California Dealers: “The Wash Can Wait”
Sept/Oct 2015
Saving Water
“The Wash Can Wait” is a water conservation effort that many California Toyota dealerships offer during the state’s historic drought. Pictured above: Folsom Lake Toyota Service Director Tim Stockwell (center), Service Greeter Robert Alvarez and Receptionist Valerie McClelland.
“The Wash Can Wait” is a water conservation effort that many California Toyota dealerships offer during the state’s historic drought. Pictured above: Folsom Lake Toyota Service Director Tim Stockwell (center), Service Greeter Robert Alvarez and Receptionist Valerie McClelland.
Providing customers with a complimentary car wash after a service visit has been a tradition for many Toyota dealerships. But with California experiencing one of the most severe droughts on record, dealers in the Golden State decided that this tradition needed to change. “The Wash Can Wait” program lets customers decline the car wash in order to save water. Dealers reduced washes by 75 percent during the campaign and are on track more than 20 million gallons of water by the end of the year. That is enough to cover nearly 50 football fields in a foot of water.
“As much as we love giving customers a little something extra when they bring in their cars, we know this is the right thing to do right now,” explains Glenn Kashima, Service Director at Tustin Toyota.
Jennifer Persike of the Association of California Water Agencies appreciates the coordinated effort. "This should be applauded,” she says. “Every Californian should take a similarly thoughtful approach to how they use our most precious resource—water—during this historic drought.”
So what do customers think about the “The Wash Can Wait”? After all, many have gotten used to the perk. “I always thought the car wash was a nice touch, but I understand the reality of the situation,” says Jean Morgan, owner of a 2004 Sienna. “It is my honor to partner with Toyota. They always have the bigger picture in mind.”
“As much as we love giving customers a little something extra when they bring in their cars, we know this is the right thing to do right now,” explains Glenn Kashima, Service Director at Tustin Toyota.
Jennifer Persike of the Association of California Water Agencies appreciates the coordinated effort. "This should be applauded,” she says. “Every Californian should take a similarly thoughtful approach to how they use our most precious resource—water—during this historic drought.”
So what do customers think about the “The Wash Can Wait”? After all, many have gotten used to the perk. “I always thought the car wash was a nice touch, but I understand the reality of the situation,” says Jean Morgan, owner of a 2004 Sienna. “It is my honor to partner with Toyota. They always have the bigger picture in mind.”
