HUP, HUP, hooray! 40 Years of AUTO BILD

Anniversary issue to be published on March 12, 2026, with a total circulation of more than 790,000 copies / Supplement in BILD am SONNTAG and WELT AM SONNTAG

AUTO BILD was launched 40 years ago. Europe's largest automotive media brand is celebrating the milestone with a special anniversary issue, to be published on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with a one-time print run of more than 790,000 copies. The birthday edition will receive additional reach as a supplement in BILD am SONNTAG and WELT AM SONNTAG the following weekend. With 48 extra pages, the issue is a major thank-you to readers and advertising partners alike.

The cover of the anniversary issue - just like the very first edition - provides a preview of the new car releases of the year. Anyone who would like to compare automotive developments over the past 40 years can download the first issue from February 24, 1986 free of charge..

From the first idea to launch, the magazine was created in just 113 days. At the time, it also marked a technical revolution at Axel Springer: rotogravure printing on newsprint, with every page printed in color for the first time. Since then, more than 2,000 issues of AUTO BILD have been published, totaling around 170,000 pages dedicated to the colorful and exciting world of mobility.

Robin Hornig, Editor-in-Chief AUTO BILD:"40 years of AUTO BILD - a reason to celebrate what we love. Our anniversary is dedicated to everyone who has accompanied AUTO BILD over the years: our readers. With this anniversary issue, we want to thank them for their loyalty. Our promise: we will remain true to our core - with exclusive new releases, tests and consumer advice, entertaining and easy to understand. Today more digital than ever. And always helping even more people with their purchasing decisions."

From the very beginning, AUTO BILD drove straight into the hearts of its readers at full speed. One of the reasons for this was explained by the two editors-in-chief at the time, Peter J. Glodschey and Werner Rudi, in the very first editorial: "AUTO BILD offers less camshafts and torque - and more advice and help for everyday life."

This mission still drives AUTO BILD today. The BILD Group's AUTO Competence Center compares products, provides clear context and explains in a straightforward way what is good - and what is not. AUTO BILD exposes flaws when necessary and helps consumers make purchasing decisions in a market that is becoming increasingly complex. What began as a magazine has evolved into a modern digital mobility buying guide, offering tests, comparisons, clear assessments and strong opinions. Across all channels, AUTO BILD now reaches 10 million people every month with automotive topics (b4p II/2025).

Carolin Hulshoff Pol, CEO BILD Group:"For 40 years, AUTO BILD has combined a passion for mobility with clear practical value. This mix of testing expertise and accessibility is more relevant today than ever. As a strong brand at the heart of the BILD Group, AUTO BILD supports millions of people in making important purchasing decisions - in print and digitally. That is an extraordinary achievement. Congratulations!"