CARS Executive Outlook: Mark Pereira

CARS magazine 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 the economy impact customer behaviour in 2025 compared to 2024? What role is technology playing in repair shops these days and how can shops use it effectively? And what could impact business the most this year — is there one key opportunity or challenge awaiting shop owners? We will present their answers in alphabetical order over the coming weeks…

You can view the full feature in the February 2025 issue.

Mark Pereira, Division Vice President – Canada  |  Midas Canada

Building trust and creating convenience through technology is the successful path toward empowering consumers.

The auto repair industry and shop owners have no choice but to evolve or dissolve to adapt and combat the economic uncertainty ahead in 2025. While 2024 was a year of new car supply chain recovery, what seems to be setting 2025 apart already is the renewed focus on payment options, strong value and customer service being sought after by most drivers. Ways to pay will continue to be an area of growth, as higher demands will be put on auto repair shops to offer consumer credit options, easy monthly payment plans and affordable financing to help manage rising repair costs.

Building trust and creating convenience through technology is the successful path toward empowering consumers. Advanced tools and technology can effectively set a shop apart and ahead of the pack, from simply updating your in-store image to improving how service advisors communicate (by text, social media, chat, email or phone) with each customer’s preference. The expectation is that modern vehicles should be repaired and maintained by modern shops and expertly trained staff.

Future-proofing your business is a constant challenge, as vehicles continue to increase in complexity, and we all strive for every shop to maintain efficiency and profitability. Offering service expertise for all makes and models is always a key to acquiring new business. We’re seeing a strong need to invest in both the training and the equipment necessary to do so, from repairs and maintenance on hybrids and EVs to advanced driver assistance systems calibrations found on almost every vehicle these days.