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Why Get a Touchless Car Wash Machine for Your Car Wash Business?

TurboTim
23 Min Read

Owning and managing a car wash comes with many different responsibilities. It is no secret that car wash owners strive to provide the best possible service to their customers while maintaining a profit and keeping costs low. With traditional car washes, owners may see increased maintenance or repair fees for parts and brushes in constant use. An effective alternative is a touchless car wash machine, allowing more room for revenue and less human contact.

Did You Know? The global touchless car wash market has seen substantial growth, with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of approximately 5.8% from 2018 to 2023. The market is expected to reach a valuation of $25 billion by 2025.

The automobile industry is continually evolving, introducing new technologies and methodologies to enhance the consumer experience. One area where this innovation is particularly evident is in car maintenance and care, specifically in the way vehicles are washed. The touchless car wash system has gained massive attention lately due to its remarkable efficiency and its ability to minimize damage to vehicles.

These systems are built to offer efficient cleaning and quality that customers value while satisfying owners. If you are used to friction or automated car washes, consider the many benefits of touchless systems.

Customer Spotlight: Why Should Li Auto Go for a Touchless Car Wash

What Is a Touchless Car Wash Machine?

A touchless car wash system is unlike traditional friction car washes. This system does not include large or harsh brushes that scrub a vehicle but instead uses high water pressure for a deep clean. A touchless car wash system is similar to an automatic car wash, as they both use technology to apply water and cleaning soaps or solutions.

However, with a touchless car wash system, no brushes, cloths or other mechanical parts come into contact with the car other than water and products. These systems are made up of lasers or other sensors that guide the car through the wash and measure the specifications of the vehicle. The touchless car wash will locate the car in the tunnel and automatically move around it as it cleans.

The car is sprayed down with water and a pre-soak solution which is later rinsed with a high-pressure water spray strong enough to lift dirt and grime. All cars come in different sizes, shapes and angles, and a touchless car wash system can detect where to spray and rinse each car. This system can also have various optimized jets and water pressure options to give each car the best detailed clean.

The Rise of Touchless Car Wash Systems

Touchless and automated systems have grown rapidly over the past few years. Customers often prefer touchless interactions, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These touchless systems make self-service easy and minimize human contamination. Some examples of common touchless systems today include:

  • Contactless payments, delivery, check-ins and ordering.
  • Touchless sensing.
  • Barcode scanning.
  • Voice and facial recognition.
  • Automatic dispensers or doors.
  • Infrared sensors.

Why are companies going touchless? Many COVID-19 impacts have enabled businesses to adapt to new ways of doing things. Providing services, products and transactions without unnecessary human contact is cost-effective, secure and preferable for customers. These touchless technologies were implemented for public safety and convenience. The same reasoning applies to touchless car wash systems, which allow users to go through a safe car wash quickly and easily without leaving their vehicle.

Contact-free solutions, such as eliminating the use of friction and nylon brushes, can also have their own advantages. Car washes have advanced throughout the years to accommodate car owners’ growing needs and requirements. Automated operations can provide consumers with more modern, efficient features.

Touchless technology is also beneficial for car wash owners, as they require less manual labor and staff to work the machines. With less physical labor, car wash owners can increase revenue while minimizing costs. Touchless carwash systems can also leave customers more satisfied after a quick, effortless wash.

10 Benefits of Touchless Car Wash System

Switching to a touchless system reduces costs while keeping operations effective and retaining happy customers is what every car wash owner wants. Using a touchless system can also provide a local competitive advantage. When your car wash runs smoothly and reliably, it can increase customer satisfaction, generating more business. Here are the top 10 benefits of touchless car wash systems.

1. Reduces Risk of Vehicle Damage

Regular friction washes that contain poorly maintained bristles and brushes can potentially damage vehicles. Cars with protruding parts and antennas are especially susceptible to accidental damage in a car wash. This type of damage can include dents or accidents caused when staff members are not paying attention. With a touchless system, bristles, brushes or other mechanical parts will not affect the car throughout the entire wash. The only components that come into contact with the car are water and detergent, plus any add-on features the customers choose.

With lasers that detect the vehicle’s shape, the touchless system can optimize the cleaning process while protecting cars from damage. For owners with vehicles that may not be well suited to traditional friction car washes, a touchless system can increase confidence when cleaning hard-to-reach areas.

2. Protects Vehicle Exterior

While touchless systems can reduce the risk of damage, they can also protect the paint from scratches on the car’s exterior. For owners who prefer to wash their vehicles manually, scrubbing without proper materials can produce scratches in the paint and degrade the finish. Owners who may not be aware of these minor scratches or dents over time may think their paint coating is wearing on its own.

With a touchless system, brushes and other equipment are replaced with high water pressure and various jets that clean the car’s surface. Ensuring there is no excessive or harsh scrubbing can help protect the car’s exterior. This can also help protect the mirrors, antenna or other vehicle parts that stick out. Touchless car washes also repeatedly clean and rinse the materials used to clean cars, so owners can feel confident there won’t be unnecessary dirt or grime.

3. Reduces Physical Labor

With a touchless system that operates automatically, there is less need for wash staff and attendants. Most upgraded technologies that don’t require human use to operate are beneficial to owners and customers. Touchless systems tend to have fewer mechanisms and functional moving parts, so it’s less likely that employees need to monitor them constantly. They are also usually less complex than traditional friction or automated car wash systems.

With touchless systems, quick, easy drive-through use reduces the customer’s need to spend extra time asking attendants for help. Customers can get their car washed in a matter of minutes without getting out of their vehicle or waiting for an attendant to provide service. This benefit also correlates with reduced costs, as less physical labor equates to hiring and training fewer staff members.

4. Allows Constant Operation

With fewer employees, car wash owners may want to consider implementing an automated payment service for their touchless system. This can allow the car wash to operate 24/7. Car wash owners can see increased profits with a touchless system that can run around the clock because it doesn’t need observation or manual operation. Many customers who work nights shifts or travel often will appreciate the use of a car wash that is in constant operation.

This benefit provides added convenience to owners who may not even have to be present to see revenue from their touchless car wash.

Why Get a Touchless Car Wash Machine for Your Car Wash Business?

5. Creates Environmentally Friendly Impact

Another advantage of a touchless car wash system is that they are typically more environmentally friendly. Those who hand wash their vehicles actually use dozens of more gallons of water than a touchless system. When owners wash their own car, they cannot rinse or wash the car from multiple areas at once and may have low water pressure, causing them to need more water.

However, sensors and technology in the touchless system can sense the vehicle’s size and shape, maximizing water supply and reducing waste.

Additionally, touchless car washes often recycle the water used for washing and rinsing. This recycled water is filtered before it is used on another car, creating minimal water waste. With a reduction in water waste and harsh chemical usage, you and your customers can confidently contribute to a more positive environmental impact.

6. Improves Time and Cost Efficiency

Misguided car owners may think going to a car wash is more expensive than washing it on their own. They may also believe it will save them time and money to do it on their own. This is usually not the case, as touchless systems are often cheaper than traditional automated car washes due to less required machinery and employees. They are also more effective than hand washing.

They can provide a cost-effective solution to those who may not physically be able to wash their car. Those who manually wash their cars will also spend a longer time than those who use a touchless system. While a touchless car wash can be completed in minutes, manually scrubbing a vehicle can take hours. Owners can advertise this additional benefit to customers.

Owners can also benefit from this time- and cost-efficient system that washes more vehicles per day, increasing revenue and customer satisfaction.

7. Enables Convenience and Ease

A touchless system offers convenience for owners and customers. When switching from an automated or friction car wash, you should notice the difference in simplicity right away. Traditional car washes often come with many parts that may have to be operated or maintained separately. There is no need for bulky brushes or massive mechanical arms that may be off-putting to customers with a touchless system. Instead, a touchless system’s swiftness and ease are more attractive to customers, bringing in more business.

Touchless car washes are also convenient for car owners who want to maintain regular cleaning without much hassle. A touchless system can come with different settings that allow customers to choose various cleaning options depending on their needs. This provides your customers with even more options as they can receive a deep cleaning or a light upkeep wash.

8. Reduces Ownership Costs

Performing less frequent maintenance and repairs on car wash mechanisms can minimize hassle and expenses for owners. A touchless system that uses less water and electricity can also reduce costs. These touchless systems may also use less detergent or cleaning solutions, allowing owners to save on replacements. Generally, touchless systems utilize less waste while providing customers with a superior, concentrated clean, leading them to become loyal customers.

Updated, simplified technology and sensors in these touchless car washes make it easier to fix any issues without constantly needing to purchase new parts. Another way touchless systems can decrease ownership expenses is by reducing costs per vehicle with effective cleaning. The quicker, more effective washes clean more vehicles per day, bringing in profits and keeping costs low. The many benefits of investing in a touchless system can provide owners with a faster return on their output and increased profit for the future.

9. Retains Resale Value

Advertising the benefits of retaining a car’s resale value is another way owners can market touchless car washes to customers. This is a great way to target customers who regularly clean and go to great lengths to maintain their car’s value. Traditional car washes can lead to dents or paint scratches that depreciate the resale value, so touchless systems are a secure choise.

Preserving the vehicle is essential. Whether a customer plans on selling their car in the future or not, as it’s always a good idea to maintain cleanliness. Touchless car washes can also help to clean areas that traditional car washes may not be able to wash. If a customer frequently travels in their car or drives on dirt and gravel roads, their undercarriage may need a deep clean.

If certain parts under the car are consistently caked with mud and grime, it can cause mechanical issues. Washing the inside of your wheels is also crucial to ensure dirt is not accumulating and possibly affecting tire function. With a touchless system, rinsing wheels and undercarriages is easy with high-pressure water.

10. Maintains Fewer Components

A car wash system with fewer components is maintenance-friendly, cost-effective and requires less labor. These advantages can reduce costs for the customers, which is another way to entice drivers to use them. Fewer components can also be more attractive to customers by offering a sleek, modern look. A touchless system provides solutions without bulky mechanisms and parts that are rarely cleaned.

A touchless system is much more inviting to customers and can appear cleaner than friction or traditional car washes. Regular car washes may also have to reduce their operating hours when they need to replace or fix a faulty part. With a touchless system, maintenance time will be diminished, allowing more time for convenient car washes.

Touchless Car Wash Vs Traditional Car Wash

Feature Touchless Car Wash Traditional Car Wash
Gentleness on car finishes More gentle Less gentle
Environmental friendliness More environmentally friendly Less environmentally friendly
Convenience More convenient Less convenient
Island Trading Helen Bennett UK
Cost More expensive Less expensive
Time to clean a car Takes about 5-10 minutes Takes about 30 minutes
Touchless Car Wash Vs Traditional Car Wash

By understanding these pros and cons, consumers can make informed decisions that align with their needs, preferences, and values. In many cases, the advantages of touchless car washes will outweigh the disadvantages, especially for those looking for a quick, convenient, and gentle cleaning solution.

A Growing Trend Of Touchless Car Washes

Touchless car wash systems aren’t just a trend; they embody the shift towards automation, efficiency, and eco-friendliness in cars, meeting consumers’ calls for quality and ease.

  • Embracing Automation: Touchless car wash systems merge modern tech with efficiency, mirroring society’s preference for tech-driven solutions that improve user experiences.
  • Eco-Conscious Choices: As global environmental awareness expands, touchless car washes answer the call with water recycling, energy efficiency, and green chemicals, meeting the eco-expectations of today’s consumers.
  • Convenience with Quality: In today’s fast world, touchless car washes offer quick yet quality solutions, suiting busy lives without sacrificing car care.
  • Versatility & Economics: These systems work for various vehicles and offer an efficient business model with lower labor expenses and potential for more customers.

In essence, touchless car wash systems combine technology, eco-awareness, customer needs, and cost-effectiveness, signifying a major change in car care.

Global Statistics And Insights

  • North America accounts for nearly 40% of the global touchless car wash market.
  • Around 60% of touchless car wash places globally use water recycling, saving about 50 gallons per wash compared to traditional methods.
  • Surveys show about 70% of people like touchless car washes because they’re fast and easy, while 30% choose them for the environment.
  • Touchless car wash systems are adaptable, with 85% of all vehicle types being suitable for this method, including luxury vehicles, SUVs, and electric cars.
  • In the last five years, the car wash industry invested over $1 billion in advanced, eco-friendly touchless systems to enhance efficiency and adaptability.

Survey by the Global Automotive Care Association has shed light on some intriguing trends.

  • 65% of respondents prefer touchless car wash methods for their speed and convenience.
  • 80% of users are satisfied or very satisfied with the cleaning results of touchless systems.
  • 55% of respondents are willing to pay slightly more for touchless car wash options that use environmentally friendly chemicals or water recycling systems.
  • 70% of respondents believe that technological innovation in touchless car wash systems positively impacts the quality and efficiency of the wash.

There are many more such facts that provide the future of touchless car wash services reflecting the market’s growth, consumer preferences, technological advancements, and challenges.

What Is The Future Of Touchless Car Washes?

Looking ahead, we ponder the future of this technology. What impact will it have on the future of car care? Exploring touchless car wash advancements, industry impact, and changing consumer preferences.

Continued Technological Advancements

Touchless car wash technology is far from static. As we move forward, we can expect continued advancements in several key areas:

  • Improved Cleaning Efficiency: Ongoing research into new detergents and application methods will likely enhance the ability to remove stubborn dirt without physical contact.
  • Customized Cleaning Options: With advancing technology, anticipate personalized cleaning choices for each vehicle, including tailored paint care and undercarriage cleaning.
  • Integration with Smart Technology: Future touchless car wash systems might link with smartphones and smart devices, enabling real-time updates, remote control, and predictive maintenance.
  • Enhanced Environmental Sustainability: Sustainability will remain at the forefront, with advancements in water recycling and biodegradable detergents further reducing the ecological footprint.

Changing Consumer Expectations

The rise of touchless car wash technology is likely to shift consumer expectations in several ways:

  • Demand for Convenience: The speed and efficiency of touchless car washes will set a new standard, pushing traditional methods to innovate or become obsolete.
  • Increased Awareness of Sustainability: As consumers become more eco-conscious, the environmental benefits of touchless systems will become a significant selling point.
  • Integration with Automotive Trends: As electric cars and automotive innovations grow, touchless car wash systems must adjust to match these shifts.

With a strong focus on convenience, efficiency, and sustainability, the touchless car wash represents a harmonious blend of modern technology and environmental stewardship. It’s a vision of the future where caring for our vehicles aligns with caring for our planet.

How Amenify Can Help With Touchless Car Washes?

The touchless car wash industry reflects a modern approach to vehicle maintenance, emphasizing innovation, eco-friendliness, and customer satisfaction. Amenify provides hassle-free car washing service right in your apartment parking space as per your needs. Through our exploration, we delved into the workings, weighed the advantages and drawbacks, and acknowledged the diverse preferences of car owners.Book your car wash appointment right at your doorstep and brings it shines as new.

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