Almost Hit the Century Mark - 96-Year Run Ends for Ward's Automotive Reports

The Wards alumnae are scattered throughout the industry. Many of us wrote for - and helped edit - one of the industry's most influential publications.

My first story as a journalist (about Ford's Think electric vehicle) was published in Ward's Automotive Reports - otherwise known as "WAR."

The report ended its 96-year old run last month. All of the data and information will be incorporated into the Wards Intelligence brand moving forward.

Through the years, other publications were added to the Ward's portfolio - Ward's Auto World, Ward's Dealer Business, Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update, Wards Intelligence.

The concept became the genesis for the idea of creating The Banks Report. I briefly considered calling it Banks Automotive Report, using BAR as the brand. Thankfully, smarter people talked me out of that one.

To former Wards colleagues whom, like myself, have moved on to other endeavors -- John Stoll - Wall Street Journal; Eric Mayne - FCA; Kevin Kelly - General Motors; Byron Pope - The Millerschin Group; Bill Visnic - Society of Automotive Engineers; Katherine Zachary - Nissan; Said Deep - Ford; Alissa Priddle - MotorTrend; and the ones whom have retired - Jim Bush, Al Binder, and Barbara McClellan; here's to the memories.

Meanwhile, kudos to the other former colleagues who continue to churn out the best reported and written data-driven publications in the industry - Drew Winter; Steve Finlay; Dave Zoia; Tom Murphy; Christie Schweinsberg; James Amend; Haig Stoddard; John Sousanis; Larry Schlagheck.

Below is a little history of the authoritative and distinguished weekly, which shaped automotive and business journalism for decades.