The Truth About Cars (TTAC) is a blog covering automobiles, automotive products and the auto industry, begun in 2002[1] featuring a mix of automotive reviews, editorials and news. It is home to the annual Ten Worst Automobiles awards,[2] which are nominated and selected by the readers. It also featured multiple series predicting the demise of domestic automakers, namely GM and Ford “Death Watch” and Chrysler "Suicide Watch" series.
Type of site | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Owner | VerticalScope |
| URL | www |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Optional |
| Launched | November 14, 2001 |
| Current status | Online |
Time magazine[3] called TTAC one of the 25 "Best Blogs of 2011". Forbes magazine listed TTAC as a “Best of the Web” automotive blog as far back as 2005.[4] PC Magazine listed TTAC as one of its "100 Favorite Blogs" in 2007.[5]
History
editFounded by Robert Farago in 2002, The Truth About Cars publicised itself as an independent voice in the automotive media, at a time when many outlets were coming under fire for their close ties with advertisers, particularly auto manufacturers. TTAC adopted an adversarial tone, particularly with regard to the Big Three domestic auto makers. This was exacerbated by Farago's "GM Death Watch" series, which correctly predicted the bankruptcy of General Motors over a 200 part series.[6] In 2012, TTAC revived the "Death Watch" series, when contributing author Mark Stevenson correctly predicted the demise of Suzuki's North American auto sales arm.[7]
TTAC's review comparing the grille of the Subaru B9 Tribeca to a vagina[8][6] caused BMW to officially stop providing review cars.[9]
After being acquired by VerticalScope, a Canadian online media firm, Farago departed, and Ed Niedermeyer became Editor-In-Chief in 2010.
A 2013 article titled "Small SUV Crashopalooza: Detroit Loses, Dykes Win"[10] resulted in a falling-out among senior contributors[11] and eventually changes in the managing staff.[12]
In 2013, Jack Baruth posted an article announcing that Bertel Schmitt had left the blog and that he (Baruth) and Derek Kreindler would be taking over. Baruth promised a "reboot" with previously banned commenters being welcomed back.[13]
After Kreindler left the blog in April 2015, the Editor In Chief role was transitioned to a team at AutoGuide while Mark Stevenson became the Managing Editor.[14] Stevenson remained the Managing Editor until that role was taken over by Tim Healey in August 2017.[15] Jack Baruth left the blog in 2018.[16]
References
edit- ^ "The Truth About Cars - The Truth About Cars is dedicated to providing candid, unbiased automobile reviews and the latest in auto industry news". Thetruthaboutcars.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ "The Truth About Cars Website Names Its Ten Worst Automobiles for 2006". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ "The Best Blogs of 2011". Time. June 6, 2011. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011.
- ^ "Forbes.com Best of the Web". Archived from the original on 2005-12-04. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
- ^ "Our 100 Favorite Blogs - The Truth About Cars". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on 2007-10-30.
- ^ a b "News". Businesswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ Mark Stevenson (6 November 2012). "Suzuki Death Watch 8: A Eulogy Due To Incompetence". Thetruthaboutcars.com. Retrieved Aug 19, 2015.
- ^ Robert Farago (8 August 2005). "2005 Subaru B9 Tribeca Review". Thetruthaboutcars.com. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
- ^ Robert Farago (29 May 2006). "BMW Bans TTAC: The Vagina Dialogues". Thetruthaboutcars.com. Retrieved Aug 19, 2015.
- ^ Bertel Schmitt (16 May 2013). "Small SUV Crashopalooza: Detroit Loses, Dykes Win". Thetruthaboutcars.com. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
- ^ Matt Hardigree (18 May 2013). "Steven Lang has resigned his editorship at TTAC after comments from that site's editor". Jalopnik.com. Retrieved Aug 19, 2015.
- ^ Jack Baruth (12 July 2013). "In Which We Bid A Fond Farewell To Our Former Editor, Reinstate Banned Commenters, And Welcome All Of You Back Home To TTAC". Thetruthaboutcars.com. Retrieved Aug 19, 2015.
- ^ Jack Baruth (12 July 2013). "In Which We Bid A Fond Farewell To Our Former Editor, Reinstate Banned Commenters, And Welcome All Of You Back Home To TTAC". Thetruthaboutcars.com. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
- ^ "Seas, Ships, Old Men and Butter Knives". Thetruthaboutcars.com. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ "Hello from the New Managing Editor". Thetruthaboutcars.com. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ "Weekly Roundup: Hit The Road, Jack! Edition". Jackbaruth.com. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2022.