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MotorWeek
MotorWeek is an American television news magazine program that focuses on the automotive industry. The program is produced by Maryland Public Television for PBS, and airs on MAVTV. As of September 2025, MotorWeek is underwritten by online tire retailer Tire Rack and the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance through its Auto Value and Bumper To Bumper brands.
MotorWeek premiered on 15 October 1981 and has been hosted by John Davis since its inception; Davis also created the series for what was then the Maryland Center for Public Broadcasting and serves at its executive producer.
From its inception until 1987, the program’s main segments emanated from Studio A at Maryland Public Television in Owings Mills, Maryland. Since 1987, all taping of the main segments have been done outdoors in various locales. From 1988 to 1993, the program carried the year to its title, becoming MotorWeek ‘XX, coinciding its seasons with the North American new car model year.
Originally airing new, thirty-minute episodes for twenty-six weeks a year, MotorWeek airs new episodes year-round on both PBS and MAVTV. The show is also syndicated internationally through the American Forces Network.
On 11 September 1993, at the start of Season 13 (1993–1994), MotorWeek began syndicating to commercial TV stations, and was first syndicated by ITC Entertainment from 1993 to 1998. Since 1998, it has also aired other commercial cable channels like Speedvision, Speed Channel, Velocity, Velocity by Discovery, the Spanish-language network V-me, and Motor Trend.
Each year, MotorWeek puts more than 150 new cars, trucks, and SUVs to the test, providing consumer-oriented vehicle reviews. Its video Road Test segments focus on performance, technology, practicality and dollar value, and feature MotorWeek's exclusive energy efficient rating system which compares each vehicle’s fuel economy to the best-rated vehicle in its class. The MotorWeek team included master technician Pat Goss (1941-2022) who brought viewers practical advice for keeping cars on the road and out of the shop. Reporters present timely reports on consumer trends, safety issues and the environment, along with innovative, offbeat stories on the automotive world gone extreme. Beginning in 1983, MotorWeek launched its Drivers’ Choice Awards which are among the auto industry’s most prestigious honors. The Drivers’ Choice Awards are unique for their consumer focus and represent the definitive list of best automotive picks in the most popular vehicle categories, including the coveted “Best of the Year” award. They are presented annually during the Chicago Auto Show. Beginning in season 26 (2005–2006), MotorWeek began broadcasting in widescreen and in season 29 (2008-2009) began broadcasting in 1080i HDTV.
MotorWeek started on 15 October 1981 and has run for 43 seasons. The show has produced 1,929 episodes with road tests, comparison tests, first impressions, and more. They post older episodes and clips onto YouTube with the Retro Review name. In the first six seasons, they produced 26 episodes each season. Since the seventh season, the show runs year-round for 52 episodes a year. Complete episodes are available on PBS by donations.
MotorWeek started its podcast on 3 September 2008. The podcast is an extension of the show in which the show's crew expresses opinions, as well as discusses new and upcoming vehicles.
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MotorWeek
MotorWeek is an American television news magazine program that focuses on the automotive industry. The program is produced by Maryland Public Television for PBS, and airs on MAVTV. As of September 2025, MotorWeek is underwritten by online tire retailer Tire Rack and the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance through its Auto Value and Bumper To Bumper brands.
MotorWeek premiered on 15 October 1981 and has been hosted by John Davis since its inception; Davis also created the series for what was then the Maryland Center for Public Broadcasting and serves at its executive producer.
From its inception until 1987, the program’s main segments emanated from Studio A at Maryland Public Television in Owings Mills, Maryland. Since 1987, all taping of the main segments have been done outdoors in various locales. From 1988 to 1993, the program carried the year to its title, becoming MotorWeek ‘XX, coinciding its seasons with the North American new car model year.
Originally airing new, thirty-minute episodes for twenty-six weeks a year, MotorWeek airs new episodes year-round on both PBS and MAVTV. The show is also syndicated internationally through the American Forces Network.
On 11 September 1993, at the start of Season 13 (1993–1994), MotorWeek began syndicating to commercial TV stations, and was first syndicated by ITC Entertainment from 1993 to 1998. Since 1998, it has also aired other commercial cable channels like Speedvision, Speed Channel, Velocity, Velocity by Discovery, the Spanish-language network V-me, and Motor Trend.
Each year, MotorWeek puts more than 150 new cars, trucks, and SUVs to the test, providing consumer-oriented vehicle reviews. Its video Road Test segments focus on performance, technology, practicality and dollar value, and feature MotorWeek's exclusive energy efficient rating system which compares each vehicle’s fuel economy to the best-rated vehicle in its class. The MotorWeek team included master technician Pat Goss (1941-2022) who brought viewers practical advice for keeping cars on the road and out of the shop. Reporters present timely reports on consumer trends, safety issues and the environment, along with innovative, offbeat stories on the automotive world gone extreme. Beginning in 1983, MotorWeek launched its Drivers’ Choice Awards which are among the auto industry’s most prestigious honors. The Drivers’ Choice Awards are unique for their consumer focus and represent the definitive list of best automotive picks in the most popular vehicle categories, including the coveted “Best of the Year” award. They are presented annually during the Chicago Auto Show. Beginning in season 26 (2005–2006), MotorWeek began broadcasting in widescreen and in season 29 (2008-2009) began broadcasting in 1080i HDTV.
MotorWeek started on 15 October 1981 and has run for 43 seasons. The show has produced 1,929 episodes with road tests, comparison tests, first impressions, and more. They post older episodes and clips onto YouTube with the Retro Review name. In the first six seasons, they produced 26 episodes each season. Since the seventh season, the show runs year-round for 52 episodes a year. Complete episodes are available on PBS by donations.
MotorWeek started its podcast on 3 September 2008. The podcast is an extension of the show in which the show's crew expresses opinions, as well as discusses new and upcoming vehicles.