Ford Performance is Ford’s brand for making and supporting faster, sportier versions of their cars. It’s aimed at people who want more performance than the standard models.
“Baby Driver” is a car-and-heist movie where driving and music are tightly linked, making it a popular reference point for car enthusiasts. It’s relevant here because the host asks for the guest’s favorite car movie.
When you’re learning to work on cars, you sometimes make mistakes and something doesn’t go right. The important part is learning from it and improving next time.
“Muscle cars” are classic American performance cars. People often expect them to look a certain way, including traditional colors, so using something like pink is a deliberate twist.
Custom paint choices—like painting a car pink—are part of personalizing a build and can change how a car is perceived (curb appeal, identity, and brand/style). In enthusiast circles, bold colors often signal creativity rather than trying to match factory norms.
“Finishes” in paint and appearance typically refer to the surface look—such as matte, satin, gloss, metallic, or pearl effects—beyond just the base color. Different shades and finishes can dramatically change how light reflects off the body, affecting the car’s overall presence.
“Reverting to stock” means undoing modifications and returning the car to its original factory configuration—often including paint, trim, and appearance. This matters because it can preserve resale value and make future changes easier if an experiment doesn’t work.
Performance Lab Detroit is referenced as the shop where the SN95 Mustang was sitting and where Christina usually works closely with a partner. For listeners, this gives context on how real builds often rely on specialized local shops and collaboration.
Aftermarket parts are upgrades or replacements made by other companies, not the car’s original manufacturer. People use them to customize the car or improve certain features.
OEM stands for “original equipment manufacturer,” meaning parts made to match what the car was built with. Using OEM parts alongside aftermarket parts is a common approach when restoring or refreshing a car while still allowing customization.
Term
interior head interior designers
This refers to a lead role in designing the vehicle’s interior—likely responsible for the overall look, materials, ergonomics, and design direction. It’s a useful reminder that car design is a team effort, and that the interior can be tied to specific designers and design leadership.
She’s describing efforts to get more women into science and tech fields. In cars, that can mean engineering, coding, and other technical jobs behind the scenes.
A STEM program is a class or group that teaches technical subjects like science and engineering. She used it to help younger women feel comfortable trying those things.
A “project car” is a vehicle you’re actively working on—often with upgrades, repairs, or troubleshooting—rather than a fully finished daily driver. The episode uses it to highlight the real-world messiness of car building, including parts availability and setbacks.
“Daily” here means the car is being used as a daily driver, so it can’t be down for long. That adds pressure to fix issues quickly and makes troubleshooting more stressful.
The cam position sensor tells the engine control unit where the camshaft is, which is critical for correct ignition and fuel timing. If it’s installed incorrectly or tightened improperly, the engine may fail to start or run poorly.
The Woodward Dream Cruise is a big car event in Detroit. People bring their cars and cruise along Woodward Avenue, and it’s especially popular in August.
When a car “stalls,” the engine shuts off by itself. That can be caused by things like fuel problems, and in this story they’re trying to figure out what caused it.
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a famous race track in North Carolina. Driving there feels different from normal roads because it’s built for cars to go fast safely.
GM stands for General Motors, a major car company. Here it’s brought up as one of the companies whose leaders could help support more women working in cars.
Le Mans is a famous endurance race in France. Cars race for a full day, so it’s about both speed and lasting reliability. It’s one of the biggest racing events in the world.
LIVE
I'm like, maybe we can take what I'm kind of doing in person and put it on the internet.
And instead of talking and teaching 30, 50, 100 people, I can teach millions of people
at the same time.
On this show, we talk with people who are reshaping our culture, our communities, and
the way we move through the world.
My guest today is doing just that.
Christina Roque is an automotive content creator, a great engineer, and a Detroit native.
Christina and I both believe innovation comes from a very messy, trial-and-error reality.
She's a true force in the Motor City, and I can't wait for you to hear her story.
Hi, Christina.
Thanks so much for taking the time.
Is that a Ferrari on your wall during our interview?
Hey, I also have a Ford Performance hat sitting right there.
Oh, good.
I got the hat, but Ferrari got the picture.
I love it.
So I have to ask you some lightning-around questions.
Here we go.
You go to Road Trip Song.
Oh, my goodness.
Rose on Travel by Lincoln Park.
Oh, I'll list that tonight.
Okay.
Favorite car movie?
Oh, Baby Driver.
Oh, that's a good one.
Okay, essential item that you keep in your glove box or in your car that people would be surprised about.
This is a good question.
Well, it's a makeup item.
Oh, my God.
That's so funny.
It's makeup.
That's good.
So it could be a jumper cables because I don't have to worry about the makeup, but that's good.
I like it.
Okay, a dream passenger on a road trip.
Oh, well, that's Matthew McConaughey.
Ah, yes.
Yeah.
He would be a really good road trip partner.
Oh, my God.
Yes.
I don't know where you imagined it going, but I think you would have a really good time with Matthew.
Oh, that's amazing.
That's good to hear.
So, Christina, why don't you tell everyone who's listening in what you do, what you're about,
what gets you excited?
So I'm an automotive content creator.
I build and customize many cars for myself, my family for movies and celebrities.
And I am a computer science and mechanical engineering major.
So I studied here in the Motor City, went to University of Michigan.
So for you, what is Detroit?
I mean, you said the Motor City, but you have a very different perspective.
Your family went back and forth between here in Canada, your family is Iraqi.
So you have a different perspective.
Tell us about the Motor City through your lens.
It's really interesting because, yes, I was born here in the Motor City and I am a first-generation student.
So my parents did come here from Iraq.
The moment I learned how to like read and write in English, I was helping them with lots of letters and paperwork to just help get things going.
What did you buy with your own money, the first car?
My first car I purchased was a 350Z.
So when I was in college, I had a little bit of extra scholarship money.
The pandemic was happening at the time, so we got sent home.
And I was like, let me just purchase my first project car and start self-teaching myself and learning how to work on the car.
And that's how I started filming the progress.
I would make a lot of mistakes, but I think that was like kind of the beauty behind it was I'd break a lot of things.
And I would kind of show people online that, hey, it's totally okay to break things.
This is how we learn.
And so, yeah, that's kind of like what started social media for me as well.
That's really cool.
And I hear this all the time, well, young people aren't involved in cars.
My daughter and I work on my cars together.
She's in high school.
My son's the same.
He's working in North Carolina.
He's in high school on an Ascar team.
And so I just don't see it personally that the younger generation isn't into cars.
In fact, the opposite is the case.
What I love about your content and about you is you demystify working on a car.
Like it's okay not to know and kind of get started, but how did your parents react to that vantage point?
Like you got pretty into this pretty quickly.
You have this huge following.
What do your parents think about all this?
We didn't grow up very financially stable.
And so my mom's car would constantly break down.
I was in first robotics.
And so I would kind of try to take those concepts I would learn on how to fix and troubleshoot and apply them to the vehicle, learn off YouTube University and hopefully fix it for very cheap.
My mom did raise me and my two sisters.
So it's just a family of a bunch of girls.
And so we didn't really have anyone to kind of like teach us how to get our hands dirty.
So I think for my mom in particular, she was very appreciative of the fact that I would constantly help her to try to fix the car so we can save money.
And once she found out that I purchased my project car that was not running and it needed work and I needed to post and I was posting on social media.
She was very confused.
She doesn't understand the world of social media and the amount of power it has.
But I think she always trusted me.
I was always doing great in school and I said, I promise not only is this a passion, it's turned into a passion and a hobby of mine.
I want to make something out of it.
And so I think she just really just held my hand and trusted me through the process, even though she just didn't understand how social media work, how does working with brands, how does all that come to play?
I think she still has questions to this day, but I think it was just trust.
Was there ever a moment, aha moment for her as a mom where she's like, my daughter is really good at what she does or, you know, she has a lot of influence.
She has a very positive influence on people.
Where's the moment that you think she kind of opened her eyes?
Yes, I think she started realizing kind of the power and saw like the influence I was having on social media when people started recognizing her at the beginning.
Yeah.
Cool.
Way to go mom, by the way.
I've seen a lot of your projects and one of the things I find really interesting is the way you think about color and some of the traditional muscle cars that you would think of Detroit, you don't hesitate at all to paint something pink or whatever.
Where does that come from?
Is that just your kind of irreverent spirit or is there something more to it?
Good question.
I think it's a little bit of style comes into play.
I, you know, at the end of the day, I'm still a girl.
I love fashion.
I love, you know, dressing up and I think I like to express myself in that form with cars as well.
And so I like to kind of experience with different colors and different shades finishes and not be afraid to just kind of try something new.
And if it doesn't work out, I can always kind of revert it back to stock and call it a day.
And there's been plenty of times where I've had that happen.
Because as car people, you know, you have an extended family.
You have millions of people that consider you family.
Have you had any funny or unusual moments between your fans or, you know, other car people and your family that may not be as familiar with the other people in your family?
Yeah, yeah, no, of course.
I mean, there's there are certain times where I introduced my mom to people that I have been working with for almost a decade and my mom's meeting them for the first time.
I'm like, well, this is the other part of the family that you didn't meet.
And now you're meeting them right now.
I think that's like you mentioned so amazing about the car community.
It is like a second family.
And I think getting to connect with the audience as well is super cool.
I've had interactions where people come by and tell me they just purchased this car because they saw me do a video series on it and that they want to do something similar.
And I think it's it's it's crazy how much power and influence there is.
So I always try to make sure to be a good role model to those watching for sure.
And is there content that you're particularly proud of?
Like let's say someone's listening to this and they haven't seen your work before.
What would you encourage them?
If there's one thing that they should go check out that you've worked really hard and put your heart and soul into, what would it be?
What should they do right now?
Right off the bat.
And I'm not just saying this because we're on a podcast together, the SN95 Mustang that I transformed.
It was sitting in the corner of Performance Lab Detroit, a shop that I usually work closely with.
And I was just like, tell me a little bit more about that car.
And it was the head tax vehicle that he just hadn't had time to work on yet.
And he's like, well, it's the head tax vehicle.
It's it's really nicely modified, but it just cosmetically needs a lot of restoration work and transformative work.
And I said, let me work on that car.
And so with that being said, it was around the Christmas time and my birthday is on Christmas.
So I really wanted to do something special.
So I set up a huge advent calendar with every single part OEM and some aftermarket that I can modify this SN95 with and like kind of do a semi restoration and transformation series on.
And it was super cinematic.
I think I brought this up to you during the Ford season, Ford Performance season launch in one of the Carolinas.
And I started learning a little bit more about that car.
And I found out that Emily King was one of the interior head interior designers of that vehicle.
And I think that is I'm all about like, you know, women empowerment and kind of advocating for women in STEM.
So that just kind of empowered me even more and inspired the whole story even more.
So let's talk about women in cars because my daughter's in high school.
She hasn't taken it to your level, obviously, but she's really into cars.
She's a boyfriend that I think they met because of cars.
They go to car shows at M1 together and, you know, she watches Formula One with me and she's always criticizing, you know, this or that that I do with cars, which is great.
She calls all my cars like old people cars.
And we have a really good relationship and I cannot imagine the health of our relationship without doing car stuff.
I'm curious what your perspective is, you know, why are you working so hard to get women excited about this industry and give themselves permission to do whatever they want?
Why do you think that's a thing?
Wow, that's an amazing question.
I think that's awesome that you guys go to M1 together and go to car shows and it's super cool.
I feel like that's all in our backyard.
I definitely, it's a big thing for me because when I first started choosing a different career path, when I was in middle school and high school, you just think of the medical field because you think that's just what's right.
And I think since my family is more traditional, that's kind of what we see it as a norm.
And so for someone like me that doesn't have any brothers or, you know, any male figures around like, yeah, that's so out of the blue.
In a way, my mom, again, it's it's a matter of trust, but also it's concerning because she wants to make sure that I'm successful.
But also she kind of wants to just protect me and make sure that I don't get shut down when it comes to certain conversations with men in the field or just being outnumbered and I'm too scared to kind of speak out and speak my thoughts on a specific project.
Before I joined social media, I was doing the STEM program so I can just kind of have a safe space for younger women to kind of see that like, you know, it's not so bad.
It's really not so bad just getting over that jump to realize that like, hey, we can do it too, then they can do anything anywhere.
And so I think just like getting that excitement getting them fueling to kind of take on these challenging courses or after school programs will kind of dictate the path they take and or at least see it as an option.
And that's perfectly fine too, as just as long as they got to kind of experience it or kind of get their feet wet at how what it what's all about.
And so when I started doing the STEM programs, my little sister was on tick talking was on musically and I was like, tell me about these apps, what are they about and so she's kind of more hip to the younger generation and she's like, oh, like people lip sync and dance and I said,
is there an educational aspect towards it. And she said, yeah, like sometimes I'll see stuff like techie stuff and I said, okay, cool. I'm like, maybe we can take what I'm kind of doing in person and and put it on the internet and instead of talking and teaching 3050 100 people I can teach
millions of people at the same time. And that's kind of where it all came to be. And it was a huge jump. And I think it was obviously, of course, definitely worth it. And I it's constantly, you know, hearing touching stories and seeing people telling me that now they're interested to
actually pursue a degree in STEM or even test it out because they've always been curious about it because they watch my videos now and they want to try it for themselves.
Thank you. And one of the things that I think about your content that's so refreshing and just encourage everyone to check you out, Christina is that you make mistakes. Yeah, what gave you the confidence to go there because that's very refreshing.
It feels like when I was growing up, you know, everyone wanted to be different. Today, everyone wants to be the same and they want to be perfect, you know, everyone has filters and they're trying to be like the best self, which is great. But there's not a appreciation as much as I think there should be around being vulnerable
online. But you are when it comes to our, you know, industry, where did where did you get the confidence? Where did that come from?
Well, I want to say that's amazing that you even recognize that as the Ford CEO, I only can imagine your head's running in a ton of different directions at all times. So for you to notice that is actually very, very cool and inspiring.
I think, yeah, I definitely recognize that when I was looking before I entered the world of social media, I would notice that everyone was very, you know, sharp edges and making sure everything's perfect and there's no mistakes to be made and this car, this project is going to be start to finish,
end it perfectly and it's going to run. And I said, well, that's not very practical or real.
Yeah.
You know, a car in their garage that they're working on only when they have some times in the weekends and they messed up a bowl and now it's just backordered for who knows how long and now they need a specific part that they can't find because the dealership doesn't make that part anymore or sell it.
And I think that I really wanted to highlight that that's part of the car journey. That's part of the car building journey and that's part of the challenges you face, but you know, you can look at it on a positive light or a negative light.
You know, one of the things I know you've experienced a lot too is working on a car is a problem solving exercise. There's a physical part of it. There's an intellectual part of it. And there's also kind of like, I got to solve this problem and there's no manual to do it.
And what I like is that often when I can't break through on a problem, I'll get frustrated and now I've learned to take a step back, even take a day off or whatever. And strangely, I will find a way to solve the problem.
You know, just thinking about a little bit more, but not while you're doing it by taking a time out. Do you find that and can you give an example to the listeners of that so they can understand what you go through every day?
Yes, yes. I think that it's very true what you say. I think taking a step back and just doing something else completely different, having a coffee, going for a walk and either sometimes it takes a full day or sometimes it takes a full weekend to go back and be like, wow, I can't believe that's what I was stuck on.
But now I realized it. An example that kind of comes into mind right away was my 350Z. There was a time where I was just working on the camp position sensor. Something very simple. There's so much online forums and stuff on this platform. And I'm just like, I, for the life of me, I can't figure it out right now. And that was at that time, the project car that I was working on 350Z was also my daily.
And I was like, I need to get it.
I have to fix it or else I'm getting a ride from someone else. Yeah.
Exactly. So I'm like, either I'm going to miss school tomorrow or I have to figure this out and, you know, step the side. And, you know, well, sometimes I just kept going at it, right? I think that's the thing about us car people is we like to problem solve as well.
So we keep troubleshooting. We keep trying different things. And we're like, let, let's have our brain work. We know we can, we can do it. We can solve this. And so to the point where you're just like, I've exhausted all options. I just need to take a step back and go back inside, sit down, have some food and take your mind off of it.
And then just start on a fresh slate and be like, okay, what, what are we trying to troubleshoot and kind of just talk to yourself and work it out by talking through to it to yourself and slowly but surely you'll be like, wow, I didn't realize that the camp position
sensor that I was putting on was kind of either faced in a different direction or it wasn't tightening it down to the right work spec and it's causing it not to turn over. So, so that's kind of something that definitely sparks a memory in my mind because I had to drive that car around and it was my project car.
And, and your boyfriend and you guys make a really good team. Like you have a lot of fun and, you know, you're kind of juxtapose each other. Have you ever gotten into like a legit conflict or fight after you've done content? Or is it all as all as kind of healthy and kind of well intentioned as the content seems like what happens actually?
Good question. I think during our challenge series, of course, we have challenge series will either will have a set budget and we have to customize these cars. And during those times, we're actually competing. And we want, you know, we want to win at the audience's vote.
So during those times, it's like, do I want to ask him a question? Or do I want to say something? Because usually we like to kind of offer our opinion on how the car might look better. But I'm just like, in that case scenario, do I want to tell him how his car can look better?
I don't think so. So I'm going to keep it to myself. But so there's that aspect of it. There's certain aspects when our car breaks down. And I want his input, but then I don't think it's that and he thinks it's that and we keep going back and forth. There was a time I remember on the quinder.
I, my car bogged out. I ran out of gas and he's like, no, it's a bigger.
Street in Detroit, very famous one.
Yes, very popular one. And we were heading to Woodward. And so Woodward is a very notable street that all the car community hangs around during the weekends. And there's also the Woodward Dream Cruise, which is a huge cruising event in August.
And so we were heading towards that direction. My car stalls out and I said, I'm just out of gas. And he said, no, you're not. There's a bigger issue. Let's get it towed to one of our friends shops or to your garage. I said, no, let's push it to the gas station.
The gas station is right there. And he's like, you know, he's like, I'm going to trust you on this. We're going to push it there. And if it's not, if it's not just gas, like, I told you so. And so it was high heat.
We pushed the car to the gas station, filled it up, and it started right up. And I'm like, I'm like, I know my car and I know it was just the gas.
I'm glad that our relationships haven't changed much between your generation and mine. That happens every day in my household. So that's great.
And so you guys have a lot of fun. Like your content is really fun. These competitions, you're always doing a lot of fun stuff together and individually. How do you come up with your ideas?
Yeah, that's a great question. Yeah, we're always having so much fun. I think another aspect besides cars, when we're actually working on cars together at the warehouse now or in the garage, we also get to travel to different events. So we both went to the Ford Performance Season Launch.
And Charlotte, North Carolina, yeah.
It's such an amazing and thrilling experience. I mean, we got behind the wheel on a Charlotte motor speedway. It was super amazing. So when it comes to me and my boyfriend and working on cars and coming up with ideas, I think it's just slow conversations.
Either we'll laugh about something and we're like, wait, no, that's not actually funny that we can actually make that work.
But for the audience, Christina produced a video on the new Bronco that has hit so far 25 million views. I mean, it's by far the most watched Bronco content I've seen globally ever since we brought the Bronco back.
And I was curious to ask from you, you know, what do you think hit the nerve? Is it like the way you did the content or the vehicle itself probably combination? But why do you think that struck such a nerve with people in a good way?
I think when it comes to specific content, it does have to somewhat be relatable. And I think that that's really important. I'd like to say that it's partially is the genuine part of it that kind of I know that I'm doing it out of a good heart and with good intentions that something will come good out of it.
And I think that's where the engagement and the audience also kind of connect with. And so then one after the other, it's like a chain reaction. It just blows up and it does, it does good.
Okay. And then the last two questions and these are really important for me is the first one is what advice would you give me as the CEO of Ford?
Wow. That's an amazing question. I am and the CEO has never asked me that question. First of all, so I think that's really amazing. And I think that's probably the biggest thing I'm going to take out of this podcast too is honestly from the bottom of my heart is just never forget to keep giving back to the community.
I think the motor city and we have such a strong community here. And I think we always have such great helping hands. And I think leading the next generation by offering these STEM programs and offering programs within school districts will really take us to the next level for sure.
And if I was talking to Maria GM or John Alka and at Stellantis, we're all in a room and I asked this question. I gave the answer to all of us. I would like to hear your opinion. What is the best way to lift up women to get into the auto industry and be successful?
Wow. Right off the bat is having conversations like this. I think it's so surreal and highlighting figures of women within the auto industry to kind of use them as an example for the next generation and for those watching.
I think just letting their voice be heard and letting their opinions be heard in rooms. I think that that goes a long way for sure. And yeah, I think that's the best part.
You got it. That's exactly what I'll do. And I really enjoy the time with you. I love your content. You know, you're a really special person in our industry and hope for the listeners that aren't familiar with Christina, that they take the extra time to really look at your content and really learn from you about the magic in our business and having fun with cars.
And I wish you and your mom and your sister, your boyfriend, all the best. And I want to thank you genuinely for spending time with me.
Likewise, Jim, from the bottom of my heart, honestly, this was so much fun that you could tell, but when I get excited, I talk so fast.
Good.
So truly such an incredible podcast. I'm super excited to be a part of it. I've been watching it for quite some time actually too.
So truly thank you for letting our voices be heard and telling cool stories about all things Ford and the car community.
Well, in 2027, we're going to Le Mans to be Ferrari again. And I hope if I do my job someday, you'll put a Ford right underneath the Ferrari or right next to the Ferrari.
So you have something to root for and bless you so much. Thank you for the time and can't wait to see your next video.
Thank you so much, Jim. Thank you guys so much as well.
Bye bye.
About this episode
Christina Roque, a Detroit-born engineer and automotive content creator, talks about how she learned to build and customize cars through trial-and-error—especially after buying a non-running 350Z during the pandemic. She demystifies wrenching by openly showing mistakes, and credits her mom’s trust (even if she didn’t understand social media) for helping her pursue STEM and automotive passions. Christina also discusses her fearless approach to color, the supportive “second family” of car culture, and why she pushes women into STEM and the auto industry. She shares problem-solving stories, influencer-brand realities, and what helped her Bronco video hit big.
Jim talks with automotive content creator and mechanical engineer Christina Roki, a Detroit native and first-generation American. Roki shares how buying a Nissan 350Z project car during the pandemic and sharing her experience with her trial-and-error repairs helped her normalize mistakes and grow a large online audience. She discusses learning to fix cars affordably for her single mother, her creative approach to customizing cars with bold colors, and how the car community feels like a second family.
00:00 Teaching Cars Online
02:03 Her Origin Story
03:06 First Project Car 350Z
04:35 Family Support And Trust
06:31 Bold Colors And Style
07:29 Community And Influence
10:18 Women In Cars And STEM
13:03 From Programs To TikTok
14:01 Embracing Mistakes Publicly
18:52 Couples Challenges And Fights
23:17 Advice For Ford Leadership
DRIVE with Jim Farley is produced by Jesse Baker and Eric Nuzum of Magnificent Noise. Our production staff includes Sabrina Farhi and Kristen Mueller with help from Lori Arpin, Angela Brewer, Max Owen-Dunow, Anne Roberts, Samantha Singhal, Darnell Macon, Brandon Kennedy, and Mark Truby.
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