AAPEX 2017: Tomorrow’s Repair Shop Will Serve Youngest Consumers With Oldest Vehicles

AAPEX 2017: Tomorrow’s Repair Shop Will Serve Youngest Consumers With Oldest Vehicles

Tyler Reeves of Interstate Batteries explained that millennials – America’s largest living generation – are driving vehicles that are eight to 11 years old, in 83 makes and 1,700 models.

Panelists discuss the future of the shop during AAPEX 2017 in Las Vegas. From left to right: moderator Scott Shriber, Counterman magazine; Chris Cloutier, Golden Rule Auto Repair; Chris Blanchette, Bridgestone; and Tyler Reeves, Interstate Batteries.

LAS VEGAS – “Tomorrow’s auto repair shop will serve the youngest consumers with the oldest cars, and these consumers will have access to the most information with the least amount of context,” Tyler Reeves of Interstate Batteries said as he opened the Nov. 2 “Future of the Shop” keynote session at AAPEX 2017.

Reeves explained that millennials – America’s largest living generation – are driving vehicles that are eight to 11 years old, in 83 makes and 1,700 models. By contrast, when baby boomers were the largest generation, they drove vehicles in the five- to seven-year-old range, in 47 makes and 485 models.

In addition, 70 percent of consumers today believe they can find everything on the internet.

“This means shops and suppliers have the opportunity to lean in, listen, clarify and educate to effectively build loyalty with these customers,” said Reeves. “Technicians will be considered super users of devices and services to help serve customers.”

With so much technology coming at shops, Reeves and panelist Chris Cloutier of Golden Rule Auto Care suggested automotive service professionals embrace technology by hiring smart people, learning from other industries and trying new things. “As important, start educating yourself about technology,” said Cloutier.

One of the biggest problems confronting shops is finding the time for training, Cloutier said. He encouraged audience members to create a training culture and to make sure they are trained as leaders.

Chris Blanchette of Bridgestone said the declining population of technicians, declining enrollment in the trade and technicians leaving the industry present significant challenges.

“The technician of tomorrow is not currently in the shop or bay. They are somewhere else with a spark for automotive,” said Blanchette. “We are a high-tech industry, and a STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] education feeds right into that, even if it means looking at 13-, 14- and 15 year-olds enrolled in these programs as our future technicians.” He added that curiosity, ethics, drive, attitude and aptitude are important when hiring, in addition to skills.

Moderator Scott Shriber, publisher of Counterman magazine, emphasized the need to focus more on vehicle data access and control as it relates to telematics and connected vehicles. Reeves acknowledged that data is a critical item, and the industry needs to elevate the discussion.

Blanchette added, “Everyone in this room needs to get involved in the data discussion. The consumer has a direct impact if we don’t figure this out.”

The Nov. 2 keynote session, entitled “Grease, Code and Customers: You’re Entirely Right About All the Wrong Stuff,” was provided to help automotive service professionals prepare for the future. The two additional keynote sessions at AAPEX 2017 addressed the future of the vehicle and the future of the buyer.

AAPEX 2017 featured more than 2,200 exhibiting companies and more than 50 AAPEXedu sessions. Approximately 158,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from more than 140 countries were in Las Vegas during AAPEX and the SEMA Show.

 

You May Also Like

TAIPEI AMPA Provides Details on 2024 Show

The 2024 edition is scheduled for April 17-20.

TAIPEI AMPA

TAIPEI AMPA announced dates and details for its automotive trade show in Taiwan.

Three trade shows – TAIPEI AMPA, AUTOTRONICS TAIPEI and 2035 E-Mobility Taiwan – will be co-located at the Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1 in Taipei City, Taiwan.  

The 2024 edition is scheduled for April 17-20.

TAIPEI AMPA is one of the largest automotive trade shows globally, spanning automotive and motorcycle aftermarket parts to cutting-edge innovations in electric and autonomous vehicles.

Vision Conference to Spotlight Industry Research and Analysis

Separate sessions will discuss a new study on AI in the aftermarket and a whitepaper on improving CEO understanding.

Vision Conference
MEMA Aftermarket HD Council to Host Sales Panel Discussion

The council’s panel discussion before HDAD 2024 will explore how to achieve sales goals by utilizing manufacturer representatives.

Heavy Duty Manufacturers Representatives Council
AAPEX 2023 Sold-Out Show Unites Global Automotive Aftermarket

AAPEX 2023 drew 46,551 registered targeted buyers representing 130 countries.

Registration Open for Women in Auto Care Conference

The conference will take place Feb. 20-22, 2024, in Salt Lake City, at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center.

Other Posts

Remanufacturers ‘Walk the Talk’ on Sustainability

Some AAPEX exhibitors wore green shoes to spread awareness of the important role of remanufacturing in sustainability.

AAPEX Remanufacturing
Dana Receives MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers DEI Award

The association presented the DEI Award to Dana at AAPEX in Las Vegas.

GB Reman Recaps AAPEX Highlights

GB Reman’s 59 newly released part numbers “garnered significant interest,” the company said.

MEMA Announces Date, Theme for 2024 Vision Conference

The theme of this year’s conference is “The New Aftermarket: Embracing Change to Drive Growth.”