Frank Rexach, President, Americas, JetX When dealership principals talk about growth, the conversation usually revolves around sales velocity, F&I penetration or fixed-ops absorption.
Rarely does it begin with the car wash.
It should.
For decades, the wash bay has been treated as a utility — something necessary to deliver a clean vehicle but not something strategic. Yet in today’s margin environment, the wash operation may be one of the most underleveraged assets on your property.
At JetX, we’ve spent years rethinking what a dealership car wash can be. Globally, our systems have washed more than 150 million vehicles across more than 6,000 locations. We work with leading automotive brands and major operators worldwide who demand consistency, precision and uptime.
The takeaway is simple: when engineered properly, a car wash is not a cost center. It’s infrastructure.
Built for the Reality of Dealership Operations
Most dealerships weren’t designed around modern wash technology. The building is already there. The lot layout is fixed. Service lanes are busy.
Any solution must adapt to the dealership — not the other way around.
That’s why we developed three core systems that align with different footprints and throughput requirements.
For the smallest spaces, there’s the A0 Robotic Arm.
The A0 is a compact, intelligent jet system designed to retrofit existing handspray bays with minimal civil work. It fits where traditional systems can’t and transforms underperforming wash areas into automated, low-labor operations.
For urban rooftops or dealerships with tight real estate, it converts existing space into a productive asset.
For mid-volume stores, the A5 Rollover.
The A5 is a compact in-bay automatic system with IoT connectivity, precision vehicle detection and proactive diagnostics. It delivers consistent results while maintaining a small footprint — ideal for service departments that need reliable throughput without major reconstruction.
For high-volume operations, the A7 Mini Tunnel.
The A7 bridges the gap between traditional in-bay systems and full-scale tunnels, delivering up to 25–28 washes per hour in a space-
conscious configuration. It’s increasingly deployed by dealerships with higher volume needs on their larger sites.
The common thread is flexibility. Whether your lot is constrained or expandable, the infrastructure can match the opportunity.
Three Strategic Outcomes for Principals
Modern wash technology isn’t just about cleaner vehicles. It drives measurable impact across the dealership.
1. Service Efficiency
Manual wash processes consume labor and create bottlenecks. Automated systems integrate into dealership workflows without disrupting service operations. Real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance reduce downtime, while automation frees staff for higher-margin tasks.
2. Inventory Presentation
Outdoor inventory requires frequent cleaning to remain front-line ready. Automated washing streamlines reconditioning and protects vehicles from environmental wear.
3. Recurring Revenue and Retention
Since most dealerships have great locations, we can also work with you to leverage the opportunity for public-facing wash revenue. Express programs and memberships for your loyal clients generate predictable monthly income while increasing traffic to the property. Every wash visit becomes another customer touchpoint.
Data, Automation and Predictability
Today’s dealership runs on data. The wash operation should be no different.
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Robotics in the wash bay isn’t about novelty — it’s about operational discipline, predictable performance and freeing your team to focus on higher-value work.
JetX systems utilize advanced sensor technology and continuous software updates to ensure performance consistency. Principals can monitor equipment health, wash cycles and diagnostics remotely.
Automation reduces labor dependency — a meaningful advantage as staffing remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges.
Because our model is modular and scalable, dealer groups can standardize wash operations across rooftops, ensuring consistent performance and brand presentation.
Rethinking the Lot
Dealership profitability over the next decade will depend less on incremental vehicle volume and more on maximizing the value of existing assets.
You already own the land.
You already operate a wash function.
You already seek stronger absorption and retention.
The difference between a necessary expense and a strategic asset often comes down to technology.
The car wash should not be an afterthought behind the service drive. It should be engineered infrastructure — delivering operational efficiency, recurring revenue and customer engagement in one integrated system.
The most overlooked profit center on your lot may be the one vehicles pass through every day.
The question is whether it’s working as hard as the rest of your dealership.