If you're into automotive blogs on the internet, you know that Autoblog and Jalopnik are like Ford and Chevy, Coke and Pepsi, or any other great pair of products that divides our desires. There was a time when Autobloggers and Jalops didn't talk to each other and no link love flowed between the two sites, but things have changed since those dark days, mostly thanks to Mike Spinelli, who announced today that he's stepping down as Editor in Chief of Jalopnik. Typical of Spin and the type of entertaining posts you'll find at Jalopnik, his announcement is posted from the back hills of rural Italy, features prominently his dog Zoe (and a Renault 5 Turbo), and is as engaging as every post he's published over the past few years.
Spinelli will remain at Jalopnik as Editor at Large, though the mantle of EIC will be handed over to Ray Wert. We owe Spin a lot for not only helping our two sites help themselves, but also for playing a major role in legitimizing this little thing we do called blogging.
We'll miss racing you back to the media center too, Mike. Especially because Ray's legs are longer and he can run faster.
[Source: Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
raz @ Nov 30th 2007 1:03PM
He is stepping down? Will he finally get a REAL job?
John Neff @ Nov 30th 2007 1:09PM
I think he's going to do more freelance work now, which requires as much avoidance of real work as blogging.
mark_welby @ Nov 30th 2007 1:06PM
I check both sites every day, both bring something unique to the table. I do like Jalopnik's "quirkiness".
Mal Fuller @ Nov 30th 2007 1:14PM
Jalopnik has certainly lead its field with a superior command of written English. However, Autoblog has improved in that area and has probably come into view from the vantage point of Jalopnik's rearview mirror.
raz @ Nov 30th 2007 1:30PM
Mal both have their strong sides, but i would add to that list The Truth About Cars (TWAT awards) who also provide good info and Ten Gears, they often provide info from Wall Street Journal, CNET, AUTOMOBILE and such. Believe it or not WSJ and CNET have some pretty good car info. I check all of them every day, however Autoblog by far and beyond is the best.
Dave T. @ Nov 30th 2007 1:31PM
That's too bad. I still remember that one benefit of leaving Autoblog was that I was actually "allowed" to talk to Spinelli.
Turned out he wasn't evil at all and was actually a great guy to walk a show floor with.
Too bad. And what's with a guy his age moving to Italy?!
I know blogging ages you but come on.
Leaf @ Nov 30th 2007 1:31PM
Both sites are great. It's good to see that everyone knows they can, and should exist side-by-side.
Pete @ Nov 30th 2007 2:05PM
A former exec from Coke once said something along the lines of, "If Pepsi hadn't come around we would've needed to create it ourselves. The rivalry helped fuel advertising and consumer appeal that wouldn't have otherwise been impossible to attain."
Or something like that...
Pete @ Nov 30th 2007 2:06PM
...otherwise been possible...
Leaf @ Nov 30th 2007 2:27PM
Absolutely. Goes to show the value of choices.
Cody @ Nov 30th 2007 2:04PM
hmm I've always wondered, not seriously, if the reason i have never been able to post at Jolapnic is because i post here. lol. I've never been able to get a user name and password or get their system to work.
Chris Gale @ Nov 30th 2007 2:29PM
I read both sites religiously every day. I don't remember which one I started on, but these two sites got me turned on to TTAC as well. I'm in the car industry, and I'm reading news from both sites before I can get it from my factory rep. In fact, because of jalop and ab, I look better because I'm in the know. I digress, but either way, way to go Spin, enjoy your life away from everyday blogging.
Yar @ Nov 30th 2007 2:29PM
I used to post on Jalopnik, but their excessively left-wing bloggers, celebration of anti-Bush posters, and anti-everything conservative chased me away. If anything, they need a lesson on professionalism.
djSyndrome @ Nov 30th 2007 2:53PM
Did you stop for a second to think that they might be on to something there?
FThorn @ Nov 30th 2007 2:31PM
Is the girl the one stepping down or coming in?
207guy @ Nov 30th 2007 6:15PM
Is this the guy who keeps trying to get us all to use the word "hoon"? Sorry, no go here.
Avinash machado @ Dec 1st 2007 3:32AM
I too regularly read Autoblog, Jalopnik and TTAC. I love the feature Down On The Street on Jalopnik. I love the classic cars they post about there. I do not like Autospies. Though they might be viewed as a competitor to Autoblog I feel that Autoblog is a million times better.