The Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast

J.F. Champagne, president and CEO of AIA Canada talks details and mechanisms at play with Quebec's Right to Repair now coming into force, as well as related issues surrounding Quebec's unique approach to the issue, and what it might mean for the rest of Canada. With host Andrew Ross.

Canada's automotive service market is estimated to be blowing up to some $18 billion, a significant increase over the last few years, but the data shows that the independent aftermarket shops are slipping in both share of those dollars, and how customers rate them. Driven by some structural factors affecting the vehicle population profile, and the experience and rising expectations of custome...

Word of mouth is recognized as a key driver for shop business, but are you losing that personal touch in the Facebook and Instagram world of marketing? Are you forgetting to put the customer first? Murray Voth, RPM Training , returns to the show after a break to talk about connecting with customers by focusing on their motivations as people, not just customers and how to keep that personal connect...

The dynamics of the new and used car market play a strong role in shaping Canada's aftermarket. Baris Akyurek, AutoTrader ’s VP of Insights & Intelligence, joins host Andrew Ross to talk about shifts happening in Canada's automotive market, and what this can tell us about the evolving aftermarket.

More than 50% of drivers report ADAS issues after service. ADAS is a growing opportunity and area of concern for drivers, insurers and, yes, lawyers. Brunno Moretti, President of ADAS Aftermarket at Ascential Technologies, an ADAS systems supplier, talks about their findings published in the whitepaper  “ Driving Down Costs, Driving Up Safety: The Economic Benefits of Universal ADAS Servicing .&qu...

Jenn Robson, Director of Operations, Interchange Recycling, joins host Andrew Ross to talk about what a new Yukon initiative means, and how it raises the larger issue of shops and their role in the community. For more information on this initiative, visit Interchange Recycling .

Encore presentation from the archives: Understanding what your business is worth is key to putting succession plans in place but also important for other near-term investments and business planning.  Milene Fort, PDC Automotive ( pdcauto.com ) and Murray Voth, RPM Training ( RPMTraining.net ) join host Andrew Ross. Originally posted in November 2022. Recommended reading: The E-Myth The Great Canad...

Encore presentation from the archives: Understanding what your business is worth is key to putting succession plans in place but also important for other near-term investments and business planning.  Milene Fort, PDC Automotive ( pdcauto.com ) and Murray Voth, RPM Training ( RPMTraining.net ) join host Andrew Ross. Originally posted in November 2022. Recommended reading: The E-Myth The Great Canad...

Encore presentation from the archives: Having the correct EV strategy for your shop has been on the minds of just about every ASP. Renowned Canadian automotive technician Jeff Taylor has some great advice for shop owners and technicians. With host Andrew Ross. Originally published January 2023.

Encore Presentation from the archives: Host Andrew Ross is joined by Murray Voth, RPM Training and Geoff and Lori Joyce of Shawnee Station Automotive, Calgary, Alta., to discuss effective toolbox meetings. Originally published February 2021.

Encore presentation from the archives: Bruce Eccles, founder of the highly regarded Eccles Auto in Dundas, Ont., talks to host Andrew Ross about how to stay positive about your business and the aftermarket industry and why it matters. Originally published April 2022. The Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast was selected by Feedspot as a Top Canadian Automotive Podcast. From CHAT Media, the people wh...

What's your priority when looking at shop management systems? Are you putting your needs as a business owner ahead of your customers? Maybe time for a rethink. Murray Voth, RPM Training, discusses what the priorities should be for the best outcomes for your shops. With host Andrew Ross.

A just-published survey of EV owners in Canada reveals a significant gap that independent aftermarket shops will have to close to succeed in this evolving space. Guest Rick Nadeau, president of Quorus Consulting which authored the AIA Canada study "Electric vehicle maintenance and repair: the Canadian owner’s perspective report"  digs into the detailed revelations, and areas of opportuni...

Trainer Murray Voth, RPM Training, digs into how and why shops in the same market can vary from controlled, comfortable, chaotic, and everything in between, how to transition to the shop you want, and why it matters. Part 2 of 2. With host Andrew Ross.

Trainer Murray Voth, RPM Training, digs into how and why shops in the same market can vary from controlled, comfortable, chaotic, and everything in between, how to transition to the shop you want, and why it matters. Part 1 of 2. With host Andrew Ross.

AIA Canada president and CEO JF Champagne announced he will be leaving the assocation in mid-2026. In this episode he looks back on pivotal issues AIA Canada has been handling over his decade there, and what the future holds for the aftermarket. With host Andrew Rossm publisher and director of content at CHAT Integrated Media. From the people who bring you IndieGarage.ca and JobberNation.ca . Sele...

Alain Primeau, Executive VP at UAP Inc., joins host Andrew Ross to point out the key trends shaping Canada's aftermarket and how he sees UAP and its NAPA are positioned to address them successfully today and in the future.

Even in a market that has seen pressure from larger economic factors like trade uncertainty, Canada's top operators continue to succeed. Zakari Krieger, who leads Fix Network's Prime Car Care retail glass and mechanical initiatives ( NOVUS  Glass , Speedy Auto Service ) shares his network's insights and outlook for the aftermarket. One operator mentioned in the podcast, Glendale Mot...

When prices shift, your margins can shift too. Murray Voth, RPM Training , talks about how to make sure that your current margin matrix is on target for your business, and what happens when it isn't! With host Andrew Ross. Also, check out the video edition of this episode at IndieGarage.ca and the Indie Garage YouTube channel to see the pricing and margin matrix discussed. Also, listeners can...

Dean Law, Law's Automotive, Portage La Prairie, Man., has spent the last two years diving deep into EV learning. He offers advice on tools he's looking at and why safety is so important. With host Andrew Ross. The Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast was selected by Feedspot as a Top 10 Canadian Automotive Podcast. From CHAT Media, the people who bring you www. IndieGarage.ca and www. Jobb...

With the inflationary impact of tariffs and other factors, it's critical for shops to have the right strategy in place to maintain and even build profit. Murray Voth, RPM Training, digs into what works. With host Andrew Ross. The Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast was selected by Feedspot as a Top 10 Canadian Automotive Podcast. From CHAT Media, the people who bring you www. IndieGarage.ca an...

Quebec has formally recognized the Right to Repair, a development that could reshape the Canadian automotive aftermarket—if successfully implemented. Now, the focus shifts from legislation to regulation—and making sure this win doesn't get lost in the details. On the show: Emily Holtby is Vice President of Government Relations at AIA Canada. David Boudeweel is an independent government relati...

As crazy as it sounds, statistics say some 70% of shops do not have a succession plan. Bruce Williams, Rivers Edge Services, Prince George, B.C., joins Murray Voth, RPM Training and host Andrew Ross to talk about what's in a proper succession plan and why you should get started on yours.

New AIA Canada Chair Tony Kuczynski has a passion for cars. He's gone from tech to CEO, with a lot in between. Now CEO and President of Mister Transmission, he's seen the importance of teams to the success of businesses large and small, and the importance of leadership. Recorded live with host Andrew Ross at the Canadian Auto Care Industry Conference, March 19, 2025.

Jason Dale, Executive Director of the Automotive Business School of Canada and Stephanie Quinn, Training Coordinator, climb aboard a 72 VW Westfalia camper with host Andrew Ross to talk what's new at the school for aftermarket professionals. Recorded live March 19, 2025 at the Canadian Auto Care Industry Conference. Find out more information on the new Automotive Aftermarket Management Certif...