10 Questions With Natisha Chatten, Auto Social UK

At Changing Lanes, we are continuing our travel around the world (virtually) to gather the best new stories and independent voices on motoring! Today, we are taking a short journey across the Irish Sea to the UK to catch up with Natisha Chatten from Auto Social UK. In this interview Natisha tells us the story of how she got started making YouTube car review videos.

Natisha has a background in the dealership side of the motor industry and this informs her approach. This experience in the retail environment means Natisha has lots of insight into what customers actually want to know about new cars, what’s important to them and how to tell it to them. She’s also one of the few emerging female voices on new cars, and she mentions in our interview her desire to inspire other young women to get into cars.

Natisha uses video to show her audience the features of some of the most desirable new models on the market. This year alone she’s been behind the wheel of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, BMW 1 Series, the Volvo S60, the Ford Puma and the Vauxhall/Opel Corsa. She’s already building a community online through YouTube and her social channels. Here’s what Natisha had to say about the inspiration behind her channel and some of her favourite cars!

1. Can you introduce yourself to our readers in a few sentences?

Hi, my name is Natisha, more often referred to as Tish and I am an aspiring ‘new car reviewer’ from the East of England. I have always had a keen interest in cars and have worked within the automotive industry in various roles for the past few years. I launched my YouTube channel and brand ‘Auto Social UK’ at the beginning of 2019.

2. How did you get started reviewing cars on YouTube?

A few years ago, I worked at an independent car dealership where I was thrown into the deep end and put in front of a camera. Despite my initial meltdown, I quickly become comfortable with presenting cars. I started to realise I really enjoyed it and the videos were very well received. However, I hated not being in charge of what I filmed and how long I was given to prepare so I decided I wanted to start my own YouTube channel on my own terms.

3. How are you building your community online?

I am building my online community slowly but steadily. Currently this is not my full-time job, so I am happy to grow my channel organically using other supporting social media like Instagram and Facebook. Despite this I already have quite a few people that engage regularly with my videos and content, giving me constant feedback and support, which has been overwhelmingly encouraging.

4. What inspires you?

I believe that being a female within the car industry is tough. I feel inspired to prove myself in what is predominantly a male workplace and encourage other young girls to get into cars.

Working within sales I found it very apparent that car dealerships become desensitised to the magnitude of the decision a customer needs to make when picking a new car. I wanted to build a platform that would help people to be able to explore cars within more detail from their own homes. I do not claim to be a car expert and try to look at car reviews from a customer’s point of view. What features for instance would be important to say my mum when buying a car?

5. What car do you drive and why?

My personal car was a sensible purchase, a little Volkswagen Street Up! At the beginning of 2019 I had to give back my company car. I needed something that was going to be reliable, as well as cheap to run and insure. This little car ticks all of the boxes. With its playful stripes and nice upgrades of full leather and panoramic sunroof I think it matches my personality and needs very well. In the not too distant future I have my heart set on the Volkswagen T-Roc convertible.

6. Favourite music to drive to?

You can thank my dad for my favourite driving playlist. We used to take road-trips down to Devon regularly when I was younger and there would always be The Red Hot Chilli Peppers or Arctic Monkeys blaring through the speakers. Still to this day that is my favourite music to drive to.

7. What do you like to do when not testing cars?

When I am not testing cars, I like to travel. I love exploring new cities that I haven’t been to and writing travel itineraries for my trips.

8. What would be in your dream 3 car garage?

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

Audi TTRS.

Lamborghini Urus.

9. Favourite place in the UK for a road trip?

I would have to choose the Norfolk coast as my favourite place for a UK road trip. It’s not far from myself in Suffolk and holds lots of happy memories, from spotting seals in Hunstanton to catching crabs in Cromer.

10. And finally, how can our readers follow your work?

If you want to follow my journey; the best way would be to subscribe to my YouTube channel ‘Auto Social UK.’ You can also find me at autosocialuk.com, on Instagram @auto_social_UK or on Facebook @AutoSocialUKReviews.

Thanks to Natisha for taking part in this interview!

By Caroline Kidd