[truckster]

If you can afford it, concrete is going to be a much better surface for your purposes. If you spill gas or ATF on asphalt, you're going to soften it. Heat will soften it as well, but I'm not sure how much of a problem that will be where you are.

As Killer Bee says, it is possible to lay a really high quality asphalt. I've seen some in Germany and in Iraq, of all places (laid by a German company). But the stuff I've seen here just isn't the same quality.

Now, for a driving surface, I really prefer asphalt over concrete. It's noticeably quieter (I drive a convertible) and it's also better for running. But for a work surface, concrete wins hands down.