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Why Smarter Training = More Money in Your Shop (and Less Stress for You)

Today, we're diving into how new training tech like VR and ADAS education can help your shop make more money, avoid liability, and stay ahead of the curve.Joining us are Chrisa Hickey and Mike Mertes from ICAR, where Chrisa leads industry strategy and Mike drives innovation through cutting-edge training tools that are changing how techs learn in real-time.ICAR brings nearly five decades of trusted expertise to help shops like yours keep up with rapidly evolving vehicle technology—without getting overwhelmed. We’re fired up to have them on the show and break down how smarter training can mean a stronger, more profitable shop.

AuthorAuthor

Joe Toscano & Alex Rapp
May 23, 2025 • Read Time: 4 minutes

Listen to the episode here

The Tech Isn’t Slowing Down. Neither Should You.

Your shop doesn’t look the same as it did 10 years ago—and it won’t look the same 2 years from now either.

The vehicles rolling in today are packed with sensors, software, and safety systems that are more complex than ever. That means your shop needs more than just tools and lifts—you need smarter training to keep up and keep cash flowing.

We sat down with Mike Mertes and Chrisa Hickey from ICAR to talk about how they’re helping shops like yours make more money and stay ahead of tech changes—without turning your business upside down.

Tech Training That Pays for Itself

Why does training matter right now?
Because nearly every car on the road today has some kind of ADAS (advanced driver assistance system), and you can’t just “eyeball” those sensors back into place after a repair. If you don’t know how to recalibrate them properly, you’re either:

  • Opening yourself up to a massive liability

  • Or leaving thousands of dollars on the table

Most shops sublet ADAS calibrations out. But here’s the kicker: Every car built since 2023 comes with at least one ADAS feature. Soon, the sublet you're sending those calibrations to could be backed up for weeks. And cycle time? Toast.

That’s why ICAR is putting a huge focus on helping shops bring ADAS knowledge—and potentially those calibrations—in-house. More control, less waiting, and a whole new revenue stream if you do it right.

“Shops are either leaving money on the table, or opening themselves up to liability when they don’t understand how these systems work.”

— Chrisa Hickey, ICAR

Smarter Learning: VR, AI, and the Future of Wrenching

Look, nobody's saying you're gonna have robots fixing cars. But the way we train techs? That’s changing fast—and for the better.

Mike’s team is building hands-on training in virtual reality (VR) where you can practice high-voltage EV safety steps or learn to use tools like multimeters without ever touching a real car. You do it at your pace, fail safely, and repeat it until you get it right.

Even better? Courses are getting smarter. If a senior tech already knows the basics, the course adapts and skips ahead. If a newer tech needs to slow down, it adjusts to them too. One course, customized for everyone.

It's like having a personal trainer for your shop—but for fixing cars, not lifting weights.

What’s Coming Next (And Why You Should Care)

ADAS and EVs are the two biggest shifts hitting shops right now. And here’s what’s around the corner:

  • Electric vehicles (EVs): Still a small part of the market, but growing fast—especially on the coasts. And they’re dangerous if handled wrong. A bad move with a high-voltage battery and you’re not just shocked.

  • OEM Certifications: With more connected cars, we could see manufacturer apps automatically recommend certified shops after a crash. If you're certified, there could be an opportunity for that car to come to you.

  • ADAS & In-Vehicle Tech: Cars are basically rolling computers. Your next hire might come from the Geek Squad as your ADAS technician, and that’s actually happened.

The Bottom Line

If you want to stay ahead, make more money, and stress less—you need a real plan to keep your team trained. I-CAR isn’t just a box to check for certifications. They’re building tools to help you run a smarter shop, train faster, and stay out in front.

Want more insights like this?


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Because this industry isn’t slowing down. And neither are we.

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