The carwash market - France (2024)

1.2 World Market

Global car wash market World, ****-****, in $ Billions Source: ****

The size of the car wash market is estimated at USD **.** billion in **** and is expected to reach USD **.* billion by ****, at a CAGR of *.**% during the forecast period (***).

Percentage of service stations with car washes United Kingdom, ****, in Source: ****

This diagram shows the share of service stations equipped with car washes in the UK in ****, for different chains and brands.

For example, **% of Morrison's service stations are equipped with a car wash, which is the highest percentage among the brands shown.

Other chains such as Sainsbury's, CO-OP and Food Store have a rate of **%. By contrast, only **% of Shell stations offer a car wash service.

This highlights the difference in the carwash integration strategy of the various service station chains, noting that the minimum carwash integration rate for these major brands is **%, i.e. almost * station in *.

As for America, its carwash market is growing significantly, underpinned by a strong automotive culture and a high rate of vehicle ownership.

By ****, the USA will have around *** vehicles for every *,*** people, creating a vast potential customer base for carwash services. This North American market benefits not only from this high vehicle density, but ...

1.3 A growing national market

Estimated size of the light vehicle maintenance and repair market France, ****-****, in billions of euros Source: ****

The graph shows strong growth in the light vehicle maintenance and repair market in France between **** and ****.

In ****, the market size was **.* billion euros, rising to **.** billion euros by ****. This represents an increase of **% over ** years. There are periods of more rapid growth, notably between **** and ****, when the market rose from **.* billion euros to **.** billion euros, an increase of **.*% in just four years.

These figures show continued expansion, supported by increased demand for vehicle maintenance and repair, including the car wash market, which is an integral part of this growth.

Estimated size of the carwash market France, ****, in billions of euros Source: ****

In France, in ****, there will be *** million car washes. Of these *** million, *** million will be carried out in professional car washes.

Assuming an average shopping basket of €*, multiply the number of car washes by this average basket to arrive at €*.*** billion[***]

2.1 French car fleet

All passenger cars France, ****-****, in millions Source: ****

The number of cars on the road in France has risen from **.** million in **** to **.** million in ****. With this increase, there are more cars to wash, which is good news for carwashes. More cars means more potential customers, whether for a quick wash, a deep clean or eco-friendly services.

Breakdown of French car fleet France, ****, as% of total Source: ****

The graph shows that the French car fleet in **** is dominated by passenger cars, which account for **.*% of the total. Light commercial vehicles(***) follow with **%, while heavy goods vehicles and buses/coaches account for only a small share, *.**% and negligible respectively.

This strong predominance of passenger cars means that carwashes have to adapt their services above all to this type of vehicle, which makes up the bulk of their potential clientele.

age of French passenger cars France, ****, in Millions Source: ****

The graph shows the breakdown of the French car fleet by age in ****. It can be seen that the most recent cars (***) and those aged * to * years represent the majority, with around *.** million and *.** million respectively. This means that almost half of all passenger cars on the road in France are less than ** years ...

2.2 French washing habits

What are the washing habits of the French? France, ****, as a % Source: ****

The graph shows that **% of French people prefer to wash their car outside by a professional, while **% opt for a home wash.

A further **% go to a professional specifically for interior cleaning[***]. The majority of French people prefer professional carwash services for the exterior, indicating an opportunity for carwashes to offer attractive services.

How often do the French wash their vehicles? France, ****, en% Source: ****

The graph shows that **% of French people wash their vehicles often, at least once a month, while **% do so between * and * times a year. This data suggests that a large proportion of French people visit carwashes regularly, which represents a loyalty-building opportunity for carwashes.

Which carwash system do the French use? France, ****, en% Source: ****

**% of French people use automatic gantries to wash their vehicles, showing that although this remains a popular option, it is not the most chosen. On the other hand, **% combine different wash systems, revealing a preference for flexibility and personalization of service.

Car washes offering a variety of options can therefore better capture this diverse demand.

Which carwash for interior cleaning? France, ****, in% (***) Source: ****

The **% of French people who prefer specialized ...

2.3 The cyclical nature of the carwash market

Evolution of the "car wash" search on Google France, ****-****, Source: ****

The graph shows a clear cyclical pattern in Google searches for "station de lavage automobile" in France, with marked peaks each year in January and late August. These peaks correspond to the pre-spring and autumn periods , when motorists are looking to refresh or prepare their vehicles after the winter or before resuming their daily routine.

For carwashes, these periods are opportunities to maximize with targeted offers and promotions to meet this increased demand.

2.4 France's favourite carwash brands

Comparison of the level of appreciation of * carwash brands according to age category France, ****, as a % Source: ****

The graph shows thatÉléphant Bleu is the carwash brand most appreciated by all age groups, with a peak of **.*% among **-** year-olds, and strong support also among the over-**s (***), with only **.*% approval.

Carwash brands need to reinforce their brand awareness and service quality to maintain strong appeal, as Elephant Bleu is doing with all ages, while developing specific offers to attract young people, who seem less committed to certain brands.

Comparison of * carwash brands by region of respondent France, ****, in Source: ****

The graph shows thatÉléphant Bleu is particularly popular in the South-West with **.*%, making it the dominant brand in this region. conversely, American Car Wash is less popular overall, but shows a slight preference in the Île-de-France region with *%.

Total Wash, meanwhile, maintains stable popularity in several regions, notably Île-de-France (***), indicating a good geographical spread of its customer base. These figures underline the importance for every brand of understanding and adapting its services to regional preferences to maximize its impact.

2.5 Eco-responsible cleaning, a new trend

The summer of **** marked a turning point for the carwash market in France: **% of carwashes had to close due to drought, according to Mobilians. This disrupted washing habits, forcing consumers to explore greener alternatives.

In response, companies like Meetwashing, which connects independent"washeurs" with corporate fleets, have seen their business grow by offering waterless cleaning services. This method uses plant- and citrus-based cleaning products and microfiber sponges, an approach that appeals for its efficiency while addressing environmental concerns.

Vianney de Villaret, co-founder of Meetwashing, points out that this technique can save up to *** liters of water per vehicle, an important argument in a context of water scarcity.

These new practices, although costly(***), are finding a growing echo among individuals and companies concerned about their CSR policy.

Cosmeticar, another player in the eco-responsible carwash market, reports a **% increase in demand between summer **** and summer ****.

This trend shows that customers are willing to pay more for greener services, despite the manual effort required and the need for trained professionals. Isabelle Prieux, managing director of Starc, notes that, while these techniques have been around for over thirty years, they are now gaining in popularity thanks to changing attitudes and ecological concerns.

But even if ...

3.1 Value chain

Value chain:

Suppliers of equipment and chemicals: They produce the washing machines and products needed for car washes.(***)

Carwash designers and installers: They design and build carwashes, installing machines and systems(***)

Carwash Operators: They manage carwashes, whether as franchisees or independents.

Product and Service Distributors: They sell wash and maintenance products to carwash operators.

Customer Relationship Management and Marketing: They implement strategies to attract and retain carwash customers.

Complementary Services and Added Value: They offer additional services such as interior washing or waxing to attract more customers.

End consumers: These are the vehicle owners and businesses who use carwash services for their cars.

3.2 Volume and geographical breakdown of companies and employees

Number of companies in the light vehicle maintenance and repair sector France, ****-****, in thousands Source: ****

This graph shows a steady increase in the number of companies in the light motor vehicle maintenance and repair sector in France between **** and ****. The number of businesses rose from **.* thousand in **** to **.* thousand in ****.

This growth reflects sustained demand for car care and repair services, which may be linked to the growing fleet of vehicles on the road and the need for regular servicing, including washing and maintenance.

For carwash companies, this trend indicates an expanding market with growing opportunities to diversify their services or enter the general vehicle maintenance market.

Number of employees in the light vehicle maintenance and repair sector France, ****-****, in Thousands Source: ****

This graph illustrates the steady rise in the number of employees in the light vehicle maintenance and repair sector in France, from ***.* thousand in **** to ***.* thousand in ****.

This progression shows a positive dynamic in the sector, probably linked to growth in the number of businesses and increased demand for maintenance services, including car washes.

The vehicle maintenance and repair sector is clearly more dynamic in the south of France. If we group together southern regions such as ...

3.3 The different carwash franchises

The table clearly shows the dominance of Total Wash with *,*** outlets, representing around **% of the carwash franchise market in France, i.e. almost *.* times more than Elephant Bleu, the second largest player with *** outlets. Together, these two leaders account for around **% of the total number of franchises listed here, underlining their importance in the market.

By comparison, brands such as Detail Car and CosmétiCar, with *** and *** sites respectively, play on more specific or local segments, accumulating just *.*% of the combined market. This breakdown demonstrates a market that is both concentrated on a few large players and diversified by smaller franchises operating in niche markets.

Source: ****

3.4 Focus on 4 French franchises

The table highlights the diversity of investments required to launch a carwash franchise in France.

For example, Éléphant Bleu requires a personal contribution of €**,*** for a total investment of €***,***.but promises projected sales of €***,*** excluding VAT after two years, demonstrating a certain stability of profitability.

DétailCar, on the other hand, requires a lower initial investment (***), with potential sales of up to €***,*** excluding VAT after two years, which may represent an interesting opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking a rapid return on investment.

[***]

3.5 The profitability of a carwash

A carwash franchise can be a profitable business, but its profitability depends on effective cost management and strategic location.

On average, a carwash generates sales of around ***,*** euros a year. This figure can vary according to location, the type of services offered (***), and customer volume. To assess profitability, it's crucial to understand the structure of operating costs, which can be divided into several categories.

Firstly, energy accounts for around **% of a carwash's operating costs. This category mainly comprises the electricity used to power the wash machines, vacuum cleaners, pumps and other equipment required for the daily operation of the facility. The cost of energy can vary according to the hours of use, the size of the station, and local electricity rates. For example, a station that operates mainly with automatic machines may have higher energy consumption.

Secondly, the cleaning products used to wash and maintain vehicles make up around *% of operating costs. These products include shampoos, waxes, detergents and other additives needed to provide a quality wash. The use of environmentally-friendly products, which is a growing trend in the sector, can also influence costs.

Personnel accounts for around **% of operating costs. This includes employee salaries, social security contributions and ongoing training. ...

4.1 Offer typology

The carwash market is characterized by a diversity of services that can be classified into * categories:

Automatic carwash (***):

Automatic carwashes include stations equipped with gantry cranes with rollers and tunnels. These systems enable complete vehicle washing without human intervention. Customers simply drive their car through the gantries or tunnels, where rollers and high-pressure water jets effectively clean the vehicle. These car washes are fast and convenient, often located at service stations or high-traffic areas, offering a standardized service tailored to customers looking for a fast cleaning solution.

Self-service high-pressure washing:

This type of service enables customers to wash their vehicles themselves, using high-pressure hoses, brushes and cleaning products supplied by the station. It's popular with consumers who prefer a personalized wash and are looking for a lower cost than automatic car washes. These stations are often open ** hours a day and may include self-service vacuum cleaners for interior cleaning.

Ecological carwash (***):

This category includes washing services without water or with low-water consumption technologies, using biodegradable products. Ecological car washes can be mobile, where service providers travel to the customer's premises, or fixed. This option is becoming increasingly popular due to environmental awareness and water restrictions in urban areas.

Detailing and premium ...

4.2 Washing prices

Prices for car washes vary according to the type of service: high-pressure washing is the most affordable at €*, while the more meticulous or environmentally-friendly manual or waterless wash climbs to €** and €**, respectively.

Source: ****

4.3 Waterless washing

Waterless car washing is becoming increasingly popular in France, as it offers an ecological and practical solution to traditional car washing methods.

Unlike roller or high-pressure washing, which can use up to *** to *** liters of water per vehicle, waterless washing completely eliminates this consumption by using specific products, often plant- and citrus-based.

These biodegradable products not only clean, but also polish and protect the bodywork without damaging the paintwork, using microfiber cloths. This method has been particularly popular during periods of severe drought, such as in ****, when **% of car washes in France had to close due to water restrictions imposed by the authorities.

This model offers several advantages.

Firstly, it is extremely flexible and can be deployed virtually anywhere. Mobile waterless carwash units, such as those offered by brands like CosmétiCar or Meetwashing, can be deployed directly at the customer's premises or in company parking lots, reducing the need to travel to a traditional carwash.

This flexibility has proved particularly valuable for companies with large fleets of vehicles to maintain, enabling them to manage their time and resources more efficiently. As a result, corporate fleets often account for **% of waterless carwash sales, compared with **% for private customers.

In terms of ...

4.4 Detailing

Automotive detailing is emerging as a key segment of the car care industry.

More than just a simple cleaning, it's an in-depth treatment that goes beyond conventional car washes to restore, protect and enhance every detail of a vehicle. This market is experiencing significant growth, thanks in particular to the growing enthusiasm of car enthusiasts. Moreover, according to the International Carwash Association (***), there is a global trend among car owners to preserve their vehicles, which increasingly justifies in-depth vehicle maintenance in order to preserve them for as long as possible.

In terms of cost, detailing can vary considerably. For a complete service including interior and exterior cleaning, polishing and ceramic protection, prices can range from *** to *** euros, or even more, depending on the level of personalization and the products used.

This price, although higher than that of traditional car washes, is justified by the quality and durability of the results, attracting a clientele ready to invest in the preservation of their vehicle.

Interest in car detailing continues to grow. According to Google Trends, the"automotive detailing" search will be twice as popular in **** as it was in ****, with continued growth of * to *% per year. This trend shows that the market is ...

5.1 Current regulations

Ban on home washing:

Washing your car at home using large quantities of water is prohibited because of the risk of pollution from wastewater, which may contain oils, detergents and heavy metals. According to article L***-* of the French Environment Code, washing a car at home can result in a fine of €***, and up to €**,*** and two years' imprisonment in the event of pollution caused by the discharge of wastewater.

Sanitary regulations vary from department to department, but they generally prohibit car washing on public roads, river banks and public parks, to avoid pollution of public roads and soil.

Obligation of professional car washes:

Car washes are subject to articles L****-** of the French Public Health Code and R***-** of the French Environment Code. These articles require car washes to obtain authorization to discharge wastewater into the public collection network. This also requires the installation of water treatment systems, such as hydrocarbon separators, to prevent pollutants from reaching groundwater and surface water.

Car washes must comply with strict water treatment standards, with **% of the water used being discharged in a purified form to wastewater treatment plants.

Source: ****

5.2 Future regulations

Possible classification as a facility classified for environmental protection:

Although car washes are not always explicitly mentioned in the ICPE nomenclature, some may be classified under heading ****, which concerns vehicle repair and maintenance workshops. They may be classified as ICPE if they exceed certain thresholds for the use of chemicals, or if they discharge potentially polluted water without appropriate treatment.

Operators of these stations must therefore comply with strict rules on wastewater management, product use and waste management. In the event of non-compliance, they may be subject to fines, formal notices to comply or even administrative closure.

This classification depends on local decisions and the Direction régionale de l'environnement, de l'aménagement et du logement (***).

Source: ****

6.1 Player segmentation

• Total Wash
• Wash Tech
• Lavance
• Ecolave
• Cosmeticar
• Robowash
• Eléphant Bleu
• Oki Clean