[Courtesy of Hyundai Oilbank]
Because many South Koreans live in apartments with no backyards, many normally clean their cars using tunnel-type automatic car cleaner machines at gas stations after refueling. Self-service car wash facilities that provide spray guns and individual cleaning booths are also popular. South Korea's car wash market stood at 3.7 trillion won ($3.3 billion) in 2019.
Quick car wash facilities are popular among working people who cannot spare time, but it is hard to use them during the rainy season or in winter. People visit car wash centers where workers clean cars by hand. Such manual services are costly and take at least 30 minutes.
Hyundai Oilbank said in a statement on February 5 that it has launched "Carshakshak," a premium car wash service that utilizes gas stations. Customers can use affordable self-service car wash facilities or use more expensive hand-wash services. For a premium service, cleaners pick up cars, wash at gas stations and return them to owners.
"By cooperating with companies with expertise, we have developed special car wash soap," a Hyundai Oilbank official was quoted as saying. The refiner took over some 300 gas stations that were operated by SK Networks in June 2020 and became the second-largest gas station chain operator after SK Enclean.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
