Auto Trader Media Group has confirmed the print version of Auto Trader has ceased publishing. March 2022 will be the final edition of the iconic kiwi car bible after 40 years in New Zealand.
Auto Trader will now be solely online, with dealers and private sellers alike now only able to list their vehicles on the AutoTrader.co.nz website.
The weekly Auto Trader first launched in 1981 as a classified magazine for dealers and private sellers to advertise used cars. It was the number one automotive print product for many decades and continues its strong presence online.
With several cost increases in the print industry due to Covid and global market conditions, plus the shift to online platforms by car buyers and dealers. Auto Trader will solely be a digital product and withdraw from print media.
AutoTrader.co.nz has seen strong growth since the launch of the new website in June 2020. Car listings have increased by 53 percent since launch and with over 200,000 car buyers a month, Auto Trader will continue to increase its presence in New Zealand’s online car market.
Richie East, Director at Auto Trader Media Group says: “The Auto Trader magazine was seen as the Kiwi car bible for many of its 40 years in New Zealand. We’re proud to have reached our 40th birthday in July last year which was testament to the amazing magazine it is.
“We’re very excited to be continuing the legacy brand name online at AutoTrader.co.nz. We have seen amazing growth over the past two years. Car listings, buyers and enquiries have all shown strong growth and we have a very positive future ahead.
“With consumers and dealers shifting to online platforms, the decision to shift to 100 percent digital made sense. We’re looking to innovate by introducing new products and services to grow our presence even further in the online automotive market in NZ.”
