Why Everyone is Quitting BIG Automotive YouTube Channels // Donut, Hoonigan, CarThrottle

Why have so many automotive content creators quit big channels? Answers here!

It’s not just the on-screen talent, it’s a ton of people behind the scenes, too. All those "Why I quit" videos aren't telling the whole story. Everyone making those still has too much skin in the game, and can't be completely honest.

The information in this video is my opinion, based on my experience, but confirmed through dozens of conversations with many others in automotive media, from other media outlets, with similar experiences.

This one goes deep into the world of automotive media, so if you’re not REALLY interested in that, you’re gonna be bored. Also, I don’t get into many specifics about any particular channel here, but if y’all wanna see that, let me know in the comments and look out for future videos.

#carthrottle #hoonigan #donut

[mightycarmods]

We’ve been doing YouTube automotive content for 16 years straight. (Yes we are the grandpas of car stuff on YouTube) Over a billion views of our cars across our channels. About 2 weeks into making the show we went out and got some fried rice, we decided we’d never take money from anyone we didn’t trust or any company that we didn’t know. We stuck to that ever since. There’s 2 of us on screen. And two owners. That’s us. That’s it. We can’t keep up with the multi-nationals and the companies with 50 staff. But I reckon just us and a few mates is a recipe for longevity.

The automotive community is way smaller in Australia but I think the local channels punch above their weight. MCM, Skid Factory, Motive, Bennys Custom Works.

Last year when BBC asked me to host the new Top Gear - I didn’t have to ask a boss for time off. Again, just 2 of us went and had a fried rice and decided to go for it.

I get that it’s a unique situation and everyone likes to get bigger all the time. But sometimes there’s discipline in keeping constant, and keeping quality up without having to compromise.

Wishing all the small, and big channels all the best.

[reactor]

Selling your company to investors ALWAYS ends this way.

[Those_Weirdos]

I hate the behavior of essentially, "We bought you because you're outstanding in your field. But now that we own you, we won't listen to you, the experts in the field."

[magellanicspaceclouds]

It's not just Youtube channels. The corporate mindset destroys all companies that would otherwise be good or enjoyable to work for.

[jogalong]

"Not taking risks for ideas" is the cancer of modern corporate society.

[car-nivores]

Big TV sucks. Old school YouTube is coming back.

[gregolas]

Private equity running a successful business to the ground. Name a more iconic duo

[keithperena]

I’m a creative and what you said about working for someone’s salary hit hard. It made me ask “why the hell am I doing this for a management that rejects every bold idea I have?” When I could easily pack up and start my own thing and have no rejections.

[goldie]

It starts to look like the actual goal is to suck as much money out of a company as possible before killing it off, rather than making profit in the traditional sense.

[leewalker]

The Car Throttle guys did it right.. They all left in pairs and started their own channels which now collaborate on everything.

[nyreppin]

Who's here after Big Time released their "why we left Donut" video?

[chestnut]

Who here remembers Edelbrock? Used to be a company ran/owned by enthusiasts but then taken over by an investment company. Now, Chinese made parts, no new development, and Edelbrock headquarters in Torrance, CA. now gone. Such a shame.

[MADAPPLE]

It's terrifying how corporate bureaucracy ruins literally anything it touches in hopes of short-term profits.

[CJMajesty]

I have no idea who you are or why you popped up in my algorithm, but that was a GREAT video. I'm sharing.

[kimjung]

This isn't limited to automotive journalism/media. Any time a capital venture/investment firm acquires a company for pure financial profit, the quality goes down or gets blurred.

[rickfazzini]

Im just realizing that every channel I have ever quit watching was due to big corporate coming in and killing the vibe.

Like others have said, I don’t know who you are but your video reached me and your words did too. I’ll be following as I’m sure from just this one video that good things are to come.

Good luck!

[Traxxmaciek]

This is why people like Adam LZ, TJ, cleetus are doing so well. Because they have a big empire, but they are the ones at the helm.

[Jon_Flys_RC]

Hert basically said the exact same thing. No matter how hard I work for hoonigan I don’t get paid any more, get equity in the company or earn a large payout some time down the road. Kudos for Hert for saying that he realized that all the hard work he was willing to put in needed to have a direct return for his family and specifically building something for his son to benefit from later.

[TexRobNC]

Private equity is ruining everything, and that's not an exaggeration. They have done the same to the MSP/IT world, buying up, consolidating, enshitification of services and pay. It has and continues to happen to video game studios, movie studios, dentists, HOUSES, f'n everything

[ejgrant]

I found you from Collector Car Feed....Years ago I sold a 68 Z/28 Camaro to a Southern California car magazine writer Chuck Hansen. I visited Chuck and he showed me his private shop that was stacked high with products and revealed to me how guys in media get "free product" for including it in their articles. I knew the "score" way back wish you a great success in your new ventures.