CEO and publisher, Michele Lupini, has confirmed that Deon Ebersohn will edit AutoWeek, while Phuti Mpyane will take over the reins at Cars in Action. David Bing continues as deputy editor at Cars in Action and Andrew Leopold will be deputy editor at AutoWeek. Michele Lupini will take care of editor duty at Bakkie & Truck.

Mario Lupini continues as the group’s technical editor, Andrew Walker is editor of AutoWeek PLUS (the paper’s retail motoring arm), Steve Wicks joins as motorsport editor at AutoWeekSport with Dave Fall as BikeWeek editor and Peter Burroughes as contributing editor.

Leonardo Lupini remains as art director, ably assisted by Rigel Andreoli and David Silberbauer, while on the photography front David Taylor and Eric Buijs are Action’s lensmen.

Action’s team will be split between its Gauteng office in Northcliff and its Cape studio in Franschhoek, with Ebersohn, Taylor, Silberbauer, Fall and Michele Lupini working out of the Cape and the rest in Johannesburg.

Veteran motoring journalist, Ebersohn, was more recently in charge of public relations at both BMW and Mercedes-Benz SA. An avid motor enthusiast, Ebersohn relishes the challenge of launching a brand new aspect in local motoring media: “AutoWeek is completely different to anything else out there and a hugely exciting prospect.”

Cars in Action meanwhile has the distinction of being in the capable hands of South Africa’s first black motoring magazine editor in Mpyane. Capable driver, able wordsmith and a well-proven editor, Mpanye is also relishing the challenge.

“I have always been a huge fan of Cars in Action so it’s a massive honour for me to take responsibility for the title,” Mpyane says. “We have great plans – look forward to an exiting new ride while we still deliver on everything our loyal readership expects.”

“Cars in Action turns 15 in May and Phuti’s appointment directly in line with our plans for the title,” Michele Lupini notes. "We also have two of South Africa's finest rising motoring journalist stars in David and Andrew backed up by a team of foremost experts in the various fields we will be covering."

“Action Publications enters a thrilling new era with AutoWeek alongside our 15-year-old magazines Cars in Action and Bakkie & Truck," Lupini concludes. "We're looking forward to our new members fast becoming an integral part of the family.”

Contact michele@actionpublications.co.za for further information.