Drivin' Through

I was still pondering the puzzle that is consumer behavior, considered in this column last month, when two items, timed for Valentine’s Day, caught my attention.  »

What do consumers want? Whoever unravels that little puzzle will have discovered every marketer’s Holy Grail. »

“A golden opportunity for the auto industry.” This is how KPMG LLP, the audit, tax, and advisory firm, characterizes the projections in its latest research study »

It’s an idea that stubbornly refuses to die: the notion that we are on the road to an ever-diminishing role for the personal vehicle. We first commented on this trend some 18 months ago with reference to a U.S. Prig Education... »

One year ago (October 2014), this column carried the title “Tech Gets Scary.” We did not know the half of it. »

There have been occasions in the past when industry tradeshows have followed one another with such rapid succession that travel arrangements became a challenging endeavor.  »

It has taken some time, more than 15 years, but finally the International Carwash Association (ICA) and the Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) have struck an accord.  »

“Smart coatings are coming and will open the way to more dynamic, higher performing products.”  »

“The Baby Boomers are coming.” That was the clarion call sounded some years ago by retailers and marketers alike in anticipation of that large demographic entering the consumer economy.  »

This one was different. Although back in familiar territory — Las Vegas — The Car Wash Show 2015 differentiated itself from previous shows in several ways. What really set this show apart, though, was the buzz.  »

At the end of March, engineers from Delphi Automotive declared themselves thrilled with the results of the first ever cross-country trip undertaken by an autonomous car.  »

In this year’s teaser for its annual event — in the form of an e-mail blast — the International Carwash Association poses a challenge to car washers everywhere with the question: “You think you know The Car Wash Show?” The ICA,... »

For some time there has been talk of the automobile becoming less relevant to young Americans. Studies have concluded that they are less enthusiastic about driving, that when they do drive they drive less than previous... »

New research by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) foresees large numbers of partially self-driving or autonomous cars with highway- and traffic-jam-autopilot functionality appearing on our roads by 2017. Fully autonomous driving... »

Those involved in the car wash industry are ever mindful of water. It is the one resource that operators cannot do without. »