personal and professional growth to my time at Autoblog. Rest in peace to a genuine gem of a publication.
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