Drivin' Through

There are few industries that keep as close a watch on the weather as professional car washing. Will it or won’t it rain today? If it rains, what will my labor requirement be?  »

Having recently returned from the biggest Car Wash Show in 10 years, where both exhibitors and attendees expressed not merely satisfaction but actual delight with the turnout, the educational sessions, and the activity on the  »

There was some skepticism in the ranks when it became known that the International Carwash Association’s The Car Wash Show for 2016 was destined for Nashville, TN.  »

For the small-business owner, April is but one marker in a yearlong journey of tax markers. Aside from income tax, whether personal or corporate, there are many other recurring tax issues — governed by numerous taxing authorities... »

It is my practice to make car washing an impulsive purchase. Truth be told, it is a planned impulse buy.  »

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.  »