Earning the title of Automotive Service Excellence World Class Technician is no small accomplishment. To be recognized as World Class, these individuals have obtained ASE certification in 22 specialty areas: A1-A8 (automotive), T1-T8 (medium/heavy truck), B2-B5 (collision repair), and L1-L2 (advanced).
Not only is achieving certification in these areas impressive, but becoming ASE World Class is no small feat. As of 2025, only 2,000 technicians have achieved this status.
In this Q&A, Motor Age sat down with David Nix — an ASE World Class Technician at Automotive Training Institute, in The Colony, Texas — to learn more about his journey in the automotive industry and how gaining World-Class status has helped advance his career.
Motor Age: Please introduce yourself and tell us about your experience in the automotive industry.
David Nix: I have spent over 45 years in automotive repair, specializing in diagnostics and repair, and have worked on everything from 1969 Mustang muscle cars to electric vehicles. I achieved ASE World Class status at age 64 in 2025.
Motor Age: What's the most memorable repair you've ever completed?
Nix: A Box Truck
Motor Age: Tell us one thing about you that we can't guess from your certifications.
Nix: I love working on cars. I also love teaching young techs how to fix cars and protect themselves from ligations.
Motor Age: What automotive technology trend are you most excited about/most concerned about?
Nix: I am most excited about ADAS, and I am most concerned about self-driving vehicles.
Motor Age: How has ASE certification helped advance your career?
Nix: It has given me so many amazing career opportunities, built customer trust in me, professional credibility, and has brought about salary advancement. Doors have opened for me because of my ASE credentials.
