Craig's Bio
History of ACDC
Craig started the Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC) in 1998 while he was running his repair shop across the street. Originally ACDC was at 19 Wells Street in Worcester, Mass and State Emission classes were held there as well as many other technical and management courses. Craig taught there and hired many other local trainers to teach there and it grew quickly. In 2004 Craig closed the ACDC training center building as Hybrid technology had found its place and he was off and running around the globe enlightening those that needed a hybrid education. Today Craig uses two local shop, Bravo Motors and Wayside Automotive, for classes near home. 95% of ACDC training is held out of state. The offices are located at 40 Boyd Street, upstairs in his old New England inner city home.The place is easy to spot, look for lots of hybrids in the driveway! 10 houses away is another old New England home owned by Craig that houses more office space and room for all the hybrids, parts and associated training materials.
History of Craig Van Batenburg
Craig's Father, Ray Van Batenburg ran a used car lot, repair shop and body shop in Ogden, Utah where young Craig grew up. In 1963 Craig moved to Worcester, Massachusetts where he still lives. Starting as a tech at age 17 (during high school) Craig has made his living in the auto repair business (a few early years were spent in the motorcycle end of things). After 10 years working at the nearby Honda, Datsun, Toyota dealerships Craig opened Van Batenburg's Garage, Inc (VBG) on December 20th, 1977. In 1993 Craig and Deb, co owners of VBG help found ASA Massachusetts (later to include R.I.) and they volunteered on a national level. In 1998 ACDC was established. Craig has taught over 7,500 students in his career.
Craig is an Accredited Automotive Manager, AAM, with AMI, hold a Master Certification with ASE and is L1 certified. His full time efforts are devoted to training, consulting, technical and management writing and class development. He is a contributing editor for Auto, Inc., Automotive A/C Reporter (in Europe), TaT in Australia and the Automotive Journal. Besides Hybrid Education, Craig teaches a wide variety of technical and management classes for trade associations and other industry partners around the world.
History of Van Batenburg's Garage, Inc. (1977-2004)
VBG stressed people and their relationships, high-tech thinking and taking a pro-active role in improving his service facility and this industry. Craig was a hands-on technician / shop owner. Some of the strength of VBG's work centered on the fact that they specialized on two makes, Honda and Toyota and Craig drove what he preached. In 1999 VBG purchased one of the first hybrids sold in the country, a 2000 Insight. Ser # 000157. That car is still used daily and has over 100K miles. As a technician / shop owner Craig received many awards and was awarded the Mass Audubon 1999 Environmental Award. Craig and Deb were very proud of VBG.
Some Customers of ACDC
- ASA National
- ASA Washington
- ASA MoKan
- ASA Arizona
- ASA Nebraska
- AASP PA
- AASP Mo
- AASP NJ
- ASC (California)
- Delphi
- John Deere
- Midtronics
- Magid Glove and Safety
- Identifix
- Porche of America
- MotorAge
- BG Products
- Dorman, Inc.
- HECAT
- Bendix Brakes
- MGA Research
- Automechanica Canada
- Verifax
- APRA
- ABRN
- NACE
- CARS
- AAPEX
- TaT (Australia)
- Canadian Technician
- AARO (Canada)
- LTS North (Canada)
- PARTS
- AVI
- MACS
- Florida Auto Industry Association
- European Auto A/C Conference
- Linder Technical Services
- Koning Willem I College (Holland)
Some of the cars Craig owed during his career;
1957 Chevy 2 door sedan
1961 Ford Falcon 3 speed
1959 VW Westfalia Camping Box (old hippy bus)
1961 Lloyd Borgward
1966 VW Bug
1971 AZ-600 Honda
1971 AN-600 Honda
1972 Toyota Hi-Lux
1974 Civic 1200 4 speed
1975 Civic CVCC 5 speed
1974 Mazda RX5 Pick-up (Wankle engine)
1976 Chevy LUV Pick-up
1981 Accord LX 5 Speed
1983 Honda Prelude
1984 Honda Prelude
1986 Acura Legend
1987 Mazda B2000 Pick-up
1990 Acura Integra (Deb's Car.. required after we got married)
Presently he owns and drives a
2000 Insight (two)
2001 Prius
2003 Civic Hybrid
2004 Prius
2005 Ford Escape Hybrid
2006 Toyota Tacoma
2007 Suzuki SX4 AWD
plus 14 motorcycles
Craig is restoring
1985 Mazda RX-7
1989 Prelude 4WS
1965 Honda S-600
Needless to say "Craig is a Motor Head"