DRiV’s ‘Bold Moves’ Strategy: Agility, AI and Aftermarket Intelligence

When DRiV’s Joseph Saoud, VP and general manager, U.S. and Canada, talked about “bold moves” at an AAPEX press conference, he wasn’t describing a slogan. He was outlining a new operating philosophy. It’s one that prioritizes agility over bureaucracy and execution over committee consensus. At the press conference, he explained how that mindset has turned into a structural advantage in a volatile market.

“We make a decision, we huddle, we bring all the expertise in and we quickly align,” Saoud said. “Then we move on and start executing.”

For Saoud, who’s worked for Cummins and Bridgestone, DRiV’s culture allows teams to act within days, not weeks—a difference that proved critical when supply chain shocks hit. That organizational velocity, he added, has become a competitive advantage.

A Customer-Centered Ecosystem

Much of DRiV’s current growth strategy revolves around a broader definition of “the customer.” Saoud pointed out that every stakeholder—from vehicle owners to technicians to channel partners—influences aftermarket success.

“We spend a tremendous amount of time on the installer,” he said. “We train and we also listen to them.”

That philosophy has guided the company’s investments in both product design and service infrastructure. DRiV’s category management teams are developing AI tools to help customers identify stocking gaps, eliminate slow-moving SKUs and reduce obsolescence. The goal: ensure that every product in inventory earns its place on the shelf.

For distributors and suppliers, that shift represents a transition from traditional forecasting to predictive, data-informed category management. That’s a system where real-time sales and vehicle-in-operation data drive inventory decisions.

Scaling Innovation at Record Speed

Saoud also highlighted DRiV’s aggressive approach to product expansion. The company launched 25,000 new SKUs globally this year, including more than 9,000 in North America. Many of those new products, he said, originated directly from technician and channel feedback, including more cost-effective shocks and new brake drums for heavy-duty applications.

That rapid scaling underscores DRiV’s ability to translate field intelligence into product development. The company’s strategy emphasizes responsiveness over routine, proving that listening faster can be as valuable as engineering faster.

Empowering People and Performance

Technology and product innovation are only part of DRiV’s equation. The company’s Garage Gurus network continues to deliver large-scale technician training, with more than 15,000 technicians trained and 10,000 stores visited so far this year. Saoud called the program “phenomenal,” crediting it for closing the loop between product education, installer feedback and internal engineering improvements. Each training interaction, he said, is another way to understand what technicians need most.

In the Driver’s Seat

For the aftermarket industry, DRiV’s message is clear: agility, data fluency and technician development are no longer optional. They’re the foundations of a modern supply chain. From AI-powered analytics to on-the-ground training, DRiV’s “bold moves” strategy illustrates how fast execution and deep field connection can coexist, and how that balance is redefining what leadership looks like in the aftermarket.