Auto Service World Conversations
News, views, features and commentary about the automotive repair and service industry in Canada.
Episodes
168 episodes
Navigating Shifting Consumer Demand, with Lordco Auto Parts
At its annual trade show in Vancouver, Samantha and Ian Coates discuss how Lordco Auto Parts is navigating a shifting aftermarket shaped by economic pressure, changing consumer behaviour and rapid technology adoption. They reflect on a year tha...
Emily Chung’s First 100 Days With AIA Canada
Auto Service World Conversations sits down with Emily Chung, the new president and CEO of AIA Canada, to reflect on her first 100 days in the role. Emily shares how her background as a technician, service advisor and shop owner shapes her leade...
Enhanced Media: Jason Herle, AIA Canada Incoming Chair
Welcome to the enhanced media segment for the March issue of Jobber News. We’re featuring AIA Canada incoming chair Jason Herle with more of our discussion that couldn’t fit in the pages of the feature. Jason talks about how he learned from his...
Empowering Change in the Automotive Aftermarket, with Kim Cottle
Kim Cottle, president and CEO of Associated Equipment, a manufacturer of battery chargers, shares her journey from joining her family’s business to becoming its leader, highlighting her passion for U.S.-based manufacturing and product innovatio...
Ontario’s Tire Chaos, with OTDA’s Adam Moffat
Ontario is facing a mounting tire crisis after regulatory changes lowered recycling targets from 85% to 65%, leaving millions of tires stranded across the province. Adam Moffatt, executive director of the Ontario Tire Dealers Association, about...
AutoShow Insights: Rebates, Competition and Choice
We rounded up highlights following conversations with representatives from Volvo, Ford and Stellantis from the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto. During Media Day, Matt Girgis from Volvo Canada explores about the importance of gov...
An Emerging Leadership Perspective, with Meagan Moody
Meagan Moody, founder of The Moody Blueprint, shares her unique journey from a career in her family’s aftermarket business to launching her own strategic consulting firm. She discusses what exactly fractional leadership is, its evolution and be...
Enhancing the Parts Buying Process, with Isaac Bunick
Isaac Bunick, founder of Motormia, explains how artificial intelligence is transforming the parts-buying experience among car enthusiasts. Originating from moments in the garage with his daughter, Isaac shares how Motormia harnesses AI and real...
Fresh Eyes on the Canadian Aftermarket, with Rob Blitzstein
Rob Blitzstein joins us to talk about his new venture, True North Consulting. He comes from a storied family aftermarket business and was a leader at Parts Authority but is now launching his own consulting venture aimed at the Canadian automoti...
Canada’s Right to Repair: Navigating laws, politics and opposition, with Emily Holtby
Emily Holby, vice president of government relations at AIA Canada, joins us to talk about the evolving landscape of right to repair in Canada. Holby shares insights on the progress and ongoing challenges in federal and provincial legislation, h...
Mister Transmission’s Next Chapter, with Barbara Moran-Goodrich
Barbara Moran-Goodrich, president and CEO of Moran Family of Brands, joins this episode to talk about Moran’s acquisition of Mister Transmission. Barbara shares her personal journey into the automotive aftermarket and franchising world, the fam...
Enhanced Media: CARS Shop of the Year 2025, Platinum Automotive Repair
Tune into the Enhanced Media portion of the December 2025 issue of CARS magazine to hear more from Sal Medici, owner of Platinum Automotive Repair in Niagara Falls, winner of the 2025 Shop of the Year Award, Sponsored by Milwaukee Tool. This mo...
Navigating Global Disruption, with Bill Hanvey
Bill Hanvey, president of the Auto Care Association, joins Auto Service World Conversations to explore the latest happenings in the aftermarket and nail down the challenges and opportunities. He discusses how the industry is adapting to politic...
Resilience, Supply Chain, and Transition with J.F. Champagne
At AAPEX 2025, J.F. Champagne, president of AIA Canada, joins Auto Service World Conversations, as he reflects on a decade of industry transformation. The discussion explores the impact of global uncertainty, shifting supply chains, and changin...
Enhanced Media: 2025 Jobber of the Year winner, Pat’s Auto Supply
Tune into the Enhanced Media portion of the November 2025 issue of Jobber News to hear more from Kenton Swizter, Kyle van Polen and Chris Funk from Pat’s Auto Supply, the 2025 winner of the Jobber of the Year Award. This is bonus content we cou...
ASW Conversations: Strategic growth and building the aftermarket, with Bestbuy’s Nick Brunet
It’s been a year of growth and innovation for Bestbuy Distributor and president Nick Brunet joins this episode to talk about the journey. He discusses overcoming industry challenges like tariffs, expanding its shareholder base across the countr...
ASW Conversations: From Setback to Comeback: Navigating the Job Market with Resilience, with Jacki Lutz
What’s it like to get laid off and go through the job-hunting process? Many have been down that road and many will again. But how you position yourself in the world, online and offline, will go along way to making that journey easier. Jacki Lut...
ASW Conversations: Preparing, Planning and Selling, with Emily Chung
In this episode, Emily Chung shares her firsthand experience selling her auto repair shop, AutoNiche in Markham, Ont. She discusses the importance of thinking early about succession planning, preparing clear financial statements and documenting...
ASW Conversations: How AI is Working Behind the Aftermarket Scenes, with Predii’s Tilak Kasturi
Artificial intelligence has been making noise for years now. And as it rapidly grows, the automotive aftermarket has been figuring out where it fits in. Tilak Kasturi, co-founder and CEO of Predii, which supports shop software and jobber busine...
ASW Conversations: A Vision for the Aftermarket’s Future, with UAP’s Alain Primeau
Alain Primeau, executive vice president of UAP, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of the automotive aftermarket. He explores how technology, consumer behaviour and market dynamics are reshaping the sector. Primeau highlights the shi...
ASW Conversations: How Critical Lead Acid Batteries Are, with Enersys’ Bryce Gregory
Bryce Gregory, director of strategic product technology at Enersys, which goes to market as Odyssey, explores the critical role of AGM lead-acid batteries in the evolving electric vehicle landscape. Despite the rise of lithium-ion technologies,...
ASW Conversations: A Roadmap For Our Aftermarket Future, with NAPA’s Donovan Ringo
Donovan Ringo, senior manager of emerging technologies at NAPA, explores the transformative technologies reshaping the automotive industry, particularly for repair shops. With ADAS, EVs and autonomous driving at various stages of sophistication...
ASW Conversations: Positioning Your Shop for Sale, with Tekmetric’s Sunil Patel
With many auto repair shop owners looking to soon exit their business, Sunil Patel, founder of Tekmetric, explains what’s important to potential buyers, from an internal one, to the shop down the street to a private equity firm. Patel outlines ...
ASW Conversations: Global Uncertainty and Resilience, with Bill Hanvey
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 member...
ASW Conversations: The Future of Automotive Training, with J.F. Champagne
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 increas...