What car wash do dealers use?

Dealerships commonly utilize in-bay automatic car washes for their vehicle cleaning needs due to their efficiency and consistency, which makes them highly suitable for most operations. However, some dealerships may also opt for hand washing methods, particularly for specialized vehicles or specific cleaning demands.

Common Car Wash Methods at Dealerships

Dealerships handle a wide range of vehicles, from new inventory requiring pre-delivery detailing to customer cars coming in for service. The choice of car wash method directly impacts efficiency, quality, and operational costs.

1. In-Bay Automatic Car Washes

For the majority of dealerships, a standard in-bay automatic car wash is the most practical and suitable option. These systems are highly valued for their ability to process a large volume of vehicles quickly and consistently.

• Efficiency: Automatic systems can wash vehicles rapidly, which is essential for dealerships that frequently need to prepare cars for sale, clean vehicles after service, or detail new arrivals.
• Consistency: They ensure a uniform level of cleanliness across all vehicles, maintaining a professional appearance that reflects positively on the dealership's brand.
• Reduced Labor: Once initiated, these washes require minimal employee oversight per vehicle, allowing staff to focus on other critical tasks such as sales, service, or customer interaction.

This method is ideal for general inventory maintenance, quick clean-ups before customer pickup, and ensuring all vehicles on the lot look presentable.

2. Hand Washing

While less common for high-volume, day-to-day operations, some car dealerships do choose to use hand wash with self-serve equipment. This method offers a more meticulous approach and is often reserved for specific scenarios:

• Specialty and Luxury Vehicles: High-end luxury cars, classic models, or custom vehicles often benefit from the gentle and precise cleaning that hand washing provides, minimizing the risk of scratches or damage to delicate finishes.
• Detailed Cleaning and Spot Treatment: Hand washing allows for greater attention to specific areas, intricate designs, or stubborn spots that an automatic wash might miss.
• Boutique Dealerships: Smaller dealerships or those with a focus on personalized service might invest the extra time and effort into hand washing to deliver a premium customer experience.

It's important to note that the washing process will take longer and will demand more employee effort compared to an automated system. This increased labor and time commitment means hand washing is typically not feasible for dealerships with high vehicle turnover or large inventories requiring frequent washes.

Factors Influencing Dealership Car Wash Decisions

The decision between an automatic system and hand washing is driven by several operational considerations:

• Vehicle Volume and Turnover: Dealerships with a high volume of sales and service appointments prioritize speed and efficiency, favoring automatic washes.
• Type of Inventory: Dealerships specializing in luxury, exotic, or classic cars are more likely to invest in facilities and staff for hand washing to protect premium vehicles.
• Available Space and Infrastructure: The physical footprint required for an in-bay automatic system differs from that needed for a dedicated hand-wash bay.
• Labor Costs and Availability: The cost of employing dedicated detailers for hand washing versus the operational costs of an automatic system plays a significant role.
• Quality Standards: Some dealerships maintain exceptionally high standards for vehicle presentation, which might lead them to combine both methods or prioritize hand washing for certain vehicles.

Comparison of Dealership Car Wash Methods

Ultimately, dealerships select their car wash method based on a strategic balance of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, vehicle care requirements, and their specific business model to ensure all vehicles are presented in their best condition.