'Auto Trends' Celebrates 9 Years On The Air

 

Nine years ago this weekend Auto Trends with JeffCars.com drove onto the airwaves in Atlanta with a monthly program. Today the program is the only and the longest running weekly syndicated multicultural automotive radio program airing in North America. This expansion into North America is due to our partnership with HURVoices and SiriusXM, the largest audio entertainment group in the United Station. 

While it took nearly fifteen years to turn this dream into reality, getting the program on air, it's been a ride and grind we couldn't have imagined. When the high-energy multicultural program was launched, our focus then and now continues to center around pioneers, influencers and trendsetters in the industry. And just like founder John Johnson's Ebony magazine, our car-themed program was also created to share the stories of the voiceless.

Host Jeff Fortson is testing two high-performance all-electric vehicles. (Photo Credit: JeffCars.com)

In fact, this spring we were able to reach into our archives, reairing a conversation with Ellenae Fairhurst, one of the first Black female pioneering dealers. Fairhurst, who made her transition in April, was the first and only Black female dealer to acquire a Lexus and an Infiniti dealership. We were also thankful that when we contacted Lexus, without any hesitation they understood the importance of honoring history and readily agreed to underwrite the program. 

Its rare that women of color, who were able to secure their first wave of dealerships in the seventies and eighties, were able to squeeze through the tightly sealed showroom doors to secure a franchise. This usually occurred with marriage or after the transition of their husband. Fairhurst secured her store independently.

Just think, women weren't even allowed to secure credit cards or cars in their names until the seventies. We were grateful to have a one-on-one with the barrier breaker Fairhurst in 2016, as she shared her journey in becoming a dealer in what is still a male dominated industry.

Initially, Fairhurst was reluctant to speak with us, since the car dealer avoided the limelight. Ironically, because of the exposure received from the radio conversation, later that year the trailblazer was recognized by Ebony's Power 100 annual list. 

So, as we embark upon a new season of fresh programming in September, we're anticipating more enriching shows that goes beyond just focusing on how cars look and drive. With the exception of our annual prostate cancer-themed programs, cars are at the intersection of all of our shows.

As always, we'll keep you updated on industry trends, specifically as we slowly shift from gasoline to hybrids to electric vehicles, as well as other news making topics. We'll have everyone from analysts to the White House joining our weekly discussions. 

Moreover, will continue our firm commitment to providie content that will empower, educate and inform our audience. 

Furthermore, thanks for riding with us, and we're looking forward to rolling towards year ten with you seated next to us in the front passenger seat. 

Lasty, I am very appreciative of Carey, Gary, James and all of our radio partners who work behind the scene with production, graphics and creativity every week. To ride along, tune in and access the latest topics and guests, clicking here. 

Jeff Fortson

Host/Executive Producer