Honda Accord Cleans Up as 'Most Washable Car'

Here's the Nitty Gritty: Experts Find that Car's Design and Ornamentation Help It Sparkle

LAS VEGAS, May 8 -- What really matters in choosing the car of the year? Design? Comfort? Here's the real nitty gritty. Judge a car on how it looks as it emerges from a carwash. The nation's car wash operators have done just that and selected the Honda Accord as the "Most Washable Car" of 2003.

The honor is an exclusive designation in the car care industry and is awarded every year at the Car Care World Expo, held this year in Las Vegas. The International Carwash Association (ICA) organizes the nomination-and- selection process and recognizes the company that produces the car design easiest to keep clean and void of dirt and grime via a professional car wash. It's a critical distinction since auto manufacturers spend an estimated $24 billion annually for ways to prevent the decay and corrosion of paint and coatings on vehicles.

The Honda Accord was chosen this year after an ICA nominating committee selected the top five most washable vehicles and subjected them to a list of squeaky-clean criteria. The judging criteria included:

  -- A car's smooth aerodynamic lines that keep it from retaining dirt
  -- Moldings and ornamentation that do not protrude and are securely
     attached
  -- Bumpers, mirrors and wipers that are securely attached
  -- Retractable side-view mirrors that are robust at the pivot or mirrors
     that do not retract at all
  -- Radio antennas that are securely attached or are hidden in the
     windshield or back window glass
  -- Ground effects and desk lid spoilers that are aerodynamic and securely
     attached or do not exist
  -- License-plate attachments that are secure and aren't susceptible to
     damage

Besides the Accord, the other four nominees were the Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300M and the Audi A4-A6, which followed close behind the Accord in votes. Past winners of the three-year-old award include the Toyota Camry in 2002 and the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 2001.

"Keeping your car clean certainly helps its appearance, but it also contributes to its long-term condition and value," says Mark Thorsby, ICA executive director. "Our member car wash experts and operators understand this importance and recognized the Accord as a vehicle that washes easily professionally, therefore enhancing its preservation."

The ICA employs an aggressive program to educate consumers and manufacturers of the benefits of a professional car wash and detail. The Association, among other things, provides facts, figures, advice and recommendations regarding consumer behavior and car care at its Web site, www.carlove.org .

About www.carlove.org

An online resource educating consumers about the benefits professional car washes and detailing services offer from a financial, emotional and environmental perspective. The site features a Car Wash Wizard, that provides a 'prescription' for professional washes according to geographic region, and also presents figures from a study of consumers' feelings about their cars.

About the International Carwash Association

The International Carwash Association (ICA) is a non-profit trade association serving 3,000 businesses in the United States, Canada and overseas. Membership includes car wash operators, equipment manufacturers, distributors, and related suppliers. ICA members represent approximately 25,000 car wash and car care locations in North America.