Our History
one brilliant history
the history of
autobell® car wash
1969
Charles “Charlie” Howard establishes Autobell®Car Wash Inc. and opens Autobell® Car Wash location #1 on South Boulevard. In Charlotte, NC, Charlie’s son Chuck, a Wingate College student, joins Autobell® to do service work. Gas pumps are added to location #1.
1970
The cost for a car wash was $1.50; you could add hot wax for $.50.
1973
OPEC oil embargo produces long gas lines and the advent of convenience stores that sold gas. Autobell® establishes “Flex Serve” at all four Autobell®locations. Flex Serve gives customers optional service levels, including exiting the car to get the interior cleaned.
1976
Autobell® adds its first polish and wax.
1977
The first Greensboro area location opens on Gate City Blvd.
1978
The first Autobell® in a shopping mall opens on New Hope Road in Gastonia, NC.
1982
The Autobell® location on Charlottetowne Avenue (Independence Boulevard at the time) in Charlotte, NC, becomes the first to be completely computerized.
1983
Autobell® location #1 moves 100 yards to a new piece of property on South Boulevard.
1985
Autobell® opens its first western North Carolina location on Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville, NC.
1986
Charlie Howard passes away. Chuck Howard, his son, steps into the role of Autobell® CEO.
1996
Location #19 opens on West Plaza Drive in Mooresville, NC. This location serves as the new prototype for the Autobell® store design, incorporating the bell as an architectural feature.
1997
The first Raleigh area location opens on East Millbrook.
1998
The Autobell®Fundraising Program begins; to date, the company has helped raise over $10 million in support of charities, school programs, and other nonprofits.
2000
Autobell® establishes the team member scholarship program; to date, over 1,800 team members have been awarded scholarships totaling over $2 million toward college education. Autobell® joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Adopt-A-Stream program and begins annual cleanup of Little Sugar Creek. Autobell® was recognized with the Blue Thumb Award by the Mecklenburg County (NC) Water Quality Coalition for work and dedication to protecting and conserving water and resources and overall quality of life.
2002
Autobell® is named the Business Conservationist of the Year at the NC Wildlife Federation Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards for the choice and investment to conserve and treat water, as well as continued efforts in responsible water usage education. Additionally, the WaterSmart Award from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities and the Guardians of the environment Award from The Charlotte Observer were bestowed upon Autobell® and CEO Chuck Howard.
2003
The first Tidewater Virginia location opens on Warwick Boulevard in Newport News, VA. Autobell® is acknowledged with the Outstanding Service Award by the Mecklenburg County Department of Environmental Protection Adopt-A-Stream Program.
2005
The Autobell® Summer Games begin as an annual, systemwide team member training and team building event. Autobell® hires a dedicated Management Training Coordinator to further managers’ training and safety practices.
2006
Autobell®was recognized with the Water Wise Award from the Town of Boone, NC, for their Every Drop Counts Water Conservation Program.
2007
The first South Carolina location opens on Charlotte Highway in Indian Land, SC.
2008
Autobell®installs its first in-ground Aqua Bio water reclaim system, enabling 100% recycling by utilizing enzymes to clean the wash water. Autobell® hires full-time recruiter to continue its history of hiring the best employees. The year finished off with the following Autobell® accolades: Community Service Leadership Award from the International Car wash Association; the Green Award from the Charlotte Business Journal Green Award (for-profit category);Conservation Business of the Year from the Mecklenburg County (NC) Soil & Water Conservation District; and the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Charlotte Chapter.
2012
Autobell® installs a green, or “living,” roof at its new South Park store in Charlotte to capture storm water and slow runoff, preventing flooding in hard-surface areas, as well as assist in building temperature control.
2013
Autobell® installs its first above-ground tank biological water reclaim system to enable 100% wash water recycling at existing locations.
2015
Autobell®is awarded the Water Sustainability Award by Sustain Charlotte as well as Conservation Business of the Year by the NC Hugh Hammond Bennett Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. To finish off a phenomenal year, Autobell® received the Wing Swept Excellence in Business award from the Garner, NC, Chamber of Commerce.
2016
Autobell®receives the Wells Fargo Vision and Values Award from the Garner, NC, Chamber of Commerce.
2017
Autobell®is awarded the Smart CEO Corporate Culture Award and the Family Business Award from the Charlotte Business Journal & Wake Forest University Charlotte Center.
2018
Autobell® owner & CEO Chuck Howard is awarded the Mecklenburg Times Icon Award for outstanding contributions to the region in both career accomplishments and community involvement.
2020/2021
Autobell® provides 2.5 million free Interior Disinfectant services during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting our first responders and essential workers across all locations.
2021
After the Charlotte Observer asked Charlotte locals to nominate and vote on their favorite local businesses, Autobell® was named the Best Carwash in the Charlotte region.
brilliant shine, beautiful gift.
What’s better than enjoying your own clean car? Gifting Autobell clean!
when you arrive at Autobell
Our step-by-step guide on what to expect during your brilliant car wash experience.