Auto Service World Conversations

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 business.

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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 role of branding during tough times. Morello provides valuable insights into the aftermarket's future, emphasizing innovation, communication, and adapting to changing market dynamics.

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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.

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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 industry, new vehicle trends, supply, the economy, geopolitical issues, electric vehicles and more

Timestamps: 

• 00:50 - Intro
• 1:38 - Ford Canada on the current state of the vehicle market
• 13:54 - Volvo on EV insights
• 24:04 - Stellantis on industry trends
• 32:17 - Kia Canada on consumer demand for vehicles

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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 detail their experiences at their first AAPEX, the lessons learned through pivots and relationship-building.

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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 David about the challenges facing young professionals looking to get into the supply chain sector, as well as what millennials and younger workers look for from an employer and when choosing a career

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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 industry.

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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 cross borders multiple times during production — Kumar shared his thoughts on what impact this could have on Canadian suppliers, international suppliers, distributors, auto repair shops and consumers. Tune in to hear his thoughts on the latest developments.

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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 posed by parts proliferation. Todd also dives into differences in consumer preferences, vehicle age and the aftermarket opportunities and considerations specific to the Canadian market.

You can check out the latest Canadian EV sales insights at https://www.spglobal.com/mobility/en/Info/0521/automotive-insights-canada-evs.html

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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 operations and what he learned while trekking across the country to meet with store owners and operators.

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