North Korea's booming car wash industry

The car wash industry has enjoyed great growth in North Korea as a new social class of wealthy households (known as donju) develop consumerist habits, such as the purchase and care of modern vehicles.

Both forms of car washing, facilities with modern imported cleaning equipment and those who offer hand-wash services, are becoming popular and profitable business in North Korea, reports Daily NK.

A source from North Pyongan Province told Daily NK: “There are more donju who own cars and those involved in transport services these days, so car washes that come with latest machines and hand wash services are gaining popularity as ways to make money.”

Traditionally, the car wash industry has been in the hands of big companies with foreign investment, which had the money to invest in imported equipment. However, with the economic development of the donju, the demand for car wash services has increased, and many of these have started their own hand car washing companies.

Prices between automatic car wash and hand-wash to not differ greatly. Donju owners try to edge their better equipped competitors by dressing up young woman in fashionable clothes and have them attract more customers, according to Daily NK. 

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