Hyundai Oilbank Launches Car Wash Specialty Brand 'KaShakShak'

Entering the Premium Car Wash Market Based on Gas Station Network in Collaboration with Specialized Companies

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Hyundai Oilbank, a subsidiary of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, is entering the premium car wash market.

On the 5th, Hyundai Oilbank announced that it will launch the premium car wash brand 'Car Shak Shak' and actively target the car wash market. 'Car Shak Shak' means providing fast and clean car wash services for vehicles.

With the increase in luxury vehicles, demand for car washes is becoming more premium and segmented, but most gas stations only offer machine-based services, failing to meet consumer needs. The areas Hyundai Oilbank is focusing on include hand car washes, pickup car washes, and self-service car washes, with the industry estimating the market size at approximately 3.7 trillion KRW.

The business model emphasizes win-win cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises. Instead of Hyundai Oilbank performing the car wash services, specialized companies will carry them out, while Hyundai Oilbank provides gas stations as a platform and helps attract and manage customers through membership programs. This is to assist specialized companies that find it difficult to open stores in good locations and manage customers systematically.

Hyundai Oilbank plans to expand its premium car wash business centered on directly operated gas stations with the launch of the 'Car Shak Shak' brand. Having secured the largest direct network among oil refiners by acquiring SK Networks gas stations last year, it is expected to grow the business scale rapidly.

In the second half of last year, Hyundai Oilbank partnered with specialized companies such as 'Nemo Island' and 'Team Wiper' to introduce hand car wash and pickup services. This year, it plans to expand the number of service-providing gas stations to 30 and implement self-service car wash services.

A Hyundai Oilbank official said, "We have developed private brand car wash detergents under the same brand through cooperation with specialized manufacturers," adding, "We also plan to target the B2B market by issuing exclusive car wash gift certificates for rental car companies and others."