I FIRST
read CAR magazine in 1993. As a 10-year-old living in the rural Northern Cape, the nearest I came to seeing Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Rolls-royces was in the pages of this great publication.
I loved the journalists’ obvious passion for cars, but also their clear devotion to honest reporting that pulled no punches.
Twenty- ve years later, I write this letter as acting editor to thank the giants who went before to make CAR the leading motoring media brand in the country and one that stands proudly as one of the world’s best.
Those tenets of good journalism – truth, accuracy, impartiality and accountability – have never been more important in this era of fake news. Yes, even at a motoring brand aiming to entertain and inspire 10-year-old girls and boys from the platteland and the loyal readers who’ve supported the magazine right from its inception nearly 62 years ago. That’s why the CAR team and I will continue to bring you excellent content you can count on, whether you use it to impress your friends round a braai or arm yourself with knowledge before con dently striding into a dealership to purchase your dream car.
I thank outgoing editor Steve Smith – although, in his humble way, he’d probably cringe at the praise to follow – for bringing levity to CAR without compromising those pillars I mentioned; for being a voice of reason amid the cacophony proclaiming print is dead (it isn’t, by the way, not if our most recent circulation gures are any indication); and for being a patient mentor.
I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed compiling it. We value your feedback and we listen intently. You can email us or tweet me with your thoughts and suggestions.
Until next month, happy motoring!