Hannah Elliott on All Things Automotive

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Bloomberg’s Barry Ritholtz interviews automotive columnist Hannah Elliott about how she reviews cars, why driving matters beyond specs, and how collector-car markets, EVs, influencers, and brands like Tesla, Porsche, Bentley, and Aston Martin are reshaping the industry. The conversation blends journalism craft, car culture, and predictions about the slow transition from combustion engines to electric mobility.

Main Topics: How Hannah Elliott became an auto journalist: Elliott explains she entered automotive journalism with no car background, answering a Craigslist ad at Forbes after moving to New York. She learned the beat on the job, starting with ordinary cars before moving up to more exciting vehicles. Her review process and standards: She says she enters reviews with a blank slate, avoids reading other reviews, and evaluates whether a car fulfills the automaker’s stated intent. She relies on hands-on testing, notes on usability, comfort, steering, braking, visibility, and infotainment. Cars as emotion, freedom, and daily experience: The discussion emphasizes that cars are not just machines; they represent freedom, identity, and how a vehicle makes the driver feel. Elliott and Ritholtz compare commuting versus driving and discuss comfort, sound, and tactile experience as central to ownership. Collectible cars and market speculation: They discuss the surge in values for Porsche Turbos, youngtimer cars, Broncos, FJs, Ferrari Dino, and other classics, plus skepticism about fractional ownership and collectible investment platforms. Both note that many prized cars are becoming garage queens rather than driven machines. EVs, Tesla, and the future of powertrains: Elliott argues Tesla fundamentally changed the industry and forced competitors like Porsche to accelerate EV development. She compares Tesla’s tech-forward approach with Porsche’s superior fit and finish, and discusses how gas engines will persist for years even as electrification grows. Influencers vs. journalists in automotive media: She describes a subtle but real shift at press events, where influencers sometimes get privileged access over professional journalists. She defends journalistic independence, noting that accepting automaker payments would compromise criticism and blur the line between reporting and marketing. Gender, representation, and backlash: Elliott revisits her Ford v. Ferrari commentary, saying she was criticized for noting the film’s male-dominated, white, 1960s auto world and for arguing the industry would benefit from more diverse voices. The reaction revealed persistent hostility to candid discussions of representation.

Key Arguments: A good car review should judge whether the vehicle delivers on the automaker’s promise, not on marketing hype or other reviewers’ chatter. Hands-on testing matters more than press releases: she lives with the car, drives it in real-world conditions, and tests practical details like seats, steering, Bluetooth, visibility, and fuel range. Cars create an emotional total experience; comfort, sound, and ergonomics matter nearly as much as acceleration or handling. Collector-car prices are driven by generational taste, rarity, and cultural memory, but many classics are turning into static assets rather than being driven. Fractional ownership platforms and car-sharing schemes may reflect a shift from ownership to access, but their economics and long-term viability are uncertain. Tesla already changed the industry by proving electric cars could be desirable and commercially meaningful, forcing legacy automakers to respond. Journalists should remain independent from automakers; paid or sponsored access turns criticism into marketing. The future of auto journalism and car enthusiasm still depends on strong writing, curiosity, and experience—not just expertise in specs or social media reach.

Data Points: Years in automotive journalism: 15 years - Elliott says she has been covering cars since taking the Forbes job roughly 15 years earlier. First car: 1969 Buick Skylark - She recalls sharing a cheap first car with her sister. Price of first car: $200 total ($100 each) - The Buick Skylark was bought jointly with her sister. Price of Barry Ritholtz’s first car: $100 - He references his own inexpensive first car, a 1967 Chrysler 300. Bentley grand tourer range experience: One tank from Los Angeles to Carmel - Elliott cites this as an example of meaningful efficiency in a luxury car. Porsche Turbo price appreciation: From about $20,000 to over $200,000 - Used to illustrate the rise in classic Porsche values. Collector-market cycle: 30-year cycle - Used to explain why cars from the 1980s and 1990s are becoming collectible. Group B production: About 200 cars - She notes the rarity of rally homologation specials like Lancia and Peugeot Group B cars. BMW M6 purchase price: Low $60,000s - Ritholtz describes buying a used M6 convertible at a steep discount from new. BMW M6 new price: About $135,000 - Used to highlight depreciation and value on the used market. Porsche Taycan price discussed: About $185,000 - Referenced as a high price for the high-performance EV sedan. Tesla autopilot mileage: 5 billion miles - Mentioned in discussing Tesla’s accumulated self-driving data. Model 3 market status: Best-selling luxury car in America - Used in a conversation about Tesla’s pressure on BMW and Mercedes. Projected plug-in availability: By 2025 - Elliott cites automaker expectations for widespread electrified offerings. Ritholtz’s annual mileage in weekend car: 2,000 to 4,000 miles - He says his performance car is not a daily driver. Auction/collector interest example: 34 miles - A Porsche 911 Turbo with almost no mileage is cited as an example of a garage queen.

Pivotal Quotes: "I’m a big believer that cars should fulfill what automakers promise." — Hannah Elliott: She explains her core review philosophy and how she evaluates vehicles. "If you don’t drive them, they’re going to disintegrate anyway, really." — Hannah Elliott: She argues that classic cars are meant to be driven, not hidden as investments. "Tesla has already won. Forget the stock. The world has changed because of Elon Musk." — Hannah Elliott: She credits Tesla with forcing the industry toward electrification and innovation.

Implications: Car journalism is shifting toward experience, independence, and practical evaluation, while the industry moves toward electrification, digital features, and influencer-driven marketing. Collectors and enthusiasts must decide whether cars are investments, status symbols, or machines meant to be driven.