Are you about writing a business plan to start an automotive business? If YES, here are 100+ sample automotive business plans & templates for FREE download.
The automotive industry comprises a wide range of companies and organizations involved in the design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and selling of motor vehicles. It is one of the world’s largest economic sectors by revenue. When people aren’t buying new cars they are keeping their older cars longer, and all the services that are offered to keep automobiles for longer fall into the automotive industry.
The Autocare Association estimated that the US automotive aftermarket was worth $273.4 billion in 2017 – an increase of almost $35 billion in just four years. This shows an industry that is strong and is still growing bigger.
With the current economic stability being witnessed, new cars are flooding the country, while older cars are staying stronger for longer because of increased service offering in this industry. Apart from the sale of cars, the automotive industry has diverse niches that are all profitable. If you are interested in starting a business in the industry, you may want to look into the following automotive sectors.
100+ Sample Automotive Business Plans & Templates
1. Car Dealership Business Plan
A car dealership is a business that sells new or used cars at the retail level based on a dealership contract with an automaker or its sales subsidiary. The business employs automobile salespeople to sell their automotive vehicles. It may also provide maintenance services for cars, and employ automotive technicians to stock and sell spare automobile parts and process warranty claims.
This is a very viable business in the automotive industry, though it requires high startup capital. You should have in mind that the location of your dealership has an impact on the number of sales and profit you make in a given year. Effective marketing is also essential for you to make adequate sales in the business of car dealership
Tow trucks always come to the rescue when vehicles break down, and as such no community can do without one. A tow truck service can be a profitable venture, however, this type of venture requires a serious commitment of time and money.
You will have to spend time planning your business and finding ways to spread the word about your towing services. Purchasing a towing license and a tow truck in an urban area can cost you as much as $200,000 with no towing accounts in place. Overall, starting an automotive towing business can be a terrific and profitable business venture, provided a license can be obtained or purchased at a reasonable price.
3. Auto Repair Shop Business Plan
Auto repair shops are shops where broken down vehicles are taken to be fixed by auto mechanics and technicians. If you’re a mechanic or working on becoming a mechanic, you can take the plunge by opening your own auto repair shop.
You can set your hours, work with customers on pricing, specialize on interesting vehicles, and take control of your career. When you work on the shop floor without ownership, your earnings top out at your salary or hourly wage. When you own the shop however, the only limit on profits is the capacity of the garage. Expect your startup costs to hover around $50,000, including equipment, rental fees and insurance.
4. Mobile Car Wash Business Plan
A mobile car was is basically a car wash company that comes to you. Clients call up the car wash or book via an app, and the operators arrive at the chosen location to carry out the service. Car washes can be incredibly lucrative businesses but tend to require more startup capital and permits to get started.
However, a mobile car wash business is much simpler to start and can become profitable quickly. Full-time owners can earn as much as $75,000 in profits, according to Carbuffs, while those who operate businesses part-time can make as much as $50,000. This is assuming they detail five to seven cars per day during a five-day workweek.
A car rental service is another cool transportation business an entrepreneur can successfully launch. Car rental services are all about making cars available for rent to those who may need cars for one purpose or the other. If you are looking towards starting a transport related business, one of your options is to go into car rental services.
If you live in busy cities like Tokyo, Las Vegas, Milan, and Lagos et al, then you would find it easy to keep your rental cars booked as this type of business is highly thriving and profitable in busy cities.
6. Mobile Auto Mechanic Business Plan
A mobile auto mechanic is an auto mechanic that takes his garage to the home of his client, instead of the other way round. This service is highly useful to people whose cars got stalled in transit, or those who just want a convenient service. An increasing number of people now demand mobile auto mechanic services because of one reason or the other. This industry is indeed witnessing a huge boost in profit and it is far from getting saturated.
Another easy to establish but highly profitable business which an entrepreneur who is all out to make money should think of starting is a car wash. The market for car wash is driven by the purchase of cars and an increase in consumer spending.
So, if the economy grows and people buy more cars, you will many people patronize your services. Location plays a huge role in the success of car was businesses, so if your car wash shop is visible and easily accessible, more people will come to you.
8. Driving School Business Plan
A driving school is a licensed school that teaches people how to drive motor vehicles safely. Since the younger population need to attend a driving school before they are certified fit for driving, this creates the business opportunity for anyone who intends opening up a driving school.
You’ll just need to be aware of some of your state’s requirements, know who is currently providing driver education services in your area, and then get the word out about your driving school. Once you get up and running and position your business properly for your area, you’re success is almost inevitable.
9. Mobile Auto Detailing Business Plan
Mobile Auto detailing can be a great way to earn a living and run a successful business. The business doesn’t require tons of training or up-front investment to set up. To start this business, you are not required to have a four-year degree or any specific certification before you are given a license.
But you do need to know all of the proper methods and the business side of the industry in order to be successful. Customers pay good money for auto detailing, and since nearly all of your start-up costs are one-time fees, you can quickly make that money back and will soon be turning a hefty profit.
10. Car Parts & Accessories Store Business Plan
Cars break down from time to time and for that reason, there have to be car parts that can be used to make replacements. Yet another profitable business you can start in the automotive industry is the sale of these replacement car parts and accessories.
This business may require huge startup capital as you need to register the business, get a location and stock up the required car parts and accessories. But once your business is set up, it is easy to make sales.
11. Limo Service Business Plan
A limousine (or limo) is a luxury sedan or saloon car generally driven by a chauffeur and with a partition between the driver and the passenger compartment. Limousines are no longer limited to stretched Cadillac and Lincoln automobiles.
Today’s limos include mile-long Hummers, vintage Rolls Royces, and theme vehicles with built-in hot tubs, grand pianos and even disco themes, complete with the mirror ball and mini dance floor. If you can afford to start a limo rental service, then you are in for a profitable business. Most limos charge an hourly rate which can range anywhere from $75 to $200 per hour depending on the company and the style of the limo.
The business of car hauling is great if you have a passion for cars and want to travel and get paid for it. It is the kind of business that knows no bounds. You could do it within the confines of your local neighborhood or expand it to the state or even the entire country if you want. A driver with good experience and skills who has a contract to haul new cars for a car maker will likely make between $75,000 and $110,000 a year.
13. Valet Parking Service Business Plan
Valet parking means that you leave the car at a hotel or restaurant entrance with the keys in the car and an employee parks the car for you. When you need your car, the attendant retrieves your car from its parking place. Valet parking is a common parking system in the bigger hotels in larger cities.
Restaurants, hotels and convention centers can all use the services of a well-dressed, bonded parking staff. The key is having your own team of drivers to keep things moving at a fast pace. The average cost for a Valet Parking Services is $300 per event. A valet parking business can be lucrative, since startup costs are low and the ability to make money is high if you offer services to busy venues.
14. Mobile Windshield Repair Business Plan
The windshield repair business is a service that offers windshield repair and replacement. This business gets rid of problems associated with windshields such as leaking, rust, and paint damage that can happen from improperly installed or damaged windshields.
This is a very environmentally friendly business. Most damages caused by road debris are repairable, and the repair will stop the damage from spreading and eliminating the need for replacement. If you are a fast learner and have been looking to start your own small business, then repairing windshields can be a lucrative business opportunity, especially if you live in a locality with plenty of cars.
The automobile industry is ever evolving, but tires have remained consistent – and the tire shop is a proven and effective business model. Many different niches exist within the tire business, ranging from retail to repair. You can fill a single niche or multiple, depending on your capital investment abilities and marketing. The business will come to you in a high demand market – especially with advertising – but a high visibility location increases natural foot traffic.
16. Tire Retreading Business Plan
Retread, also known as “recap”, or a “remold” is a re-manufacturing process for tires that replace the tread on worn out tires. Retreading is applied to casings of spent tires that have been inspected and repaired. Tire retreading preserves about 90 percent of the material in spent tires and the material cost is about 20 percent compared to manufacturing a brand new one from the very scratch.
As a retread technician, your job duties involve the inspection of tires and grading of tire casings, and the startup capital for this business is not high.
17. Bicycle Shop Business Plan
A bike shop or bicycle shop is a small business specializing in bicycle sale, maintenance and parts. The basic things you would need to have in place to make success from this type of business is technical training on how to fix bicycles, bicycle repair tool box, a good location, easy access to wholesale supply of bicycles and bicycle spare parts and good customer service skill.
If your shop is located in an area with good human and vehicular traffic, and you have bicycles from different brands, you may not have to struggle to get people to visit your shop and make purchase and repairs.
18. Car Service Center Business Plan
A car service or tune-up is a series of maintenance procedures carried out at a set time interval or after the vehicle has traveled a certain distance. The service intervals are specified by the vehicle manufacturer in a service schedule and some modern cars display the due date for the next service electronically on the instrument panel.
Vehicles need regular servicing for them to function optimally. You can take advantage of this to start a new business if you are a very experienced auto mechanic.
19. Mobile Oil Change Business Plan
Operating an oil change business can be lucrative, if done correctly. The average vehicle now sells for more than $20,000, and people are eager to extend the lives of their cars as much as possible. By offering preventative maintenance services, oil change businesses can fill this consumer need.
Starting an oil change company is one of the easier businesses to start and run, especially if you find the perfect location. If you choose a location that doesn’t have enough traffic or is too close to other oil change companies, especially the “big box” companies, your profits may suffer.
20. Auto Spare Parts Shop Business Plan
For as long as people still use automobile on our roads, the need for auto spare parts will continue to be in high demand. Auto spare parts business is no doubt a profitable business because the replacement of damaged auto parts is compulsory if you want your vehicle to continue to be on the road.
Even though you don’t need a college degree to establish your own auto spare parts store, but you need some form of informal training. You may have to work as an apprentice with someone who owns an auto spare parts store. It makes it easier for you to learn the business.
A go-kart, also written as go-cart, is a type of open-wheel car. Go-karts come in all shapes and forms, from motorless models to high-powered racing machines. Some, such as Superkarts, are able to beat racing cars or motorcycles on long circuits.
A go-kart business has three main sources of income. They can either sell a kart ride to everyone, provide group service or offer continual payment plans for visitors. Most profitable go kart businesses have learned how to make good use of membership packages. By giving visitors payment plan options, they can guarantee that members frequently visit their track.
22. Window Tinting Business Plan
Windows provide a source of light and fresh air, but they can become a hassle when they let in too much light, cause heat and compromise privacy. This opens up an opportunity for entrepreneurs to start a profitable window tinting business, covering windows with a thin plastic film to protect from light and heat and to provide privacy.
A window tinting business makes money by charging customers to tint their vehicle’s windows. Businesses frequently offer several different levels of tinting that customers can choose from.
If you charge around $200 per car – which is an average price for this service according to industry pros – and spend about $25 material costs, you can show a profit of $175 per car. Depending on how much you work, you can make six figures a year as an owner of a profitable window tinting business.
23. Electric Car Charging Business Plan
Charging an electric car is a simple process: you simply plug your car into a charger that is connected to the electric grid. However, not all EV charging stations (also known as electric vehicle supply equipment, or EVSE) are created equal.
Some can be installed simply by plugging into a standard wall outlet, while others require a custom installation, thus providing an opportunity for a profitable business. If you live in an area with more electric cars, it would be in your best interest to open a charging station.
24. Electric Bike Hire Business Plan
An electric bike which is also known as an e-bike, power bike or booster bike, is a bike with an integrated electric motor which can be used for propulsion. The basic things you need to have in place to succeed in this business are reliable electric bikes, technical training on how to fix electric bikes, repair tool box, a good location, wholesale supply of electric bikes, spare parts and good customer services skill.
If your electric bike hire shop is located in an area with good human and vehicular traffic, an area with a park and you have electric bikes from different brands, you may not have to struggle to get people to come to your store.
25. Car Customization & Modification Business Plan
Car customization and modification garages engage in customizing and modifying cars by altering some parts or the whole car to improve its performance, often they alter or replace the engine and transmission and also they work on the body and sound system.
Customizing cars to the owners’ specifications takes technical, mechanical and artistic expertise. Shop owners typically make an average income of between $50,000 and $100,000 per year. Understanding the details involved with making your passion an income-producing endeavor will help you stay in business for the long haul.
26. Mobile Bicycle Repair Business Plan
Bike repair is a booming industry, so it’s no surprise that many people are looking to start offering this service as a side or main hustle. If you know about bikes and how they work, then you can plunge right ahead into this business.
People call bicycle repair mechanics for different reasons; it could be for routine servicing, major repair works, or for refurbishing their bicycles. For whatever reasons, mobile bicycle mechanic businesses will always translate to money for the owners of the business, of given the right publicity.
27. Rock Chip Repair Business Plan
A chip in a windshield occurs when a small rock or other object impacts it, nicking the glass and causing a small damaged spot. This often occurs when the tires of other cars fling debris behind them, and sometimes small rocks can fall out of dump trucks or other similar vehicles. A special resin is injected into the center of the chip.
With the help of some pressure applied with a vacuum, the resin spreads and fills the cracks extending from the center of the chip. The process takes less than 20 minutes. Once it’s done your windshield is safe and ready for the road. You can start this simple business if you are into window repairs.
28. Paintless Dent Repair Business Plan
Paintless dent repair (PDR), which popularly called paintless dent removal, it is a method of removing minor dents from the body of automobiles. Using specialized equipment, you can remove small dings and dents in vehicles caused by hail, minor collisions, and door bumps, all without the need for new paint. Extra money may be earned by offering clients paint touchup services, automobile detailing services, and window tinting.
29. Car Assembling Plant Business Plan
Car assembling plants assemble cars and automobile chassis. Referred to as automakers, they typically produce cars (compact and subcompact cars, midsize sedans, large cars and luxury cars), including electric cars. Assembly lines are common methods of assembling complex items such as automobiles and other machineries. This is one automotive business that is capital intensive, but it is a huge profit earner.
30. Car Salesman Business Plan
A car salesman is responsible for showing and selling automobiles to people who visit a car dealership. They work for automobile dealerships that specialize in specific brands and models of cars and will use their persuasive skills to sell. If you are very good at selling things, one very profitable automotive business you can start is to sell cars for profit. You can employ other salespeople while you take care of the business aspect of the company.
31. Diesel Engine Repair Business Plan
According to United States Department of Labor, diesel engines are preferred for heavy-duty trucks, buses and other heavy transportation because of their fuel efficiency and durability features. This goes to show that there may be more diesel engines on our roads.
One way to take advantage of this industry is to start a diesel engine repair business. If you have access to adequate funding and the needed expertise, you can achieve success in this business. The market is huge as the diesel industry is expected to keep growing and expanding.
A love of exploring the fantastic outdoors in the seat of a three or four-wheeler is just what people need to get a little excitement, and you can help people find it by starting an ATV rental business. Your target market may include families, outdoor adventurers, contractors or scientists who choose to use the machines to reach remote areas. Thoroughly knowing your area’s off-roading potential helps you jump-start the business.
Although bicycle has been a conventional mode of transport, bicycling has also been emerging as a leading sporting and leisure activity over the past few decades. This is what gave rise to the phenomenon of party bikes, which is a bike with added entertainment structures.
This is a good automotive business anyone who loves entertainment can start. Also, since party bikes are often used as a medium to explore the immediate area, you should be quite familiar with your home base and able to suggest tourist attractions.
34. Lubricant Oil Production Business Plan
Lubricant oil production businesses manufacture petroleum products such as blended motor oils, brake fluids, lubricating grease and other oil-based additives. The fact that automobiles and other machinery run on oil goes to show that this is one profitable business one can go into. If you are able to study the market and carve a niche for yourself, you will sure make a headway in this business.
35. Mobile Alloy Wheel Repair Business Plan
Mobile alloy wheel repair businesses fix curb damage, scratches, slight and major dents, installation damages, sanding marks and any possible damage of alloy wheels, synthetic wheels, steel rims and hubcaps and more on the similar materials. By taking your services to your clients, you get to maximize your profits. This is one easy to start business in the automotive industry that requires low startup capital.
36. Autonomous Vehicle Production Business Plan
An autonomous vehicle, also known as self-driving car, is a vehicle that is capable of sensing its environment and moving safely with little or no human input. This vehicle can guide itself without human conduction or interference.
Researchers forecast that by 2025 we’ll see approximately 8 million autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles on the road. This is why industries are conducting research to manufacture as well as mass produce this car. If you hit a breakthrough that can be easily mass produced, you will make a name for your brand in the industry.
37. Vehicle Testing Station Business Plan – A vehicle testing station is a business that leverages on technology to detect faults in vehicles without any trial and error approach. As long as people use their cars and trucks regularly, there will always be reasons for them to visit a vehicle testing center if indeed they want these vehicles to continue to ply the roads. This is because you can never rule out wear and tear when a machine is in use.