Drivin' Through

Could two seemingly incompatible trends in car washing be vying for the upper hand? The industry is getting ever closer to full automation, while at the same time working to create a more retail look and feel for its customers. »

What do customers want? The business that comes up with the right answer has crossed the first hurdle in the pursuit of success. »

“Show season” is probably a misnomer. These days, tradeshows dedicated to the car care business are pretty much year-round occurrences.  »

Imagine your customers’ cars telling them when it is time to get a wash. Cars already alert their owners when an oil change is due or that the tires need to be inflated, all of which is handily displayed on the dashboard. »

Executive Forecast is a feature that we traditionally run in the December issue. This year, we invited executives from the equipment, chemical, and association communities to share their insights on what the future might hold for... »

After two record-setting years, new-car sales have cooled. Having sold 17,475,000 cars and pickups in 2015 — surpassing the previous high level mark of 17,420,000 set in 2000 — and 17,550,000 units in 2016, auto makers have... »

Over the past year or so, we’ve spent some time contemplating the challenges Millennials present as employees. In our July 2016 issue »

Starting on page 54 in this issue, Bob Roman takes a look at car wash operations at c-store sites. He points to the decline in the percentage of c-stores that feature car washes and follows with an examination of why this may be... »

In his On the Wash Front column in this issue, Anthony Analetto makes the case for reexamining site selection rules. Specifically, he contends that for various reasons the “three-mile radius” rule no longer reflects reality. He... »

Conventional wisdom has held that car washing is a relationship business. In structuring their operations, car washers have adhered to the maxim that people do business with people and, as a result, have worked at staffing their... »

With temperatures already hitting the 107-degree mark in Phoenix, one might be forgiven for questioning the fact that the summer solstice is still a month away.  »

“The largest convention we’ve had in 10 years.” That was the welcome statement David Begin, president of the International Carwash Association, made at The Car Wash Show during the State of the Industry Breakfast. »

Car washers meet in Las Vegas this month. Whether operator or supplier, single site or multi-regional chain, old hand or newbie, the International Carwash Association’s The Car Wash Show is the cannot-miss industry event of the... »

It’s becoming ever more difficult to keep up with technology. It is also becoming ever more necessary to do exactly that. The facility and cost advantages that modern communication methods provide  »

The view is widely held that getting the message out about a product or service via word-of-mouth is marketing at its most effective. This should surprise no one. It’s difficult to argue with the notion that consumers would put... »