Mister Transmission’s Tony Kuczynski, who steps in as chair of the AIA Canada, says the auto care sector is ready for the coming challenges.

Speaking to Indie Garage sister publication Jobber Nation just prior to the Canadian Auto Care Industry Conference in Toronto, where he officially steps into the role of association chair, the Mister Transmission’s CEO and president says that there are certainly challenges ahead in tems of industry shifts and tariff-driven uncertainty, but also that the aftermarket is well positioned.

There is potential threat of tariffs and what that means to the whole economic situation and while he estimates the new car segment is in for a severe shock potentially, the auto care sector is prepared to navigate whatever comes.

“COVID was sort of a once in lifetime, exceptional situation. Our first month when it hit our sales were down 40%. Then we recovered after that. We worked with our teams to manage through that. That was really dramatic. I don’t expect this to be as dramatic.

“Cars in Canada are essential. People are going continue to drive the 26 million cars on the road, They’re going to need to be repaired. So we’ll continue to find ways to repair them and find the parts, And we will carry on and we’ll get through just like we did the last challenge.

“In many respects, we came out of it stronger and our teams were stronger. And, you know, our procedures tightened up. Now, with this particular situation, as I mentioned, I expect that money’s going to be tight. People may put off repairs.

“We’re going have to get creative with things like financing and support and options. We really need to you focus on selling value, selling safety, selling convenience, and making sure that we’re looking after customers.

“Their cars are going continue to need to be repaired and we’ll find ways to repair them.

“We’re getting ready for a kind of the worst case scenario. Now, we’re hopeful it’s not going to be as bad as some people predict, but we’re ready and we got through COVID. We’ll get through this too.”