Auto Service World Conversations

President and CEO of the Auto Care Association Bill Hanvey provides insights into the industry's current landscape. Discussing challenges like global trade uncertainties and tariffs, Hanvey emphasizes the association's role in supporting members through complex economic times. He highlights progress on right to repair legislation, the potential of AI in inventory management and the indus...

J.F. Champagne, president and CEO of AIA Canada, outlines the pressing challenges facing automotive service technician training. He emphasizes the need to modernize education to keep pace with rapidly evolving vehicle technologies. With increasing reliance on diagnostic technology and complex vehicle systems, he stresses the necessity of upskilling, addresses the industry's image problem and...

Lordco executives Samatha and Ian Coates discuss the current automotive parts industry landscape, highlighted by economic uncertainty and a softer retail market during their company's 35 Annual Tradeshow. Despite challenges, they remain optimistic, highlighting their trade show strategy, commitment to premium products and customer service. Tune in to hear their thoughts on topics like consoli...

The benefits of artificial intelligence in the automotive aftermarket are seemingly boundless. But as Todd Richardson, CEO and president of In Motion Brands and Atrium Solutions Inc., explains, there is only so far you will want to take it in your shop. Tune in to hear about where this technology can help, what it can do for you and how you should carefully think about its implementation in your b...

Suzanne Morello, senior VP of marketing at Mevotech in Toronto, draws on 30 years of marketing experience to gauge how the aftermarket is evolving in the area. Tune in to also hear Morello share her journey into the aftermarket, discussing digital transformation, industry challenges, and the importance of customer-centric strategies. She explores topics like economic uncertainties, tariffs and the...

Hear more from this year's chair for AIA Canada. Learn more about his background in the auto care sector, what drives his passion for the industry, why he views this as a great opportunity and more.     Support the show

Listen in to four discussions with leaders from top automakers at the 2025 Canadian International AutoShow. Host Adam Malik chatted with Said Deep from Ford Motor Company of Canada, Matt Girgis from Volvo Canada, Mike Szymkiewicz and Lou Ann Gosselin from Stellantis and Elias El-Achab from Kia live from the floor of the show during Media Day. Tune in to hear their thoughts about the state of the i...

The leadership team of Pacer Dynamics — Eddie Tso, Joshua Lin, and Albert Liu — discuss their journey into the automotive aftermarket, one that may not be typical. The trio shares how their diverse backgrounds and friendships led them to form this Canadian-owned brake disc manufacturer, highlighting the importance of industry connections, adaptability and a passion for the aftermarket. They also d...

This is a cross-post from the Logistics Lowdown podcast, presented by Turnkey Media LLC. David Johnston, George Weston Ltd. research chair and centre director in Sustainable Supply Chains at the Schulich School of Business at York University, and founding and current program director of the Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM) at Schulich. In this episode of The Logistics Lowdown, we talk with...

The passion for the automotive aftermarket runs deep for many professionals in this industry and Johanna Smith is no exception. She’s the new director of sales and marketing at Associated Equipment and will be working closely with the Canadian market. Johanna shares her passion for the automotive aftermarket, highlighting the importance of relationships, innovation and empowerment within the indus...

Leading industry expert and Jobber News columnist Kumar Saha joined Auto Service World Conversations to discuss the latest implications of the trade standoff between Canada and the United States. A 25% tariff has been announced for Canadian goods going into America, while Canada retaliated with a tariff package of its own. As the auto industry is uniquely positioned in this battle — auto parts cro...

Todd Campau, associate director of the aftermarket at S&P Global Mobility, explores the unique dynamics of the Canadian automotive market, with a focus on electric vehicle adoption, market trends and the impact of the economy on the aftermarket. He provides insights into the factors driving Canada’s lead over the U.S. in EV growth, the implications of changing incentives, and the challenges po...

The state of the automotive aftermarket is complex. Shane O'Kelly, CEO of Advanced Auto Parts, talks about where the industry is and where it’s going. He explores the increasing importance of technology, from right-to-repair issues to the challenges posed by advanced driver assistance systems. O'Kelly also shares insights on Advanced Auto Parts' decision to keep its Canadian operati...

Autumn Lamb’s LinkedIn description might tell you all you need to know about her: Professional pivoter of all things marketing. She’s all about opening the various doors that she comes across in the automotive aftermarket. Autumn pivots from one challenge to another, one association group to the next. In this conversation, we learn more about the marketing manager for GSP Americas, from her journe...

Tune into the Enhanced Media portion of the December 2024 issue of CARS magazine to hear more from Craig and Heather Maidens, from Maidens Family Auto Care, winner of the 2024 Shop of the Year Award, sponsored by Milwaukee Tool. Support the show

On the job for a few short months, Emily Holtby has been thrown into the fire. AIA Canada’s new vice president of government relations joins the aftermarket at a critical juncture: Getting right to repair for the automotive aftermarket front and centre of Canada’s politicians. During her first visit to AAPEX, she sat down to talk about her journey to the industry and how she’s ready to advocate fo...

At a global event, J.F. Champagne, president and CEO of AIA Canada, was also thinking local. While Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas is highlighted by AAPEX and the SEMA Show, it was important for Champagne to connect with his global partners on challenges that continue to hit the auto care sector. But in a sit down conversation during the event, he highlighted the local struggles...

Tune into the Enhanced Media portion of the November issue of Jobber News to hear more from Shannon Black, manager of Motorcade’s St. Catharines, Ont. branch and winner of the 2024 Jobber of the Year Award. Support the show

Electric vehicles are increasingly growing on Canadian roads, meaning there’s more of a chance an EV owner will come through your doors looking for service. Scott and Bruce Eccles at Eccles Auto Service in Dundas, Ontario, have been growing their EV services over the last few years. They share how they grew this part of the business, found training, educated their customers, tips for success and m...

Movember is a time to raise awareness for men’s health and Nhu Nguyen, a classic Porsche technician, has dedicated herself to the cause. What started as baking cookies to raise money has grown into an event called “Nhuvember” — a fundraising event benefiting Movember, sponsored by Canaweld. In this episode of ASW Conversations, we chat with Nhu about why she supports the cause, what she does and h...

After a year at the helm, we catch up with Nick Brunet, president of Bestbuy Distributors. He joined the company after a stint outside the aftermarket but spent years before that with 3M. He’s no stranger to the aftermarket and is now taking on the challenge to growing Bestbuy’s place in the market. The distributor’s shareholder base has grown over the last year and looks to go even higher. He dis...

The priorities of those working in the automotive aftermarket vary widely by generation, according to the Defining Culture Survey, put out by the Modern Industry eXpertise (MiX) Council, part of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. Just what do these generations value — and what do they have in common? MiX chair Jeff O’Hara chats about what the survey found, what jumped out to him and what the industry can...

Rui Silvestre has been a technician for a long time. But things change. Due to circumstances beyond his control, his home at Master Mechanic High Park had to close down. Silvestre knew he wanted to open up his own shop — and he finally did on August 1. Join us for a conversation about how he got there, moving from tech to owner, and what it’s like to have the support of the community.   Support th...

Host Adam Malik is joined by Kari Hann. By day, she’s the marketing and digital communications manager at Specialty Sales & Marketing, but Kari is also the chair of the Young Professionals in the Auto Care Sector (YPA). They talk about the importance of the YPA, what its goals are, why young professionals should join, why employers should encourage their under-45 staff to join, what her goals...

Virushin Vepulan from eBay Motors joins host Peter Bulmer to discuss his lifelong passion for cars. He began tinkering with vehicles alongside his father from a young age, modifying them on a budget. He reflects on the importance of basic maintenance ahead of flashy upgrades and how online marketplaces like eBay have helped keep older vehicles running. While things have changed, Virushin explains...