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Mike Rutherford

Mike Rutherford was one of the founding fathers of Auto Express in 1988 and remains the title's longest-serving journalist. 

He has served time as the motoring editor on four tabloid newspapers - London Evening News, The Sun, News of the World & Daily Mirror. And from the 1990s-2010s he was a weekly columnist on several broadsheet papers - Daily Telegraph, The Independent/Independent on Sunday and The Sunday Times. 

The Economist Intelligence Unit and International Herald Tribune have used him as a motor industry consultant/author. And he has presented over 1,000 motoring, sports or current affairs programmes for LBC, talkRADIO, talkSPORT and ITV. 

Currently, he is: the Chief Columnist at Auto Express where he still writes a weekly column; Judge (& Founding Director) at Europe/Asia-based BestCarsOfTheYear.com - The New Car World Champions; Chairman Emeritus of North America’s World Car Awards; and President of The British Motor Show.  

Additionally, Mike remains a contributor to the BBC, Sky, GB News, LBC, talkRADIO and other national and international stations such as CBS.

His claims to fame are that he has interviewed four British Prime Ministers, worked as a ghostwriter for Martin Brundle & Stirling Moss, and driven thousands of road, concept and racing cars including a Tyrrell F1 Car and world-record-breaking Bugatti. 

In recognition of his 40-year full-time career in the media and automotive worlds, he was presented with the coveted Newspress Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.

Away from cars, Mike has repeatedly travelled to Zambia, Botswana and other counties in central southern Africa where he helped establish libraries and personally delivered thousands of books and writing materials to schools and orphanages.  

He also serves as a proud Trustee at the Marcus Rutherford Foundation/Young Adult Cancer Trust which now incorporates and safeguards The Forest of Marcus.

E-mail: mike.rutherford@carwow.co.uk

The Suzuki Jimny is more of a head turner
OPINION WCOTY

The Suzuki Jimny is more of a head turner

Could the Suzuki Jimny be the 2019 World Car of the Year? No. Don’t be daft, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
17 Dec 2018
‘Brand new cost price cars could be game-changers’

‘Brand new cost price cars could be game-changers’

Mike Rutherford wonders if more car buyers should pursue ‘cost price’ car deals at dealerships
Opinion
4 Mar 2018
'Samsung was about as profitable last year as Ford'
Samsung - Mike Rutherford

'Samsung was about as profitable last year as Ford'

Mike Rutherford reflects on the rise and rise of Samsung and thinks the Korean company has a big part to play in the automotive industry
Opinion
1 Oct 2017
Car manufacturing wage gap: what do car plant workers earn?
GM factory

Car manufacturing wage gap: what do car plant workers earn?

Our exclusive investigation shows how salaries vary wildly in the world’s top car-making nations
Features
22 Mar 2017
"SsangYong's the company that wants to hear from all comers"
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"SsangYong's the company that wants to hear from all comers"

Stuffy motoring execs and jealously guarded secrets aren't the order of the day at SsangYong, as Mike Rutherford's been finding out
Opinion
8 May 2016
'Buick is dependable in the US - so why can't we buy them?

'Buick is dependable in the US - so why can't we buy them?

US reliability reports say Buick is the most reliable brand across the pond; Mike Rutherford asks why they aren't in the UK...
Opinion
6 Nov 2015
"Buyers need to be careful of optional extras"
Opinion new cars

"Buyers need to be careful of optional extras"

Too often new car buyers don’t think about optional extras - and that’s a big mistake, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
2 Oct 2015
"Car journeys are a bargain next to the train"

"Car journeys are a bargain next to the train"

Rail fares will rise again in 2015 but Mike Rutherford thinks they're already a monumental rip-off compared to car travel
Opinion
4 Sep 2014
Volkswagen XL1
Volkswagen XL1 front tracking

Volkswagen XL1

We drive the innovative new 313 mpg Volkswagen XL1 ahead of its arrival in showrooms this year
Road tests
7 Mar 2013
Kia says “maybe” to the idea of a UK car plant

Kia says “maybe” to the idea of a UK car plant

Kia could follow in the footsteps of Nissan and Honda by building a factory in the UK, Auto Express has learned
News
14 Sep 2012
Britain's depreciation winners and losers
Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

Britain's depreciation winners and losers

The new Porsche 911 will hold its value best over the next three years
News
24 Aug 2012
Volkswagen XL1
VW XL1 driving Doha

Volkswagen XL1

We drive the VW XL1 - world’s most economical car - on the streets of Doha to see what it feels like to return 313mpg.
Road tests
31 Jan 2011
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Kia Carens

Kia Carens

It’s official! Kia is not only the world’s fastest-growing motor manufacturer, it’s on track to prove itself the planet’s most improved car firm, too
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9 Aug 2006
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Jeep Cherokee Renegade

Four years after the launch of the softer, rounder, quieter, latest generation Cherokee, Jeep is giving the capable but compromised 4x4 a much needed …
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The Le Mans quattro is to Audi what the Enzo is to Ferrari - a road car that's based on a world championship-winning racer. With some justification, A…
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24 Feb 2004