JP/5/PARLOR

Car salon business thrives ahead of Idul Fitri

Semarang/Antara

The owners of a "car salon" in Semarang say their profit is increasing ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday.

While before the holiday season only one car was washed and polished in a day, now the car salon gets three to five customers a day on average.

While car washes merely wash a car's exterior, car salons wax the vehicle and clean its interior.

The salon charges between Rp 150,000 (US$15) and Rp 250,000 per car, which it can clean in two-and-a-half to three hours, said Herman, one of the owners.

Doddy, the owner of another car salon, said many motorists would be making long trips ahead of the holiday and wanted a clean car for their passengers' sakes. "Having an old car is no problem if it looks clean when we bring it home," said Suparno, an owner of an old car.

Suparno brought the car to a car salon as he thought it would be more efficient and practical. "If I washed the car myself, I doubt it would be any cleaner," said Suparno.

Car salon owners say their businesses also pick up ahead of other holidays such as Christmas and New Year's.

The car salon business is becoming more competitive due to the many new players. The business offers good return on the back of low production costs.