After 31 years at the helm of the Daily Mail's motoring section, Ray Massey has written his last column, concluding a distinguished career as the publication's longest-serving motoring editor. Massey's tenure, which began in the mid-1990s, spanned a period of significant transformation in the automotive industry and in the broader relationship between motorists and governmental policy.
In his farewell, Massey observed a marked increase in what he described as a "war on the motorist," citing the proliferation of low-speed zones, camera-enforced traffic schemes, and complex parking regulations. He also noted the growing influence of Chinese car manufacturers and government incentives aimed at promoting electric vehicle adoption.
"This is a political culture war waged by a highly motivated minority of puritanical net-zero zealots, embedded in policy-making roles in national and local government, with unfettered access to levers of power which they exploit," Massey wrote. He argued that the resistance to these measures is rooted in the defense of personal mobility, freedom, and choice, which he believes cars represent.
Massey's career at the Daily Mail saw him champion various campaigns, including efforts to address car pricing, fuel taxes, speed camera visibility, and the practices of parking firms. His role also afforded him the opportunity to test a wide array of vehicles, from vintage models to the latest electric and autonomous prototypes, and to engage with industry leaders and automotive figures.
He recounted experiences such as driving Bond cars and meeting personalities like Sir Stirling Moss. His final duties included attending the unveiling of Ferrari's first electric car. Despite stepping down from his editorial role, Massey indicated he would remain involved in the automotive world, with upcoming projects and a position on the executive committee of the Guild of Motoring Writers. He also mentioned attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The Daily Mail confirmed that motoring content will continue on its online platforms and in its Saturday print edition.