History of ACDC

Craig started the Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC) in 1998. 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 and hired many other local trainer to come in 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 and 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!

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. 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. 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).

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 Motor Age, Auto, Inc., ACtion, Automotive A/C Reporter (in Europe), and the Automotive Journal. 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. 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 of the cars Craig owed during his career;

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

1975 Civic CVCC 5 speed

1974 Mazda RX5 Pick-up (Wankle engine)

1976 Chevy LUV Pick-up

1981 Accord LX

1983 Honda Prelude

1986 Acura Legend

1987 Mazda B2000 Pick-up

1990 Acura Integra.

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

1999 Prelude 4WS

1965 Honda S-600

Needless to say "Craig is a Motor Head"