AutoWeek is The Danbury Mint's Bitch

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

TTAC has a longstanding policy of exposing the sordid connection between mainstream automotive manufacturers and the mainstream automotive press. We feel compelled– compelled I tell you– to do so. A car is the average consumer’s second largest purchase. Propagating the myth that “there’s no such thing as a bad car,” or simply spinning spin on the spinmeisters’ behalf, is against the interests of the audience these publications pretend to serve. We’ve taken AutoWeek to task for their pro-everyone bias many times. But it’s a nuanced sort of deal, easily defensible by those who make their living riding on the carmakers’ gravy train. Except when it isn’t. The September 29 issue [print] has a full page, cardboard tear-out for the Danbury Mint’s ALL NEW! 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible model. Pages 24 and 24 of Autoweek are headlined “ Newly Minted,” cataloguing (literally) four new Danbury unlimited edition replicas, Shouldn’t that be freshly minted? Anyway… “While we usually offer a glimpse of scale models from a variety of manufacturers,” the subhead announces. “this time, we’re focusing on the latest offering from the Danbury Mint.” Storm in a teacup? Obviously. Indicative of a wider journalistic malaise? Absolutely.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Mud Mud on Sep 30, 2008

    Adub, Excellent letter but far too well written (lots of big words too) for them to understand it!

  • Adub Adub on Sep 30, 2008

    I've given up on the magazine. I need to get a bird so I can put the pages in the bottom of the cage.

  • John Horner John Horner on Sep 30, 2008

    Is there a single US automotive print magazine worth the time it takes to read? I like a couple of the Hemmings publications, but those are about the old car hobby. I can't find anything worth paying money for or spending time on at the newsstand regarding current production vehicles.

  • SexCpotatoes SexCpotatoes on Oct 01, 2008

    John Horner, Simple, print out the roughly 20 TTAC editorials posted here every month, bind, then enjoy your awesome, free magazine!

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