The Auto Tech Show by Anyline

A professional racing driver’s take on why your road tires are more dangerous than you think. 

5 Questions With… is a short interview series featuring people working at the edge of their industry. One guest, five focused questions, no filler. 

In this episode of Five Questions, we sit down with Wesley Slimp — professional stock car racer, Road Ready Foundation ambassador, and tire safety advocate. At just 24 years old, Wesley pushes tires to their absolute limits every weekend on the track. His message for everyday drivers is simple: the tires are the only thing connecting your car to the road. Everything else is just detail. 

Wesley breaks down what racing actually teaches you about grip, control, and what happens when you cross the limit — usually by accident on the road, whereas on the track it’s the whole point. He also tackles one of the most dangerous myths in car culture: that smooth tires mean more grip. They don’t. Not on the road. 

He also gets into the numbers behind the Safe Tread Alliance’s push to raise the minimum tread depth in the US from 2/32 to 4/32 of an inch — and why that difference is not just a technicality but a real wet weather stopping distance issue. 

In this episode: 

• What racing teaches you about tires that most drivers never learn 
• The skill every driver should have but almost nobody practises 
• The biggest tire myth coming out of the car tuning and drifting community 
• Why 2/32 vs 4/32 tread depth is a life-or-death difference in wet conditions 
• How to actually get younger drivers to take tire safety seriously 

#TireSafety #RoadSafety #Racing #TreadDepth #AutomotiveIndustry #Anyline #TireBuddy #DriverEducation #SafeTreadAlliance 

Most tire shops have a trust problem. Ryan Mastrojohn is fixing it with transparency. 

5 Questions With… is a short interview series featuring people working at the edge of their industry. One guest, five focused questions, no filler. 

In this episode of Five Questions, we sit down with Ryan Mastrojohn, owner of RM Tyres in Toms River, NJ, who's been in the tire business since he was 18 and has strong opinions about what's broken in the industry and how to fix it. 

Ryan's take is refreshingly blunt: customers aren't careless about their tires, they just never received the proper education. No one explains tread depth, stopping distance, or when to replace them. And when they walk into a shop, they're walking in with zero knowledge and trust due to the industry pre-existing bad reputation for upselling. 

His solution? Use technology to show customers exactly where they stand. Every car that comes into RM Tyres gets scanned with Anyline's Tire Buddy before a technician even looks at it. Real numbers, real data, no sales pitch needed. 

In this episode: 

• Why customers aren't careless, they're just uneducated about tires 
• How the tire indust ry's reputation for upselling is hurting everyone 
• What technology proves its worth in a shop vs. pure hype 
• Why honesty and transparency are the only long-term business strategy 
• What's coming for independent tire shops that aren't adapting to technology 

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with people across the tire and automotive world. 

#TireSafety #TireShop #AutomotiveIndustry #TireBuddy #Anyline #IndependentShop #CustomerExperience #Innovation 

This interview is in German, check out our other episodes for English conversations!

Navigating AI in Car Dealerships 

The automotive industry is changing fast and dealerships that embrace technology now will have a serious edge. 

5 Questions With… is a short interview series featuring people working at the edge of their industry. One guest, five focused questions, no filler. 

In this episode, we sit down with Lukas Fürst, Head of Aftersales at AutoFürst, to talk about how AI and digital tools are reshaping the way dealerships operate. Lukas shares his firsthand experience integrating new technology into daily workflows what worked, what didn't, and why implementation is everything. From using vehicle data to deliver better customer service, to finding the right AI tools for your specific business needs, this conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone in the automotive space. In this episode, we cover: 

How dealerships like AutoFürst are using technology to save time and money The biggest challenges of integrating AI into existing workflows Why data from cars is a goldmine for customer service Lukas's #1 advice: just start experimenting. Whether you're a dealership owner, aftersales manager, or simply curious about where the car industry is headed this episode is for you.

Read more about it on our website: https://anyline.com/

A tire can pass its tread depth check and still be the one that fails. 

5 Questions With… is a short interview series featuring people working at the edge of their industry. One guest, five focused questions, no filler. 

In this episode, we sit down with William Estupinan, VP of Technical Service at GITI Tire USA. With 35 years in the automotive and tire industry, he brings a manufacturer's perspective on what keeps tires safe and what puts them at risk. 

William clears up a tire pressure misconception that trips up even seasoned technicians and explains why a single tread reading can miss the problem that matters most, the kind that doesn't show up until a tire is already in trouble. 

He also gets into what heavier EVs (Electric Vehicles) are demanding from their tires, and gives a blunt, no-hype read on where smart tires and digital inspections are headed. 

Shops are collecting data every day, but few are actually using it.

5 Questions With… is a short interview series featuring people working at the edge of their industry. One guest, five focused questions, no filler.  

In this episode, we sit down with David Sickels from Babcox Media to talk about what's really happening in automotive and tire right now and what most people are still getting wrong.
David breaks down why data is the most underestimated asset shops are holding on to, and how AI is finally making it possible to actually use it. But he's also clear: not all AI is created equal. Choosing the wrong platform means getting the wrong answers and making worse business decisions as a result.

One of the standout moments? David's take on the "purple cow" effect the idea that in a world where AI is everywhere (yes, even your dog's collar), the real opportunity is finding that one thing nobody else has done yet. That's where the gold is.

He also gets real about the technician shortage and why the next great hire for your shop might not look like a traditional technician at all. Think: gamers, software folks, people who pick up new tools fast.

Read more about it on our website: https://anyline.com/

Your car has dozens of safety systems. But if your tires aren't performing, none of it matters.

5 Questions With… is a short interview series featuring people working at the edge of their industry. One guest, five focused questions, no filler.  

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Bebiak to talk about the one part of your car that's most often overlooked and the one that's literally the only thing connecting you to the road.
Alex makes a compelling case for why tire safety is still massively undereducated from driver's education programs that barely mention tires, to drivers who wait for a warning light before paying attention. The reality? By the time that light comes on, you may already have a problem.

He also tackles the generational shift happening right now: today's freedom is the phone, not the car and the industry needs to find smarter ways to reach younger drivers where they are. Tools like the Tire Buddy app are a step in the right direction, but awareness still starts with the basics: a simple 2-minute walkaround while your gas tank fills up.

And looking ahead? Alex flags a blind spot nobody is talking about yet autonomous vehicles are logging 600–800 miles a day, and their tires aren't being properly checked.

Read more about it on our website: https://anyline.com/

This conversation, with BigOTires, explores the critical role of word-of-mouth marketing in business success, emphasizing that while traditional marketing methods are valuable, the most effective marketing comes from satisfied customers sharing their positive experiences. The discussion delves into building strong customer relationships, the importance of feedback for growth, strategies to enhance customer experience, and the role of social media in engaging with customers. Authenticity in branding is highlighted as a key factor in fostering trust and loyalty among customers.

Trevor Jensen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensen-tj/
Marc Babin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/babinmarc/

Visit our website here: https://www.theautotechshow.com/
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In this episode of the Auto Tech Show, hosted by Anyline engages with Auto Angels co-founders Carmen Capuano and Ben Robinson to explore how education, transparency, and storytelling are reshaping the automotive industry. They discuss the importance of addressing garage anxiety, the role of human interest narratives in engaging audiences, and the need for comprehensive vehicle diagnosis. The conversation also highlights the significance of empowering women in the automotive field and the challenges of creating authentic online content. Through their work, Auto Angels aims to educate consumers and build trust in the automotive service industry.

More from AutoAngels: https://autoangels.co.uk/
AutoAngels on Youtube:  @AutoAngelsUK  

Visit our website here: https://www.theautotechshow.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-tech-show
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In this episode of the Auto-Tech Show, hosted by Anyline and Lukas Kinigadner reflect on key moments from past conversations in the automotive industry. They discuss the evolution of technology, the shift from analog to digital, the importance of trust and education, and the challenges of adopting new solutions. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear communication, understanding value, and incentivizing technicians to embrace change in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Episode Guest: Lukas Kinigadner, CEO at Anyline
Podcast Host: Marc Babin

Featured Episodes: 
https://www.theautotechshow.com/episode/ep-62
https://www.theautotechshow.com/episode/ep-63
https://www.theautotechshow.com/episode/ep-48-bridging-the-gap-between-mechanics-and-technology
https://www.theautotechshow.com/episode/ep-20-how-to-connect-automotive-service-advisors-and-technicians

Visit our website here: https://www.theautotechshow.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-tech-show
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theautotechshow

In this episode of the Auto Tech Show, hosted by Anyline, cybersecurity expert Srivalli Boddupalli discuss the critical importance of automotive cybersecurity as vehicles become increasingly connected and autonomous. They explore the lack of consumer awareness regarding cybersecurity risks, the real-world consequences of breaches, and the challenges of balancing vehicle functionality with security. The conversation highlights the need for industry collaboration, the future of safety features, and the role of compliance in driving innovation. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of educating consumers and fostering a culture of awareness in the automotive industry.

More from our Sponsor, TireBuddy: https://anyline.com/products/tirebuddy-app

Visit our website here: https://www.theautotechshow.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-tech-show
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theautotechshow