Comeback: Car wash workers work at a 24-hour car wash outlet along Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: Car wash operators who felt the pinch during the Covid-19 closure periods are now fighting it out, with many even resorting to operating around the clock.
The battle is getting intense among the hundreds of operators, with many special offers for waxing and polishing.
Some operators are offering loyalty programmes with a complimentary wash for those who wash up to eight times or discounts for those who share their outlet’s name on social media.
Some operate on empty plots of land, while many 24-hour operators around the city have rented shoplots and houses.
A car wash operator known as Salam said he is offering his customers up to 10% discount after 9pm.
“These days, there are many 24-hour car wash centres around the city.
“Competition is intense and we have to find new ways to attract our customers. We also offer discounts to those who share about our outlet to others on social media,” he said.
Salam added that an average wash and polish costs between RM250 and RM400 depending on the size of the car.
He said his Singapore customers who drive into the city for food and groceries would also wash their cars at night.
Another car wash worker, Shabil, said his company offers a complimentary car wash after the eighth wash.
“We charge about RM12 to RM20 for washing and about RM300 for a wax and polish,” he said.
Shabil added that they are usually busy on Fridays and Saturdays when many Singaporeans drive over.
Shabil said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, many car wash outlets closed down as the border with Singapore was shut for more than two years.
A Singaporean known as Tan said he comes every week to Johor to have meals with his family and to also wash his car before returning home.
“These days, there are so many 24-hour outlets around the Johor Baru checkpoint, and roads like Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir are known as car wash street,” he said.
Tan also said that his preferred car wash is on that street as he likes and trusts their service.
He said that even in the wee hours, the workers there are always smiling to their customers.
