Name

CleanCar AG

Legal name

CleanCar AG

Website

https://cleancar.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Car Wash and Detailing Services

NAICS

Car Washes (811192)

SIC

Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)

akta.pro primary industry

Fleet/Vehicle & Equipment Exterior Washing (Residential/Light Commercial) (HSAEAMAL)

Keywords

• Automated car wash
• Vehicle detailing services
• Car wash subscription
• Self-service wash bays
• Professional car cosmetic

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Single Car Wash Sales: One-time purchase of individual car wash services at physical stations or via app, ranging from basic foam washes to premium platinum treatments. Prices vary by service level and location.
2. Flatrate Subscription: Monthly subscription model (starting at €29/month) offering unlimited car washes of the subscribed category. Minimum contract terms of 3 or 12 months. Provides recurring revenue with customer retention benefits.
3. CarCosmetic Detailing Services: Professional car interior and exterior detailing services including express cleaning, intensive care, paint polishing, nano sealants, leather cleaning, and full vehicle preparation. Booked via appointment at select stations.
4. Prepaid Card Program: Prepaid Cleancard offering up to 15% discount on loaded credit, targeting loyal customers and collectors. Provides upfront cash flow and customer lock-in.
5. Fuel Sales: Many CleanCar locations include fuel stations, generating additional revenue from gasoline and diesel sales.
6. Vending and Ancillary: Vacuum cleaner stations, car vacuums, and other ancillary services at locations for additional per-use revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CleanCar AG operates a network of approximately 27 full-service car wash facilities across Germany and Austria, providing four automated wash programs (Platinum Care, Intensive Care, Paint Gloss Care, Foam Wash), self-service wash boxes (SB-Boxen), and professional CarCosmetic detailing services spanning interior care, exterior care, special services, and full vehicle preparation. The company sells these services both as one-time transactions (€12 to €369) and through its CleanCar-Plus monthly subscription flatrate starting at €29/month, supported by a proprietary mobile app with station finder, license plate recognition, and digital coupon management.

Product overview

CleanCar AG operates a network of automated and self-service car wash facilities across Germany and Austria, offering a comprehensive vehicle care ecosystem. The core offering consists of four automated car wash programs (Platin-Pflege, Intensiv-Pflege, Lackglanz-Pflege, and Schaum-Wäsche) plus self-service wash boxes (SB-Boxen), complemented by the professional CarCosmetic service division providing interior care, exterior care, vehicle preparation, and special services. The company has developed the CleanCar App as its digital platform for station finding, service purchasing, appointment booking, and the CleanCar-Plus subscription flatrate program. Additional offerings include loyalty cards, loaner vehicles, KFZ maintenance services, and fuel stations. The product portfolio spans automated washing, professional detailing, mobile app technology, and ancillary automotive services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CarCosmetic: Individual car care and detailing services including interior, exterior, and special treatments such as leather cleaning, nano paint sealing, and full vehicle preparation.

Products and services

• CleanCar App Mobile application available on iOS and Android with 100K+ Google Play downloads, providing station finder, wash service purchasing, CarCosmetic appointment booking, coupon management, license plate recognition for automated wash activation, and CleanCar-Plus subscription management for individual vehicle owners in Germany and Austria.
• CleanCar-Plus Flatrate Subscription Subscription-based car wash program offering unlimited washes of a subscribed category for a monthly fee starting at €29/month with 3 or 12-month minimum contract terms, automated wash activation via license plate recognition, vehicle-specific pricing, best-price guarantee, and automatic coupon application for registered individual customers in Germany and Austria.
• Platin-Pflege (Platinum Care) Wash Premium automated car wash program featuring high-quality platinum wax sealing, long-lasting gloss and protection, with washing, drying, active foam, wheel wash, and protective sealant application. Targeted at individual vehicle owners seeking the highest-tier automated wash.
• Intensiv-Pflege (Intensive Care) Wash Automated wash with intensive wax sealing and underbody washing/sealing for extended protection against environmental factors on vehicle underside and paint. Available at €18 per wash for individual vehicle owners.
• Lackglanz-Pflege (Paint Gloss Care) Wash Car wash with pearl gloss treatment and double wheel washing, adding extra protection and shine to paint and wheels through Osmose water rinse. Targeted at individual vehicle owners seeking mid-tier glossy protection.
• Schaum-Wäsche (Foam Wash) Basic active foam wash with single wheel wash for gentle yet thorough regular maintenance cleaning, priced at €12 per wash. Targeted at individual vehicle owners seeking affordable routine washing.
• SB-Boxen Self-Service Wash Boxes Do-it-yourself wash bays available at select CleanCar stations where customers perform their own vehicle cleaning using a 7-step sequential cleaning process with optional gloss sealing application. Targeted at vehicle owners who prefer to wash their own vehicles using CleanCar equipment and supplies.
• CarCosmetic Interior Care (Innen-Pflege) Professional interior cleaning services performed by trained staff including intensive interior detailing, window cleaning, odor treatment, ceiling cleaning, leather cleaning, upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, and stain removal. Targeted at individual vehicle owners requiring professional interior restoration, with individual services priced from €35 to €239.
• CarCosmetic Exterior Care (Aussen-Pflege) Exterior cosmetic services including wheel cleaning, windshield sealing with lotus beading effect, paint polishing, hard wax sealing, intensive paint polishing, and nano paint sealing with lotus effect. Targeted at individual vehicle owners seeking paint correction and long-term protection, with services priced from €119 to €369.
• CarCosmetic Special Services (Spezial-Service) Specialized cleaning services including hand washing for sensitive vehicles, convertible top cleaning and impregnation with color deepening, and engine washing. Targeted at owners of premium, classic, or convertible vehicles requiring specialized care.
• CarCosmetic Express-Service Express interior cleaning service completed in approximately 20 minutes with windows and foot mats cleaned, dashboard dusted, door seals dried, and interior vacuumed. Available as bundle packages combined with Intensive Care or Platinum Care washes. Priced from €35 standalone to bundled package rates. Targeted at time-constrained vehicle owners needing quick interior refresh.
• Fahrzeugaufbereitung (Vehicle Preparation) Complete vehicle preparation packages combining full interior detailing with intensive paint polishing for vehicle sale preparation, lease return, or heavy soiling scenarios. Available as full interior preparation (€239) or combined interior and exterior preparation (€349). Targeted at private sellers, lease return customers, or owners with heavily soiled vehicles.
• Cleancard Customer Loyalty Program Customer loyalty card program with two options: a Bonus Cleancard for collecting points redeemable for rewards, and a Prepaid Cleancard offering up to 15% discount on loaded credit. Includes a free birthday car wash for online-registered members. Targeted at loyal individual customers and regular wash customers in Germany and Austria.
• KFZ Services (Oil Change and Tire Mounting) Vehicle maintenance services including oil change and tire mounting offered at select CleanCar stations as a value-add for individual vehicle owners already visiting the location for washing.
• Tanken und Shop (Fuel and Shop) Fuel station operations at select CleanCar locations offering gasoline and diesel, plus ancillary vending including vacuum cleaner stations. Generates incremental revenue from fuel margins and ancillary per-use services for individual vehicle owners at station locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Platinum Care wash provides long-lasting shine and protection through high-quality wax sealant
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Superoperator GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing license plate recognition system used at CleanCar wash lane entrances for automated customer identification and wash activation.
• TwiliosupportingTechnology or IntegrationSMS service provider for phone number verification during CleanCar app registration, enabling two-factor authentication for customer accounts.
• SIT PaysupportingTechnology or IntegrationPayment service processor for Prepaid Cleancard transactions, handling encrypted payment data transmission and storage for card loyalty program.
• Perspective Software GmbHsupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides Perspective Funnels tool for managing online job applications and contact requests from social media campaigns.
• Apple MapssupportingTechnology or IntegrationMap service integration in CleanCar app for station finder functionality and customer navigation to locations.
• Google MapssupportingTechnology or IntegrationMap service used on website and app for station locations, directions, and navigation support.
• DKVsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFleet card acceptance at CleanCar stations for business customers to pay for washes and fuel using DKV corporate accounts.
• LOGPAYsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFleet payment solution provider enabling CleanCar customers to pay for services using LOGPAY accounts.
• Volkswagen (VW e-Up)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectric VW e-Up vehicles provided as free loaner cars for CarCosmetic customers during service appointments, supporting sustainability messaging.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• OMV AG: OMV is a major Austrian/Central European fuel retail operator with integrated car wash at many sites. Comparable in the combined fuel + wash model and a regional player in CleanCar's Austrian market.

Direct peers

• WashTec AG: WashTec is the world's leading car wash equipment manufacturer and also operates wash centers. Directly comparable through its wash-center operations, technology stack, and DACH footprint, though it is also an upstream equipment supplier.
• STAR Car Wash: STAR Car Wash runs automated car wash centers in Germany with multiple wash programs similar to CleanCar's Platin/Intensiv/Lackglanz tiers. Comparable in service model, target customer, and German geographic focus.
• Mr. Wash: Mr. Wash is one of Germany's largest full-service car wash chains with a comparable multi-tier wash program, subscription/flatrate offers, and a network of fixed wash stations across Germany. Directly competes with CleanCar on price tiers, frequency programs, and geographic overlap in major German cities.
• IMO Car Wash: IMO Car Wash operates a large German network of automated wash centers with comparable tiered wash programs and self-service SB-Box alternatives. Highly comparable in service mix, target customer, and physical-channel GTM to CleanCar.

Emerging players

• Driven Brands (Take 5 Car Wash): Take 5 Car Wash is a rapidly scaling US-based conveyor car wash chain focused on subscription/flatrate models, offering a comparable membership-driven GTM. Useful international benchmark for CleanCar-Plus economics and subscription scaling even though it does not operate in Germany/Austria today.

Broad incumbents

• Shell Tankstellen: Shell operates a large multi-country network of fuel stations that includes car wash services at many locations. Broad incumbent with overlapping wash + fuel offering; competes with CleanCar's combined fuel/wash stations.
• TotalEnergies Tankstellen: TotalEnergies operates service stations across Germany with associated car wash services and a sustainability narrative. Broad incumbent competitor on the fuel + wash bundled model and EV/sustainability positioning.
• Aral AG (BP): Aral, part of BP, runs a broad gas station network across Germany, many sites of which include integrated car wash operations. A large incumbent with overlapping service categories (fuel + wash) that puts it in direct competition at combined locations.
• JET Tankstellen: JET operates a broad German/European fuel station network many of which include automated car wash lanes. Competes with CleanCar at combined fuel/wash sites and overlaps on basic wash tiers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cleancar.de

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 CleanCar AG