News (2020)

Welcome to the news page, where I post all of the latest NZ Car Wash news I can find for you. If you have any news you want to contribute, leave a comment or message me on my talk page.

## News page for 2021!

All news items for the year 2021 will be on a new news page, **which can be found here.**

This page will remain online for you to view, and you will be able to access it via a link at the top of the new 2021 page. The navigation bar at the top of the Wiki will be changed to allow you to view all news pages.

## Mobil's Unexpected Upgrade

We all know by now that Mobil have undergoing a lengthy Car Wash upgrade program, replacing old Ryko's, Istobal M12's and old Washtec with new Istobal M'Nex 22 and Laserwash 360plus machines alongside wash-bay renovations. More recently this program has also expanded into some slightly newer machines, such as Laserwash M5's also being replaced. But here is one that nobody saw coming - a Classic Laserwash 360 at Mobil Constellation Drive in Auckland has been replaced with a Laserwash 360plus.

Such a replacement is unexpected due to the Classic Laserwash 360 being less than 10 years old, however such replacements are not unheard of. At least four Caltex sites that had classic Laserwash 360s were upgraded with newer machine at some point (though one was due to a crash, and another due to a site-rebuild), so such replacements are not "new". It is, however very unexpected.

Prior to the Laserwash 360 classic, the site had a Laserwash 4000, one of 5 that Mobil had (four in Auckland and one in Christchurch). It will be interesting to see if any more of the Classic 360's are replaced.

(22/12/2020)

## Ezy Clean Invercargill adds Second Laserwash

Ezy Clean Car Wash in Invercargill has added a second touch-free car wash to their site. The new machine is a PDQ Laserwash 360plus, which is in addition to the existing Laserwash 360 classic that has been in place since new. The new wash also features the LaserGlow lighting system, which was not previously featured on the original Laserwash, but has since been retrofitted to it.

Ezy Clean also operates another site in Gore, with a single Laserwash 360plus, but this site (as far as we know) continues to operate with just one Laserwash.

This new upgrade makes this the second car wash facility to operate a mix of both the original Laserwash 360 and the newer Laserwash 360plus at the same location, with the other being Wash Depot Henderson, in Auckland.

(14/12/2020)

AFTERBEFORE
## Two More N'Nex 22s for West Coast

In a year that has already been a bloodbath for old Ryko's, two more have today been confirmed replaced. Neither of these can be seen on Streetview yet, but a page follower has just traveled through the area and confirmed two replacements, and sent in some photos.

At Mobil Greymouth, the Ryko UltraClean has been replaced with a typical Mobil-spec M'Nex 22.

At Challenge Hokitika, the Ryko Premier XL has been replaced with an M'Nex 22, with the same dark-blue brushes as Mobil and NPD. In contrast, the site in Greymouth is confirmed to have Grey & Blue brushes (previously, we could not tell what colour they were).

Sadly, these latest replacements mean that there are now NO remaining Ryko Premier XL's built to Caltex specification. The last remaining ones now are all Mobil-spec, except for one BP one in Invercargill. The clock is ticking on these last remaining Ryko's.....perhaps by this time in 2021 they shall all be gone?

(8/12/2020)

Challenge HokitikaChallenge HokitikaMobil Greymouth
## SoftCare2 Evo running in New Plymouth!

So this is not "News", as it happened in May, but I've only just found out about it. In New Plymouth, a car dealership called "Max Pennington's AutoCity" installed a brand new Washtec SoftCare2 Evo, the only known new-style Evo (w/ new Washtec Dryer) in New Zealand. It has green striped brushes, similar to those used by BP. It was installed in May 2020.

It is only for the use of customers having vehicles serviced. It is the only known Car Wash in NZ that has a wash bay where users must drive-in and reverse-out.

(7/12/2020)

## New Gisborne Car Wash will be Touchless

In an update to our previous story about a new car wash site being built in Gisborne, a news article in the Gisborne Herald has confirmed that the new car wash will be Touchless, but does not say what make or model it will be.

This will be the first fully-Touchless wash in the area. The site is due to open in May 2021, and will feature one Touchless automatic wash and three self-serve bays.

(28/11/2020)

## New SoftCare2 Pro Touchless for BP Pioneer Highway!

One of the last four BP's with a WashTec CK30 has been upgraded! The site located on Pioneer Highway (State Highway 1) in Palmerston North has been upgraded with a brand new Washtec SoftCare2 Pro Touchless machine, with silverlight and Light Show.

Although there is no new Google Streetview available, a photo and short video has been posted to Google Maps' Image section on the Car Wash.

The CK30 that was previously here was actually a second-hand unit from another site, brought in to replace a Ryko UltraClean between 2009 and 2013.

(28/11/2020).

## M'Start for Caltex Springs Road

Caltex Springs Road has installed a brand new Istobal M'Start with Red & Grey brushes. this replaces a rare Ceccato Pegasus that was re-located to another location last year. Prior to that the site had a Ryko Premier XL.

The M'Start is the fourth such machine to be installed by Caltex, and the first M'Start since 2017. This one is different to the other three, for it has a white and red frame (as opposed to silver) and the brushes appear to be red & grey, (rather than red and black).

(18/11/2020)

## Mobil gets more M'Nex 22's

Another one in the Race to Replace for Mobil, as replaces the old Ryko UltraClean at their site in Stoke (Nelson) with a brand new Istobal M'Nex 22.

Although lots of new Streetview has been released, not all areas have been covered, so there are still some sites that we cannot bring an update on just yet. But be assured that as soon as we know of an upgrade/replacement, you'll hear about it here!

In other news, an M'Nex 22 has also been installed at the Wash'n'Run Mobil Site on Great South Rd, Papakura, Auckland, and at the Wash'n'Run in Wigram, Christchurch. Both sites previously had Washtec SoftCare Evo's.

(18/11/2020)

## M'Nex 22 for Challenge Greymouth

This news is actually not new, but I only know about now as new Google Streetview for Greymouth (taken in July 2020) has only just been released.

The old Ryko Premier XL has been replaced with an Istobal M'Nex 22, with brushes of an unknown colour (owing to the poor view from the road). This is one of two such Ryko's that Challenge has operated at sites they purchased from Caltex (the other being Hokitika).

We cannot yet confirm whether or not Hokitika has suffered the same fate, as Streetview in that area has not yet been updated. However we will be keeping a close eye on the area, in case some new streetview does appear.

(18/11/2020)

The New...The Old...
## Z replaces Rangiora machine with Secondhand Evo

Z has installed a secondhand Washtec SoftCare Evo at their Rangiora Site, to replace the Istobal M12+ that was installed there by previous owners Caltex. The M12+ (which had red brushes) was installed between 2009 and 2012, as a replacement for a touchless Mark VII AquaJet GT-98.

What is interesting about the Evo, is that is fitted with Z's old-style plain orange brushes, and not the usual orange & blue. This is now the second Evo to be fitted with plain orange brushes, after the machine at Z Caroline Bay (Timaru) was repaired with plain brushes after a crash.

At this stage, we do not know which site the Evo has been taken from to move here. If we somehow manage to find out, we'll let you know.

(18/11/2020)

## New Wash to be built in Gisborne

Consent has been given to build a private car wash centre on Carnarvon St, Gisborne. At this stage, we cannot confirm if this site will have an automatic wash, or what that wash will be. As soon as we know, we will let you guys know.

On the subject of new Private Car Washes, there is still no news on the progress of the Istobal Wash facility in Richmond either. But at least both of these sites are a sign that exciting times are ahead!

(15/11/2020)

## Mobil Ashburton gets new PDQ

According to a follower, the old PDQ Laserwash M5 at Mobil Ashburton has been replaced with a new Laserwash 360plus. This is now the third Mobil M5 to be replaced, following the replacement of similar machines in Cambridge and Awamatu last year.

There were only ever two M5's installed on the south Island, with the other being at the former Caltex (now Z) station on Russley Rd, Christchurch. This site now has the LAST M5 on the South Island.

(15/11/2020)

## Just ONE Premier XL left at BP...

News reached us today that BP has removed the Ryko Premier XL from their site in Pahiatua and are no longer operating a Car wash there. This leaves the Invercargill locations as the last remaining BP to have a Ryko Premier XL.

While this news is sad, and means that an era for BP is almost at a close, there are still a few more Premier XL's operating, thanks to Mobil. However the days for most of these old Ryko machines are numbered....

(9/11/2020)

The now removed Pahiatua wash.The LAST Ryko Premier XL at a BP, located in Invercargill
## "The Washstation" opens in Wanaka!

Just months after Wanaka got its second Automatic Car Wash at the new BP, a private car wash facility has now opened up in the area, with a brand new Washworld Razor, with the new black graphic design that is now standard on the Razor. this new opening means that Wanaka now has three car washes, of which two are touchless.

(8/11/2020)

## Richmond's next wash?

NPD posted new aerial photos today showing the progress of their new Richmond site that is currently under construction. But what caught my eye was something just across the street. The small canopy with a read border appears to be that of an Istobal Wash Facility, of which there are many scattered around New Zealand. Such canopies are found at Private Car wash sites that come fully-supplied from Istobal, including the canopy.

The facility is still under construction, and the view is not clear enough to gauge how big the site is, or how many automatic wash bays it will have (presuming it has one). Whilst NPD themselves have used Istobal equipment these past few years, there is nothing (currently) to suggest that this site is in any way related to the NPD station.

(12/10/2020)

## Brand New BP Connect in Wanaka!

This news is about 2 months late, but never mind. BP has opened a brand new site in tourist hot-spot Wanaka, on the South Island. The brand new site replaces their old, small (and wash-less) site in Wanaka. The brand new BP connect has a both an automatic car wash and a self-serve Jet-Wash, as is now becoming common of BP's in smaller towns with large rural communities nearby.

Due to the new-nature of the site, there is no photo yet of the Car Wash, only the wash bay itself before installation of the machine was finished. The new Machine is a typical WashTec SoftCare2 Pro with the usual green striped brushes, but we're not yet sure if this is the standard 2 pro (soft wash) or a 2 pro touchless (Combiwash). If we find out, we'll update!

The new site opened on Augst 5th 2020.

This new BP means that Wanaka now has two Car Washes, with the other being at the Caltex, which opened a Car Wash at their site in 2010. However, the car wash at Caltex is a Touchless Car Wash (Ryko Radius), so the new BP car wash is the first brush car wash to open in the area.

(5/10/2020)

## BP to retrofit Washtec machines with "Silverlight"

BP have begun the process of swapping the "classic" style rear lights on the back of all of their Washtec SoftCare Pro and SoftCare Juno series washes with the "Silverlight" style. The replacement sees the original white frame and original brushes left in place, with new dark-grey rear panels with the silverlight design fitted. The best way to understand the difference is to look at the pictures below.

It is work noting that BP has already installed two Washtec SoftCare2 Pro Touchless systems with the full Silverlight design (in Christchurch and New Plymouth, respectively), so perhaps the decision to retrofit Silverlight to all existing machines is a sign that BP wishes to continue using Silverlight on all new installations from now on.

At least two machines in Wellington and at least two in Christchurch are confirmed to have been converted.

The pictures below are taken from Mana, Wellington for the retrofitted machine, and Johnsonville & Paraparaumu for the original.

(26/9/2020)

## M'Nex 22 for Hillcrest

Word has reached me (thanks to a YouTube viewer) that the Washtec SoftCare Intro at Mobil Hillcrest, Hamilton is being replaced and the new car wash is an Istobal M'Nex 22.

(21/9/2020)

## One of the last Istobal M12 classic's to be replaced!

Word reaches us today that as part of the ongoing Mobil upgrade program, the car wash at Mobil in Gisbourne is being replaced. This machine is one of the last surviving classic Istobal M12s in operation. Unlike most Mobil M12s, which were fitted with red and blue brushes, this one was installed with plain red brushes when new and these were later replaced with plain blue brushes.

The car wash is an Istobal M'Nex 22.

This news means that Mobil Masterton and Mobil Ti Rakau Drive (Auckland) now have the LAST two classic style M12s in New Zealand (not including M12+'s).

(19/9/2020)

## Silverstream Upgrade Completed!

Contractors have completed installation of the new PDQ Laserwash 360plus Touchless system at Mobil Silverstream. The new wash replaces an early-2000s Washtec SoftCare Intro (the last in Wellington). The wash bay has had a complete renovation and repaint as well.

You'll note the absence of a door at the front of the wash bay. The door is in fact is its way, but has to be shipped from the USA, so the wash has temporarily been put into service without the door. The door is necessary to stop chemical-filled water being blasted out onto the road by the machine during the high-pressure cycles.

The wash was actually working when I took this photo, but was closed because an electrical contractor needed to access the electrical system in the way bay in order to repair the vacuum cleaner next to the wash bay.

(14/9/2020)

## Levin Upgrade is next....

We can't seem to get away from Mobil news at the moment. The latest site to see an upgrade is Levin, a fairly small town just outside of the Wellington region. The site previously had a Ryko Premier XL, but a passing visit by a friend of mine today confirms that this wash has indeed been removed waiting for replacement.

At this stage we cannot confirm what the replacement was will be, nor can we be sure exactly when one of us will be able to go back again to find out. But we will keep you posted as much as we can.

(31/8/2020)

## Porirua Upgrade Completed

Today marks the conclusion of a long-running news item on this page! The long-awaited upgrade to Mobil Porirua's Car Wash is at last completed, with the new Istobal M'Nex 22 entering service over the past few days. The upgrade process, undertaken by ECL Group, took around 3 weeks to complete, starting with the removal of the old Ryko UltraClean, followed by a total renovation of the wash bay, before the new system was delivered and installed on Monday.

This new installation is the latest in a long line of Mobil Car Wash upgrades around the country. Engineers have now begun work on the Silverstream wash (see post below), and we look forward to hearing which sites are next to recieve their upgrade.

(15/8/2020)

## Silverstream Upgrade beings!

Only a week after bringing you the news that the car wash at Mobil Silverstream was to be replaced, I can now confirm that replacement has begun! This means that yet another last-of-its-kind within the Wellington region is now gone, as this was the last remaining Washtec SoftCare Intro machine in the region.

The new wash will be a Touchless system, presumably a PDQ Laserwash 360plus.

(13/8/2020)

## M'Nex 22 for Mobil Porirua

The long-awaited new Car Wash for Mobil's Porirua site was finally delivered this morning, and we can now reveal that the new wash is, as expected, an Istobal M'Nex 22 with dark-blue brushes. This brand new wash replaces a Ryko UltraClean (the last one in Wellington), and will allow the site to transition from having Wellington's oldest car wash, to Wellington's newest!

The wash bay has been fully painted inside and out, and the wash bay floor has been re-done. Now all the needs to happen is the new machine needs to be fitted, tested and certified for service!

(10/8/2020)

## Mobil Silverstream to get Touchless Upgrade

News reaches me today from the staff at Mobil Silverstream that their Washtec SoftCare Intro - the last in Wellington - will later this year be replaced with a brand new touchless system. This is just one of many in a spate of Mobil's having their old Washtec Intro's and Evo's replaced since 2018.

The new Car Wash will most probably be another PDQ Laserwash 360plus, but I cannot say that with 100% certainty. I highly doubt that Mobil would've changed from PDQ to anyone else given how many they have installed. both recently and over years past.

This does sadly mean that yet another "last of its kind" for the Wellington region will soon be gone.

I am not sure yet when this upgrade will take place. Work is still ongoing at Porirua to replace the UltraClean, and we can expect that to take at least another week or longer yet (the new machine has not arrived yet). There is also one other Ryko in Wellington, which is the Premier XL in Paraparaumu, but there is no word yet on when Mobil plans to upgrade this one.

(6/8/2019)

The current Washtec SoftCare Intro at Mobil SilverstreamAn example od a PDQ Laserwash 360plus, located at Mobil Karori (installed 2018)
## Z takes over two Caltex locations in Canterbury

Two Caltex stations in the Canterbury Region have in the past few months become Z stations. These are the site in Russley, Christchurch and Rangiora. The Russley site is one of three Caltex sites home to a PDQ Laserwash M5, which has for the time being been retained by Z. This marks the first Z station to operate a Touchless Car Wash.

The Rangiora site is home to an Istobal M12+ with Red Brushes, one of two installed by Caltex (both in Canterbury) sometime between 2009 and 2012 as replacements for older Touchless systems (Aquajet GT-98 in the case of Rangiora). We cannot confirm yet if the M12+ has been retained, but we're assuming that it has been for now.

(30/7/2020)

## Wellington's LAST Ryko UltraClean is finally being replaced!

The last Ryko UltraClean Car Wash in Wellington, located at Mobil Porirua, is at last no more. The aging and often fault-ridden machine has in the last few days been removed from the wash bay, awaiting collection (presumably for the knackers yard).

Whilst it is somewhat sad that the last of these iconic machines in the Wellington region has gone, it is completely understandable. These machines are old technology from another era. It is time to upgrade with newer, better and more efficient technology.

I am not yet able to confirm what the new machine is, but I will post an update as soon as I know!

(25/7/2020)

## Plain-Orange brushes make a rare comeback

In the midst of a period of little news, we today take a look at a recent development concerning a Timaru Car Wash. In 2019, the Washtec SoftCare Evo at Z Caroline Bay, Timaru was involved in an accident when a car hit the side and the wash collapsed. Incredibly, the machine was salvaged and able to be back into service, but with one interesting change - the machine now has plain orange brushes!

Z previously fitted out their entire fleet of Washtec's with plain orange brushes in 2011-2012, when they took over all of the Shell sites in New Zealand. In 2018, however, Z decided to change the brushes at every location once more, with the current Orange & Dark-Blue brushes that we see at every Z wash today. This includes the Caroline bay wash, which was retrofitted with the new brushes in 2018 with all the others.

We don't know exactly why plain orange brushes were reinstated. My own personal theory is that these are spare old brushes that have been used either in the interim or perhaps even the long term! What happens next is something we will have to wait and see for.

The Caroline bay wash was installed sometime between 2009 and 2012, replacing a Ryko Excel machine.

(23/7/2020)

## Challenge Lincoln chooses Leisuwash (oh dear....)

Challenge Lincoln has selected a Chinese-made rip-off of PDQ's Laserwash 360 as a replacement for their Mark VII TurboJet XT. The Chinese machine, dubbed "Leisuwash 360" (yes, even the name is a rip off), is designed to look almost exactly like a Laserwash 360, to fool you into thinking it's a actual Laserwash when it in fact is not.

I had hoped that one of these rip-offs never made it to NZ, but sadly it has. It is disappointing also that a company like Challenge, who has previously purchased machines made by reputable companies such as Mark VII and Istobal has chosen to use this terrible rip-off machine.

(14/7/2020)

## Closed Z's Car Wash re-installed at Mirimar

A few weeks ago,m we reported that the Z in Central Wellington had closed permanently. I can now confirm that the Car Wash from this site has been re-installed at the Z station in Mirimar, replacing the SoftCare Evo. The machine from Central Wellington was unusual in that it had a maximum height of 2.4m, instead of 2.1m like most of Z's Car Washes. This is what gives away that this is the same machine, as there is only one other 2.4m Washtec in Wellington, which is located in Paraparaumu.

Whilst I am disappointed to be loosing yet another Evo in Wellington (since 2018 we've gone from 8 to just 4), it is good that a taller 2.4m machine has been retained, as Wellington doesn't have many taller washes like so many other towns in NZ, partly due to the absence of privately owned Car Washes in Wellington. Taller washes are sought after by drivers of taller vans, such as some that are up to 2.3m tall.

(11/7/2020)

## Mobil Porirua set for "August", but nobody really knows...

We've been waiting for the Car Wash upgrade at Mobil Porirua now for over half a year. We were told in December that the wash was going to be upgraded around February 2020. But despite a new machine reportedly being ordered, the date was later moved to June-July. News today reached me that the upgrade has been penciled in for late-August, but it would be "no suprise" if the upgrade is pushed back a third time.

As mentioned in previous posts, Mobil Porirua currently has Wellington's oldest Car Wash, and is the last Ryko UltraClean in the region. The machine's ongoing issues, which prevent it from washing certain types of vehicles, has prompted the machine's replacement. My understanding is that an Istobal M'Nex 22 has been chosen as the replacement, but there is no official confirmation of this and Mobil could very well change their suppliers at any time.

We await further news with eager anticipation.

(10/7/2020)

## Office tower to be built where Z Wellington stood

As reported last month, the Z station in Central Wellington has closed down, meaning one less Car Wash in the city centre. I am now able to reveal that the site once occupied by the Z station will be used as the site for a brand new office building. The 12-storey building will be the new headquarters of BNZ (Bank of New Zealand), whose previous HQ was damaged beyond repair in the November 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake and subsequently demolished.

Read more about the development here.

(28/6/2020)

## Mobil Papanui upgrades with Laserwash 360plus

Mobil's Papanui Site in Christchurch was recently upgraded with a brand new PDQ Laserwash 360plus, replacing the previous wash, a Washtec SoftCare Evo. The site actually did not recieve a SoftCare Evo until sometime between 2012 and 2015, when it replaced an Istobal M12.

It is interesting that this site has been upgraded with a PDQ, despite not being branded as a "Wash'n'Run" site. Usually, the standard sites get Istobal's.

(18/6/2020)

## Yello K-Wash update

Yello K-Wash has confirmed that their new machine, being installed this week is a Karcher CB3. The new machine is an extra-height model capable of a staggering 2.8m wash-height, whereas the CB1 is replaces was only at a standard height.

The new CB3 will also offer the customers the choice of both Brush and Touchless Options, whereas the previous machine could only do a brush wash, as well a the latest polish and wheel wash technology.

(8/6/2020, *photos added 10/7/2020*)

## Waitomo opens second Car Wash

Waitomo Group has opened their second "Wash n Glow" car wash at their new site in Fitzgerald, Christchurch. Whilst there are currently no photos of the new Car wash to share, a follow from the Canterbury Region recently visited the site a few days before opening, and confirmed that the new Car Wash is once again a PDQ Laserwash 360plus. We look forward to seeing more of this new machine and whatever Waitomo brings us in the future!

(5/6/2020)

## Yello K-Wash to be upgraded

Over the next week, Morrinsville's Yello K-Wash will recieve a brand new automatic car wash. The new wash will be a Karcher CB3, very similar to the original wash, which is also a Karcher CB series wash. The existing wash has been in place for over 10 years now, and has seen several sets of brushes, and has been well looked after by the owners. As the only operator of Karcher equipment in NZ, it is nice to see that they have selected another Karcher!

(4/6/2020)

## Big Expansion Plans for smaller companies

Smaller fuel companies NPD and Waitomo are now headed inter-island with new sites opening in 2020! Waitomo, who opened their first Car Wash in Rotorua in February, opened their first south-island site in Christchurch in 2019. This new site is now expected to become the second Waitomo site to open a Car Wash very soon. The assumption is that the new wash will be another PDQ Laserwash 360plus, but we await official confirmation.

Meanwhile, NPD has also been busy. A new site opened in Sockburn, Christchurch, in late 2019, and is home their second Car Wash in the city, which is an Istobal M'Nex 22. The company now has new locations under development, with plans to open six new sites in the North Island, in Porirua, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Hamilton and two in Auckland. Whether these new sites will have a Car wash remains unknown, but at least two new sites under development in the South island are planned to have washes.

We look forward to hearing more with excitement!

(1/6/2020)

## Caltex replaces first Ryko Radius with Laserwash 360plus!

The Ryko Radius is probably considered to be a fairly modern Touch-Free system. As such, the Radius is even still in production! But the first one that was installed at a Caltex in New Zealand, in Alexandra in 2009, was replaced in early 2020 with a brand new PDQ Laserwash 360plus.

This new install marks the fourth Caltex to install a 360plus, and the first one they have put on the South Island. The Laserwash 360plus is one of most popular car washes in NZ right now, with Mobil, Caltex, Waitomo and many privately-owned sites all choosing the model. We can only assume that Caltex plans to continue using this

model to upgrade more sites with aging machines around NZ.

Caltex has been a long-term PDQ customer, with the original Laserwash 4000 being used at many of their North island sites, with a couple still running. The company also purchased three Laserwash M5 units in the mid-2000's, and in 2013 began installing the original Laserwash 360, before moving to the new 360plus in 2018.

(1/6/2020)

## Challenge Lincoln to get new Wash!

In a post on Facebook today, Challenge Lincoln announced that their Car Wash system is to be upgraded. We are yet to find out exactly what it is, but Challenge Lincoln has confirmed that the new wash will be Touch Free, which puts PDQ, WashWorld and Istobal all in the frame as serious contenders. The current machine is actually not very old - a 2015 Mark Vii TurboJet XT, but such machines have been subject to heavy criticism for their slow wash cycle and inefficiency.

The new machine is due to be installed in late July, 2020.

(23/5/2020)

## Two Z's Close Down

Two Z Stations with car Washes have closed down over the last few months. Firstly, the Z by Auckland Airport, which sported a 2009 Washtec SoftCare Evo closed down in December 2019. What will become of this site is unknown.

Secondly, Z Harbour City, in Wellington CBD closed down in early-mid 2020. This site had much newer 2017 Washtec SoftCare, which may end up being re-used elsewhere. This leaves the BP up the road the sole Car Wash operator in the City Centre. As with the above, the future of this site is unknown.

(23/5/2020)

## Waitomo enters Car Wash Market

NZ company Waitomo Fuel has opened their first Automatic Car Wash at their new Fairy Springs site in Rotorua, opening in February 2020. This marks a new company entering the wash market, joining other smaller fuel companies who have recently begun investing in new washes, such as Gull, NPD and Challenge.

Waitomo has chosen to go touch-free with their first Car Wash, opting for the PDQ Laserwash 360plus. The new wash uses the branding "Wash & Glow", and the wash bay itself has been nicknamed, the "Glow Worm Cave".

Waitomo offers low-cost fuel services at many sites around the North Island. Whilst the company mainly operates unmanned self-service stations, a few manned stations are also in operation around the country.

(17/4/2020)

## Porirua Upgrade Delayed

The long awaited replacement of Porirua Mobil's car wash has been delayed until June/July 2020. The Car Wash had been scheduled for delivery in February 2020, but now the date for the wash replacement has been pushed back by several months. The old machine will remain in service until the new wash is installed.

(18/3/2020)

## Istobal Upgrade for Papatoetoe

Another old Ryko bites the dust as Mobil Papatoetoe recently waved goodbye to their old Premier XL - one of the only remaining units with blue & white brushes, in favour of a Brand new Istobal M'Nex 22. The new wash is the same spec as all the other machines Istobal has completed for Mobil these past couple of years. This new replacement also marks yet another "Wash'n'Run" site to get a new Brush wash instead of a PDQ.

(8/2/2020)

The new IstobalThe old Ryko
## Mobil the ones to watch in 2020

Enthusiasts eagerly await new Google Streetview images as Mobil continues to upgrade many of its Car Washes around NZ. Whilst various wash upgrades have continued for many years, the past couple of years have seen a spike in upgrades in many areas. Since 2018, four sites in Wellington have received new machines, with Porirua set to become the fifth later this month. Rumors of another upgrade in Palmerston North have aided in growing the interest in Mobil's upgrade plan. As new Google Streetview data is released over the next couple of years, we will begin to see exactly which sites become the next in a line of many old machines that Mobil continues to operate.

(1/2/2020)

Karori recieved new Laserwash 360plus in 2018Boulcott recieved new Laserwash 360plus in 2019Paremata was upgraded to an M'Nex 22 in August 2019Kilbirnie was upgraded to an M'Nex 22 in Septmeber 2019
## New wash for Johnsonville with Z upgrade

Z has recently upgraded the Car Wash machine at their Johnsonville site, replacing their older Washtec SoftCare unit (installed under Shell in the mid-2000s) with a brand new SoftCare machine, packed with the latest features. The new machine features the latest dryer design, as well as LED guidance lights, overhead RGB lighting and new high-pressure blasters.

(1/2/2020)

## Wellington's Last Ryko Ultraclean set to go

The last remaining Ryko Ultraclean in the Wellington Region, located at Mobil in Porirua, is set to be replaced in February 2020. The machine, which is now more than 25 years old, has been in need of an upgrade for some time. Faulty sensors have made it impossible for smaller cars to use the machine.

The wash has seen a few changes over time. In 2009, the machine's original brushes (light blue and royal blue) were replaced with red & blue brushes, which presumably had come from a Premier XL unit. However, in December 2018, the brushes were once again replaced, going back to the original two-tone blue colour scheme.

The replacement machine is due to be installed in February 2020, and is believed to be an Istobal M'Nex 22, but we will update if this turns out to be wrong.

(30/1/2020)