New Zealand Autocar magazine has been sold by publishers Fairfax New Zealand – as it continues its selldown of specialist magazine titles.

The magazines sales and marketing manager Gavin Shaw will take on the role of general manager.

The sale takes effect April 30.

Shaw is one of the new owners and directors, alongside former owner Mark Petch.

Editor Kyle Cassidy, senior editor Peter Louisson, photographer Tom Gasnier and designer Mike McCullough have been retained.

“It’s business as usual,” according to Shaw. “The same experienced team will continue to produce the monthly magazine and we are now in the process of developing a new dedicated automotive website, which will launch in June.”

The first issue under the new management structure will be the June edition, out May 26.

Fairfax Media NZ has owned NZ Autocar magazine since 2006. It says the sale is part of a process of relinquishing some of its smaller niche titles to focus on core audiences. NZ Trucking and Boating New Zealand have also recently changed ownership, being purchased by existing staff members.