Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! In this episode, Braxton Critcher is joined by Mike Spagnola, President and CEO of SEMA. Mike offers an insider’s update on three major issues currently shaping the automotive industry. First, he shares the details behind SEMA’s victory in overturning California’s EV sales mandate, arguing for consumer ch...
Jun 25, 2025•42 min
In this episode, Braxton Critcher is joined by Chad Schnitz, Vice President of TOPDON, and newly appointed board member of the Auto Care Association’s Tool and Equipment board. Chad shares his perspective on the importance of the Right to Repair and the ongoing need for equal access to information for all automotive professionals. He also discusses efforts to bring more young people and women into the industry, as well as TOPDON's mission to offer innovative, affordable diagnostic tools for tech...
May 30, 2025•23 min
In this episode, Braxton Critcher welcomes Jimmy Lea from the Institute for Automotive Business Excellence. Why? Because Jimmy actually did something newsworthy! Bout time! Jimmy is now, to our knowledge, the ONLY presenter in the automotive aftermarket certified as a Certified Speaking Professional. It was quite the journey to get here, though! Hear Jimmy walk us through the process and tell us why this is important for other speakers to try and get as well. 00:00 Jimmy's choice in suit coats 0...
May 26, 2025•32 min
In this episode, Braxton welcomes Ed and Brandi Caswell to talk about why and how they run their repair shop differently. Faith and generosity is some pretty crazy ways have become the foundation of their business culture, including their response to local disasters and support for employees’ personal growth. They even host a weekly men’s group at their shop and are launching scholarship programs, showing how small acts of service can transform both an auto repair business AND its surrounding co...
May 23, 2025•34 min
In this episode, Braxton Critcher shares the latest news from the automotive repair industry. He discusses a new tax bill passed by the House Ways and Means Committee that offers significant benefits to repair shops and small businesses, including a permanent 23% income deduction and relief on equipment investments. Braxton also highlights the unusual situation of one Brooklyn repair shop, which received hundreds of 311 complaints from a single individual over minor sidewalk infractions, prompti...
May 21, 2025•7 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! In this episode, Braxton Critcher is joined by Tom Schearer to discuss the value and impact of attending automotive training events, with a special focus on the upcoming TOOLS Conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Tom addresses common concerns about the cost of training and emphasizes the strong return o...
May 09, 2025•23 min
In this episode, Braxton Critcher covers several major developments in the automotive industry. He updates listeners on the movement to overturn California’s Clean Air Act, highlighting bipartisan support and implications for gas-powered vehicles. Braxton also discusses the recent recall of nearly 300,000 Ford vehicles due to faulty backup cameras, emphasizing which models are affected and how customers can get repairs. Finally, he shares a positive story from Connecticut, where funds raised thr...
May 07, 2025•13 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! In this episode, Braxton is joined by Ryan McKinnon from the Charge Ahead Partnership to break down the recent end of the NEVI program under the Trump administration. Ryan highlights why the program, despite being well designed to leverage existing businesses for EV charging infrastructure, ultimately stu...
May 06, 2025•29 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! In this episode, Braxton Critcher sits down with Bret Fadley to dive into the growth and unique culture of the TOOLS training event in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Bret shares how TOOLS has evolved from a struggling show to a regional cornerstone, emphasizing its focus on networking, training, and creating a ...
May 02, 2025•33 min
In this episode, Braxton starts with a confession. Evidently, keeping good care of tires is not his strong suit. He then talks about legislative updates on the REPAIR Act (HR 1566) and the latest advocacy efforts in California, along with details on SEMA and AAPEX registration for this year’s Las Vegas events. Plus, Braxton highlights California's new Cool Air Rebate Program for vehicle A/C repair and introduces an AI-driven sales coaching platform for repair shops. 00:00 Automotive Repair News ...
Apr 30, 2025•13 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! In this episode, you'll get to meet Tekmetric's new COO! Lauren Langston shares her journey from a software-focused background to joining the automotive industry, emphasizing her desire to deliver better technology tailored to the auto repair industry. Braxton and Lauren also get into the trust gap betwee...
Apr 24, 2025•35 min
In this episode, Braxton Critcher covers some of the most pressing developments in the automotive repair industry. He highlights SEMA’s recent appeal to President Trump for a transition period before new tariffs impact US automotive parts manufacturers. Braxton also discusses controversial bills in Missouri that could exempt many newer vehicles from safety inspections. Finally, he covers Hyundai’s adjustments to their Assurance Program in response to looming auto tariffs. All that an more on tod...
Apr 23, 2025•10 min
In this episode, we cover all the things YOU NEED TO KNOW about the automotive repair industry. From the rise in tire scams affecting New Hampshire auto shops, to the progress of the Repair Act in Congress. Braxton Critcher also talks about the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation and all the good things and changes they are working on! What do you think about today's format? Love, hate, ehhh it was okay? Let me know! Email me at [email protected]
Apr 17, 2025•21 min
In this episode of Auto Repair News Today, Braxton talks about the announcement of Wayne Gretzky as the keynote speaker for Apex 2025! He brings up current challenges in the automotive repair industry, such as evolving technologies and a technician shortage, and that Gretzky will have powerful insight into this because of the things he overcame in his career. Additionally, the episode provides details about the growing prominence of the AAPEX conference, set to take place in Las Vegas, and the o...
Apr 09, 2025•7 min
In today's episode, you'll learn about the following stories... Attendee registration for the 2025 SEMA show opens online on April 28th, offering early registration discounts before June 27th. The market share of replacement parts in the light vehicle aftermarket has declined, while accessories, tools, and equipment have experienced significant growth. California surpasses 178,000 public and shared private EV chargers statewide, marking a milestone in EV infrastructure. The Alliance of Automotiv...
Apr 02, 2025•8 min
In this week's episode of Automotive Repair News Today, Braxton Critcher covers the top news shaping the automotive repair industry. Mitchell 1 partners with 360 Payments to streamline payment processing and enhance customer experience. The Tire Industry Association opens nominations for the Tire Industry Hall of Fame, honoring significant contributions to the tire industry. NAPA Auto Care launches a Team Tool Rebate to support technicians in acquiring essential tools. Representative Neil Dunn p...
Mar 26, 2025•8 min
Do you use a DVI at your shop? Is it certified? If not, get a free DVI certification today and take your shop to the next level! CLICK HERE! In today's episode, we give you what you need to know happening right now in the repair industry! Here are some of the stories you'll hear about: EPA Deregulatory Action: The Environmental Protection Agency announced major rollbacks on regulations affecting power plants, vehicle emissions, and manufacturing standards, aiming to reduce costs and boost the au...
Mar 19, 2025•10 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! Uwe Kleinschmidt is the CEO of Autotech IQ and DVIDoneRight.com. Among other things. Today, he and Braxton address the viral Facebook Post in early February. It was posted by David Roman in the Changing the Industry Podcast group, and things went sour fast. But, through conflict like that, if handled prop...
Mar 14, 2025•24 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! Ryan Ragan is the Executive Director of the Automotive Service and Tire Alliance. Today, he tells us about the move of the ASTA Expo to the Raleigh Convention Center. Will the growth in square feel curt the small-town feel of the event and the culture that people love? Listen and hear what he says. Regist...
Mar 13, 2025•24 min
Do you use a DVI at your shop? Is it certified? If not, get a free DVI certification today and take your shop to the next level! CLICK HERE! Today on the pod, you'll get all you need to know about what's going on in the industry! The Trump administration announced a pause on the 25% tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, now allowing further trade policy discussions that affect Canada and Mexico. The introduction of the Tech Training HU Hub aims to streamline acce...
Mar 12, 2025•9 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! Today, Braxton Critcher shares his thoughts about this year's Vision Hi-Tech Expo and Training in Kansas City. S/O Chad Schnitz of TopDon for the help on the show floor. Additionally, he discusses the industry's underutilization of current technology, as learned in his conversation with Chris Cotton. Last...
Mar 11, 2025•17 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! Lisa Foshee is the Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and General Counsel for the Auto Care Association. Today, she gives an update about the just re-introduced repair act bill in Congress. Will it get passed this time? Where is it on the Trump Administration's priority list? And why do automakers ...
Mar 10, 2025•20 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! Check out the Tech Training Hub HERE Today, Megan explains how the Tech Training Hub works. It consolidates high-quality supplier training for technicians in one location and simplifies the search for specialized training across multiple suppliers. It's a great resource that's been needed for a while for ...
Mar 09, 2025•12 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! Chris Cotton is the host of the AutoFix TechnologyCast. You can listen to that show HERE Today he and Braxton talk about technology changes in the repair industry and how Chris believes, comparative to cell phones, the industry is stuck in the flip phone stage of how they use tech. He also shares where he...
Mar 08, 2025•34 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! Travis Troy is the co-chair of the Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo. Today he and Braxton talk about the importance of face-to-face networking and how events like Vision offer valuable opportunities beyond online training. Travis says today's repair shop must adapt to meet changing expectations and stay i...
Mar 07, 2025•24 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! In this episode, Braxton Critcher is joined by Maryann Croce, Lorraine Klein, and Melissa "Birdie" Patterson to honor the life and legacy of Maylan Newton. They each tell fascinating stories of how they met Maylan and what he then would mean to them through the years. Maylan had a passion for helping wome...
Mar 06, 2025•30 min
Do you use a DVI at your shop? Is it certified? If not, get a free DVI certification today and take your shop to the next level! CLICK HERE! In today's episode, Braxton Critcher will give you what you need to know about the top stories happening right now in the repair industry. Here is a little of what to expect. The reintroduction of the Repair Act aims to ensure consumer choice and fair competition in vehicle repair data access. Honda shifts production of its next generation Civic Hybrid from...
Mar 05, 2025•9 min
Do you use a DVI at your shop? Is it certified? If not, get a free DVI certification today and take your shop to the next level! CLICK HERE! On today's episode, here are a few of the top stories: Tesla is recalling over 376,000 vehicles due to a steering power issue AAA’s latest survey on autonomous vehicles shows a slight increase in trust Valvoline Inc. has announced a $625 million deal to acquire Breeze Autocare California repair shops are struggling to get insurance coverage after wildfires ...
Feb 26, 2025•14 min
Do you use a DVI at your shop? Is it certified? If not, get a free DVI certification today and take your shop to the next level! CLICK HERE! Today, you'll hear stories happening around auto repair and the auto industry. Here are a few of the stories covered... Honda and Nissan merger called off. Lawsuit against Deere and Company's monopolistic repair practices National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's investigation into General Motors' engine failures January's car sale update...
Feb 19, 2025•13 min
Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HERE If your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE! Pras Subramanian has been following the Honda and Nissan merger story and today joins the podcast to break down why it didn't happen. What does this mean for Nissan? What about Honda? And the Auto Industry/Repair Industry? Braxton and Pras cover these questions and more! Read Pras's work on Yahoo Finance ...
Feb 15, 2025•23 min
