Superoperator and Axel Springer partnered to build a European-wide digital car wash network

29 July 2020 | Press release

With a freshly launched mobile app and the first tunnel car washes digitalised, Axel Springer and Superoperator are on a mission to take the car wash industry to the next level through transparency in the market and improved customer experience.

The virtual car wash network, owned and marketed in Germany by Axel Springer under the name and app Clever Waschen, is running on a brand-independent platform that allows drivers to find their nearest car wash site. The partnership with Superoperator makes it possible to widen the service to an all-encompassing digital car wash service network with benefits for both the consumers as well as the car wash entrepreneurs. 

The digital technology provided by Superoperator enables the digitalisation of the network’s car washes, which allows drivers to easily book, pay and access a car wash through a single mobile app without even getting out of their car. These contactless transactions provide safety and convenience during the COVID-19 pandemic and the times of social distancing. The Clever Waschen app is already available for consumers’ iOS and Android devices, and it lists all car wash sites in the network. Vodafone supports Clever Waschen as a connectivity and Internet of things partner in setting up the infrastructure of the car wash network. 

The Clever Waschen services are offered to the car wash operators as packages: The basic Starter package is free, including a spot in the app where the operators benefit from better findability and Clever Waschen advertising. More perks and the digitalisation of the car washes’ entire operations can be added by choosing one of the monthly subscription options. Superoperator’s technology also allows the car wash operators leverage the collected data for optimising all important aspects of the business, from operational efficiency and customer experience to business model innovation. 

The first car wash operator to join the Clever Waschen platform is CleanCar with now half of their car wash sites in Berlin, Hamburg, Neuss, Hannover and Braunschweig digitalised with the Superoperator technology. These will be followed this summer by installations to the rest of the chain’s sites in Germany and Austria. 

“I’m looking forward to the results Clever Waschen and digitalisation will bring. The contactless mobile handling of the wash process is without a question a great plus in these times, and we are of course expecting this new step bring in more customers and sales,” says Holger Dörner, CEO, CleanCar AG. 

Nicolas Meibohm, Head of Connected Car at Axel Springer, adds: “Clever Waschen is another outstanding example of how we are implementing the topic of future mobility – which is a clear focus of our media brands such as AUTO BILD – with clever applications for users and customers. With the app, we are digitizing the classic analog car wash service and making it easy, fast and convenient for users – from transparent searches to payment. At the same time, we are creating the basis for future integration in the car. Clever Waschen is also highly attractive for car wash operators: they can offer their customers a user-friendly, mobile solution while simultaneously placing specific offers with our high-reach price comparison app Clever Tanken.”

In the coming years, Superoperator and Axel Springer are planning to grow the network.   

About Axel Springer

Axel Springer is a media and technology company active in more than 40 countries. By providing information across its diverse media brands (among others BILD, WELT, BUSINESS INSIDER, POLITICO Europe) and classifieds portals (StepStone Group and AVIV Group) Axel Springer SE empowers people to make free decisions for their lives. Today, the transformation from a traditional print media company to Europe’s leading digital publisher has been successfully accomplished. The next goal has been identified: Axel Springer wants to become global market leader in digital content and digital classifieds through accelerated growth. The company is headquartered in Berlin and employs more than 16,100 people worldwide. In the 2019 financial year, Axel Springer generated 73 percent of its revenues from digital activities.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Erkki Aminoff  at +358 400 500 564, or email erkki.aminoff@superoperator.com 

or 

Nicolas Meibohm, Head of Connected Car, Axel Springer SE, +49 40 3472 2217, nicolas.meibohm@axelspringer.de 

www.cleverwaschen.de 

www.axelspringer.com

www.cleancar.de