Wheels is an Australian automobile magazine published by Motoring Media Network. Founded in 1953 it was later owned by Australian Consolidated Press, Bauer Media and Are Media.
 Cover of April 2010 issue | |
| Editor | Matthew O'Malley |
|---|---|
| Categories | Automobile magazine |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Publisher | Motoring Media Network |
| Founder | Athol Yeomans |
| Founded | 1953 |
| First issue | May 1953 |
| Company | Motoring Media Network |
| Country | Australia |
| Based in | Sydney |
| Language | English |
| Website | www |
| ISSN | 0043-4779 |
History
editWheels was founded in 1953 by Hudson Publications with Athol Yeomans its founding editor In June 1955 the publication was sold to KG Murray Publishing.[1]
Since 1963, Wheels has annually announced its Car of the Year award, although this was withheld in 1972,[2] 1979[3] and 1986. The award was established during Bill Tuckey's tenure as editor. Tuckey also instigated comparisons tests within the title.[4]
By 1994, it was owned by Australian Consolidated Press.[5][6]
It was announced in September 2010 that Bill Thomas, former deputy editor of Top Gear magazine in the UK, would take over as editor in November 2010.
In September 2012, it was included in the acquisition of Australian Consolidated Press' magazine by Bauer Media.[7][8] In October 2012, it was announced that former Top Gear Australia magazine editor Stephen Corby was to become editor of Wheels, replacing Bill Thomas.[9]
For the October 2013 issue, Ben Oliver drove a Volvo S60 from Melbourne to Sydney along the Hume Highway, and Wheels launched the "Raise the limit, lower the toll" petition to raise the speed limit to 130 km/h, as it is in the Northern Territory. The stunt received criticism from law enforcement agencies.[10][11][12]
Glenn Butler was the publication’s editor from 2014 through 2016. He was replaced by Alex Inwood, former deputy editor of the magazine, who was appointed editor of Wheels in March 2017.
In the February 2018 issue, the magazine was redesigned with new fonts, thicker paper, a cleaner style and appearance and a greater emphasis on hero photography.
In the October 2020 issue, the publication’s editor, Alex Inwood, left the magazine. His replacement was former Motor editor, Dylan Campbell. In 2020, Wheels was included in the acquisition of Bauer Media's Austraian assets by Are Media.[13][14]
From June 2022, the former editor of Motor, Andy Enright, was appointed as editor of Wheels. From June 2023, Wheels magazine celebrated its 70th anniversary with a trilogy of monthly issues themed around Past, Present and Future.
According to Roy Morgan, Wheels' 70th year saw an increase in circulation of 40.8% to reach 290,000 readers.[15]
In 2023, Wheels won Brand Relaunch of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.[16]
Wheels was acquired by Motoring Media Network in July 2024.[17]
Editors
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2026) |
- 1953-56 Athol Yeomans[1]
- 1956-58 Ian Simpson
- 1958-63 Ian Fraser
- 1963-68 Bill Tuckey[6]
- 1968-71 Rob Luck
- 1971-87 Peter Robinson
- 1987-94 Phil Scott
- 1994-99 Angus MacKenzie
- 1999-02 Ewen Page
- 2002-10 Ged Bulmer
- 2011-12 Bill Thomas
- 2012-13 Stephen Corby
- 2014-17 Glenn Butler
- 2017-20 Alex Inwood
- 2020-21 Dylan Campbell
- 2021-22 Ash Westerman (acting)
- 2022-25 Andy Enright
- 2025-25 Matthew O'Malley (acting)
- 2025- Trent Nikolic
References
edit- 1 2 Wheels founding editor, Athol Yeomas, dies at 91 Wheels 16 December 2019
- ↑ Peter Robinson (11 May 2016). "Why Wheels withheld Car of the Year in 1972". Wheels.
- ↑ Peter Robinson (24 December 2019). "The true story behind Wheels' most controversial magazine cover". Wheels.
- ↑ "The road to COTY". Wheels magazine. 30 November 2007. Archived from the original on 30 December 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2007.
- ↑ ACP to pursue agreesive, new titles strategy Australian Financial Review 18 May 1994
- 1 2 Tributes flow in for former Wheels editor Bill Tuckey Wheels 14 May 2016
- ↑ Desperate Nine flogs ACP on the cheap: analyst ABC News 5 September 2012
- ↑ ACP Magazines founded by Sir Frank Packer to be renamed Bauer Media by new owners News.com.au 26 October 2012
- ↑ Tim Lince for Media News, 11 October 2012, Corby jumps motor to join Wheels, influencing.com
- ↑ In response to Wheels Magazine's speeding stunt Traffic Accident Commission 13 September 2013
- ↑ Car magazine drives at 130km/h in campaign to raise speed limits Drive.com.au 17 September 2013
- ↑ Police slam speed stunt: Melbourne to Sydney in 6.5 hours News.com.au 17 September 2013
- ↑ "Wheels Magazine Australia". Are Media. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ↑ "About Us". Are Media. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ↑ "Motoring magazines growing audience, Wheels up 41 per cent!".
- ↑ "Mumbrella Publish Awards 2023: Man of Many, Broadsheet, Guardian Aus and more win big". Mumbrella.
- ↑ Wheels catalogue entry National Library of Australia