A new era in the car wash business

5 May 2025 – WashTec, the leading provider of innovative car wash systems and solutions, is ushering in a new era in the car wash business with the introduction of SmartCare Connect and a comprehensive range of digital services. The networking of smart machines with pioneering digital services opens up completely new possibilities for operators and end users and positions WashTec as a holistic solution provider for its customers.

‘What has long been common practice in other industries – namely, the convenient retrieval and ordering of services with apps, subscriptions and flat rates – is now being widely adopted by us for vehicle washing,’ says Sebastian Kutz, CSO of WashTec AG. For operators, this means new growth opportunities, while for consumers it marks a breakthrough in user-friendliness. In some markets, such as Denmark or Norway, WashTec already has such applications successfully in operation. There, the expectations of the new solutions have been confirmed – with up to 30% higher washing figures.

The new solutions from WashTec are briefly described here:

The gantry car wash is equipped with the latest washing technology and is ready for the future requirements of digitalisation. Innovative sensors detect the vehicle size and shape in real time and automatically adjust the washing programme accordingly. It also allows the operator to quickly and easily set up individual washing programmes, speeds and overflows – intuitively and user-friendly. This ensures optimal washing results. At the same time, SmartCare Connect opens the door to digital sales channels and services, making it a future-proof investment.

WashNow is a completely new sales platform or marketplace where operators and other market players, such as carmakers, fleet card or car sharing providers, can offer vehicle washes. Via an app or the vehicle's infotainment system, end users can see where a WashNow car wash is currently available and book it directly. If the car wash is also connected to the platform's payment system, the wash is automatically billed – either individually or as part of a flat rate. Car washing has never been easier!

This app-based solution enables operators to digitally market individual washes and flexible subscription models. Fast and uncomplicated customer registration and extensive marketing tools help to attract new customers and retain them in the long term, e.g. via flat rates.

This digital service offers operators remote monitoring of the system without them having to be on site. CarWash Assist is a modern hotline that car wash customers can use if needed. For the first time, WashTec is not only able to offer remote maintenance, but can also intervene directly in the control system and thus rectify faults remotely. This allows largely unmanned operation of the SmartCare Connect, makes operators significantly less dependent on on-site operating personnel, optimises uptime and increases car wash customer satisfaction.

With these innovations, WashTec is providing forward-looking answers to the key challenges in the market. On average, car owners wash their cars less than 10 times a year, and the volume of vehicle washes as a whole is stagnating. Seasonal fluctuations in capacity utilisation, rising energy costs, growing environmental regulations and new consumer demands for convenience and speed have had a negative impact on operators' business models in recent years. With its combination of networked car washes, leading washing chemicals and new digital solutions, WashTec is opening up attractive prospects for operators and consumers alike, while actively shaping the digital transformation of the industry. The new solutions also contribute to sustainability, for example by further reducing water and energy consumption and using biodegradable washing chemicals.

‘With the transformation from a traditional machine manufacturer to an integrated solution provider, we are opening a new chapter in our company history, which began in 1885,“ explains Michael Drolshagen, CEO of WashTec. “To achieve this, we are in the process of reinventing ourselves and taking our customers with us on this journey,” says Drolshagen. Experience in other industries shows that this transformation will not happen overnight. Step by step, WashTec will introduce the new solutions to the respective markets, connect further types of car wash such as self-service car washes or conveyor tunnel car washes and further develop the applications. ‘The digitalisation of the car wash is long overdue, and I am pleased that we at WashTec are now pioneers in this regard,’ says Sebastian Kutz, CSO.