Episode 95: ALLOY MAG
About this episode
The team discusses the launch of Alloy Magazine, a new automotive website that aims to break away from traditional ad-driven models. With insights from guests Fernando Pino and Rory Carroll, they explore the challenges of automotive journalism, the importance of engaging content, and innovative revenue strategies like memberships and live events. The conversation also touches on the creative process behind the magazine's design and the desire to create a more enjoyable user experience, moving away from the clutter of banner ads that dominate many automotive sites today.
Porsche
"So I think like the other way to do that is like Porsche has like type seven, which is like this really incredible kind of Instagram magazine that..."
Porsche is a famous car brand from Germany that makes fast and luxurious cars. They are well-known for their sports cars like the 911.
Porsche is a renowned German automotive manufacturer known for its high-performance sports cars, SUVs, and sedans. The brand is synonymous with luxury, engineering excellence, and motorsport success.
Type Seven
"...which is like this really incredible kind of Instagram magazine that like has a bunch of like print and digit like website extensions."
Type Seven is a project by Porsche that uses magazines and online content to share interesting stories about their cars. It's a way for them to connect with fans and car enthusiasts.
Type Seven is a creative project by Porsche that combines print and digital media to tell engaging stories about the brand and its vehicles. It reflects Porsche's commitment to innovative storytelling and brand engagement.
HRC rally car
"...actually driving an HRC like rally car to SEMA. And they gave us, or I think Alex got it right..."
An HRC rally car is a special type of car designed for racing on rough roads and tracks. These cars are built to be very strong and fast, making them suitable for competitions.
An HRC rally car refers to a vehicle built for rally racing, typically featuring modifications for performance, handling, and durability on various terrains. HRC stands for Honda Racing Corporation, which is known for its involvement in motorsports.
Tesla Roadster
"...like the first like tesla uh roadster like didn't didn't top gear like say they were going to do something with the shit on it..."
The Tesla Roadster is a fast electric car that was the first one made by Tesla. It's known for being very quick and having a long battery life.
The Tesla Roadster is an all-electric sports car that was Tesla's first production vehicle, known for its impressive performance and range.
Tesla Model S
"...they sent me a model s to review and it broke and it was like I don't know if you know this but like it got stuck in my driveway..."
The Tesla Model S is a fancy electric car that has a lot of technology and can drive very far on a single charge. It's one of the most popular electric cars.
The Tesla Model S is a luxury all-electric sedan known for its high performance, long range, and advanced technology features.
charger pin
"...there's like a little pin that's on a um it's under the relay and the pin holds the charger in the car won't let you release it..."
The charger pin is a small part that holds the charging cable in place when you plug it into the car to charge it.
The charger pin is a component that secures the charging cable to the vehicle, ensuring a proper connection while charging.
Dodge Charger
"... a um it's under the relay and the pin holds the charger in the car won't let you release it like if some..."
The Dodge Charger is a big car that looks sporty and can go really fast. People like to talk about it because it combines being a family car with a fun driving experience.
The Dodge Charger is a full-size sedan known for its powerful performance and muscular styling. It has a strong presence in the automotive world, often discussed for its blend of practicality and sporty characteristics, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts and families alike.
actuator
"...the little actuator failed or whatever totally normal failure for a new car to have..."
An actuator is a part of a car that helps move things, like locking or unlocking doors. If it breaks, it can cause problems like not being able to open the car.
An actuator is a component that converts energy into motion. In automotive applications, it often controls mechanisms like locks, windows, or seats, and can fail due to wear or manufacturing issues.
feeler gauge
"...I’d like stuck a feeler gauge in the charger to try to like uh see if I could get the pin to release..."
A feeler gauge is a tool that helps measure small gaps or spaces between parts in a car. It's useful for making sure everything fits correctly.
A feeler gauge is a tool used to measure gap widths or clearances between parts, often used in automotive applications for precise adjustments.
VIN
"...I don't know if it was a vinn car or pre-production but it was production like it came off the line..."
A VIN is like a car's fingerprint; it's a special number that helps identify a specific vehicle and its details.
VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number, a unique code used to identify individual motor vehicles. It contains information about the car's make, model, year, and place of manufacture.
Tesla Model
"...s carol has been home since monday evening with a tesla model s that won't release its charger he's tried lock..."
The Tesla Model Y is a type of electric car that looks like a small SUV and can drive without using gas. It's popular because it has a lot of cool technology and is good for the environment.
The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric compact SUV that offers impressive range, advanced technology, and a spacious interior. As part of Tesla's lineup, it is often discussed for its innovative features and the growing popularity of electric vehicles.
range test
"...performing a range test on the vehicle but I think at this point we can safely say that its range is zero..."
A range test is when you check how far an electric car can go before it needs to be recharged. This helps you understand how well the car uses its battery.
A range test is an evaluation of how far an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge. It helps determine the vehicle's efficiency and battery performance under various conditions.
alien dreadnought
"...he had this idea that the cars were all going to be built by robots and it was called the kind of it's called the something alien dreadnought..."
The 'alien dreadnought' is a plan by Tesla to use robots to build cars more quickly and efficiently. It was meant to help make more cars at a lower cost.
The 'alien dreadnought' refers to Tesla's ambitious manufacturing strategy aimed at automating the production process to increase efficiency and reduce costs. This concept was part of Elon Musk's vision for scaling up production of the Model 3.
assembly line
"version of the assembly line from like his imagination which was like a picture from a sci-fi movie and he just like sent to the entrance and was like built this and they're like oh that's stupid that won't work and he was like just build it and then it was a catastrophe the cars"
An assembly line is a way to build cars where each worker or machine adds a specific part in a series of steps. This helps make the process faster and more organized.
An assembly line is a manufacturing process in which parts are added to a product in a sequential manner to create a finished product efficiently. This method is commonly used in automobile production to streamline the building process.
cross-threaded bolt
"they couldn't tell when they were cross threaded so they would just overtork a cross threaded bolt into the and they would be like sticking up half an inch out of the out of the front of the car"
A cross-threaded bolt happens when a bolt is not screwed in straight, causing it to get stuck or not hold properly. This can lead to problems with how parts fit together in a car.
A cross-threaded bolt occurs when the threads of a bolt do not align properly with the threads of the hole it's being screwed into, which can lead to damage and failure in securing components. This is a common issue in automotive assembly that can result in poor construction quality.
overtork
"they would just overtork a cross threaded bolt into the and they would be like sticking up half an inch out of the out of the front of the car"
Overtorking means tightening a bolt too much, which can break it or damage the part it's attached to. It's important to use the right amount of force when putting things together in a car.
Overtorking refers to applying too much torque when tightening a bolt, which can lead to damage of the bolt, the component being fastened, or both. This is particularly problematic in automotive assembly, where precision is critical.
Tesla Model 3
"...they had to build a certain number of model threes in a certain amount of time to get the money..."
The Tesla Model 3 is a popular electric car known for being more affordable than other Tesla models. It has a good driving range and is designed to be environmentally friendly.
The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric sedan that has gained popularity for its performance, range, and affordability compared to other electric vehicles. It plays a significant role in Tesla's mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy.
government incentives
"...there was some like uh financing or maybe it was a government uh incentive whatever where they had to build a certain number of model threes..."
Government incentives are financial benefits offered by the government to encourage people to buy electric cars. These can lower the price you pay for the car.
Government incentives for electric vehicles often include tax credits, rebates, or grants aimed at encouraging consumers to purchase electric cars. These incentives can significantly reduce the overall cost of the vehicle.
hackathon
"...he got on there and was like uh hey we're having a hackathon to uh to rejigger the assembly line..."
A hackathon is a gathering where people come together to work on computer projects, usually to solve problems or create new ideas quickly. It's like a brainstorming session for tech solutions.
A hackathon is an event where programmers and developers collaborate intensively on software projects, often to solve specific problems or create new applications. In this context, it refers to a creative approach to resolving production issues.
Ferrari
"the other thing that we look at too is like ferrari does a yearly racing yearbook for like which is really like a throwback to their old business where it was"
Ferrari is a famous car company from Italy that makes very fast and expensive sports cars. They are well-known in car racing and have a long history in the automotive world.
Ferrari is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer known for its high-performance vehicles and rich motorsport heritage. The brand is synonymous with speed, style, and exclusivity.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.