There are some folks who love their cars more than their loved ones. So if you count yourself to be one such car enthusiast and lover, I bet you would love to treat your baby with a luxury car wash. After all, your four-wheeled baby needs some pampering too. So send her to her very own spa, As long as there have been cars on the road, there have been professional detailers.  The profession dates back to the days of horse-drawn carriages and professional carriage drivers.  In the 1940s, professional detailing shifted from services rendered to elite motorcar owners to car dealerships, where previously owned cars were professionally detailed for resale.  Until the 1970s, most car dealerships had a staff of professional detailers.  Economic changes forced many dealerships to trim their detailing staff and contract the service out to the lowest bidder.  This spawned the booming car detailing and carwash business we have today.  

Several car ownership factors play into making car detailing a viable and growing business.  First, the price of new cars continues to rise at an average of $1,000 per year.  This is causing many car owners to realize that maintaining their car is a wise investment.   Second, people are keeping their cars longer.  According to R. L. Polk, a Detroit-based research company, Americans are keeping their cars for more than 7.5 years, as opposed to 5.5 years in 1970.   This is largely due to the cost of buying a new car and the change in U.S. tax laws, which no longer allow car loan interest deductions.  Finally, modern cars are far more reliable and durable.  In addition to simple mechanical improvements, the paint, trim and interior finishes on new cars are far superior to the previous generation's.  With the longer periods of ownership, car owners are realizing that they must keep their cars' appearance maintained.