ASA Podcast

Episode 104 – Electrification: The Next Step

With rising concerns of environmental change and the continuing advance of technology, there’s been a lot of talk lately about the impact of electrification and what it means to the average automotive repair business. This episode begins our exploration of what’s now and what’s next in electric powertrains as we talk with Tony Mossuto, owner of Everything Automotive in Jacksonville, Florida.

Tony’s shop has been providing hybrid vehicle service for about three years now, and it represents about 3% of his business. He’s ASE-certified as a Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist (L3), among other certifications. “Change won’t happen overnight,” Tony says, “And the independent repair shops have been dealing with changing automotive technology all along. This is no different.” As he points out in this podcast, a lot of the maintenance work will involve familiar systems like brakes, steering & suspension, tires, electrical and diagnostic work. What will change is the need for the knowledge and equipment necessary to deal with advanced computer networks and control systems unique to EVs.

Listen in as Tony shares his thoughts on such topics as:

· Why hybrids and electric vehicles are here to stay.

· The importance of getting trained before jumping into the market.

· Why most repair shops will continue to service both EV and ICE vehicles.

· The impact of electric vehicles in the shop.

· What new equipment will be required to service EV’s.

· Why shops servicing hybrids are probably already equipped to handle EV’s.

· What training is now available to help prepare for an electric future.

· The value of virtual EV training to himself and his technicians.

· The concerns over battery recycling and what is being developed to handle this.

· The growing need for more individualized training for different OEM systems.

· The challenge of finding service information on hybrids and EVs on some vehicles.

· The amazing talent we already have in our industry and the rise of a new crop of technicians to take us to the next level.

Episode 110 – Julie Massaro Named Regional Executive Director of ASA Mountain Region

Julie Massaro is currently the Executive Director of the ASA Colorado Affiliate, but all that’s about to change. ASA recently announced a significant change to their business model, moving from a affiliate-based structure to a regional structure, as of one of the oldest National Associations representing independent mechanical and collision repair shops in the U.S. evolves to meet the challenges of our rapidly-changing industry. As part of that evolution, Julie Massaro has been named the Regional Executive Director of the ASA Mountain Region, one of six areas that together cover the nation.

Listen in as Julie talks about her time with ASA and the opportunities she sees as the organization positions itself to better serve its members in our post-COVID and pre-electrified industry. This is the first of a series to help ASA members get to know more about the new leadership and direction of the Automotive Service Association and the plans for helping shop owners meet the challenges of the 21st Century. Hear all about it as Julie discusses:

· Her background in association management and unique qualifications to help grow ASA membership in the Mountain Region.

· How her ongoing learning philosophy has prepared her for this new opportunity.

· The plans for outreach to those thousands of shop owners who are not currently part of an association.

· Why the new ASA structure has been created and how it can help members and their teams improve and develop themselves through training and interaction with their peers in new ways.

· Insight into the new types of benefits being explored by talking with shop owners about what they see as their biggest needs.

· The critical and unique value ASA’s Washington Office brings to the industry by being the only organization advocating for and representing the independent shop owner community exclusively on Capitol Hill and State Houses across the country.

· How the new structure and direction is positioned to address the fragmented nature of our industry to speak with One Voice.

Episode 105 – ASA Past Chairman Makes A Difference

Bob Wills is the owner of Wills Auto Service in Battlecreek, Michigan. He’s also an Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM), past chairman of ASA and someone who has given much to the automotive service industry he loves. Bob recently ended his term as Chairman of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and announced his retirement. As one of the cadre of baby boomers deciding that it’s time to pass the torch to the next generation, we thought it would be fun to catch up with Bob and talk to him about his career in the automotive service industry to help inspire those who currently strive to fill what are often pretty big shoes. Listen in as Bob talks about how his time with ASA has helped shape the successful shop owner he became, and how he sees the association playing a key role in the lives of those who are now following him to create our future.

Listen in as Bob shares his lifetime of experience on:

· How he got started in the automotive service industry and his first shop.

· His background working in his father’s shop and why he chose this career.

· His service in the military and in law enforcement and how that connection steered him into opening his own shop.

· His time with ASA and what do he sees as the biggest benefit he received from being involved with ASA as a lifetime member.

· How he volunteered his time and talent to ASA, which led to his involvement with ASA Michigan and eventually working on the ASA National Board of Directors.

· What it was like being the ASA Chairman during the COVID pandemic, and how he and the ASA Board responded to the challeng.

· His passion for politics and the importance of having an ASA representative in Washington, D.C.

· His personal experience working on legislative issues, participating in many Fly-Ins, and how ASA has made a significant difference in representing its members over the years.

· His advice to someone who is thinking about an automotive career.

· His plans for retirement and staying involved with the industry and ASA.

· The appreciation he feels for the many friends he’s met along the way.

Episode 15 – ASA Chairman Shares What’s Next for 2020

ASA Chairman Bob Wills has seen a lot of changes to the association in 2019. Listen in as Bob talks about his first year as Chairman and shares his thoughts on where the Automotive Service Association has been and where it’s going. From autonomous vehicles, advanced driver assist systems and how data access and cyber security can impact ASA members, this is a look ahead at what ASA will be working on for its members in 2020!

· Accomplishments, Changes and a new Executive Director

· A record year for ASA Affiliate training events

· TTF & MSO events celebrate eight years of growth

· Facing the shared challenges of mechanical and collision members

· Building on communication, outreach and representation

· The return of CARS in 2020

The Automotive Service Association (ASA), in partnership with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, presents the 8th annual Technology and Telematics Forum as a monthly podcast series. Listen to the first episode in this series, entitled “A Changing Fleet”, featuring industry experts Wayne Weikel and Bob Redding discussing the future of electric vehicles, the legislative and regulatory status of electric vehicle implementation, and the investments of auto manufacturers and independent repair shops to prepare for an “all-electric” future.

REGISTER HERE to be alerted about future Technology and Telematics Forum Podcast episodes, and to receive exclusive news about cutting-edge industry technologies, including electric and automated vehicles.

Wayne Weikel is the Senior Director of State Affairs at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. In this role, he serves as the primary liaison for Auto Innovators’ interaction with state officials across the Northeast. Wayne is an expert in a diverse portfolio of public policy issues, telematics, consumer privacy, and electric and automated vehicles.

Bob Redding is the Washington, D.C. representative for the Automotive Service Association (ASA). For the last 20+ years, Bob has advocated for the rights of independent repairers on both the federal and state levels.

In this podcast, Bob and Wayne discuss:

· Federal and state electric vehicle legislation, including the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the in-process budget reconciliation package.

· The massive investments being made by auto manufacturers in a push towards developing and deploying a national electric fleet.

· Issues and opportunities in establishing a national network of electric vehicle charging stations.

· What independent repair shop owners and other industry members can do to prepare for a changing fleet.