Guide to Car Wash Machines in New Zealand

This page features a list of all the different Car Wash machines I have found in New Zealand. The most common manufacturers are at the top, and the more rare makes are at the bottom. This list is of ALL types of machine (used in NZ), so it features both current models and older machines. Each section lists the most recent models at the top, and the oldest models at the bottom.

This page only shows the models from each brand that have been used in New Zealand. It is NOT a complete guide to every model a manufacturer has produced.

## Washtec

Washtec is a German Car Wash manufacturer based in Augsburg, Germany. The company was formed under the name "Wesumat", but was re-named "Washtec" in 2000 after merging with California Kleindiest, another German car wash manufacturer. The first Wesumat Car Wash was launched in 1962. Read more about their history here: https://www.washtec-uk.com/company/history/ Today, WashTec remains one of the most popular car wash manufacturers in New Zealand.

WashTec equipment is currently distributed by Car Kleen New Zealand Ltd.

### SoftCare**2** Pro Combiwash

The SoftCare**2** Pro Combiwash is the most advanced version of the SoftCare, a 3-brush rollover, with extra features added in for premium wash quality. These are combination washes capable of Brush, Touchless or Combination wash packages.

A few of these have been installed by BP (at BP 2go locations), as well as Private wash sites in Blenheim & Gisborne, all with the "Silverlight" design and a grey frame. BP has also installed these with the "classic" design on a white frame (also at BP 2go). Caltex has installed a few since 2015, and Z installed these in 2019 and 2020. Both Caltex and Z opted for a white frame a the classic-style rear lights. Mobil installed one of these at a newly-build site in 2017. Some of the newer machines have been fitted with either FoamTastic or FoamSensation - foam curtain systems that WashTec offers.

### SoftCare2 Pro

This is an updated version of the SoftCare, which began appearing in the New Zealand Market around 2015. The most obvious difference is the fitting of the new-style dryer. Most of these were installed by BP (mainly BP Connect), but 2 or 3 were also installed by Caltex. In 2022, BP began installing these installing these with a grey frame and the silvelright design on the rear at BP Connect locations.

### SoftCare

The Washtec SoftCare is a three-brush soft-touch rollover car wash. The SoftCare was developed as the replacement for the Wesumat (later Washtec) SoftWash, though that type of machine never operated here. It is New Zealand's most popular and most common type of car wash. It was first launched in 2002, and newer models are still made to this day. BP, Caltex and Shell/Z have all been popular customers for this system.

### SoftCare2 Juno

This is an updated version of the SoftCare Juno, which began appearing in New Zealand in 2014. The most obvious difference is the fitting of the new-style dryers. These have only been installed by BP for BP Connect.

### SoftCare Juno

The SoftCare Juno is variation on the SoftCare that has and extra top brush and an extra dryer, making it a 4-brush rollover wash. It is the least common of the SoftCare range, being found only at selected BP sites for BP Connect, and just one Z location

### SoftCare2 Evo

This is an updated version of the SoftCare Evo, featuring Washtec's new-style drying system. Only ONE of these has ever been installed in NZ, at Max Pennington's AutoCity in New Plymouth. It is only for the use of customers having vehicles serviced.

### SoftCare Evo

The SoftCare Evo is a slightly different version of the SoftCare, mainly because it's three brushes are configured the opposite way around to the standard Software. These machines are only slightly less common than the standard SoftCare. Most of these have been installed by Shell/Z, BP (at BP 2go) and Mobil, with one Caltex and two Private sites also having Evo's. Many of these have already been retired, due to many being quite old, although Z has a lot of newer ones that are still in service and remains the largest operator of the Evo with around 20 currently in service nationwide. At least two private car wash centres also operate these.

The Evo was introduced in 2005 as a replacement for the Intro. Unlike the Intro, the Evo features the regular SoftCare contour dryer and side drying.

### SoftCare Intro

The SoftCare Intro was one of the early versions of Washtec's SoftCare series, and was introduced as the initial replacement for the CK30. It was very similar to the SoftCare Evo (the model that replaced the Intro), however it featured the older CK30 Contour dryer and also did not feature side dryers. The Intro was only made from 2003 to 2005, as it was replaced by the SoftCare Evo in 2005.

All of the SoftCare Intro's in New Zealand were installed by Mobil, plus one identical unit at a private site.

### EasyWash

The EasyWash is a lower-spec 3-brush machine that is a more budget-option that the SoftCare range. It has a lot of design features in common with the old CK30 (but with the brushes configured the other way around). The EasyWash is much more basic than the Softcare, with less features and less options. There are currently around 5 of these in NZ. Caltex installed two of these at sites in the far north (one of which is now a BP), and a third in Auckland in 2022. The fourth is located at Turner's Car yard in Porirua, which is a firm that sells used cars. The Fifth is located at Gull in Thames and was installed in 2019.

The lack of EasyWashes is likely, in-part, due to the popularity of it's main rival, the Istobal M'Start, which is in the same class of budget, basic soft-wash machines.

### CK30

The CK30 was launched in 1998 by California Kleindiest, and continued production under the WashTec name from 2000 onwards after California Kleindiest merged with Wesumat to form WashTec. These washes were mostly installed at BP stations, with at least one example also being installed at a Mobil station (now an NPD Station, and now replaced). There was one rural Caltex which had an outdoor one with plain white brushes, but this was decommissioned and removed around 2017-18. Two other Caltex's have installed secondhand CK30's with new brushes (one now replaced). One private site also operated one with a blue frame and white brushes, however this has since been replaced.

Not many of these machines are left anymore, with only a few examples left in operation.

### SoftLine2 (Conveyor systems)

The "SoftLine" series is the name given to WashTec's Conveyor/Tunnel systems. The first one in New Zealand, called "The Wash Club", is located in the Hamilton town of Te Rapa.

## Istobal

Istobal is a Spanish car wash manufacturer, founded in 1950, and is Headquartered in L'Alcúdia (Valencia), Spain. Istobal had limited success in New Zealand for many years, until recently when their new products have suddenly taken off and become popular.

Istobal Equipment is currently distributed by Wash Design Ltd.

### M'Nex 32

The Istobal M'Nex 32 is the most advanced and most feature-packed machine in the Istobal range. Launched in 2017, the M'Nex 32 is based on the 22, but has a number of new features and optional extra's that the 22 doesn't offer. It also comes as standard with Istobal's "Infinate Mousse" foam curtain, an option that is available on the M'Nex 22, but rarely used on it. The very first M'Nex 32 in New Zealand was installed in September 2019 at the new Wash Works in Silverdale, Auckland. It began operation on October 5th, 2019. In December 2021, Z Energy installed their first M'Nex 32, having selected Istobal to supply 8 units earlier in the year.

The machine operated by Washworks Silverdale is a Combiwash, able to deliver brush, touchless or combination options. The 8 units belonging to Z are all soft-wash only, and can only offer brush washing.

### M'Nex 22

The Istobal M'Nex 22 is a three-brush car wash, which has had an increasing popularity over the last few years. The model was launched in 2010, but the first examples did not reach NZ until 2014-15. You can find these at an increasing number of Caltex, Mobil and NPD sites, as well as a few Gull and Challenge locations, and one Z. The M'Nex 22 is also popular among private car wash centres too.

The machine operated by Caltex, Gull and many private car wash sites are Combiwashes, able to deliver brush, touchless or combination options. The machines belonging to Mobil, NPD and Z Energy are all soft-wash only, and can only offer brush washing.

This one is so tall, small trucks and minibuses can use it!
### M'Nex 25

The M'Nex 25 is a Combi-wash machine that uses two rollovers instead of one. The front unit has the 3 brushes, and some of the rinsing and soap sprayers. The Rear unit has the dryer's, wheel wash and most of the foam and high-pressure jets. There are only 4 of these in New Zealand, all installed by Caltex. One of these Caltex sites was sold to Mobil in 2021.

The lack of popularity of the M'Nex 25 is likely due to the fact that most of the features it offers are also found on the single-rollover M'Nex 22 combi-wash, which has proved a lot more popular.

### M'Nex 28

The M'Nex 28 is a 5-brush, fitted with 4 side-brushes and a single top-brush. It was designed to be able to complete a wash cycle faster than a typical 3-brush wash (whether or not actually makes much of a difference is debatable). Only two M'Nex 28's were installed in NZ, both at private wash facilities.

The M'Nex 28 was discontinued a few years ago in favour of the new Flex 5 (not yet found in NZ), which is a machine that can be built in a 3-brush, 5-brush or Touchless configuration.

### M'Start

The M'Start is a basic 3-Brush Car Wash, which has become popular with Caltex as well as many private car washes. Challenge has also installed one Istobal M'Start with Red & Black striped brushes. Even BP has recently chosen an M'Start machine for one of its new rural installations. The M'Start is a much more basic and trimmed-down car wash than the premium M'Nex-series. It is a purely soft-wash only machine.

The M'Start has proved a lot more popular that it's main rival, the Washtec EasyWash, which is in the same class of budget, basic soft-wash machines. Caltex operates a handful of these, and there is also one with Challenge and one with BP (at a BP 2go). The biggest proportion, however, are found and private car wash centres.

### Tracer

The Tracer is Istobal's only dedicated Touch-Free Car Wash. It follows a typical single L-arm design. The first one in NZ was installed in 2017 at a private car wash site in Queenstown, and others have since been installed by Z Energy and Mobil. The Tracer is designed to compete with US-made products, such as the PDQ Laserwash or Washworld Razor.

### M12+

The M12+ was a slightly updated version of the M12, with the rear of the gantry resigned with a new Shape. Only three of these units have been installed, two by Caltex featuring red brushes at sites in Canterbury between 2009 and 2012. In 2020, one of these sites (Rangiora) was taken over by Z. The third was installed by Mobil in Mosgiel between 2009 and 2012. Weirdly, the brushes for this one are recycled from the M12 classic it replaced. It has red side brushes and a yellow top brush.

Caltex's two machines were both combi-wash systems with high-pressure jet's fitted, whilst Mobil's is only a soft-wash.

### M12

The M12 is an older 3-brush system which was briefly installed by Mobil. Many of these have replaced with newer systems now. Mobil installed these with either red brushes or red and blue striped brushes. When digging around in Kaiapoi, I found a former Shell location that had an M12 with multi-colour brushes. I do not know if anymore Shell's had M12's. The site in question became a Mobil in 2012 and the Car Wash area was sold off to become a private wash site, which is currently the home of Big Dave's Car Wash (and the M12 is long gone).

This site is Gisborne originally had red brushes....
### M10 Multiprogrammer

The M10 Multiprogrammer is an old 3-brush system. None are still operating in New Zealand. The last one, which was at a former Mobil site now belonging to gull was replaced with an M'Nex 22 in 2019.

Most of the M10s were installed by Mobil. They were fitted with plain blue brushes, however one unit in Dargaville was discovered on Google Streetview to have had Red & Blue striped brushes. The good condition of those brushes suggests that they were replacements, likely swapped form newer M12 machine. The unit was removed prior to 2012, and the site no longer operates a car Wash.

Caltex's single machine in Danniverke had multi-coloured brushes. It was replaced by a Ryko Excel, and later by an Istobal M'Start.

At least two former Shell sites are known to have operated M10's, both of these were found in Christchurch.

## Ryko

Ryko is an American Car Wash Manufacturer, founded in 1973 and based in Iowa. Ryko was the most popular car wash manufacturer in NZ throughout the 1990's with their UltraClean, Premier XL and Monarch II machines, but their popularity declined after Washtec became the main suppliers for BP, Mobil and Shell/Z. Since then, Ryko has sold handfuls of Excel, Radius and Emotion 3 machines, with the Radius being the most popular.

No new Ryko systems have been installed since 2017, following the closure of Ryko's Italian division. It is unknown if Ryko machines will be installed in NZ again or not. Ryko of recent years has been concentrating a lot more on the North American market,.

### Emotion 3 (Supra)

This was a 3-brush car wash from Ryko Italia (Ryko's Italian division), and was essentially a loosely updated version of their old 3-brush wash, the Excel. These have only been installed in New Zealand by Mobil, from 2012 to 2014, with either plain blue brushes or blue and navy-blue brushes. This machine was discontinued when Ryko closed down their European branch. These are branded as "Ryko Italia", as these are Italian made rather than American. These are also known in some countries as the "Supra" instead of the Emotion 3. Earlier versions from 2012-13 featured striped brushes and the "old" design with lights at the bottom, and these were supplied by the now-defunct Ryko Italia in Italy. The newer ones from 2014 feature plain blue brushes and have an updated design with blue strips and higher-mounted lights on the gantry. The newer ones also feature the newer Ryko Logo.

### Softgloss MAXX

The Softgloss MAXX is a 5-Brush machine that is direct descendant of the UltraClean. Ryko has produced many differnt 5-brush machines over the past few decades that all derive from the original UltraClean. It was in production for many years, before it was recently updated as the MAXX 5. There is currently only ONE of these car washes in New Zealand, which is located at a private car wash in the small town of Matamata. It was installed sometime around 2011 or 2012, as a replacement for a Ryko Excel.

### Excel

An older 3-brush car wash from Ryko Italia. These are actually fairly uncommon, two were been installed by Mobil, and there have also been two installed by Caltex (which have both since been replaced). There was also at least one BP (in Kerikeri) with one at somepoint, with Green and Yellow brushes, but this has been replaced also. In Timaru, there used to be one at Shell, but this was replaced when Z took over.

There no Ryko Excels left in NZ, as of August 2021.

### Radius

The Radius is Ryko's current Touch-Free offering. It has seen fair few installations around NZ by Caltex, with the latest in 2017. One was installed at a private car wash site in Auckland, but oddly (for a modern machine) is has already been replaced by a PDQ. The oldest Caltex example (installed in 2009) was also replaced by a PDQ in early 2020.

### Premier Plus

The Premier Plus was the replacement for the Premier XL. This, weirdly is actually a very rare Car Wash in New Zealand. I have only found example of one. This was located at a Mobil in Auckland, and had red brushes. This car wash was sadly replaced around 2011-ish, but very oddly, with a secondhand Ryko Premier XL (which, even more weirdly, has Ultraclean-style blue brushes). In 2013 this was replaced with PDQ ProTouch Tandem.

The Premier Plus was lightly modified version of the SoftGloss XS, made specifically for the European market, but was also sold in Australia.

### Premier XL

Once one of the most popular Car Washes in NZ. The Premier XL (sold in North America as the "Voyager") was an updated-version of the UltraClean. Some extra panels were fitted to the gantry to protect vital elements and strengthen it. Also, the dryers were now fitted with silencers to rude the noise, as the UltraClean's uncovered dryers were exceptionally loud. These have been installed by Mobil (Red & Blue brushes), Caltex (Red or Red & white Brushes), and BP (Green brushes). Only 4 of these machines remain, with 2 at Mobil sites and one at a BP 2go.

This machine had its brushes replaced with secondhand ones from a BP machine.Hokitika Site with origial brushes (ex. Caltex)
### UltraClean

In it's heyday this was the most popular model of Car Wash in New Zealand. The UltraClean is a 5-brash wash that sold in great numbers around the world, especially in New Zealand and Australia. All NZ examples are fitted with dryers, which back then weren't always fitted as standard. These were installed by Mobil (light & dark blue brushes), Caltex (Red or Red & white Brushes), Shell (Yellow Brushes) and BP (Green brushes). Only 2 of these remain, both of them at Mobil sites. These will likely get replaced within the next few years.

This machine was re-brushed using secondhand Mobil brushes (very common at Caltex's in the far North).
### US2001 Overhead (Liberty)

A single Caltex site in Whanganui had a very rare Ryko touch-free System - the US2001 Overhead, which is an all-overhead version of Ryko's US2001 system (a replacement for the Monarch II that was never sold in NZ). It is also sometimes known as the Ryko Liberty. This machine was effectively a precursor to the Ryko Radius. This machine was rather rare, in that it featured an off-board drying system, in which instead of having dryers on the machine, the dryers are at the end of the wash bay, and the driver must exit the wash bay slowly in order to dry their car. Such systems are commonplace in North America, but almost never found elsewhere.

Sadly, this rare system no longer exists. It was replaced in 2013 with a Washtec SoftCare2 Pro.

### Monarch II

This was a Touch-Free Car Wash that was mostly installed by Caltex, or occasionally at Shell. It was an incredibly common machine, especially in the Auckland & Wellington regions. Like the Premier XL, the Monarch II was fitted with silencers on the dryers to reduce noise. The last surviving example is found at a Caltex site in Invercargill, however - in a rare twist - this site actually has TWO wash bays. The other bay has been running newer Ryko Radius machines since 2010 or earlier, so I do not know if the Monarch II is still used.

### Nova 2000

This is very rare drive-through system, designed for car dealers and rental firms. There are actually a few of these in New Zealand, all of which (so far) have been found at car rental firms. A site at Wellington Airport has one with blue Brushes, and another by Queenstown Airport has one with red brushes. An AVIS site at Christchurch Airport has TWO of them, then there is another one (with blue brushes) at the Hertz centre at Christchurch Airport.

The Nova 2000 has options for both Top-brush and/or a side-to-side Mitter. All sites use a Top brush.

## PDQ

PDQ is an American Car Wash manufacturer formed in 1984 by William "Red" Lewis, under the name "Carefree Vehicle Wash Systems". during this time, New Zealander Allen Jones of the Pacific Car Wash Company had recently developed the "LaserWash" touch free system, and brought the product to Chicago, where he met William Lewis. In 1985 the Carefree was re-named PDQ, which stands for "Performance, Dependability, and Quality". In 1989 PDQ and the Pacific Car Wash Company merged and began production of the LaserWash under the name "Laser4000", which was made right up until 2007, when it was replaced by the Laserwash M5. 1998 PDQ was sold to Dover Corporation, which also owns Belanger.

PDQ Equipment is distributed by Pacific Car Wash Systems Ltd (the very same company that first pioneered the Laserwash) and ECL Group.

### Laserwash 360plus

In 2017, PDQ updated the Laserwash 360, adding new features. The new 360plus can be identified from its predecessor due to having four dryers, whereas the original 360 only had three. The 360plus also has an optional overhead lighting system called "LaserGlow". This feature has been used by most users, though Mobil stopped using it in 2019. These machines were installed by Mobil at their Wash'n'Run sites from 2017 to 2021, and can also be found at a number of private car washes. There are also examples and several Caltex's. Waitomo entered the Car Wash market in 2020 with a Laserwash 360plus, and now operates a few of them too.

### Laserwash 360

The Laserwash 360 was launched in 2009, as a replacement for the Laser4000. These were installed mainly by Caltex from 2012 to around 2017. Mobil also installed 5 of these, four in Auckland and one in Christchurch (some have been replaced). The Laserwash 360 was also very popular with private car wash owners. There is also one BP 2go with a Laserwash 360, as they purchased this site from Caltex in 2017 when the car wash was less than 2 years old.

The Laserwash 360 was succeeded by the 360plus in 2017.

Some later versions of the classic 360 were available with the optional "LaserGlow" overhead lights, and it can also be retrofitted to an existing machine.

### ProTouch Tandem

Someone thought a brush car wash was with only two brushes was a good idea (it isn't). This is a two-brush, two bridge car wash that was launched in 2007. There are two of these in NZ - one at a Mobil, the other at a private car wash. PDQ has recently launched a new 3-brush variant of this, the Tandem Surfline, but I am yet to see one in New Zealand.

### Laserwash M5

The M5 came out in 2007 as the replacement for the Laser4000. There actually aren't that many of these around. A few Mobil's and Caltex's have these. In 2020, Z took over a Caltex site with an M5 in Russley, Christchurch. 5 of these are still in operation, but many of Mobil's have been replaced with more possibly being replace din the future.

A Laserwash M5 at the former Caltex Upper Harbour, which sadly closed in 2018 and was demolished.A Laserwash M5 at the former Caltex Upper Harbour, which sadly closed in 2018 and was demolished.
### Laserwash 4000

The Laserwash 4000 is the original version of the Laserwash, introduced at the end of the 1980s. The unique identifying feature of the Laserwash 4000 is its unusual "docking" dryers system, whereby the drying system stays at the front of the bay whilst the car is washed, but attaches itself to the wash gantry and is moved up and down the bay during the drying cycle. This design was used on examples in NZ, but is fairly uncommon in North America, as off-board drying is much more common over there.

The Laserwash 4000 was produced from 1989 to 2007. Only 1 Laserwash 4000s is still in operation, with one private operator.

NB: This Car Wash has been replaced with a Laserwash 360plusNB: This Car Wash has been replaced with a Laserwash 360This one has off-board Dryer's, like many Car Washes in the USA.This one has off-board Dryer's, like many Car Washes in the USA.NB: This Car Wash has been replaced with a Laserwash 360plus
## Washworld

Washworld is an American Car Wash manufacturer that has been operating for around 20 years, best know for their touch-free products. There are not many Washworld Car Washes in NZ, but there are few located around private car wash sites.

Washworld Equipment is distributed by Profix Solutions Ltd. and Wash Design Ltd.

### High Velocity

The High-Velocity is the oldest Washworld product found in NZ. It's design is very similar to PDQ's Laserwash series, like a sort of hybrid between the 4000 and M5 (in that the T-bars and wash-arm resemble the 4000, but it has integral dryers like the M5).

There were few High Velocity Machines around, but mainly only at private car was centres. One was also used at a Caltex in Auckland that got one secondhand in 2017, and it is the only petrol station in NZ to have ever had a Washworld Car Wash.

Sadly, none of these are left operating in NZ.

### Razor Mk2

The updated version of the Razor features an updated bridge design with blue LEDs and a new wash-arm. In 2020, Washworld updated the graphic design on the Razor with a cool new black look, as well as added blue LEDs to the wash-arm. Four of the current-edition Razor have been installed at 3 private wash sites (one site has two machines).

### Razor Mk1

The Razor is a newer Touch Free machines from Washworld. This original version used a basic, but decorated shape and retained the T-Bars. Only two Razor's of this version have been installed, both at private sites. One of these two washes was replaced in 2023, leaving just one.

## Christ

Christ is a German Car Wash manufacturer, founded in 1963. It is one of Europe's most popular manufacturers, however Christ car washes are surprisingly rare in New Zealand.

Christ Equipment is distributed by Profix Solutions Ltd.

### Qantus

This is a five-brush Car Wash, and is one of Christ's more "premium" gantry rollover washes. This example is found at a private car wash.

### Centus

This one of many 3-Brush car washes made by Christ. It was discontinued in late 2019, following the release of the new Christ Cadis, and later the Christ Vega in 2020. Caltex in Otorohanga used to have one of these washes with Red & Black striped brushes. This Caltex has had a re-model since this streetview was taken and the Car Wash was moved. Since it wasn't too old (despite the faded brushes), it survived.

Sadly this machine was replaced in July 2019, with a Christ Sirius (see below)

### Sirius

This is another of the many 3-brush car washes made by Christ. It was discontinued in late 2019, following the release of the new Christ Cadis, and later the Christ Vega in 2020. Caltex Otorohanga chose to replace their existing Christ machine with another, this time selecting the Christ Sirius, with black & grey brushes.

## Ceccato

Ceccato is an Italian manufacturer of Car Washes and air compressors. Their wash systems have been incredibly popular in Europe for decades, but very few have made it to New Zealand. Ceccato has not been doing well in recent, having already faced one Bankruptcy, and their modern car washes do not seem to last long.

Ceccato Equipment is distributed by Wash Design Ltd, however nobody in NZ has bought Ceccato equipment in years.

### Pegasus

The Pegasus is a fairly modern 3-brush wash system. These are incredibly rare in New Zealand, with only a couple of Caltex installations (one of which has been replaced), and one or two private installations. Only one remains, which is one of the Caltex examples (now moved to a different site than the one it was originally installed at).

### Ginga

A few of these were installed by Shell, but none are left. Most were all replaced even before Z took over Shell.

### Orion

One of these rare machines was one located a private car wash. It has since been replaced by an Istobal M'Nex 22.

### Advant

This is another 3-brush machine that was pretty popular in Europe during its time. Only one is known to have been installed in NZ, at TJ's Car Wash in Manuwera. It was replaced sometime before 2012. The only photos of it are pretty rubbish, so here's an identical machine in the UK.

## Karcher

Karcher is a company better known for making Water Blasters and other Household Equipment than Car Washes, but a few models have made it on to the market and seen limited success. Only two Karcher 's have been installed in New Zealand, both in the same place.

Karcher Equipment is distributed by Karcher New Zealand.

### CB1

The first Karcher machine known to exist in New Zealand. It was located at Yello K-Wash in Morrinsville, and had been there since at least 2010. It had a couple of brushes replaced over time. In 2020 it was replaced by a brand new Karcher CB3.

### CB3

In June 2020, Yello K-Wash Morrinsville upgraded their automatic wash to the new CB3 model, with extra height. This machine offers both Brush and Touchless options.

## Motor City Wash Works

Motor City Wash Works is an American car wash manufacturer founded and based in Wixom, Michigan. Owners Lee Belanger, Richard Belanger and Bob Wentworth founded Motor City Wash Works in 2004. They specialize in conveyor and drive-through car wash systems, and do not offer any rollover systems.

### Tunnel Equipment

There are only three conveyor-tunnel car Washes in New Zealand currently, two of which use equipment by Motor City Wash Works. Both are located in Christchurch and are owned by Tunnel Wash. They both feature Red & Black brushes, a red front-to-back mitter. It also has a brush-based drying system after the main blowers.

## Belanger

Belanger is an American manufacturer of Car Wash systems that makes both In-Bay and Conveyor systems. They are owned by OPW Group, who also owns PDQ.

Belanger Equipment is distributed by Wash Design Ltd.

### Tunnel Equipment

There have been two Belanger Tunnel systems in New Zealand, both a the same location in Auckland.

The site was originally a Mobil, and had a Conveyor wash under the name of "Express Valet Wash", with Belanger equipment. The site closed by 2012, but was later re-built as a Z station. A new conveyor wash was built here, which is also using Belanger Equipment. It now operates under the name "Rub-a-Dub Valet Car Wash". The petrol station has since been sold and is currently a Waitomo.

The Car Wash and the Petrol station are two separate businesses.

## Mark VII

Mark VII (Mark 7) is an American Car Wash manufacturer, founded in 1966 in Colorado under the name "A-CO". Mark VII was acquired by Washtec in 2006, with Mark VII now being the official North American subsidiary of Washtec.

Mark VII Equipment is distributed by Car Kleen New Zealand Ltd.

### Merchandiser (AquaJet)

These were touch free machines and were a variant of Mark VII's "AquaJet" series. In particular, it is very similar to the GT-98. These machines used rotating arms with high-pressure jets fitted, rather than the traditional L-Arm. These were installed only at a select few Caltex sites in the 1990s. All of these have long been replaced.

### TurboJet XT (AquaJet XT L-Arm)

This is a Mark VII touchfree system, which doesn't even appear on the Mark VII or Washtec Websites! I found one of these at a Caltex in Christchurch, which was installed in 2018. However, these machines have been around since at least 2013, as a Mobil in Havelock North had one installed then. Challenge also installed one in Lincoln, Canterbury in 2015 (but will be replacing theirs in July 2020).

This wash is a little differnt from traditional L-Arm washes. Instead of having the L-Arm wash both the sides and the top of the vehicle, instead the L-arm only washes the sides and there are separate jets attacks to the frame for washing the top.

Mark VII no longer makes these. Probably because they didn't sell very many. These actually look pretty slow from videos I have seen of them, which is not a good thing.

## Leisuwash

Leisuwash is a Chinese company that makes Touchless car washes based on a PDQ design. The first "Leisuwash 360" machine was installed at Challenge Lincoln in July 2020. Two more of these were installed at a brand new self-service wash centre in Rangiora in Early 2021.

Leisuwash Equipment is distributed in NZ by Leisuwash themselves.

## Petit Auto Wash

Petit Auto Wash is an American Car Wash manufacturer that specializes in fast, Touchless machines. Their first ever NZ installation was in 2023.

### **Accutrac 360-i**

This is a touchless system with two moving side-wash arms with a static top arm. This design, which is different from the classic single L-shape arm used on most NZ touchless systems, is supposed to help reduce the cycle time of the wash. Another unique feature of this system is the off-board dryers, meaning the the car must drive through the wash bay exit to be dried - a feature that is common in North America, but almost never heard of here in NZ. The first one was installed at Swish Car Wash in Palmerston North in 2023.

## Unknown Machines

These are some Car Washes I cannot identify.