CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Over the past 20 years, the International Carwash Association (ICA) has asked car owners in the U.S. if they prefer automated carwashes or D.I.Y. washing. Through the years, more and more have chosen professional carwashing, according to the Northwest Herald.
The June 26 article quoted Eric Wulf, the CEO of the ICA, “The needle has moved in the favor of carwashes every single time we’ve asked it.” Most recently, approximately 69 percent said they favored professional carwashes.
In the story, Wulf credited enhanced technology and better machinery for drawing in more customers. Carwash owners today are offering a more gentle and efficient wash than that of 10 or 15 years ago.
One example is the washing materials used in the typical tunnel. The plastic bristles are gone replaced by synthetic or fabric brushes attached to machines that read and adjust to the shape of each vehicle.
Nationally, there are about 80,000 professional carwash locations that bring in $19 billion in retail purchases each year, the story noted.
The article went on to profile a full-service wash and a detail shop located in McHenry County.
