There are many profitable companies that have to do with cars, like taxi services and car washes. You could become an independent driver or start a rideshare business if you want to start a business with just your car or truck and a small amount of money.
You could also make a lot of noise around town by starting a business as a mobile repairman or mobile specifier. Check out our list of great business ideas for cars and see if any of them interest you.
1. Car Wash
Some people think it’s important to keep both the inside and outside of their cars looking nice. This is why there are almost 17,000 car washes in the United States and a $28 billion business that is still growing. You could start your own car wash business with a small starting investment and make a lot of happy car owners while making enough money to pay the rent.
Since most people don’t go out of their way to find a good car wash, the location will be a very important factor. So it’s important to find a place with enough room, steady car flow, and an easy entry. Some of the best places to stay are near shops and shopping centers or rest stops on the highway. Once you know that, you’ll need to get the best tools for washing your car and learn more about how to clean it. Soon, you will be able to wash your way straight to the bank.
2. Uber
Some people think it’s important to keep both the inside and outside of their cars looking nice. This is why there are almost 17,000 car washes in the United States and a $28 billion business that is still growing. You could start your own car wash business with a small starting investment and make a lot of happy car owners while making enough money to pay the rent.
Since most people don’t go out of their way to find a good car wash, the location will be a very important factor. So it’s important to find a place with enough room, steady car flow, and an easy entry. Some of the best places to stay are near shops and shopping centers or rest stops on the highway. Once you know that, you’ll need to get the best tools for washing your car and learn more about how to clean it. Soon, you will be able to wash your way straight to the bank.
3. Car Service
If you’re an entrepreneur who loves cars and wants to start a business that fixes cars, this could work for you. A place that is approved by a car brand to fix and take care of cars is called a vehicle repair center. People are using skilled auto repair shops more than ever because they are worried about getting fake parts. The $200 billion approved car repair shop business around the world is likely to keep growing.
So, how do you begin? You should make a business plan, get money, get insurance, follow the law, and look for a good place to do business. In your business plan, you should list the average number of cars you expect to serve each day, the number of employees you will hire, and the services you will give. Will you do things like fix the tires and change the oil? Or will you choose a more complete set of services? If you plan well, your business can be successful.
4. Vehicle Rental
People are planning trips they had put off for a long time because of the pandemic. Because of this, the car rental business is doing very well, and by 2027, earnings around the world are expected to have doubled. With hard work and determination, you can start your own car rental business and help guests get around while getting a piece of the growing $50 billion US market and making a living.
Keep in mind that this is a tough market, so you’ll need to find ways to stand out, like offering big discounts or a unique selection of cars. Also, it will cost a lot to buy your first four or five cars. Lastly, it’s important to follow all safety and license rules. If you don’t, you could get fines or worse for your business. But if you can get past these problems, your car rental business is likely to start doing well soon.
5. Mechanics Automobile
As the economy in the US gets better, people are likely to put off fixing their cars until after the plague. If you know how cars work and are good at business, now is a great time to start a service business. Between now and 2030, there will probably be about 70,000 jobs open for mechanics and service workers in the car business. To get a piece of this wealthy business, you should stay up to date on the newest ideas, sample programs, and gadgets.
Look into the planning and license rules before you start your business. Most of the time, you need to finish high school and go through a full training or license program to become a mechanic. After you have followed the rules set by the government, you should look for ways to stand out from the crowd. Keep in mind that there are a lot of shops that fix things all over the land. Even though the market seems full, you still have a lot of chances to be great. The best thing to do might be to find a place that isn’t well served, open a business there, and work very hard.
6. Car Dealership
Even though the market is likely to keep growing over the next five years as buyer trust grows, US car sellers made a staggering $1 trillion in 2021. You can use this growth to your advantage by starting a car business and giving people the much-needed movement they need.
Once you have an empty property big enough to hold your cars, you can start getting ready to start your business. If not, you should find a place to rent or buy before you start getting licenses and meeting other legal requirements. Before you sign a lease or buy something, think about the neighborhood. It’s very important.
It’s also important to know who you’re trying to sell to, because that will affect what kinds of cars you sell. Do you want to reach younger people? If so, pick one of the less expensive cars. If you plan well and have a good marketing plan, your car business can do well.
7. Detailing Your Car
Do you worry about keeping your car clean and making it look like it just came off the lot? If that’s the case, someone who wants to start a business might do well to start one that cleans cars. Car washing, on the other hand, is done by hand and includes cleaning both the inside and outside of the car. It requires more work and attention to the details.
Car detailing is another business that can make money. Statista, a market research firm, says that the US car wash and cleaning business is worth $13 billion. As the market came back from the flu slump, it grew by almost 10% in 2021. As car prices keep going up, people are supposed to take better care of their cars, which is making more people want car cleaning services.
Before you start a business fixing cars, it’s important to find a good place for your shop, get a lot of money, and find ways to make your business stand out from the rest. It’s also smart to have a strong promotion strategy for your business. Once your business is up and running, you’ll quickly make a lot of money.
8. Post-retail Vehicle Parts
If you like cars and auto repair and are good at business, starting a reseller’s swap car parts business could be a good idea. A business that is doing well has a lot of room for growth. In the United States, the aftermarket auto parts and components market was worth $17 billion in 2020, and steady growth is forecast over the next five years. Aftermarket auto parts are car parts that are used to fix or replace parts that are broken.
You must follow the rules before you can start a business selling extra car parts. Many used parts are controlled, and companies that make or buy reseller’s swap parts must register with the public authority. You also need to know the rules set by the Certified Automotive Parts Association. Checking for quality and making sure safety standards are met are part of these rules. Remember that the policy for a covered thing may change if new parts are used.
9. Taxi
Considering all the ride-sharing apps out there, you might be surprised to hear that cars are still around and doing very well. In the United States, the taxi and car business is worth more than $66 billion and is projected to grow at a steady rate over the next few years. If you like meeting new people and don’t mind driving, a car business could be a great way to start out as an entrepreneur.
Getting started will take a lot of work and effort. If you don’t have one already, you’ll need to buy one, get good insurance, and get all the permits you need. A car use pass can cost a lot in some places, like New York. For example, in New York City, a car tag costs $80,000. In other places, it’s not as much, like $300 in Cleveland. After you have everything set up, you should make a website so that people can find you. Most car services now have on-demand booking, so you might also want to offer an app.
Last but not least, if you want to stand out in a crowded market, be creative with your marketing. Give your first few people great service and a steady hand, and you should start getting good reviews and money.
10. Mobile Mechanic
Have you had enough of working in the yard all day? Even though you’ve been working as a mechanic for a long time and like it, your boss is always yelling at you or making you stay late without paying you more. Not nice. But you could skip all of that and start a business as a mobile mechanic to help people with car problems, work for yourself, and make a good living.
The $700 billion car service market has stayed the same over the past few years, but the mobile mechanic business has grown quickly. Part of the reason for this is that many people decided to stay home during the pandemic. The mobile mechanic saves a lot of money because they don’t have any extra costs. Most of the time, the mobile mechanic is a one-person business, so there is no need to pay employees. Also, there’s no place to park, so you don’t have to pay rent for that.
Services done at home for almost half the price? Most people who drive cars will have no trouble deciding. Another reason to go on a trip by yourself is if you know how to drive.
11. Hauling Business
The US government just passed an infrastructure bill worth a trillion dollars, which means that soon there will be a lot of big building projects near you. Because of this, many tons of trash and other things will have to be moved. In the U.S., getting rid of trash is already a $60 billion business that is slowly growing.
You could start your own moving business if you are ready to move some big things. You could clear the way for new construction and get a piece of this growing market. The first step is to get a truck that you can count on. You probably want a big pick-up truck or even a box truck because you’ll make more money per load if you can haul more.
For the big jobs, you will also need good hauling tools and possibly a commercial driver’s license. After that, the best ways to bring in people will be to market your business well and advertise your services on the right platforms. When you get your first few clients in that mindset, if you give them great and professional service, they’ll probably tell others about you and you’ll start to build a great reputation.
12. Oil Change
If you don’t change your oil on time, sludge can form in the motor oil. This can lead to big engine problems and could even cost you your car. This is why the oil change services business in the US has been growing steadily, with a total income of $7 billion in 2022. If you want to start an oil change business, you’re not the only one. There are already a number of big companies with many offices and well-known names on the market. But there are other ways to make money.
How profitable you are will depend on where you are and how well your marketing strategy works. If you put your oil change services business in a good place, you will have an edge over the big players in the industry, who rely mostly on brand recognition to bring in customers. To win your race, you need to find a place that is easy to get to and has a lot of foot traffic. You will also need to give services with added value, carry a lot of oils and greases, or tell people about helpful self-management plans if you want to corner a part of the market.
13. EV Charging Stations
If you’re an entrepreneur with an eye on the future, you might want to start a business that sells charging points for electric vehicles (EVs). It’s a great investment. As more car companies come out with their own electric car models, the market for EV charging points is expected to grow a lot in the coming years. By 2030, the number of electric vehicles in California is expected to hit 4 million. Most of the state’s more than 110,000 charging sites will be in California. There is also a market for electric cars in other areas.
Don’t know where to start? You can start small by adding a couple of power ports. You can help your business grow slowly by adding more stores and stations. If the US has a network of places to charge EVs, they will become more useful. Before you open your charging station, make sure to follow the rules and laws of your state. You should also look around you and see what other charging sites are selling. If you can make batteries that charge faster and last longer, you can easily get people to buy them.
14. Vehicle Wrapping
As more and more businesses use car wrapping as a creative and effective way to market their services and goods, you should think about doing the same for your next project. In the United States, the market for car wraps is growing steadily and is projected to hit $4 billion by 2028. Wrap sheets made of vinyl can be used to give a car a glossy or smooth finish, cover a graphic design, or just protect it. It is also being used more and more in marketing and advertising.
Now is the best time to start a business that wraps cars because there is a lot of room for new businesses in this growing market. Prepare to hire a visual designer if you’re not one yourself, study the market to find ways to stand out, and come up with a plan to sell your services. Your trip as a business owner won’t be easy, but soon you’ll be able to wrap all the way to the bank.
15. Business of Mobile Detailing
You’ve come to the right place if you want to start your own mobile cleaning business. Mobile detailers clean the outside of a car from top to bottom by bringing their services right to the customer. Since it has grown quickly in recent years, the mobile cleaning business is a great chance for a driven entrepreneur.
Most detailers do things like wash and wax cars, but you could also do things like touch up paint and tint windows. You could help people at their houses, while they are at work, or even while they are traveling.
Once you’ve bought good defining equipment, you can advertise your services with handouts, in local publications, and on online platforms like Convenient and TaskRabbit. As long as you give great service and do good work on the cars, you’ll soon have to run all over town to keep up with customer demand.
16. Moving Company
Americans are leaving expensive places because of rising home prices, which is making more people need moving services. From 2024 to 2029, the market for moving services in the United States is expected to grow by nearly $2 billion. Everyone who has ever moved knows how hard it can be and how much it can cost. It would be a great idea to start your own moving company right now to take advantage of a growing market, make some money, and make the lives of a lot of people who are moving to new places easier.
There are a few things you really need to do to get things going. Look at the local and road licensing and safety requirements, see what other companies are doing, think about their prices, and decide how big your services will be. Some packers also give handyman, cleaning, and packing services. You might want to find out more about this. Prepare to spend money on cars, hire the right people, and use technology to improve your services. Lastly, build your business’s name and get the word out.
17. Rideshare
If you want to make some extra cash, you might want to start a ride-share business. Ride-sharing services like Uber connect people who need a ride with private car drivers through websites or mobile apps. It has grown quickly in the past ten years, especially in cities where traffic problems are getting worse. One in four American adults uses a ride-sharing service at least once a month. It is thought that the market is worth $61 billion around the world.
If you want to start your own ride-sharing business and compete with Uber and Lyft, you will need to make your own app that gives people a better option. At the moment, Uber and Lyft take up most of the market in the US. Also, you will need to work hard to get ride-share drivers to use your app and offer them better terms. Obviously, you should agree to all rules and regulations that matter. If you plan well and sell well, your company has a good chance of getting a good share of the market.
18. Limo Business
Even though car share is becoming more popular, limousine businesses are still doing well. From now until 2025, the global market for car services is expected to grow by an amazing 7% per year. Limos are praised for being luxurious, comfortable, safe, and run by professionals. Also, getting there in a fancy car is the best way to make a big impression.
If you want to start a car hire business, you should be ready to spend a lot of money. If you can’t find a partner who already has a fleet of cars that you can use for your business, you’ll need to buy a few expensive cars to get started.
To stay ahead of the competition, you will need money for teaching the drivers, keeping the cars in good shape, and paying for running costs. You will also want to spend money on the most recent technologies. When your business is up and going, there will be a lot of people who want luxury and comfort.
19. Window Tinting
If you’ve ever thought about starting a business that tints windows, you’re in the right place. Coloring windows is a satisfying and growing business, and there is a lot of room for new companies. Window tinting is the process of putting window film on a window to make it darker.
The world market for window films is projected to grow at a steady rate until 2027. Window films are one of the most commonly traded things for cars because they cut down on the brightness and strength of the sun. Also, a lot of people use these to make homes and businesses use less energy.
To run a successful window tinting business, it helps to have a basic understanding of the business and the laws and rules that apply, which vary from state to state. It can be confusing for clients who travel across the country, so it’s important to know how to help them. If you had the skills and drive, your chances of succeeding would be better.
20. Individual Driver
Some people don’t like having to wait in line for a car or spend $40 on an Uber. Individual driving services have become popular because of this. As more people learn how good it is to drive calmly and consistently, the number of people looking for skilled drivers is growing. Through 2024, the US economy will add 30,000 jobs for taxi drivers, prostitutes, and individual drivers each year.
You’ll need a regular or business driver’s license to start your own driver business. Check with the experts in your area to be sure. A few states may likewise expect drivers to go through preparing on wellbeing guidelines, route abilities and client assistance abilities before they can acknowledge clients.
It also helps you figure out the best ways to get to hotels, meeting halls, restaurants, airports, and other important places in the area. Anyone can utilize Google Guides. But if you know the local roads and the easiest ways to get around, your own driving business has a better chance of doing well.
21. Tow Truck
If you are an entrepreneur looking for a new business chance, starting a tow truck business could be a smart move. For some reason, cars keep breaking down, which is why towing is becoming a $11 billion business in the US. With only one truck you could begin your tow truck business from home, help a wide range of individuals out of horrible sticks and get a portion of that tremendous market.
Obviously, tow trucks don’t come modest, and the initial installment on even a pre-owned truck could cost $10,000 or more. In any case, that isn’t anything contrasted with the cash you’ll make, as the normal tow runs about $100. You’ll have to secure a business driver’s permit and ensure you have brilliant protection that safeguards your business and your clients.
You may likewise require a state or nearby grant to offering towing administrations, so make certain to check with your neighborhood legislatures. At long last, you’ll have to hit on a showcasing approach that assists your towing with overhauling stand apart from the opposition, whether that is limited costs, quick help or something different. Whenever all that is arranged, you’ll be driving your direction to serious benefits.
22. Food Truck
Who doesn’t adore food trucks? They appear to be wherever nowadays, at parks and road fairs, live concerts, sea shores, confidential gatherings and local area occasions. Industry income in the US significantly increased long before the pandemic, and presently food trucks are areas of strength for returning the pandemic retreats. This present time’s an incredible opportunity to begin your own food truck business and give your local area scrumptious dinners while getting a portion of this developing business sector.
The initial step, obviously, will choose a menu. The potential outcomes are unfathomable, from burritos to grill, from burgers to wieners, and from smoothies and milkshakes to cushion thai and pizza. You might really go occasional, and offer frozen pastries in summer and connoisseur soups in winter, and have the option to draw a group all year. The following significant obstacle will secure the important licenses and allows, which are totally essential for any food-related business.
To wrap things up, you will require the food truck itself. It’s certain to be a critical venture, yet you could possibly track down a sensibly evaluated utilized truck to minimize expenses. With a touch of karma, soon enough you’ll be going and making a pleasant profit from that venture.
23. Intriguing Vehicle Rental
Have you ever needed to drive something like a Lamborghini? So have a lot of other people, which is why the luxury or extravagant car rental business is a strong one and is expected to grow by 60% by 2028. You could start your own crazy car hire business, give customers the cars of their dreams, and ride the growth wave to great success.
Luxury cars don’t come cheap, so you’ll need to make a big bet to get everything going. In fact, a safe estimate of $100,000 per car means that if you want to start with five vehicles, you’ll need around $1,000,000 to get your business going. You’ll need the right permission and safety measures. But when everything is done, you’ll just have to market your services to the young and well-off. From there, the business will sell itself, and you might be able to go public soon.
24. Turo Business
Turo, which is like Airbnb for renting out cars, seems to be taking over the world. The organization’s income has grown a lot in just two years, and in the first nine months of 2021, it reached $330 million. In the coming years, business is expected to keep growing as more and more people become willing to rent other people’s cars and as the number of available and interesting cars keeps growing.
Selling your car on Turo can be a great way to make some extra cash, and if your car usually just sits in the garage, you should definitely think about it. By putting your car on Turo and giving great support, you can get a steady stream of automatic income. Then, once you’ve gotten a few good reviews, you could offer to help some of your friends put their cars on Turo. Soon, you could be working with a fleet of eight, ten, or fifteen cars. Soon enough, you might be able to try and have the choice to quit your regular job!
25. Vehicle Protection
Service-minded people can make money by starting a service to protect vehicles. Protection for cars is always in demand because almost all drivers are required by law to have it.
Also, the market is different, and specialization in different areas, like high-risk drivers or luxury cars, is taken into account. Vehicle insurance also makes recurring income through contract renewals, and it can be used as a way to sell other security products.
With technological advances like sensors and artificial intelligence, car insurance companies can also use data analysis to make better decisions about pricing and coverage. In general, a business that protects vehicles can be very profitable and grow.
26. Driving School
Driving schools are a thriving part of the car business, and people are always interested in them. Driving schools have a steady stream of people who want to learn how to drive, whether they are teenagers who just turned 16, adults who want their first license, or even experienced drivers who want to improve their skills.
These groups are based on giving planned and skilled driver education services that focus on safety and skill on the road. In addition to teaching new drivers the basics, driving schools often offer specialized courses like careful driving, senior driving projects, business driving examples, and, strangely, high-level speeding courses, which increases the range of services.
A driving school’s plan of action depends a lot on its size, location, and target group. The fees for different classes are the main source of income.
There are costs to get started, like buying cars for training, setting up an office, advertising, and getting funds and licenses. Also, the business needs to include recurring costs like car maintenance, gas, security, and teacher pay.
Even so, when a strong reputation is built, a driving school can make steady money because the idea of interest is repeated.
A driving school can also increase its visibility and customer base by working with local high schools, universities, or businesses on driver safety programs.