Every contributor — staff writer or freelance specialist — must source claims, disclose conflicts of interest, and declare any manufacturer-provided test vehicle or travel before a piece is published. Bylines carry a short bio stating relevant expertise, and no contributor may write about a brand or dealer they have an undisclosed financial relationship with.
Who can write for True Motion Auto
Contributors range from staff automotive journalists to specialist freelancers in areas like EV technology, finance, or insurance. Whoever writes a piece, the same baseline standards apply: accuracy, sourcing, and disclosure.
Before a contributor is published
- A short public bio stating relevant background or expertise (industry experience, qualifications, prior outlets)
- A signed acknowledgement of our editorial standards, sourcing rules, and conflict-of-interest policy
- Disclosure of any manufacturer-loaned test vehicle, press trip, or other in-kind support relevant to what they're writing about
Sourcing and accuracy rules
- Cite a primary source (manufacturer, regulator, independent test body) for any specific figure
- Never present a rumour, forum post, or unverified leak as confirmed fact
- Flag manufacturer-estimated specs as estimates, not final figures
- Route all copy through the standard fact-checking pass before publication
Disclosure requirements
If a contributor owns stock in a manufacturer, has a paid consulting relationship in the industry, or received a loaned vehicle or trip to produce the piece, that is disclosed on the article — not buried in a separate policy page.
Voice and tone
We write in plain, direct English aimed at someone making a real decision — buying, financing, or maintaining a vehicle. That means stating trade-offs honestly: who a car, product or strategy suits, and who it doesn't. Hype and filler are edited out.
What breaks the guidelines
Undisclosed sponsorships, plagiarism, fabricated quotes or data, and refusal to correct a verified error are treated as serious breaches and can end a contributor relationship.
