Curbside Chat vodcast
Discussing real issues with the professionals who drive the auto care sector.
Curbside Chat is a video podcast series that gives sector professionals a forum to talk about the issues important to the Canadian auto care industry with the people who make things happen.
Watch the most recent episode
Episode 03: The future of the collision sector in Canada
Date: November 1st, 2023
Host: Lorraine Sommerfeld
Guests: Ryan Bruno, President and CEO, CSN Collision Centres, and Rocco Neglia, President and CEO of Dumfries Mutual Insurance Company.
Description: This episode is an in-depth conversation about current challenges Canada’s collision sector is facing, such as repair times, supply chain management, and of course, the emergence and impact of electric vehicles on collision repair shops. We are joined by Ryan Bruno, President and CEO at CSN Collision Centres, and Rocco Neglia, President and CEO of Dumfries Mutual Insurance Company, to provide insight into the current state of the Canadian collision sector, and to learn what can be done today to make a successful tomorrow.
Season 4
Hosted by Lorraine Sommerfeld.
With over 20 years of experience, Lorraine knows the ins and outs of the auto care industry. An esteemed automotive journalist and podcast host currently with Driving.ca with previous experience in The Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail, Lorraine is ready to dive into auto care industry challenges and trends with Curbside Chat.
Episode 02: The right to repair continues to make strides in Quebec (in French only)
Date: October 18th, 2023
Host: Jean-François Champagne, President and CEO of AIA Canada
Guests: Élisabeth Lambert, president of the AIA Canada Quebec Division and vice president at Pièces d’Auto Joliette, and David Boudeweel-Lefebvre, CEO at Boudeweel Public Affairs
Description: On October 5, 2023, Quebec became the first province to adopt a right-to-repair law, Bill 29. In a nutshell, this will allow Quebec vehicle owners to choose where they have their vehicles serviced and repaired. This podcast will look at how Quebec has managed to take a major step forward on the right to repair.
Episode 01: The right to repair in the auto care sector
Date: October 10th, 2023
Guests: Emily Chung, owner and licensed automotive technician at Auto Niche, and Alana Baker, Vice President of Government Relations and Research at AIA Canada
Description: For the auto care sector to survive and thrive, we need the right to repair—Canada is too geographically diverse to rely on automakers alone to service our vehicles. Quebec is taking a step in the right direction with Bill 29, but what exactly does this bill—or the absence of it—mean for the auto care industry? And how does the Federal bill, C-244 compare, and what does it mean for Canadian consumers? This episode of Curbside Chat, brought to you by AIA Canada, dives into the right to repair, as well as other critical industry issues, such as modernizing operations, up-skilling, and employee recruitment.
Season 3
Hosted by Jason Yurchak
Episode 03: Skilled labour training in today's auto care sector
Date: May 25, 2023
Guest: Saifullah Sanaye, Professor of Automotive Technology at St. Lawrence College
Description: AIA Canada Chairman, Jason Yurchak welcomes Saifullah Sanaye to discuss the current environment in automotive training and on the future of the auto care industry.
Episode 02: Developing next generation leaders in the auto care sector
Date: February 21, 2023
Guest: Patrick Verriet, Key Account Manager at MANN + HUMMEL
Description: AIA Canada Chairman, Jason Yurchak welcomes Patrick Verriet, Key Account Manager at MANN + HUMMEL, discuss Young Professionals in the Aftermarket (YPA) and developing next generation leaders in the auto care sector.
Episode 01: What it takes to adapt to servicing EVs
Date: September 22, 2022
Guest: Chris Besemer, Owner & President of CG Motorsports
Description: Curbside Chat is back for its third season with a new host! AIA Canada Chairman, Jason Yurchak welcomes Chris Besemer, Owner & President of CG Motorsports, discuss what it takes to adapt to servicing electric vehicles. From specialty tools and safety concerns, to finding staff, Jason and Chris look at the pitfalls to avoid and the opportunities to be had by taking on EV maintenance.
Season 2
Hosted by Bob Jaworski
Episode 05: Beyond COVID-19 and what's in store for the automotive aftermarket
Date: July 13, 2022
Guest: John Washbish, President and CEO, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.
Description: Bob sits down with John to chat about what’s going on in the global world when it comes to consolidation at a supplier level and how is this affecting the quality of the parts that are being supplied in the aftermarket in respect to the good-better-best approach to pricing.
Episode 04: Rethinking the Aftermarket: EVs, E-commerce, and Evolving Expectations
Date: March 8, 2022
Guest: Jasna Smiljcic, Canadian Country Sales Director, Gates Corporation
Description: Bob sits down with Jasna to discuss how parts manufacturers are preparing for the future of electric vehicles, the rise of e-commerce and online shopping of vehicle parts, and the fast-evolving preferences and demands that are likely to shape the industry for years to come.
Episode 03: Today's challenges, tomorrow's opportunities. A changing landscape for the automotive aftermarket
Date: December 13, 2021
Guest: Élisabeth Lambert, Vice-President and General Manager, Pièces d’Auto Joliette
Description: Bob sits down with Élisabeth to chat about her unique path to entrepreneurship and how she is raising awareness of the automotive aftermarket industry.
Episode 02: Today's challenges, tomorrow's opportunities. A changing landscape for the automotive aftermarket
Date: September 23, 2021
Guest: Mike Kealey, Executive Vice President – Commercial, Dorman Products
Description: Bob sits down with Mike to chat about some of the biggest challenges facing the aftermarket today including Right to Repair, product progression, push into manufacturing and electronics, and reverse engineering.
Episode 01: A North American perspective, trends and insight of the aftermarket supply chain
Date: July 21, 2021
Guest: Mauro Cifelli, President and CEO, Groupe Del Vasto
Description: Bob sits down with Mauro to discuss supply chain challenges and distribution networks that have affected the entire North American aftermarket.
Season 1
Hosted by Susan Hitchon
Episode 04
Date: December 17, 2020
Guest: Bill Gardiner, Canada’s Car Doctor & Motoring TV Host
Description: Susan sits down with Bill to chat about his current role in the aftermarket and as Resident Mechanic on TSN’s Motoring TV, consumer trends on automotive repair, and underperformed maintenance in Canada.
Episode 03
Date: October 19, 2020
Guest: Malcolm Sissmore, Vice President Sales, Delphi Technologies
Description: Susan sits down with Malcolm to discuss what repairing the cars of the future will look like, and the future technologies in these vehicles.
Episode 02
Date: July 29, 2020
Guest: Steve Leal, President and CEO, Fix Network World
Description: Susan sits down with Steve to discuss the potential for shop certification in Canada, what they might look like, and potential next steps for the aftermarket industry.
Episode 01
Date: June 12, 2020
Guest: Brad Cochrane, Director of Sales Operations & Business Analytics, NAPA Auto Parts
Description: Susan sits down with Brad to chat about the Young Professionals in the Aftermarket Committee and its mission, as well as how to recruit and retain young talent to the aftermarket industry.