The automotive press is widely read by enthusiasts and novices alike. Available on newsstands, online, in print or digital format: a closer look at our top 5 automotive magazines.
For car enthusiasts, but also for vehicle fleet managers, monitoring the automotive press seems essential in order to stay up to date with the latest trends, new products, government and economic news.
Automobile Magazine: the pioneer
Automobile Magazine is the oldest automotive magazine. Founded in 1946, it has endured for a long time and continues to represent its category on newsstands throughout France.
From the end of the Second World War, the magazine took a prominent place in the automotive press. It also covered advances in aeronautics, motorcycles, and nautical technology.
The magazine has recurring segments, such as:
MDA The World of the Auto: news from car manufacturers.
Green trends or new energies, which presents tests and innovations in the hybrid vehicle sector and advances in electric motorization.
New arrivals, which reveal new design trends and upcoming concepts.
Tests: brand analyses and comparisons.
Sport: section containing new articles on motor racing.
Buying guides, a category dedicated to second-hand goods, comprehensive files and the possibility of obtaining their special editions.
Since 1978, the editorial team has organized the “AM Trophies,” an award that recognizes companies and individuals who have made their mark on the global automotive industry. It also participates in the Car of the Year election alongside six other European newspapers.
Auto moto: a general monthly magazine
Having become an icon of the automotive press, Auto Moto is a magazine that devotes its articles to cars and motorcycles. It covers all the latest news: technological innovations, business, motorsport, regulatory and legal provisions. The magazine is published every first Thursday of the month. Its origins date back to a road safety initiative dating back to 1982.
Auto Moto magazine also informs its readers about new models: brands, manufacturers, and specifications. With its TV show format, the magazine offers technical and manufacturing reviews.
Auto Moto covers several themes: news, new products in the sector, tests, brands, F1, announcements, a section on green energy and special reports.
The magazine also offers a digital version of its content, featuring key articles, trends, the latest models, and industry news from the auto show.
The weekly Auto Plus
Auto Plus is published on newsstands every week (on Fridays, at a price of around 6 euros). This recurrence makes it a pillar of the automotive press; it is the best-selling car magazine in France.
The magazine includes several segments: news, reviews, used cars, the environment, and car announcements. Its unique feature: professionals and enthusiasts conduct research on new models from manufacturers such as Tesla, Renault, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Nissan, Mercedes, Audi, and more. They test used vehicles, classic cars, SUVs, and even electric cars.
The magazine also offers a used car buying guide. The editorial team’s test journalists present detailed reports and detailed technical data (fuel consumption, trunk space, engine) that they measure directly on the track.
Auto Plus offers a new version, Auto Plus Classiques, dedicated to classic cars. It echoes the specialized blog AutoCollec.
L’Auto-Journal: the bimonthly
Auto-Journal is published every two weeks. A historic magazine of the automotive press, it satisfies both the curious and the enthusiast. In the 1960s, the editorial team made scoops its specialty, which didn’t prevent the magazine from presenting high-quality exclusive information.
Founded in 1950 by André Parinaud, Auto-Journal is now published by Éditions Mondadori. The magazine takes an independent and objective approach to automotive news. The editorial team created its own technical department that tested the performance and features of models about to be released.
In its digital version, you will find topics such as current events, economics, practical information and classified ads.
Sport Auto: the sports expert
Sport Auto is dedicated to motorsports. The monthly magazine adapts to new technologies and even covers e-motorsports. It expands its offerings by offering, among other things, an app, a YouTube channel where it broadcasts its news, and an excellent website.
When it was founded in 1962, it was the first magazine dedicated to motorsport in France. Shortly after its founding, it helped create the Volant Shell, for example.
Sport Auto Classiques approaches the motorsport sector from the perspective of classic cars and looks back at major moments in history. Following in its footsteps, blogs specializing in motorsport have emerged, such as Le Pilote Automobile, which stands out for its dynamic style and constant updates.