According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 138 million registered automobiles drive the roads of America today. Counting buses and large trucks, there are 230 million vehicles in all. That's a lot of necessary washing!

Even though an estimated 100,000 professional car washes exist in North America, the fact is that most vehicles aren't kept as clean as they need to be, which results in the loss of billions of consumer dollars.

More than $24 billion a year is spent battling automobile corrosion damage, a cost absorbed by consumers in three ways: Funding auto manufacturer efforts to research corrosion-resistant paints and coatings, fixing damage caused by road or sea salt, or corrosion-related depreciation of cars.*

Research shows that 52% of American car owners wash their cars less than once a month - and 15% never wash their cars. An estimated 37 million cars even smell because of interior garbage, according to a consumer survey conducted by the International Carwash Association (ICA).

Drivers should take better care of their cars by washing them professionally for numerous reasons:

You'll protect your investment.

Professional car washes are more environmentally friendly.

Emotional satisfaction.

*Source: National Corrosion Society study, "Cost of Corrosion" http://www.corrosioncost.com/pdf/motorvehicles.pdf