Today, we’re looking at 4 car accessories that carve out their own niche, from Tesla DIY kits to premium metal upgrades. Some even scaled to seven figures with zero startup money.
From Functional Stickers to DIY Wrap Kits
TESBROS (now DIYwrap Club) got its start in Tesla car communities and content marketing. A few years ago, the door opening button on the early Tesla Model 3 was just a simple horizontal line and not very intuitive. Ji Hoon Heo noticed this on his car, so he made a sticker and started selling it in Tesla owner Facebook groups. This small innovation opened the door for TESBROS to offer niche functional DIY car accessories.
He quickly noticed that full wraps for Tesla were too expensive, often costing at least $5,000. The product evolved into pre-cut Paint Protection Film (PPF) for Tesla models, bundled with step-by-step video tutorials he filmed himself for DIY installation, including detailed guidance for small panels like the hood, doors, and A-pillars. This approach costs about half as much as going to a shop. Customers can even buy individual panels, reducing the risk of ruining a full-car wrap.
Many Tesla owners prefer to customize and optimize their cars themselves, which is a key part of Tesla owner culture, and this also boosted product adoption.
The core films come from well-known brands like Avery Dennison, 3M, and STEK. They are pre-cut and packaged into DIY kits with all the necessary tools. TESBROS also expanded into other Tesla accessories, from interior organizers and center console protectors to kick mats. Last year, the company rebranded as DIYwrap Club, replicating this mature business model across more car models.
Viral JDM-Style LED Accessories
InvalidJP started with a high schooler’s keen sense of culture trends, spotting a niche in car accessories. Jayson Siu began by spending $300 on a sticker printer and selling stickers for $3–$5 on Snapchat. The turning point came when he saw an LED-backlit rearview mirror on Instagram. Immersed in JDM (Japanese car tuning) and street culture, he immediately knew the product could go viral with the right style of marketing videos.
He ordered a $20 rearview mirror, added his “Drive Safe” sticker, and installed LED lights, creating a striking glowing effect.
One video earned him $12,000 in a single day. He followed up with a glowing car window sticker, which brought in $38,000 within 24 hours. But the model had its risks: once the hype faded, sales dropped sharply. To stabilize revenue, Jayson diversified marketing across platforms that showcase visually appealing products, including TikTok, Instagram, Google, and Facebook.
InvalidJP stayed true to the JDM style, focusing on products with proven demand, like the LED rearview mirror stickers, while also expanding into customizable cup holders, sunshades, and license plate frames.
Premium Identity Streetwear Interior Parts
If Invalid.jp represents capturing visual trends at low cost and going viral quickly, Likewise (We Are Likewise) takes a more “long-term” approach, turning functional car parts into street-style, design-forward products with strong brand identity. Their core products such as shift knobs, handbrake handles, lug nuts and steering wheel components are all items you can see, touch and notice while driving, letting everyday car owners experience car modification culture.
Most products are CNC-machined metal, with anodized finishes that give unique color, texture, and feel. Custom engraving is available. Like a high-end fashion label, they drop limited-edition colors that don’t restock once sold out. This brand premium is also reflected in the price. a standard metal shift knob on Amazon is usually priced under $50, while Likewise’s core shift knobs typically cost around $80–$150. Full sets, like lug nuts or steering wheel combos, can even go over $300.
Metal Upgrades for Niche Car Enthusiasts
VMS was started by Enrique Baiz, who had worked in sales and purchasing at a performance auto parts shop. During that time, he quickly learned what car enthusiasts wanted and gained experience dealing directly with Chinese auto parts suppliers, which inspired him to start his own business. But he had zero startup money, buried in credit card debt, and didn’t even have a brand name.
The breakthrough for VMS came when the Chinese supplier from his former company approached him for a partnership. They had unsold inventory and wanted to see if he could help move it, so even though he couldn’t afford a full container, they let him take it on credit.
They started with small, high-margin billet oil caps made with CNC machining. Later products followed the same approach: metal-feel, high-design aftermarket pieces. The first batch sold quickly. Through close collaboration with suppliers, Enrique developed more durable, high-quality parts with a distinctive style.
Enrique leveraged his 20 years of experience to focus VMS on Honda and Acura models, digging deep into this niche. Once that strategy proved successful, he applied the same CNC manufacturing and design upgrades to other models, expanding into import sports cars and mainstream American performance vehicles.
Auto parts can be tough for beginners. The main challenge is integrating supply chains for multi-specification products, which demand deep industry expertise or supply chain resources. Yet breakout car products keep appearing that solve specific practical problems, like magnetic snow covers, handheld car vacuums, sun shades umbrella, or microfiber car towels.
Others focus on fun or experience, like tiny hoodies for shift knobs, toy-shaped starter accessories, or the car drum cymbal, which makes traffic jams less boring. Some even become full-fledged brands, like the D2C brand Drift we talked about earlier, which transformed decades-old cheap paper air fresheners into premium wooden scented blocks on a subscription model.
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