Auto Motor und Sport

Auto Motor und Sport
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Title	Auto Motor und Sport
Frequency	Weekly
Category	Automotive
Company	Motor Presse Stuttgart
Firstdate	1946
Country	Germany
Based	Stuttgart
Language	German

Auto Motor und Sport is a German weekly magazine focused on automobile testing, motorsport coverage, industry analysis and consumer advice. Founded in the immediate post‑World War II era, it has reported on manufacturers, models and events across Europe, North America and Asia, maintaining ties with major brands, teams and circuits. The publication and its editorial staff have engaged with companies, governing bodies and events that shape the global automotive industry and motorsport culture.

History

The title was established in 1946 amid reconstruction in Germany and has been published by Motor Presse Stuttgart, a company connected to publishing groups in Stuttgart and Munich. Early coverage intersected with rebuilding efforts involving manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Opel and Auto Union; later decades saw reporting on the rise of Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Fiat. Editorial leadership and contributors referenced figures and institutions including Ferdinand Porsche, Enzo Ferrari, Giovanni Agnelli, Henry Ford II and events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula One World Championship and Monte Carlo Rally. During the Cold War era the magazine documented interactions between Western marques and Eastern bloc producers like Trabant, Škoda Auto and Lada. In the 1980s and 1990s coverage expanded to encompass corporate changes involving Daimler-Benz, Chrysler Corporation, Renault, PSA Peugeot Citroën and the formation of entities such as Volkswagen Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Editorial profile and content

Editorial priorities combine long‑form road tests, comparative "supertest" evaluations, technical analysis, and lifestyle reporting tied to brands such as Porsche AG, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Bentley Motors Limited and Rolls‑Royce Motor Cars. Test protocols reference engineering concepts as applied by teams like Red Bull Racing, Scuderia Ferrari, Mercedes AMG Petronas, McLaren Racing and suppliers including Bosch, Continental AG and ZF Friedrichshafen AG. The magazine has published technical deep dives involving powertrain developments from BMW M GmbH, Audi Sport, Alfa Romeo, Saab Automobile AB and electrification work by Tesla, Inc., Nissan LEAF engineers and battery developers. Investigative pieces have addressed recalls and regulatory matters involving Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, European Commission, International Automobile Federation, Euro NCAP and legal disputes featuring corporations such as Takata Corporation or Volkswagen emissions scandal-related entities. Features often profile personalities and designers like Giorgetto Giugiaro, Marcello Gandini, Le Mans driver Jacky Ickx, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and executives including Christian von Koenigsegg and Carlos Ghosn.

Circulation and distribution

The magazine's print circulation has mirrored shifts affecting titles across Europe and North America, competing with outlets such as Top Gear (magazine), Car (magazine), Road & Track and Motor Trend. Distribution networks have involved newsstands in cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne and retail partnerships with chains operating in Austria, Switzerland and the Benelux. Advertising and circulation strategies engage manufacturers, importers and dealers including Toyota Deutschland, Ford of Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe and luxury dealers representing Ferrari N.V., McLaren Automotive and Rolls‑Royce Motor Cars. Subscriptions, single‑issue sales and special bundles reflect trends observed by publishing peers like Hearst Communications, Bonnier AB and Condé Nast.

Special issues and events

The publication produces annual and themed issues such as long‑term test compilations, buyer's guides and comparison tests pitting models from Mercedes‑Benz, BMW, Audi, Volvo Cars, Jaguar Land Rover and Skoda Auto against one another. Special projects have included endurance test features referencing circuits like Nürburgring Nordschleife, Circuit de Spa‑Francorchamps, Silverstone Circuit and Circuit de la Sarthe. The editorial team organizes or partners on events and awards recognizing vehicles and people, paralleling ceremonies like the World Car Awards and collaborating with series promoters from FIA World Endurance Championship, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters and national federations such as Deutscher Motor Sport Bund. Public events have included test drives, customer events with importers and joint ventures with automotive museums including Mercedes-Benz Museum and Porsche Museum.

Digital presence and multimedia

The brand expanded into online publishing, multimedia and video production to match platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and streaming services. Digital content mirrors print features and includes video road tests, technical explainers, podcasts and live coverage of events like 24 Hours of Le Mans, Monaco Grand Prix and Goodwood Festival of Speed. Collaborations have integrated data from timing partners and analytics firms working with DHL, FIA timing services and telemetry providers used by Team Penske and Audi Sport Team Joest. The outlet's digital strategy reflects shifts towards SEO, mobile apps and subscription models seen across publishers like The New York Times Company, The Washington Post and specialist digital platforms.

Motorsport involvement and influence

The editorial staff maintains relationships with teams, drivers and constructors from series such as Formula One World Championship, World Rally Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters and historic racing events. Coverage has highlighted careers of drivers including Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Niki Lauda, Fernando Alonso and Alain Prost, and constructors like Williams Grand Prix Engineering, Lotus Cars, Sauber Motorsport and BRM (British Racing Motors). Technical analysis engages with suppliers and rulemakers such as Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA World Motor Sport Council and homologation authorities, influencing consumer perception and manufacturer marketing strategies. The magazine's test data and performance benchmarks have been cited by teams, engineers and journalists across publications including Autosport, Motorsport.com and BBC Sport.

Category:German magazines