ASW Conversations: A roadmap for our aftermarket future, with NAPA’s Donovan Ringo

There are plenty of critical challenges and opportunities facing independent auto repair shops in an era of rapid technological change, explained Donovan Ringo, senior manager of emerging technologies at NAPA.

In this episode of Auto Service World Conversations, Ringo highlighted the seismic shifts occurring in the automotive sector, particularly in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies.

“Four out of five shops are sending their ADAS calibrations to the dealership,” Ringo observed, pointing to a massive missed opportunity for independent repair shops.

He emphasized that this trend not only loses potential revenue but risks permanently redirecting customer loyalty to dealerships. The key barriers for independent shops include significant technology investment and complex training requirements.

“A lot of shops really don’t have a lot of capital to invest in technology,” Ringo explained, noting that, unlike alignment machines with quick returns on investment, ADAS technologies require more comprehensive commitments.

Looking toward electric vehicle adoption, Ringo predicted substantial growth with 30 per cent market share coming from this area. He compared the EV market’s evolution to a young deer finding its footing.

“When that fawn comes out, it’s awkward, it’s stumbling around … the next thing you know, it’s running,” Ringo said.

Artificial intelligence has also emerged as a critical tool, with Ringo noting its potential to help shops with predictive maintenance, inventory management and even marketing strategies.

“If you can use AI to see how many vehicles are in your area, you can start looking at predictive maintenance and repair,” Ringo said, highlighting the technology’s transformative potential.

Adapting isn’t optional, Ringo emphasized. Independent shops must invest in training, technology, and understanding emerging automotive technologies to remain competitive in an increasingly complex industry landscape.

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