An Update on PRNDL!
I'm striking out on my own.
I’m Jordan Golson, a professional transportation journalist and car reviewer, and this is my automotive-focused newsletter PRNDL. Before we dive into this week's review, I've got some exciting news to share with you about the future of PRNDL.
I’ve been writing about cars and transportation for nearly a decade. Over the past few months, layoffs and cuts to freelance budgets have made it increasingly difficult to get by as an independent writer. As a result, I’ve made the difficult but exciting decision to focus all my efforts on my own publications here on Substack, YouTube, and various social media platforms.
Substack has proven the viability of independent, reader-supported media, and I’m going to dramatically expand what I write here as part of a new paid subscription model. I’ll be writing broader coverage of transportation and tech alongside the existing car reviews, similar to what I used to write at WIRED and The Verge. Here’s what it means.
My car reviews will remain free to read; that’s not changing. But, in order to make this work, I need to ask for your support. I’m going to be writing a lot more, and I’m launching a new video podcast, too! This is a bit like NPR or PBS: most of the content will be free, but it’s all funded by support from readers like you.
For $10 a month or $100 a year, you'll get any subscriber-only articles, plus early access to my video and written reviews, written transcripts of the new podcast I’m launching, and monthly swag giveaways (these are gonna be cool!) including some of the branded hats, backpacks, and whatever other swag the automakers throw at me.
There is also a special Founders tier that includes a one-on-one video consultation with me to discuss your next new car purchase, and I can even help you navigate the purchase process if you wish. I’m also offering group discounts and an unlimited-seat corporate subscription that includes a consulting call to discuss the industry.
Details about the different subscription options and examples of the articles I plan to write is available here.
My commitment to delivering high-quality free content is stronger than ever. This new subscription model allows me to build an independent publication and keep you up-to-date with the rapidly evolving world of automotive tech, which I believe is dramatically undercovered — and I have some other ideas in the works, too.
I'm incredibly grateful for your support and enthusiasm throughout this journey, and I can’t thank you enough for all the comments, replies, and shares you’ve made over the last few years. More than 1,000 people receive this newsletter via email, and over 10,000 read the website monthly. This is humbling, and I can’t thank you enough.
Please reach out to me with any questions or suggestions at jordan@prndlcars.com.
Drive safely, and thank you for everything. I couldn’t do it without you.
— Jordan Golson