Drivin' Through

“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. »

The National Automobile Dealers Association’s (NADA) recently released forecast for 2015 covers several areas that impact the car wash industry.  »

Out and about on a Sunday afternoon with cloudless skies and mild temperatures: the ideal circumstances for a car wash. I had not planned on having the car washed, but on my way home I decided to stop in at the first wash I came... »

More than a year ago, in this space, I lamented the erosion of privacy. Not only are people becoming more comfortable living their lives in the public square, they seem also to accept, with little complaint, the collection of... »

Recently, two unrelated events came together for me as a single issue. First was a news item pointing to California’s record breaking drought and explaining how motorists could still responsibly wash their cars by utilizing a... »

The car wash I frequent is a full-service location and part of a metro-wide chain comprised of two-dozen-or-so sites. It is also one of the chain’s older washes and, frankly, it’s beginning to show its age. The waiting room is... »

Autonomous cars were once again in the spotlight recently with the unveiling of Google’s self-driving prototype, 200 of which the tech giant plans on putting through a test program starting this summer.  »

In his “Finishing Line” column this month, Robert Roman makes a statement that most operators hold as true: “The car wash industry is literally fed by vehicle sales from new- and used-car dealerships.” I was wholly unaware,... »

The International Carwash Association’s The Car Wash Show 2014 exceeded most observers’ expectations. With the event being held in Chicago — at the end of March — few had hopes for a solid turnout. The final attendance figure of... »