California Drought Changes How Car Dealerships Serve Customers, Wash Cars
DAVIS (CBS13) — Car dealerships have changed the way they serve customers during California's drought.
Dan Kokotas, the GM at Swift Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Davis says because of the drought, they don't automatically wash your car when you bring it in for service.
"It's important that we give our customer cars back as clean as possible, but for us and many of our customers, they prefer forgoing the wash nowadays," he said.
Customer Elias Ligas saw a sign telling customers just that, and says he's on board with the idea.
"I think it's a good idea, save water, conserve water. California needs all it can get," he said.
Kokotas says they're trying to save water, but they are also trying to sell cars that have to look appealing to customers.
"It's a challenge," he said. "It's an ongoing balance of making sure they cars look good but not excessively washing them."
New cars are now allowed to accumulate a little bit of dust and dirt before getting a hand wash. Kokotas hasn't heard any complaints from customers yet.
"In general, light surface dust on the top of cars is isn't going to be a concern," he said. "I'm sure consumers will be very understanding under the conditions we're having to operate under today."
