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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 time has come for drivers to take control of our roads'

‘The time has come for drivers to take control of our roads'

With the Government proving clueless over diesels, ULEVs and electric cars, we should take a stand, says Mike Rutherford…
Opinion
22 Jul 2018
‘Will Volvo be the hottest car company of 2019? Probably’

‘Will Volvo be the hottest car company of 2019? Probably’

As Volvo scores two wins at the New Car Awards, it’s ideally placed to take on established premium brands, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
15 Jul 2018
“We remain one of the world’s top small countries"
OPINION UK manufacturing

“We remain one of the world’s top small countries"

Despite recent discouraging news around the UK automotive industry, Mike Rutherford finds some positives
Opinion
8 Jul 2018
‘To free up our roads we should drive less or drive smaller'

‘To free up our roads we should drive less or drive smaller'

With 50 per cent more cars on our roads than in 1997, Mike Rutherford thinks we should all drive smaller models like the Audi A1…
Opinion
30 Jun 2018
‘JLR moving the Discovery abroad is only half the story'

‘JLR moving the Discovery abroad is only half the story'

Although Land Rover Discovery production is heading to Slovakia, there is good news to be found, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
24 Jun 2018
‘Too many companies are scheming to empty drivers’ pockets’

‘Too many companies are scheming to empty drivers’ pockets’

From councils to car park operators, Mike Rutherford believes companies too often employ dubious methods
Opinion
17 Jun 2018
‘South Korean car firms are itching to head north’

‘South Korean car firms are itching to head north’

With the prospect of political progress in North Korea, Mike Rutherford believes the region can become a car-making giant
Opinion
10 Jun 2018
‘Public transport prices amount to legalised theft’

‘Public transport prices amount to legalised theft’

With buses, taxis and high-speed trains becoming ever more costly, Mike Rutherford believes cars are unrivalled on price
Opinion
3 Jun 2018
‘The London Motor Show is the motoring event of the year’

‘The London Motor Show is the motoring event of the year’

Manufacturers around the globe should get more involved with London Motor Show, argues Mike Rutherford
Opinion
18 May 2018
“Ford is now a truck maker first, car maker second”
Ford - opinion

“Ford is now a truck maker first, car maker second”

Jimmy Hackett, CEO of Ford, has made Ford’s worst move in decades, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
12 May 2018
‘The motoring industry needs calm, convincing leadership’

‘The motoring industry needs calm, convincing leadership’

With the demonisation of diesel continuing apace, Mike Rutherford ponders who should lead the fightback
Opinion
7 May 2018
‘Yearly savings of thousands are achievable for drivers’

‘Yearly savings of thousands are achievable for drivers’

With the average cost of driving a car hitting £5,795 in 2017, Mike Rutherford offers advice for saving money
Opinion
29 Apr 2018
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'Forget the gloom, state-of-the-art cars will cost a snip'

'Forget the gloom, state-of-the-art cars will cost a snip'

With supply outweighing demand, Mike Rutherford believes list prices for new class-leading cars will be driven down
Opinion
21 Apr 2018
'How can it be wrong when not-for-profit mums buy diesel'
Mikes column header – opinion

'How can it be wrong when not-for-profit mums buy diesel'

Mike Rutherford says city cars and vans don't need diesel power - but large saloons, estates and SUVs do
Opinion
14 Apr 2018
“Britain has taken over as the design capital of the world”
Opinion - Mike Rutherford WCOTY

“Britain has taken over as the design capital of the world”

Mike Rutherford thinks Britain, Germany, Japan and Sweden are leaving the rest behind when it comes to car quality and desirability
Opinion
8 Apr 2018
‘Two stars of New York are the venue itself and its boss’
Opinion - Javits

‘Two stars of New York are the venue itself and its boss’

Mike Rutherford takes a closer look at the Javits Convention Centre, the venue for the 2018 New York Motor Show
Opinion
1 Apr 2018
‘Car-related retail outlets are being increasingly brutal’

‘Car-related retail outlets are being increasingly brutal’

Car dealers, insurers, forecourts and local authorities are overcharging drivers at every turn, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
24 Mar 2018
‘Volvo’s success in the premium league is deeply impressive’

‘Volvo’s success in the premium league is deeply impressive’

Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson deserves his 2018 World Car Person of the Year title, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
18 Mar 2018
‘Reports of the death of internal combustion are wrong'

‘Reports of the death of internal combustion are wrong'

The idea that petrol and diesel cars are on the verge of being replaced by electric ones is nonsense, writes Mike Rutherford
Opinion
11 Mar 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
‘UK carmakers should be as bold and active as the Americans'

‘UK carmakers should be as bold and active as the Americans'

With optimism in the US automotive sector, Mike Rutherford thinks there’s much the UK can learn from our American cousins
Opinion
24 Feb 2018
‘Winter weather forecasts haven’t deterred drivers'

‘Winter weather forecasts haven’t deterred drivers'

Snow and sub-zero temperatures this winter haven’t been as bad for drivers as forecast, argues Mike Rutherford
Opinion
18 Feb 2018
‘Truth is, Samsung and LG Chem are warming up’
Hyundai Kona opinion

‘Truth is, Samsung and LG Chem are warming up’

This week Mike Rutherford talks about the rise of Korean car manufacturers
Opinion
11 Feb 2018
‘Land Rover did the unthinkable in the WCOTY Final’
Range Rover Velar opinion

‘Land Rover did the unthinkable in the WCOTY Final’

This week, Mike Rutherford talks about the World's manufacturing elites and how that could soon include the British
Opinion
4 Feb 2018
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‘Most British car makers remain in rude health'
Jaguar_Opinion

‘Most British car makers remain in rude health'

Mike Rutherford celebrates the prosperity of Brit-based car consumers, now that the 2017 EU car sales car have been counted
Opinion
28 Jan 2018
‘A 4x4s is necessary for sub-zero work'

‘A 4x4s is necessary for sub-zero work'

Drivers should heed winter driving advice and take every possible precaution on the road, argues Mike Rutherford
Opinion
14 Jan 2018
‘Political parties must reinvent their transport intentions'
Mike Opinion Louise Ellman

‘Political parties must reinvent their transport intentions'

Mike Rutherford takes an alternative look at the transport policies he’d like to see introduced in 2018
Opinion
6 Jan 2018
‘After 50 years, Gordon Murray is still hungry for success’

‘After 50 years, Gordon Murray is still hungry for success’

Mike Rutherford chats to legendary designer Gordon Murray about his favourite cars, drivers, and much more
Opinion
24 Dec 2017
'It’s clear that this was the year of Britain'
Opinion: Britain

'It’s clear that this was the year of Britain'

Mike Rutherford mulls over the recent changes to the UK motor industry and thinks that the future looks bright
Opinion
9 Dec 2017
‘The Chancellor can't predict the future of autonomous cars'

‘The Chancellor can't predict the future of autonomous cars'

Mike Rutherford argues that the Government’s plans for autonomous cars are out of touch with reality
Opinion
3 Dec 2017
Celebrating 1500 issues of Auto Express
Rutherford Memories OPINION

Celebrating 1500 issues of Auto Express

Founding member of the Auto Express team, Mike Rutherford, celebrates issue 1,500 with some choice memories...
Opinion
22 Nov 2017
“Might you soon be driving a Dyson instead of a Dacia?”

“Might you soon be driving a Dyson instead of a Dacia?”

Mike Rutherford looks at how the rise in EV manufactures could change the marques we see on UK roads
Opinion
19 Nov 2017
"Ford should build EV facilities outside London"

"Ford should build EV facilities outside London"

Mike Rutherford contemplates the future of Ford’s Dagenham factory and the company’s EV push
Opinion
12 Nov 2017
‘Could it be that a BMW is eventually bettered by a Bosch?'

‘Could it be that a BMW is eventually bettered by a Bosch?'

Dyson instead of Dacia? Apple rather than Audi? Mike Rutherford looks at the rise of non-car firms in the automotive industry
Opinion
4 Nov 2017