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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

“Demand for off-street parking is about to explode”
Opinion - off-road parking

“Demand for off-street parking is about to explode”

As EVs grow in popularity, Mike Rutherford thinks drivers without an off-street space would be wise to search for bays they can buy
Opinion
30 Dec 2018
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
“LA 2018 was the auto show that shocked”
Opinion - Genesis LA Motor Show

“LA 2018 was the auto show that shocked”

Some established names were obsessed with being cool in LA, turning their backs on conventional cars. Big mistake, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
9 Dec 2018
Misguided protesters hurt regular folk
OPINION Traffic

Misguided protesters hurt regular folk

The law abiding public need to fight against the disruptive pockets of protesters on our roads, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
4 Dec 2018
‘Motor shows will never die, despite what everyone thinks’
OPINION motor show

‘Motor shows will never die, despite what everyone thinks’

Mike Rutherford thinks motor shows are not dead just yet and are, in fact, even more important in this day and age
Opinion
25 Nov 2018
'Why build HS2 for £403m per mile?'

'Why build HS2 for £403m per mile?'

With HS2 costs spiralling, Mike Rutherford asks if money should be put into roads instead
Opinion
18 Nov 2018
We should celebrate Lewis as the greatest British sportsman
Opinion - Lewis Hamilton

We should celebrate Lewis as the greatest British sportsman

After winning a fifth Formula One world title, Mike Rutherford thinks Lewis Hamilton is not getting the praise he deserves
Opinion
10 Nov 2018
‘The comedians running the UKs transport network repeatedly
Opinion - M11

‘The comedians running the UKs transport network repeatedly

Mike Rutherford thinks the people best-qualified to deal with transport problems are the folk who drive on our roads daily
Opinion
4 Nov 2018
Land Rover designer is into buildings and cars
Gerry McGovern opinion backchat

Land Rover designer is into buildings and cars

Gerry McGovern is deliberately provocative when designing Land Rovers, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
26 Oct 2018
UK political parties are ignoring 50 million motorists
Opinion - parliament

UK political parties are ignoring 50 million motorists

Recent party political broadcasts have hardly mentioned Britain's 50 million motorists, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
23 Oct 2018
"Peugeot is delivering the goods with confidence"

"Peugeot is delivering the goods with confidence"

Peugeot has been making electric vehicles for decades without an ounce of cockiness, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
14 Oct 2018
Car firms should be more charitable
Opinion - Marcus Rutherford Foundation

Car firms should be more charitable

Car manufacturers should be more charitable, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
7 Oct 2018
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‘Congrats are in order if you’ve still got your copy of AE’
Issue 1 opinion

‘Congrats are in order if you’ve still got your copy of AE’

Mike Rutherford celebrates how far Auto Express – and the automotive industry – has come in the last three decades...
Opinion
29 Sep 2018
police revoke driver licences
OPINION - eyesight

police revoke driver licences

It seems humble front-line cops have been given the OK to snatch licences from drivers, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
24 Sep 2018
‘Airport pick-up and drop-off fees are fleecing drivers’
Opinion Airport Pick-up Fees

‘Airport pick-up and drop-off fees are fleecing drivers’

Those who have the temerity to pick up their loved ones from the airport are being ripped off, says Mike Rutherford
Opinion
16 Sep 2018
‘Uber seems to view its drivers as a necessary evil'
Toyota – opinion

‘Uber seems to view its drivers as a necessary evil'

Uber will soon take delivery of Toyota’s autonomous cars-cum-taxis, so professional drivers should be very afraid, thinks Mike Rutherford
Opinion
9 Sep 2018
‘Are car firms’ profits really that excessive?’

‘Are car firms’ profits really that excessive?’

Toyota made $22.5billion in 2017, but that might not be as exorbitant as it seems, writes Mike Rutherford
Opinion
2 Sep 2018
‘The slow withdrawal of car dealers has already begun’
Opinion Dealers

‘The slow withdrawal of car dealers has already begun’

Car dealerships are going the same way as defunct high street retailers, believes Mike Rutherford
Opinion
26 Aug 2018
‘Britain’s roads are busier than most’, and it’s not fair
Opinion - Traffic

‘Britain’s roads are busier than most’, and it’s not fair

The UK’s road network is smaller per square mile than many other developed countries, writes Mike Rutherford
Opinion
19 Aug 2018
‘Britain is blessed with a brilliant MoT system’
Opinion - MoT System

‘Britain is blessed with a brilliant MoT system’

The ASI think tank is wrong to say our MoT system is outdated, writes Mike Rutherford
Opinion
12 Aug 2018
‘Ever wondered how many billions car firms make?’
OPINION Money

‘Ever wondered how many billions car firms make?’

With the world’s top 20 car makers raking in thousands of billions every year, Mike Rutherford analyses the figures
Opinion
5 Aug 2018
‘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
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‘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
'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