Advertise on podcast: The Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast

Host Andrew Ross gives a shortlist of training and education sessions at the  AAPEX Show (AAPEXShow.com), and invites attendees to visit The Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast booth V2584, say hello and get a Remembrance Day poppy. He also reminds listeners of AIA Canada's Canada Night event, a cornerstone happening for Canadian aftermarket professionals. Details at AIACanada.com.

On this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Emily Chung, CEO of AIA Canada and former shop owner, to explore the insights revealed in the latest report from AIA's Consumer Behaviour Series: Dealership vs. independent: How Canadian vehicle owners choose a service provider. We discuss how Canadian drivers choose between dealerships and independent service shops, what drives those decisions, and what the findings mean for aftermarket businesses looking to better understand their customers and grow their business. Check out the full report here, AIA's Notice to Consumers statement here, and Indie Garage's recent feature on the report here.

In this episode of The Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast, we sit down with Murray Voth of RPM Training to explore why mentorship matters—and why it needs to be more than simply looking over someone’s shoulder. We talk about mentorship as a mindset and a skill that can be learned, from sharing hard-earned knowledge to leading by example and creating space for the next generation to grow. We also tackle the barriers that can prevent experienced professionals from sharing what they know. For an industry focused on attracting and developing its next generation, mentorship needs to become a daily practice, not just a buzzword. Please note audio from alternate recording circumstances.

On this episode of the Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast, host Andrew Ross sits down with J.D. Ney, Managing Director of J.D. Power Canada, to unpack the findings of the 2026 Canada Customer Service Index—Long-Term Study and what they mean for the Canadian aftermarket. They discuss rising service costs, shifting market share between dealerships, aftermarket chains and independent shops, the growing importance of customer experience and trust, and the major challenge — and opportunity — presented by the rapid rise of EVs and ZEVs. With service visits getting more expensive and the vehicle parc continuing to evolve, Ney offers insight into what aftermarket providers can do to earn customer loyalty and stay competitive in the years ahead. Check out the highlights and the breakdown of the study here.

Finding good technicians is tough—but what if the problem isn’t the shortage of talent, but what your shop is offering? Andrew Ross is back on the podcast with Murray Voth, RPM Training, about what actually motivates experienced technicians to leave one employer for another, from compensation and flat-rate frustrations to workplace culture and job satisfaction. They also tackle the question every shop owner should ask themselves: Would you work for you? As always, we welcome all input- visit us here to leave us a comment.

Andrew Ross welcomes Paul Reed, “The Showroom Guy,” back to The Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast to discuss the importance of store design and consistency across the aftermarket. From jobber stores and repair shops to banner and franchise programs, we explore the challenge of creating a look and customer experience that works — and can be executed consistently — across Canada, despite regional differences and the realities of individual locations. Paul returns to continue the conversation about design, branding, execution and why consistency matters when it comes to presenting a strong face to the customer. For more information and to get in touch, contact The Showroom Guy here.

In this episode, host Andrew Ross and CHAT Media correspondent Hannah Ryder Ross recap the biggest takeaways from Worldpac STX 2026, including the latest trends, insights, and a peek into the training shaping the future of the automotive aftermarket. We also include highlights  from Hannah's sit-down with John Hamilton, CEO of Worldpac, to discuss Worldpac’s growth and progress in Canada following its split from Advance Auto Parts—and what’s ahead for the business. Check out some of our supporting articles below. Worldpac sees growth in Canada as company expands post-split Worldpac presents Supplier Awards at STX 2026

When margins are tight, it’s tempting for automotive repair shops to look for savings wherever they can—especially when it comes to parts. But is buying the cheapest part really saving you money? In this episode, Andrew and Murray Voth of RPM Training explore how cutting costs can turn into cutting corners, affecting a shop’s profitability, efficiency, technicians, and customer trust. They discuss why gross profit dollars—not just percentages—matter, the hidden costs of constantly price-shopping parts, and how quality parts, strong supplier relationships, and value-based selling can create a healthier business. The math never lies: you can reach the top of the mountain by racing to the bottom.  Check out Murray's story on the cost implications of right to repair here.

Thieves love to get access to professional tools. The Secure Data Release Model, scan tool validation, and the Vehicle Security Professional (VSP) credentialing are designed to get in their way. But adoption is far from 100%. Donny Seyfer, executive director of NASTF which administers the programs, talks about why this matters to shops, how it works, and what could happen if the aftermarket doesn't get on board. For more information on NASFT, SDRM, and VSP, visit https://support.nastf.org/support/home

Motorcycle adventures are often about the journey—but for Lorenzo Pellicciotta, this ride is about something much bigger. In this episode, we sit down with Lorenzo Pellicciotta, owner of Pellicciotta Automotive Group and operator of CARSTAR Oakville West and NAPA AUTOPRO Oakville, to talk about Miles for Sight – Four Corners of Canada Ride in support of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.  Over 7,000 kilometres into his journey, from Whitehorse, Yukon, Lorenzo shares the inspiration behind this incredible cross-country journey, his personal commitment to supporting CNIB, and how one ride is helping raise awareness and funds to empower Canadians living with vision loss. For more information and/or to make a contribution, visit the Miles for Sight CNIB fundraising page.

As a new set of tariffs on Canadian goods is announced by the U.S. Administration, we call on the experts for advice. Ashley Kalyn, International Trade Consultant at Peacock Tariff Consulting (peacocktariffconsulting.com), joins host Andrew Ross to talk about the new and changing tariff landscape, what aftermarket organizations need to focus on, and what it might signal for the overall economy.

Electric vehicles are becoming a bigger part of the automotive landscape, and with that growth comes a rising demand for specialized service and repair. In this episode, our own Hannah Ryder Ross visits EV Lab in Langley, BC—a dedicated electric and hybrid vehicle repair shop created by the team behind Precision Auto Service. We stopped by the shop with owner Scott Waddle for a tour of the new facility- and a conversation about the journey from adding EV capabilities to an established repair shop, to launching a standalone EV-focused business. Scott shares what drove the decision, the investments in training and equipment, the challenges of staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry, and practical advice for shop owners and technicians looking to enter the EV service space. With guest host Hannah Ryder Ross. Check out the materials mentioned in this episode:  Indie Garage Oct/Nov 2023, featuring Precision Auto Key Tips for EV Service Readiness in Your Shop

In today's world, the use of technology has become a familiar part of our everyday to make our lives easier. However, in our historically face-to-face aftermarket industry, when it comes to adopting these new operations, even for convenience and business potential, there might be hesitancies around losing that closeness with your customers that our business is built on.  In this episode of The Great Canadian Aftermarket podcast, owner of RPM Training and regular contributor Murray Voth outlines the four key areas that technology can actually bring you closer to your customers and build your business.

Training is a top priority for automotive shops, but knowing what to teach, how to deliver it, and where to find the right resources remains a challenge. In this episode, host Andrew Ross speaks with Matt Shepanek, President of the Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC), about the findings from the newly released 2026 Training Benchmarks Survey. Drawing on nearly 3,000 responses from across the automotive industry, Matt discusses barriers to training, emerging disconnects and opportunities to deliver more, and what the data reveals about the future of technician development.  A video edition of this podcast with the survey presentation is available on our Youtube Channel here.

For this special Father's Day episode of the Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast, host Andrew Ross examines an artifact from one of his main inspirations for his life's path in the automotive industry- his late father. For many in this industry, the road to an automotive career are paved within a paternal line (although the maternal lineage is certainly strong for some as well!). Today, our host will be going down memory lane through his father's own wallet and the preserved possessions that give us a glimpse into his father's life and impact. From all of us at CHAT Integrated Media, Happy Father's Day weekend. Also on our YouTube channel