7 Auto Parts Shop Success Stories [2024]
If you want to start a retail business in the automobile industry, consider an auto parts business.
The auto parts business is one of the most successful businesses in the world. There are many Auto Parts Businesses in the United States, Canada, and the UK, where most are part-time.
Listed are the steps on how to start an auto parts shop business.
- Pick a location
- Do your market research
- Secure all permits and licenses
- Open a bank account for business transactions
In this list, you'll find real-world auto parts shop success stories and very profitable examples of starting a auto parts shop that makes money.
1. Elaphe Propulsion Technologies Ltd. ($14.4M/year)
Gorazd Lampič, the founder of Elaphe, was initially pursuing a career in astrophysics when he came across an article about Andrej Detela's vision for in-wheel motors for electric vehicles (EVs). Intrigued by the potential impact of this technology, Lampič reached out to Detela and the two quickly began working together. Now, 20 years later, Elaphe has become a leading provider of in-wheel propulsion systems, working with major carmakers and achieving impressive financial success with a turnover of €15 million and €4 million in EBITDA in 2021.
How much money it makes: $14.4M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10M
How many people on the team: 150
Elaphe Propulsion Technologies has revolutionized the electric vehicle industry with their in-wheel electric motor technology that can accelerate a vehicle from 0 to 100km/h in just three seconds, enabling carmakers to design truly user and mission-focused cars and work with all of the key traditional and new carmakers.
2. TAB Performance ($7.2M/year)
Justin Pflanz and his brother Casey started TAB Performance after recognizing a demand for louder motorcycle exhaust systems. Their best-selling product, the Zombie baffle, was created in response to customers asking for louder options. Since then, their annual sales have been doubling, reaching an impressive $4.8 million.
How much money it makes: $7.2M/year
How many people on the team: 9
TAB Performance doubles annual sales with introduction of Zombie baffle, from manufacturing Harley-Davidson motorcycle exhausts, with founders attributing growth to constant evolution and listening to customers.
3. Panther RV Products ($4.8M/year)
Ethan and Jacob Sweet started Panther RV Products with the guidance and financing of their father Richard Sweet, who was already running an RV repair shop. They initially sold RV parts on eBay and gradually transitioned to selling hard-to-find RV products from Europe, setting themselves apart from competitors. After years of growth, they now generate an average monthly revenue of $400K and plan to manufacture their own campervan-specific parts.
How much money it makes: $4.8M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 12
Panther RV Products generates an average monthly revenue of $400K by selling a variety of campervan parts to outdoor enthusiasts and small businesses outfitting cargo vans, with a focus on hard-to-find parts for campervans, while providing technical knowledge to customers that their competitors lack and using Google Ads and SEO to drive sales, and the company has plans to start manufacturing their own products for campervan customers.
4. Scrubblade Inc. ($3.9M/year)
Billy Westbrook, the founder of Scrubblade, came up with the idea for his business when a bug hit his windshield and he couldn't remove the smear with regular wiper blades. He sketched out the design for Scrubblade the next morning and eventually got a prototype made. Through personal connections and networking, he secured an investor and launched the business, focusing on the HD trucking industry. Scrubblade is now the #1 blade sold at retail in that industry.
How much money it makes: $3.9M/year
How much did it cost to start: $75K
How many people on the team: 6
Scrubbleblade is a windshield wiper company that sells #1 in the H.D. trucking industry and was awarded wiper blade of the year by Frost & Sullivan in 2018; they focus on a specific target customer while offering subscriptions and utilizing social media.
5. AVTOPRO ($540K/year)
In a communal apartment in Odessa, Evgeny Alyanchikov and friends turned their classic web studio into a major marketplace, Avto.pro. By 2021, over 5,000 stores in Ukraine sold automotive products worth $105 million through their platform.
How much money it makes: $540K/year
How much did it cost to start: $35K
How many people on the team: 50
Avto.pro is a leading Ukrainian marketplace for auto products that sold goods worth $105 million in 2021, with the potential to become a new Unicorn, by providing unique solutions that digitize the market, optimize logistics and trade chains, rebuilding relations between car owners and service stations, and introduce simplicity and transparency to the process for the client.
6. Adrenaline Offroad ($540K/year)
Mitchel Matthews, the 22-year-old entrepreneur behind Adrenaline Offroad, was inspired by his love for trucks and off-roading. After building up his own truck and gaining a following on YouTube, he saw an opportunity to start selling aftermarket vehicle accessories to his passionate audience. By using his own money and profits from the business, he was able to start and grow Adrenaline Offroad into a successful eCommerce store, now making 5 times the amount of money he used to make per month.
How much money it makes: $540K/year
How many people on the team: 3
This case study follows an inspiring 22-year-old entrepreneur who started an eCommerce store for aftermarket vehicle accessories, making 5x the amount of money he used to make per month, and generated over $90,000 in sales last year.
7. The Unofficial Shopify Podcast ($108K/year)
Kurt Elster came up with the idea for his podcast, The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, after realizing the potential of content marketing and wanting a consistent way to market his ecommerce consulting services. He decided to host his own podcast after receiving positive feedback from guest appearances on other podcasts, and with the help of his business partner's editing skills, he was able to launch the podcast and grow it to 750,000 downloads and four sponsors.
How much money it makes: $108K/year
How many people on the team: 0
Unofficial Shopify Podcast has generated 750,000 downloads and has four sponsors, resulting in significant monetary gain for ecommerce consultant and host, Kurt Elster, who has created a thriving business and community around his podcast.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
