Car Wash & Auto Detailing in the US - Industry Market Research Report

Sparkling Clean: Revenue Growth Will Be Limited by Fewer Cars on the Road and Growing Demand for At-Home Washing

Servicers in the Car Wash and Auto Detailing industry clean, wash and wax automotive vehicles like passenger cars, trucks, vans and trailers. Severe drops in oil prices encouraged more consumers to hit the road, as lower gas prices translated to greater use of cars. Despite strong growth until 2019, the Car Wash and Auto Detailing industry endured downward pressure in 2020 due to economy-wide challenges of rising unemployment and falling consumer spending stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the pandemic, gas prices increased significantly, discouraging driving and spending on luxury services provided by this industry. These economic trends are part of a broader uptick in inflationary pressures negatively affecting consumer and industry demand. Over the past five years, industry revenue slowed down, declining at a CAGR of 1.0% to $14.6 billion. Despite revenue increasing 1.3% in 2023, rising inflationary pressures contributed to a noticeable slowdown from average growth of 6.1% between 2015 and 2018.

Industry operators clean, wash and wax automotive vehicles, such as passenger cars, trucks, vans and trailers. This industry also includes self-service car wash establishments. The Car Wash and Auto Detailing industry does not include companies that predominantly change motor oil or provide automotive repair and maintenance services.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.