We are continually striving to increase the benefits and usability of this program for you. This is important to note because the program is completely driven by you: the carwash professional. Your participation in telling me what is happening on a daily basis with all types of vehicles in your business, allows me to do my job as the Director of Engineering for the International Carwash Association.

I wasn’t always the Director of Engineering. My career in the automotive industry started in 1963 when I was hired into the Ford Motor Company as an engineering graduate trainee. After getting my feet wet, I began working in the Vehicle Development Engineering Department. Part of my responsibility while at Ford Development was called “car wash compatibility”. Since all the vehicles in the Ford Experimental Garage were prototypes, and any design or quality discrepancies could be changed before the vehicle went into production.

Through car wash testing, I soon became involved with a committee of members of the International Carwash Association’s who were interested in increasing communication with the car wash industry and the automobile manufacturer’s. I became a member of the committee and represented Ford Motor Company for all Ford vehicle platforms. This experience allowed me to become acquainted with the International Carwash Association team, volunteers and other representative’s of automotive manufacturers. I retired from Ford in 1996, after 34 years of service and was shortly hired by the International Carwash Association. Currently, I have representatives at all the automotive companies and car wash equipment manufacturers who work with me to help resolve vehicle damage issues which may occur in a car wash.

I review all the problem reports that you submit via the carwash.org web site. After assessing the potential issue, and keeping an open line of communication with the automobile manufacturer, I communicate any findings and solutions to you through carwash.org. This program is dedicated to finding solutions to vehicle design issues and is driven by your participation. I continue to encourage you to report any damage claims you have in your business at the Vehicle Damage Report Center at carwash.org.

Thank you,

Joe Ward
Director of Engineering
International Carwash Association

The Vehicle Damage Center is provided as a mechanism for car wash operators to share information in order to enhance the safety of employees and customers. The information and opinions expressed are those of the authors and/or contributors, and are not necessarily those of the International Carwash Association, its Board of Directors, or its members. The International Carwash Association makes no representation about the accuracy of the contents of the reports submitted or posted on this site and expressly disclaims responsibility and liability for any statement, error and/or omission in the reports.