Auto Zeitung
Auto Zeitung is a 50-year-old German automotive media brand publishing a bi-weekly print magazine and the autozeitung.de website, serving German-speaking car buyers and enthusiasts with vehicle tests, comparisons, leasing guides, and specialized coverage of EVs, classic cars, and camping/RV content.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersKöln, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Auto Zeitung does
Auto Zeitung is a German-language automotive media brand that has been publishing for 50 years, operating a bi-weekly print magazine and a comprehensive digital platform at autozeitung.de. The publication covers automotive news, vehicle tests (single tests, comparison tests, long-term tests), road tests, electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid coverage, buying guides, leasing deals, and practical advice on insurance, registration, maintenance, and company car (Dienstwagen) topics. It extends into adjacent verticals with dedicated sections for Camping Life (motorhomes, caravans, camping lifestyle) and Classic Cars (vintage vehicles, restoration, market information), plus a small classifieds marketplace for classic cars. The technology stack is a standard web-based content delivery platform with responsive design, video content integration, and an ePaper digital edition, supplemented by utility tools such as a kW-PS power conversion calculator and editorial guides covering digital logbook solutions.
The business model is a hybrid of subscription and advertising. Print subscriptions and ePaper digital subscriptions are managed through the Bauer Plus platform (part of parent company Bauer Media Group), with retail newsstand distribution for single-copy sales. The digital property is free to access and monetized through display advertising, sponsored content, and two affiliate commerce partnerships: Carwow for vehicle leasing and purchase referrals (with featured deals across multiple brand pages), and Amazon for automotive accessories and product recommendations. Customer service, subscription billing, and publishing infrastructure are centralized within Bauer Media Group, one of Germany's largest media conglomerates.
Auto Zeitung serves German-speaking consumers in DACH markets who are researching vehicle purchases, leasing, or maintenance, with secondary audiences of automotive industry professionals, camping/RV enthusiasts, classic car collectors, and tuning enthusiasts. The publication operates in a single primary geographic market (Germany) and competes against other established German automotive media titles. No specific headcount, revenue, or traffic figures are disclosed in the available data.
Auto Zeitung firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Auto Zeitung
- Legal name
- Auto Zeitung
- Website
- https://autozeitung.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Auto Zeitung is a 50-year-old German automotive media brand publishing a bi-weekly print magazine and the autozeitung.de website, serving German-speaking car buyers and enthusiasts with vehicle tests, comparisons, leasing guides, and specialized coverage of EVs, classic cars, and camping/RV content.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Auto Zeitung industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Media
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Automotive & Transportation Magazines (MPAJAEAI)
Keywords
Where Auto Zeitung is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Köln
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Auto Zeitung business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Print Magazine Subscriptions: Bi-weekly print magazine (Auto Zeitung) sold through subscription (Bauer Plus platform) and retail newsstand distribution. The magazine features automotive news, vehicle tests, and buying guides.
- Digital Subscriptions (ePaper): Digital edition of the magazine available through apps and online subscription, providing the complete magazine content in digital format for mobile and desktop reading.
- Digital Advertising: Website advertising including display ads, sponsored content, and promotional placements for automotive brands, insurers, and related service providers. The site uses standard web advertising formats and affiliate integrations.
- Affiliate Commerce - Carwow Partnership: Commission revenue from referring readers to Carwow for vehicle leasing and purchase comparisons. The partnership features prominent placement of leasing deals and automotive purchase guides with affiliate tracking.
- Affiliate Commerce - Amazon: Commission revenue from product affiliate links to Amazon for automotive accessories, gadgets, and car care products mentioned in editorial content and product tests.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free website access with advertising and affiliate integration |
| Subscription | Annual | Print Magazine Subscription (PUR Abo) |
| Subscription | Annual | ePaper Digital Subscription |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Auto Zeitung product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Auto Zeitung is a German automotive media brand that publishes a bi-weekly print magazine and the autozeitung.de digital platform, delivering automotive news, vehicle tests (single, comparison, long-term), buying guides, leasing deals, and practical ownership advice. Specialized sections cover electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, company cars, classic cars, camping/RVs, motorsport, and tuning, supported by an ePaper digital subscription and affiliate partnerships with Carwow (leasing) and Amazon (products).
Product overview
Auto Zeitung is a German automotive media company operating as a bi-weekly print magazine and comprehensive digital platform (autozeitung.de). The publication covers automotive news, vehicle tests (single tests, comparison tests, long-term tests), electric vehicles, company car advice, used car purchasing guides, classic cars, camping life, motorsport, and tuning. The digital presence includes practical tools like the kW-PS-Rechner (power conversion calculator), leasing deal comparisons, and editorial content reviewing digital logbook solutions. The product portfolio centers on the core magazine and website, supplemented by thematic sub-sections covering diverse automotive interests from camping vehicles to classic cars.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AUTO ZEITUNG Classic Cars: Specialized section covering classic cars and vintage vehicles
Products and services
- AUTO ZEITUNG Magazin (Print) Bi-weekly German automotive print magazine covering news, vehicle tests (single, comparison, long-term), classic cars, camping life, motorsport, technology, and motorcycles, distributed via subscription and retail newsstand to automotive enthusiasts and car buyers.
- AUTO ZEITUNG ePaper (Digital Subscription) Digital edition of the AUTO ZEITUNG magazine offered through annual subscription, providing the complete magazine content in digital format for mobile and desktop reading, with subscription management via the Bauer Plus platform.
- autozeitung.de Website Free, advertising-supported digital platform providing automotive news, vehicle reviews, comparison tests, buying guides, leasing deals, and practical ownership advice, with specialty sections covering electric vehicles, company cars, classic cars, and camping/RVs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50 years of continuous publication establishing market leadership in German automotive media
Companies that use Auto Zeitung
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Auto Zeitung technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Auto Zeitung partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Bauer Media GroupcoreAuto Zeitung is owned and published by Bauer Media Group, one of Germany's largest media publishing companies. Bauer Media Group operates numerous magazine titles and digital platforms across various content verticals, providing publishing infrastructure, distribution networks, and corporate resources.
- CarwowcoreCarwow partnership positions Auto Zeitung as a vehicle leasing and purchase comparison platform. Auto Zeitung features Carwow leasing deals prominently within articles about specific vehicles (e.g., VW ID. Cross from 189 Euro/month, Ford Kuga from 149 Euro/month, BMW X1 from 269 Euro/month). The partnership provides affiliate revenue through tracked referral links when readers click through to Carwow for vehicle transactions.
- AmazonminorAmazon affiliate partnership enables Auto Zeitung to earn commissions on automotive products, accessories, and equipment recommended in editorial content and product tests. Links labeled as 'Affiliate Links' or indicated with symbols track reader purchases back to Amazon.
- Automotive Manufacturers (Various)minorVarious automotive manufacturers provide vehicles and access for editorial testing, reviews, and photo shoots. Editorial content maintains independence while manufacturers supply press fleet vehicles and technical information for vehicle coverage. Includes VW, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Mazda, Ford, Kia, Hyundai, Dacia, Skoda, and other brands.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Auto Zeitung competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Auto Zeitung social profiles
Digital presenceAuto Zeitung financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Auto Zeitung leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Auto Zeitung funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Auto Zeitung M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Auto Zeitung
What does Auto Zeitung do?
Auto Zeitung is a German automotive media brand that publishes a bi-weekly print magazine and the autozeitung.de digital platform, delivering automotive news, vehicle tests (single, comparison, long-term), buying guides, leasing deals, and practical ownership advice. Specialized sections cover electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, company cars, classic cars, camping/RVs, motorsport, and tuning, supported by an ePaper digital subscription and affiliate partnerships with Carwow (leasing) and Amazon (products).
Is Auto Zeitung a public or private company?
Auto Zeitung is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Auto Zeitung founded?
Auto Zeitung was founded in 1969. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Auto Zeitung based?
Auto Zeitung is headquartered in Köln, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Auto Zeitung make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Print Magazine Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are digital Subscriptions (ePaper), digital Advertising, affiliate Commerce - Carwow Partnership and affiliate Commerce - Amazon.
Does Auto Zeitung have an API?
No public API is recorded for Auto Zeitung.
What industry is Auto Zeitung in?
Auto Zeitung's product category is Automotive Media. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAEAI, Automotive & Transportation Magazines. Its SIC code is 2721.