Automotive Repair News Today

Hosted by Braxton Critcher

Business Leisure Automotive

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Episodes

124

Latest episode

Jul 2025

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About the show

Automotive Repair News Today And Good News In Auto Repair are the newest additions to the Changing The Industry family.

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July 9, 202521 min

Good News in Auto Repair - Lee Locklear Donates $20,000.00 Worth Of Tools To School

Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HEREIf your DVI isn't certified, you're losing customers! Get a FREE certification when you touch HERE!In this episode, Braxton is joined by Lee Locklear of Cutting Edge Solutions and Missy Stephens of the Auto Care Association. Missy recounts how a high school vocational instructor in Pontiac, Michigan, shared a need he had to better equip his growing class, especially with more female students enrolling. Lee responded with a substantial donation of tools and equipment, valued at around $20,000, helping to ensure students have what they need to succeed. Now, that's some GOOD NEWS!00:00 Program Faces High Demand, Needs Tools05:30 Grateful Colt Receives Surprise Aid09:14 "Incredible Generosity Impacting Education"13:23 "Community Impact Through Vocational Support"16:37 Time: The Most Valuable Gift20:25 "Join the Generosity Movement"

July 2, 202521 min

How Battery Technology Is Evolving for Modern Cars with Alan Kohler

Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HEREIf 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 Alan Kohler from Odyssey Battery. Alan breaks down the differences between traditional flooded lead-acid batteries, AGM, and Odyssey’s advanced Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology. The conversation explores why today’s vehicles—with their increased electronics and start-stop systems—require more from their batteries, and how Odyssey batteries are designed to deliver longer life and improved performance. Plus, Alan introduces Odyssey Connect, an innovative app-based system that lets users monitor battery health in real time.Learn more about ODYSSEY Battery HERE00:00 Automotive Repair News Today Keeps You Informed04:35 AGM2: Advanced Car Battery Tech07:38 Enhanced Batteries for Start-Stop Cars12:28 Repair Shops vs. DIY Enthusiasts15:27 Optimizing Truck Battery Management17:35 Quality Over Cost for Car Essentials

June 25, 202540 min

SEMA President Mike Spagnola on EV Mandates, Right to Repair, and California’s Automotive Laws

Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HEREIf 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 choice and innovation in vehicle technology. Second, Mike breaks down the latest progress of "Leno’s Law," aimed at easing smog checks for California’s classic car owners. Finally, the discussion turns to the Right to Repair Act, with Mike emphasizing the importance of consumer access to vehicle data and repair options, and predicting what’s next for this critical legislation.Register for SEMA 2025 HERE00:00 Advocates for Consumer Vehicle Choice04:22 Rushed Implementation Concerns08:21 "Free Market Reshapes Automotive Industry"12:42 Smog Testing Challenges for Vintage Cars16:21 Right to Repair Act Update17:27 "Right to Repair and Modify"22:23 Advocacy for Upcoming Legislation Crescendo26:09 "Ensuring Vehicle Modifications and Safety"29:55 Fiat's Global Mobility and Tourism Division31:20 Global Automotive Tech Innovations35:25 Local Enthusiasts Influence Auto Show37:43 Convenient Hotel Stay Despite Congestion40:32 Pressure vs. Pleasure Conversation

May 30, 202522 min

TOPDON'S Industry-Wide Growth, and Chad Schnitz's Perspective on The Future of the Industry

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 technicians at every level.00:00 "Tight-Knit Industry Connections"03:15 Chad's Board Appointment News07:44 Right to Repair Challenges12:35 Supporting Women in Auto Care16:18 Improving Technician Profession Perception17:15 Oil Change Frequency Debate21:37 "Join the Automotive Repair Conversation"

May 26, 202531 min

Jimmy Lea is Now a Certified Speaking Professional. How Does One Become a CSP?

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 coats05:46 "Reapplying for CSP Certification"08:11 Failed Speaker Review Video11:08 Videographer Hire: Costs & Requirements16:06 Speaker Recognition and Status20:11 Becoming a Professional Speaker21:01 Joining Speaking Associations Explained25:58 Collaborative Industry Improvement Insights28:35 "Shopmonkey Expert Series in Chicago"

May 23, 202533 min

Good News in Auto Repair | Radical Generosity and Faith TRANSFORMED This Repair Shop

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 community. 00:00 Positive Industry Podcast Initiative05:09 Prayer and Opportunity in Adversity08:40 "Journey from Teaching to Faith"12:38 Faith and Support Acknowledged13:55 Faith-Driven Business Transformation18:24 "Brandy's Empathy in Crisis"20:22 Empowering Growth Beyond Business25:09 God's Impact in Business27:21 "Industry Transformation: Faith-Driven Approach"31:42 Divine Opportunities and Platforms

May 21, 20257 min

Hundreds of 311 Complaints, Major Tax Breaks, and Christian Brothers Tops Satisfaction Rankings

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, prompting community support for the business. Finally, he spotlights Christian Brothers Automotive for being ranked number one in customer satisfaction by the J.D. Power Aftermarket Success Index for the sixth consecutive year.

May 9, 202522 min

Is Automotive Training Worth It? Tom Schearer Says Without Question!

Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HEREIf 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 on investment for shop owners and technicians who attend. The conversation also highlights how ongoing education not only keeps teams up to date with rapidly changing technology but also strengthens shop culture and networking within the industry.Sign up for TOOLS HERE00:00 Role Play: Addressing Training Hesitations05:45 Comprehensive Training Conference Overview07:42 Training Benefits Outweigh Costs13:27 Team Training and Staff Changes16:37 Collision Classes & Networking Highlights20:08 "Importance of Networking Events"21:24 "Automotive Repair Podcast Promo"

May 7, 202512 min

California Clean Air Act Overturned, Ford Recall, and Good News Today!

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 through a local car show are helping cover auto repairs for residents in need. 00:00 SEMA Push Against 2035 Gas Ban04:19 Auto Industry's Tariff Concerns08:53 "Car Enthusiast Hosts Charity Show"10:18 Connecticut Repair Initiative Story Preview

May 6, 202527 min

Why the NEVI Program Ended and What’s Next for EV Charging with Ryan McKinnon

Switching Shop Management Systems isn't as hard as you think! Give Shop Controller a try HEREIf 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 stumbled due to poor implementation by many states. The conversation also explores Florida’s unique approach to EV charging and the push for free market solutions over utility-run charging stations, emphasizing the importance of policies that encourage private investment in the evolving EV marketplace. 00:00 "Criticism of Ineffective EV Initiative"05:06 Transportation Grants Continue Amid Program Halt10:14 EV Charging Competition in Florida12:42 State Attitudes on Federal EV Funding15:47 Utility Control Over EV Charging20:49 Ineffective Public Charger Deployment23:43 EV Charging Policy Advocacy Platform27:00 "Engage with Automotive Repair News"