The Hidden Mastermind Behind Street Cars

02/12/25 • 51 min

We had the honor of talking with Ryan Robinson, a former Engineering Test Driver for Tesla, Rivian, Mecerdes-Benz AMG, etc. He is amongst a secret circle of professionals who perform tests on pre-released street cars and give feedback to manufacturers before the official debut. Undoubtedly, Ryan is one of the masterminds behind the tuning, safety features, and autonomous driving capabilities of the modern cars on the road today. He is our unsung hero.

In this candid episode, Ryan reveals his top 3 favorite car manufacturers, as well as the cars he personally owns and would recommend to those who are new to performance driving. We will also talk about the best cars to bring to a date that would increase the chance of mating, the myth of modifying cars, factory demo cars, Tesla's quality control, behind-the-scenes crash tests, used car buying, and the ways to get in touch with Ryan.

Listen in on this unique never-before-seen discussion with an insider of the car industry!

Consult, hire, and say hi to Ryan:
https://www.instagram.com/shift__robinson/

https://www.youtube.com/@shift__robinson

https://www.tiktok.com/@shift__robinson?_t=8lzgYLFR3PD&_r=1&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZSLYHpYH6TKD5usxL2LFkljLx0XSVOm3gMIGtz2CHS422mj_THd5VqznI_aem_y_Ibdw771M0-vwZctxFvtQ

Jimmy Xie is the founder and host of Sociology of Cars, Sociology of Cars & Breakfast, and Sociology of Cars Podcast.
Follow him at:
https://www.instagram.com/jimmyxieart/
https://www.instagram.com/sociology_of_cars/
https://www.instagram.com/sociology_of_cars_breakfast/
https://www.instagram.com/sociology_of_cars_podcast/

Michael Kriskovic is the co-host of the RennStreet Podcast and the organizer of Fried Eggs & Jam.
Follow him at:
https://www.instagram.com/the.targa.chronicles/
https://www.instagram.com/rennstreetpodcast/

Sociology of Cars Podcast is produced by Sociology of Everything, supported by Zero2Sixty Studios in San Dimas, CA.
Follow Zero2Sixty at:
https://www.instagram.com/zero2sixty.studios/
https://www.instagram.com/zero2sixty.simracing/
https://www.instagram.com/zero2sixty.autolab/
https://www.instagram.com/zero2sixtyco/
https://www.instagram.com/zero2sixty.racing/

Listen in on this unique never-before-seen discussion with an insider of the car industry!

Consult, hire, and say hi to Ryan:
https://www.instagram.com/shift__robinson/

https://www.youtube.com/@shift__robinson

https://www.tiktok.com/@shift__robinson?_t=8lzgYLFR3PD&_r=1&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZSLYHpYH6TKD5usxL2LFkljLx0XSVOm3gMIGtz2CHS422mj_THd5VqznI_aem_y_Ibdw771M0-vwZctxFvtQ

Previous Episode

Completely Unwrapping the PPF & Vinyl Wrap Industry

This week, we had the honor of interviewing two PPF and Vinyl Wrap experts from Zero2Sixty AutoLab in San Dimas, CA.

In this unique episode, we discuss the industry's never-spoken secrets, such as the difference between big and small shops/individual installers, the marketing challenge for professionals working with film, profit margin, the myth behind named-brand films, who should not get PPF or Vinyl Wrap, and the road to becoming full-time professionals in the business.

Listen in on this most unhinged round-table discussion about the PPF and Vinyl Wrap industry ever in the history of the internet!

Consult and hire Joe and Chris for your PPF and Vinyl Wrap needs over at Zero2Sixty AutoLab:
https://www.instagram.com/zero2sixty.autolab/

Next Episode

Uncut the Mustard: The Touge Police Phenomenon

Three powerhouses in the car and motorcycle community, Jimmy Xie, Nate Rodriguez, and Cora Goodwin, are gathered this week to examine the history and morality of mustard cutting, double laning, canyon etiquette, etc. Through a critical lens, they debate about whether or not popular social media accounts like Supercar Fails, carsleavingmeets, and The Touge Police are helping the car community effectively.

Furthermore, Jimmy, Nate, and Cora speculate on the true intention of The Touge Police and what the individual(s) behind the account looks like and drives. In the end, Jimmy even reads out loud his secret love letter to The Touge Police.

Listen in on this unique bombshell discussion with community leaders of the LA car scene!

Jimmy Xie is the founder and host of Sociology of Cars, Sociology of Cars & Breakfast, and Sociology of Cars Podcast.

Follow him at:

https://www.instagram.com/jimmyxieart/

https://www.instagram.com/sociology_of_cars/

https://www.instagram.com/sociology_of_cars_breakfast/

https://www.instagram.com/sociology_of_cars_podcast/

Nate Rodriguez is the founder and administrator of SoCal Canyon Carvers.

Follow him at:

https://www.instagram.com/nayt83/

https://www.instagram.com/official_socalcanyoncarvers/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1592754544319401/?checkpoint_src=any