The car wash market - Italy

1.1 Introduction

The car wash market is that sector that concerns commercial activities dedicated to the aesthetic cleaning and maintenance of vehicles. The most common types of car washes in Italy are:[Misterlavaggio]

• Physical car wash: This is the classic professional car wash with water, carried out by specialized workers. These car washes are equipped with the necessary equipment to dispose of and purify wastewater as required by law.
• Automatic car wash: This mode involves the use of coin-operated washing tunnels. Although it is a cheap and fast method, it has some drawbacks, including the risk of scratches or abrasions caused by the rollers. Automatic car washing is usually limited to cleaning the exterior of the vehicle.
• Self-service car wash: This type of car wash offers customers everything they need to clean their vehicle themselves. Although it requires more effort on the part of the customer, it allows for a more thorough wash, avoiding the risks associated with the use of rollers.
• Steam Car Wash: This mode of washing allows the car to be cleaned thoroughly and quickly, while reducing water consumption and the use of chemical detergents. It must be performed by a qualified professional and can be done either in a specialized center or at home.
• Waterless Car Washing: This service involves cleaning the vehicle by hand with specific products that do not require rinsing, allowing significant water savings. The service can be performed either in a center or at home and is particularly environmentally friendly.

The Italian car wash market is experiencing strong development, with Italy ranking first in Europe for the use of automatic roller systems. Every year, more than 90 % of Italians wash their vehicles at least once, and more than 75 % of them rely exclusively on professionals for cleaning. This behavior is particularly evident for new vehicles, which are washed an average of 18 times a year.[Car Wash Federation]

The size of the global car wash services market was valued at $29.3 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1 % from 2022 to 2030.[Grandviewresearch]

This study focuses on the car wash market in Italy. For detailed information on related markets, such as vehicle maintenance services, please refer to the specific studies available in the Businesscoot catalog.