Auto Care ON AIR

Get ready for a complete unwrapping of the automotive aftermarket's premier event! In this engaging conversation, Mark Bogdansky, Vice President of Trade Shows & Community Engagement, and Ted Hughes, Senior Director of Community Engagement & Executive Director of AWDA, join host Jacki Lutz to reveal the most significant changes coming to AAPEX since the show moved to Las Vegas over 30...

The relentless advancement of artificial intelligence is reshaping every industry, raising profound questions about the future of human work and creativity. What happens when technology doesn't just augment our capabilities but potentially replaces human intelligence itself? Mark W. Schaefer, globally recognized marketing authority and author of "Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Market...

Your car is generating valuable data every time you drive, but who owns that information and how can it benefit you? In this illuminating conversation, Alex Rawitz, founder of DIMO, reveals how his company is empowering drivers to take control of their vehicle data. For most of us, our cars represent a significant expense, about $8,000 annually beyond depreciation... yet we rarely leverage the dat...

What makes collaboration truly effective? In this eye-opening conversation, the Auto Care Association team explores how physical spaces, team dynamics, and individual mindsets create environments where innovative ideas flourish. Step inside the Association's brand-new office space, purposefully designed with open concepts and glass walls to foster spontaneous interaction. As Stacey Miller, VP...

The collision repair industry is undergoing a seismic transformation. Gone are the days when fixing a car meant simply restoring metal and paint. Ryan Mandell, with over two decades of collision industry experience, reveals how today's vehicles demand an entirely new approach to repairs. "There's more lines of code in a modern vehicle than there was in the first space shuttle,"...

Access to vehicle data sits at the heart of the automotive repair industry's future, yet many independent repair shops face growing barriers to the information they need. This eye-opening conversation between host, Stacey Miller, and her guest (and colleague) Mike Tanner, Director of Vehicle Technology and Innovation at the Auto Care Association, reveals how technological advancements like so...

Have you ever wondered what race car drivers and automotive professionals could teach us about navigating career changes? At the iconic Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, we discovered that the winding roads of this legendary race mirror the twists and turns many of us face in our professional journeys. This episode brings together Rob Tinson of Hella Aftermarket and professional race car driver...

The AI revolution isn't coming, it's already here, reshaping how businesses operate across every industry. In this enlightening conversation with Clyde Calhoun, founder and CEO of Root Idea, we dive deep into the practical realities of implementing artificial intelligence in today's business landscape. "This is a technology that can make you infinitely more valuable in your job...

What separates those who achieve their goals from those who merely dream about them? In this illuminating conversation, Jacki Lutz brings together two remarkable individuals from vastly different worlds: Larry Pavey, former CEO of Federated Auto Parts Group, and Alex Weber, American Ninja Warrior competitor and host, to unpack the psychology and practical tactics behind effective goal setting. The...

Jerry Bender never set out to become a political advocate. As the Vice President of Midwest Wheel Companies, his journey from small-town Iowa to the halls of Congress reveals how ordinary industry professionals can make extraordinary impacts on critical policy issues. Growing up in Pleasantville, Iowa, a town of just 1,500 where his graduating class had only 49 students, Bender was no stranger to...

Ever wondered why your perfectly crafted message falls flat with certain colleagues? The answer might lie in understanding your communication "voice" and how it resonates (or clashes) with others. In this illuminating conversation, Shawn Collins of Extend Group joins Auto Care Association's President and CEO, Bill Hanvey and host, Jacki Lutz, to unpack the Five Voices communication...

The resilience of the automotive aftermarket might seem puzzling during economic uncertainty, but as our conversation with Olivia Droney-Newton reveals, this industry thrives even when consumers tighten their belts. Why? Because cars must function regardless of economic conditions. Consumer confidence has fluctuated dramatically, yet vehicle maintenance remains essential. When faced with repair de...

Our Young Auto Care Network Group (under 40s in the Auto Care industry) gather at Auto Care Connect in Phoenix to discuss how mentorship, community building, and self-awareness shape career development in today's rapidly evolving marketplace. • Traditional mentorship is evolving – valuable guidance can come from peers facing similar challenges, not just industry veterans • YANG's mentors...

Kenny Meerschaert didn't set out to revolutionize workforce development in the automotive industry. The Regional Operations Director for Michigan CAT simply faced a problem: traditional recruitment methods weren't filling critical technician positions. What evolved from this challenge has become a blueprint for companies across the industry. Drawing from his experiences building deep par...

Step behind the curtain of the automotive aftermarket and discover the passionate community that powers the digital backbone of the parts industry. In this revealing episode, Jacki Lutz sits down with leaders and rising stars from the Automotive Content Professionals Network (ACPN) at AutoCare's Connect Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. These are the data specialists and content professionals w...

Could you be stifling your best ideas without even realizing it? Most people don't recognize their own creative potential, limiting themselves with the false belief that "creativity" belongs only to artists and designers. This enlightening conversation with Kyle Scheele, a "patron of crazy ideas," and Brian Matthias, Senior Content Syndication Manager at Dorman Products, d...

The digital revolution has transformed our lives, but it's also created unprecedented vulnerabilities. In this eye-opening conversation between our host, Stacey Miller, and cybersecurity expert Tony Perez, we dive deep into how artificial intelligence is supercharging cybercrime at an alarming rate. Perez, a former US Army Captain and Founder of NetLok, explains why professional cybercriminal...

What does leadership look like in today's rapidly evolving mobility industry? Todd Hertzler, newly appointed Regional President of Bosch Mobility Aftermarket, brings a refreshingly balanced perspective shaped by 19 years at Bosch and significant international experience. In this candid conversation, Hertzler reveals how his four years working in Germany transformed his understanding of work-l...

What happens when artificial intelligence meets automotive expertise? Tilak Kasturi, founder of Predii, takes us on a fascinating journey through the rapidly evolving landscape of automotive AI and its transformative impact on the parts and service industry. Drawing from his diverse background, spanning from NASA's space shuttle launch systems to radiation oncology software, Kasturi explains...

Sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's deeply woven into the fabric of the automotive aftermarket, though many consumers remain unaware of this long-standing tradition. Mark Nugent, Chief Sustainability Officer and EVP of Strategy at TERREPOWER, brings a unique perspective shaped by his childhood in Jamaica, where he developed an early appreciation for environmental stewardship while...

From infantry officer to innovative CEO, Duncan Gillis' life story reads like a masterclass in determination and reinvention. In this riveting conversation The Driver's Seat host Behzad Rassuli, Duncan reveals how being told "you can't do that" has been the fuel that propelled his remarkable journey from military service to leading TERREPOWER's sustainable manufacturi...

What if the secret to doubling your business revenue wasn't a marketing trick or sales technique, but simply putting your people first? That's exactly what Shari Pheasant discovered when she returned to help manage her auto repair shop, taking it from $1.6 million to $3.2 million in just three years through revolutionary people-first strategies. In this fascinating conversation, NAPA Vic...

Two automotive industry experts with the same name – Mike Chung of MarketCast and Mike Chung of the AutoCare Association – explore the fascinating evolution of Gen Z's relationship with cars and mobility in a data-rich, candid conversation that challenges conventional automotive industry thinking. The conversation dives deep into how the pandemic fundamentally altered the formative years of t...

The automotive aftermarket is facing a seismic shift as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations gain momentum across the United States. In this illuminating conversation, our host, Stacey Miller, sits down with Lisa Gochenour, Senior Environmental Manager at Highline Warren and Vice Chair of the Auto Care Association's Sustainability Committee, to demystify these complex regulation...

Humor as a strategic weapon. Hands-on learning as a competitive advantage. The unstoppable drive to succeed in spaces where you're told you don't belong. These are just a few elements of Tina Hubbard's extraordinary journey from being the first female heavy-duty sales rep at Federal Mogul to her current role as CEO and President of HDA Truck Pride. Along with host Behzad Rassuli, Ti...