Episode 105 – ASA Past Chairman Makes A Difference
08/11/21 • 23 min
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 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.
Previous Episode
Episode 104 – Electrification: The Next Step
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.
Next Episode
Episode 106 – HEV’s and BEV’s: You’re Probably More Ready Than You Think
Episode 106 – HEV’s and BEV’s: You’re Probably More Ready Than You Think
There are few individuals outside of the engineering community that know hybrid-electric vehicles as well as Craig Van Battenburg. As the founder and owner of Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC), Craig is acknowledged as one of the foremost experts on hybrid-electric (HEV) and battery-electric (BEV) diagnosis, service and repair. For the past 20 years, he’s been training shop owners and technicians on what they need to know to incorporate hybrid and electric vehicles into the service mix in their shops. In short, Craig knows a lot about what independent shop owners need to consider in terms of equipment and training if they're thinking about getting into the HEV or BEV service business. From Craig’s perspective, it’s all good news!
Listen in as Craig shares his wisdom on everything electric, including:
· Why he closed his repair shop and opened ACDC to help prepare the automotive service industry for an electric future.
· His advice on what shop owners need to do to prepare to service battery electric vehicles.
· What sort of equipment a shop already doing hybrid service needs to add beyond what they already have to begin servicing BEV's?
· The investment in training and equipment necessary to service what’s on the road today and what’s coming tomorrow.
· The wisdom of incorporating a HEV/BEV technician development program within the shop training program.
· The differences and similarities between what a technician needs to know to service hybrids vs. battery electric vehicles.
· Craig’s thoughts about how quickly the vehicle fleet will become more electrified to the point where they represent more than a small fraction of the vehicle fleet.
· Valuable advice for shop owners thinking about making the investment in either growing or getting into the HEV/BEV service market.
· For more information visit www.fixev.com
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