CARS 2026 Executive Outlook: Scott Waddle

CARS reached out to leaders in the automotive repair and service sector of the automotive aftermarket to ask them about their thoughts about the industry over the next 12 months: How will this year be different, what will drive change and what will be the biggest challenge. We will present their answers in alphabetical order over the coming weeks…

You can view the full feature in the February 2026 issue.

Scott Waddle, Director, Mechanical Repair Division, Automotive Retailers Association | President, NATA Canada | CEO, Precision Auto Service

One emerging opportunity is the cooling economy. While challenging in many respects, it has led to increased interest in skilled trades.

Preparedness always comes down to people. We must constantly look for the right individuals, invest in ongoing training and commit to continuous innovation. There are few industries outside of medicine that evolve as quickly or impact daily life as directly as automotive repair.

Despite this, we continue to struggle with talent — not because it doesn’t exist, but because we are often reluctant to invest deeply enough in developing it. Training reveals potential, but uncovering true capability requires time, trust, and financial commitment. People, not tools, ultimately determine whether a shop is effective and profitable.

We have built a comprehensive system of standard operating procedures designed to clearly define expectations, not dictate how individuals perform their work. This gives team members the freedom to make independent decisions within a well-defined framework. When combined with AI-driven tools, we can quickly build, refine, and deploy new policies and workflows to keep pace with changing demands. This clarity and adaptability reduce friction, improve engagement and ultimately support retention.

One emerging opportunity is the cooling economy. While challenging in many respects, it has led to increased interest in skilled trades. We are seeing more individuals exploring automotive repair either as a new career path or as a move toward a stronger employer.

Shops that remain consistently open to recruitment will be best positioned to benefit. Meeting strong candidates early, having conversations about long-term career paths, and maintaining visibility as a quality employer will separate those who grow from those who stagnate.