The New York Times Auto Section Coming To An End

As yet another sign of the changing media landscape, the New York Times has announced the end of its automobile section. While car dealerships used to rely heavily on advertisements in the classified sections of print newspapers, the steady move toward digital avenues is turning print ads into an entity from the past.

For automotive enthusiasts, it’s hard not to feel some sadness when reading this news, as nostalgia can kick in. However, the focus of marketers on digital campaigns is impossible to ignore, and the New York Times will no longer include a separate auto section as of the beginning of next year.

Executive editor Dean Baquet made the announcement to staff in a memo, writing that “the masthead and I concluded there is no longer an economic reason for a separate section” devoted to automobile coverage.

However, auto enthusiasts and dealers can rest assured that this doesn’t signify the end of all coverage in the Times. “We will continue covering the automobile industry, of course, as evidenced by our sensational investigative reporting on the ignition switch problems in General Motors cars,” wrote Baquet. “And we will run consumer stories in the Business section, including regular coverage on Fridays. The Driven videos will continue online.”

At the same time, the Times is cutting 100 positions from its newsroom through buyouts and possibly layoffs if necessary. The newspaper is trying to find ways to improve its financial landscape as it struggles with a continuing decline in print advertising as well as challenges to its digital subscription endeavors, where it is said that growth is slowing down. Baquet’s memo did not make it clear whether or not long-time automotive editor Jim Cobb would remain with the Times.

It is proving to be more and more difficult for traditional newspapers to compete with the many free online news sources, as they struggle with declining advertising revenues and subscription levels. The New York Times news comes one year after the publication shut down its Wheels blog in another round of budget cuts, and more than six years after the LA Times shut down its automotive section.

Dean Baquet’s memo still strives to be positive amidst this news, and auto enthusiasts will be watching closely as the newspaper finds elegant ways to end this era with pride. “There will be opportunities in the coming weeks to single out the great work of Jim [Cobb], Norman Mayersohn, Jim Schembari, Robert Peele and the many contributors,” wrote Baquet. “But let me start here by saying how grateful I am for two decades of imagination and dedication in making our Sunday section the best read in the business.”