Revolutionizing Auto Repair Using AI With Linda Gray of Mastertech.ai
Release Date: 01/29/2025
Gain Traction
David Schardt is the President and CEO of Forgeline Motorsports, a premier manufacturer of custom, lightweight forged wheels for high-performance and racing applications. In 1994, David co-founded Forgeline in Dayton, Ohio alongside his twin brother, Steve Schardt — their passion rooted in the family’s long-standing involvement in the wheel business. With decades of hands-on experience in both distribution and manufacturing, David has helped grow Forgeline into a respected name in motorsports and automotive customization. Beyond business, he’s a fan of muscle cars, racing, and the movie...
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Richard Balan is the President of RTA Holdings, a company specializing in aftermarket vehicle outfitting, particularly commercial vehicles and off-road accessories. Notably, Raven Truck Accessories, under Richard's leadership, has successfully integrated with Trail Tire to create one-stop locations for customers, leveraging Trail Tire's extensive network and RTA's accessory expertise. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Richard has a diverse background, having worked in the communications industry before joining the family business over 20 years ago. In this episode… How do two...
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John Teddy is the Chief Executive Officer of Straightaway Tire & Auto, bringing over 15 years of leadership experience in consumer retail and services. Before joining Straightaway, he served as Vice President of Take 5 Oil Change and held senior roles at Driven Brands, including Chief Commercial Officer. His career also includes strategic positions at The Home Depot and Lowe's, where he focused on corporate strategy and performance improvement. John earned his degree from Vanderbilt University and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and their four children. ...
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Tim Szabo is the Owner of Trail Tire Edmonton Groat Road, with over three decades of experience in the automotive industry. Alongside Fixed Operations Manager Kasey Wood, Tim is dedicated to ensuring every customer departs fully satisfied with their experience. Ian McDonald is Manager at Kirks Trail Tire Auto Centers Northern Edge. He is a valued member of the Trail Tire family, known for his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to customer service. His journey into the tire industry began in a unique way, leading him to become an integral part of the Trail Tire network. Matt...
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Giorgio Andonian is the Managing Director at FOCUS Investment Banking, where he specializes in mergers and acquisitions within the Consumer and Automotive Aftermarket industries. He joined FOCUS in 2019, bringing over 15 years of operational experience, including his role as Vice President of a regional tire chain in Southern California, where he oversaw sales, marketing, finance, and human resources, ultimately preparing the business for a successful exit to a private equity platform. Giorgio holds a MBA with an emphasis in finance from Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and...
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Scott Bishop is the Vice President of Passenger and Light Truck Tire Sales for the independent channel at Sailun Tire Americas, which specializes in offering a diverse range of tire brands. He has a wealth of experience in the tire industry, having worked his way up through other reputable companies like Bridgestone and Falken Tire over the years. Scott developed a passion for cars early on building motors and drag racing with his father. In this episode… Scaling an automotive business requires open communication and a focus on value. What is the key to success in the tire industry?...
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Johnathon Bemis is the Lead Master Technician at VIP Tires & Service, known for its comprehensive tire and auto repair services in the New England area. Notably, Johnathon is the recipient of the prestigious 2024 AAPEX Technician of the Year Award, recognizing his exceptional skills and dedication in the industry. Johnathon's automotive journey highlights the importance of perseverance and continuous learning in adapting to the fast-evolving automotive industry. In this episode… The automotive industry is experiencing rapid technological advancements, requiring technicians to continually...
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TJ White is the General Manager of Tire Source Neighborhood Car Care, a company with six locations in the Canton and Akron, Ohio area that specializes in tire and auto repair services. Under TJ's leadership, Tire Source has maintained strong community relationships and a reputation for customer loyalty, stemming from its innovative and efficient service practices. TJ grew up in Akron and has been part of the family business since he was 16, having worked his way up from changing oil and tires to his current managerial role. In this episode… Operating a tire and auto repair business with...
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Cory Brown is the Owner of Cory's Point S Tire in Rapid City, South Dakota. Under Cory's leadership, the business has expanded to two locations, employing 35-40 staff members. Outside of business hours, Cory characterizes himself as an adrenaline junkie who enjoys car racing, snowboarding, motocross, and mountain climbing. In this episode… As any industry veteran can attest, the automotive field is an immensely competitive one. What makes a business thrive in a competitive sector, and how do leaders overcome the challenges posed by rapid growth and changing market dynamics? Cory Brown...
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Ryan Thueson is the Owner of Clair and Dee's Tire, a family-owned business in Rexburg, Idaho, specializing in tire services and auto repair as part of the Point S network. Clair and Dee's Tire has expanded from a single store to five locations in the past three years, showcasing its growth and dedication to customer service. Ryan, representing the third generation of ownership during the store’s 61-year history, continues to uphold the family legacy while embracing modern business strategies and multi-store ownership. In this episode… What does it take to maintain a successful family...
info_outlineLinda Gray is Co-founder of Mastertech.ai, an innovative company that is leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to transform the auto repair industry. Linda brings a wealth of experience from her time at Microsoft, where she was a principal engineer and led teams on major products like Outlook, Teams, and Xbox Live. Now, Linda is applying her expertise to create cutting-edge solutions that empower auto repair shops and technicians.
In this episode…
The auto repair industry is facing a growing challenge with the ever-increasing complexity of modern vehicles. How can shops keep up with the latest technology and ensure their technicians have the knowledge and tools to effectively diagnose and repair these sophisticated machines?
According to Linda Gray of Mastertech.ai, artificial intelligence could play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. Mastertech.ai's innovative software analyzes a shop's historical repair orders, leveraging AI to identify patterns and trends. This data-driven approach empowers technicians to quickly pinpoint the most likely causes of vehicle issues, streamlining the diagnostic process and reducing repair times.
On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge welcomes Linda to discuss the revolutionary impact of AI on the auto repair industry. Linda highlights how MasterTech.ai empowers shops to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and profitability by harnessing the power of shop-specific data and AI-driven insights. The conversation delves into the software's capability to enhance shop productivity, reduce repair times, and improve accuracy — ultimately increasing profit margins.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [08:05] Why the increasing complexity of vehicles demands new solutions for technicians
- [08:55] The impact of AI on the future of auto repair
- [11:25] How Mastertech.ai helps technicians work faster and more accurately, potentially increasing their earnings
- [11:52] How Mastertech.ai can help shops improve their margins
- [13:00] The benefits of using shop-specific data to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency
- [13:55] Why Mastertech.ai is a valuable tool for both experienced and newer technicians
- [14:44] How Mastertech.ai creates a centralized knowledge base for shops, capturing the expertise of their best technicians
- [17:07] The potential for AI to empower auto repair shops to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Quotable Moments:
- "The more you chase success, the more you might miss it. Focus on creating value and success comes as a side effect."
- "AI doesn't just expand a technician's memory; it equips them with a collective experience that levels the playing field."
- "You're essentially immortalizing your best master technician's knowledge within your shop through AI."
- "When vehicles are becoming increasingly more complex, AI steps in to make repairs simpler and more efficient."
- "Success comes as a side effect when you do something you truly love and believe in."
Action Steps:
- Leverage AI tools for efficiency: AI-driven solutions help technicians access a vast database of vehicle information and previous repair records, overcoming the challenge of increasing vehicle complexity.
- Utilize historical data for improved decision-making: Regularly analyze your shop's historical repair data to identify recurring issues and effective solutions.
- Invest in continuous learning: Encourage technicians to stay updated with the latest automotive technologies and repair techniques through workshops and training sessions.
- Foster a collaborative environment: Promote a culture of knowledge sharing among technicians to pool collective expertise and solve complex repair issues.
- Focus on customer value and satisfaction: Prioritize creating value for customers by delivering high-quality, efficient service that meets or exceeds their expectations.
Sponsor for this episode...
This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners.
At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops.
By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays.
We’ve helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer’s Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches.
So, what are you waiting for?
Visit www.treadpartners.com or email [email protected] to learn more.