AUTEC Car Wash Systems

What AUTEC Car Wash Systems does

AUTEC Car Wash Systems is a U.S.-based, privately held manufacturer of in-bay automatic car wash equipment, headquartered in Statesville, North Carolina, where it has designed and built its systems since its founding in 1981. The company produces a portfolio of six core product lines—the EVOLUTION (flagship combination soft-touch/touch-free system), 425 (advanced soft-touch with maximum customization), 260 (mid-range soft-touch), Endura (space-saving soft-touch for auto dealers and fleet), Touch-Free (high-pressure electric-eye system), and Shine Express (polymer polisher add-on)—all built on 100% stainless-steel construction, direct-drive mechanisms eliminating chains and belts, water-based hydraulics, proprietary cloth wash materials, split-hub mirror-safe geometry, and industry-leading freeze protection. The systems are engineered to wash 30+ cars per hour with 24/7 unattended operation, and AUTEC self-claims roughly 4X the lifespan of competing equipment alongside an installed base washing 100,000+ vehicles daily across 5,000+ partner sites worldwide.

The company serves a vertical-segmented customer base of primarily SMB operators split across four primary segments—auto dealers (fixed-operations washing), convenience stores (additive revenue to fuel and in-store sales with claimed uplifts of up to 16% in gas and 10% in store sales), lube/service centers, and investors seeking ROI from unattended car wash operations—as well as secondary segments in independent car wash operators and fleet services. Revenue mechanics combine one-time equipment sales (quote-based, custom-configured) with recurring parts revenue (pwsparts.com e-commerce), service and maintenance contracts via factory-trained distributors, and consumable chemistry through a partnership with Phyzix Chemicals.

Go-to-market is hybrid: a direct sales team reachable via toll-free phone (800-438-3028) and website contact forms handles enterprise and investor deals, while a nationwide authorized distributor network (factory-trained, AUTEC Academy-certified) handles installation, repair, and ongoing service for mid-market and SMB customers. Marketing is primarily direct/relationship-driven with limited digital footprint—website content, downloadable catalogs, trade publications, and the AUTEC Academy training programs for technicians, distributors, and investors. Financing is facilitated through leasing-company and SBA lending partners rather than direct origination.

Name

AUTEC Car Wash Systems

Legal name

AUTEC Car Wash Systems

Website

https://autec-carwash.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AUTEC Car Wash Systems is a privately held U.S. manufacturer of in-bay automatic car wash equipment, founded in 1981 and based in Statesville, North Carolina. The company sells stainless-steel soft-touch and touch-free wash systems, parts, and service support to auto dealers, convenience stores, lube centers, and independent car wash investors across a national distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Statesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Car Wash System Sales: Sale of automated car wash equipment including Evolution, 425, 260, Endura, Touch-Free, and Shine Express models. Systems are customizable with various add-ons and features. Revenue is one-time with optional extended warranty.
2. Parts and Accessories: Replacement parts for all AUTEC models available through online store (pwsparts.com) and service request system. Ongoing revenue from consumables and replacement components.
3. Service and Maintenance: Service support through national network of factory-trained distributors and corporate service technicians. Preventative maintenance programs and emergency repair services.
4. Chemical Products: Phyzix Chemicals referenced as partner for car wash chemistry solutions (soap, pre-soak, etc.).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AUTEC designs, manufactures, and sells in-bay automatic car wash systems (soft-touch, touch-free, and combination) constructed from 100% stainless steel, sold primarily to commercial operators including auto dealerships, convenience stores, lube/service centers, investors, and fleet services. The company complements its equipment with replacement parts (online storefront), nationwide installation, preventative maintenance and repair services, and AUTEC Academy training programs for service technicians and distributors.

Product overview

AUTEC Car Wash Systems manufactures in-bay automatic car wash systems with a portfolio of six core product lines: the EVOLUTION (flagship combination system offering soft-touch, touch-free, or hybrid modes), 425 (advanced soft-touch with maximum customization), 260 (mid-range soft-touch for retail/dealers), Endura (space-saving soft-touch for non-retail/dealers/fleet), Touch-Free (high-pressure electric eye system), and Shine Express (automated polymer polisher add-on). The product architecture uses 100% stainless-steel construction with dual arm support, direct drive, hydraulic operation, and signature wash materials. All systems support extensive programmable features and add-ons including freeze protection, tire applicators, and foam applications. The company provides complementary services including nationwide installation, maintenance programs, technical training through AUTEC Academy, and financing assistance through leasing and SBA lending partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AUTEC EVOLUTION Combination Car Wash Flagship combination in-bay automatic car wash offering soft-touch, touch-free, or hybrid washing modes. Includes heated foamy presoak, multicolor foaming soap with fragrances, undercarriage wash, and multiple post-wash arches. Accommodates vehicles up to 110 inches wide (122 inches extended) and 84 inches tall (96 inches extended). Sold to commercial operators including auto dealers, convenience stores, lube centers, and investors.
• AUTEC 425 Soft-Touch Car Wash Advanced soft-touch car wash system with the widest array of options in the AUTEC line. Features additional blower sets, multiple pre and post wash arches, and 1-4 programmable options for ultimate customization. Designed for retail car washes operating 24/7.
• AUTEC 260 Soft-Touch Car Wash Mid-range soft-touch car wash system for retail wash facilities and auto dealerships with revenue-generating car washes. Includes consumer-friendly customizable options such as bumper blaster and triple-foam application.
• AUTEC Endura Soft-Touch Car Wash Space-saving soft-touch car wash system designed for non-retail environments such as auto dealers and fleet services. Built for high-volume operations with 40 years of proven reliability.
• AUTEC Touch-Free Car Wash High-pressure touch-free car wash using electric-eye sensors to establish vehicle profile and deliver precise washes without cloth contact. Accommodates vehicles up to 90 inches tall and 122 inches wide, with 20 zero-degree oscillating nozzles for wheel and rocker panel cleaning.
• AUTEC Shine Express Car Polisher Automated soft-touch polisher using polymer technology to apply a luxurious finish. Features four front arms, overhead roller, powder-coated carbon steel frame, and two Speedaire applicator guns. Designed as a companion add-on to AUTEC wash systems.
• Service, Repair, and Parts Support Nationwide service and parts support for AUTEC car wash systems including preventative maintenance programs, technical support, emergency repair, and replacement parts for any model at any location, delivered through factory-trained distributors and the corporate service team.
• AUTEC Academy Training Programs Certification and training programs for service technicians, distributors, and investors, including a 3-day AUTEC Service Technician Certification (covering equipment overview, control platform, programming, hydraulics, and R/O systems), Distributor Onboarding, and Investor Forum events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ vehicles washed daily across AUTEC systems
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and support.

• HondaminorOthersBrand partner listed on AUTEC's 'We're Proud to Partner with Respected Brands' page. No specific partnership details or integration information provided.
• UnijlinminorOthersBrand partner listed on AUTEC's 'We're Proud to Partner with Respected Brands' page. No specific partnership details or integration information provided.
• HamiltonminorOthersBrand partner listed on AUTEC's 'We're Proud to Partner with Respected Brands' page. No specific partnership details or integration information provided.
• PurlinminorOthersBrand partner listed on AUTEC's 'We're Proud to Partner with Respected Brands' page. No specific partnership details or integration information provided.
• HydraminorOthersBrand partner listed on AUTEC's 'We're Proud to Partner with Respected Brands' page. No specific partnership details or integration information provided.
• CHJAMminorOthersBrand partner listed on AUTEC's 'We're Proud to Partner with Respected Brands' page. No specific partnership details or integration information provided.
• SKFminorOthersBrand partner listed on AUTEC's 'We're Proud to Partner with Respected Brands' page. No specific partnership details or integration information provided.
• GGminorOthersBrand partner listed on AUTEC's 'We're Proud to Partner with Respected Brands' page. No specific partnership details or integration information provided.
• WashminorOthersBrand partner listed on AUTEC's 'We're Proud to Partner with Respected Brands' page. No specific partnership details or integration information provided.
• Phyzix ChemicalssupportTechnology or IntegrationReferenced as chemical partner on resources page. Provides car wash chemistry solutions including soaps, pre-soaks, and other wash chemicals used in AUTEC systems.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Istobal: Spanish-based manufacturer of car wash equipment (rollovers, tunnels, wash centers) with growing North American presence. Competes in adjacent product categories with overlap on touch-free technology.

Direct peers

• Washworld: Manufacturer of touchless and soft-touch in-bay automatic car wash equipment. Targets the same convenience store, dealer, and investor segments as AUTEC with a similarly configured product matrix.
• KKE Wash Systems: Manufacturer of in-bay automatic car wash equipment for retail and commercial sites, with comparable soft-touch and touch-free offerings and dealer-channel distribution.
• Sonny's Enterprises: Largest US manufacturer of conveyor and in-bay automatic car wash equipment. Competes head-to-head with AUTEC across auto dealer, convenience store, and operator segments with a broader equipment portfolio.
• PDQ Manufacturing: Manufacturer of in-bay automatic vehicle wash systems with soft-touch and touch-free options, plus touchless. Closely comparable product set, customer base (c-store, dealer, operator), and stainless-steel construction emphasis.
• Mark VII Equipment: US-based manufacturer of in-bay automatic and tunnel car wash systems, including touch-free and soft-touch technologies. Direct overlap with AUTEC's product lines and dealer/distributor GTM.
• D&S Car Wash Equipment: US distributor and equipment specialist offering in-bay automatics, parts, and service — directly comparable GTM and product mix to AUTEC's dealer and operator channels.
• Belanger (A Carlisle Company): Manufacturer of in-bay automatic car wash equipment including soft-touch and touch-free systems. Backed by Carlisle, has broader resources and overlapping product architecture to AUTEC's portfolio.
• N/S Corporation: Manufacturer of in-bay automatic car wash systems, often positioned as a value-tier option for convenience stores and operators. Directly competitive with AUTEC's lower-end configurations.

Broad incumbents

• Ryko Solutions: Broader vehicle wash and environmental solutions provider covering tunnel, in-bay, and water-reclaim systems. Overlaps with AUTEC in commercial car wash equipment but operates a much wider portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AUTEC Car Wash Systems