According to Filmshoppee, “As we navigate the automotive horizon, it’s evident that the car customization industry is poised for substantial growth in the coming years. Car Modification Market size was valued at US$55.81 billion in 2022, and the total revenue is expected to grow at 3.45% from 2022 to 2029, reaching nearly US $70.76 billion.” If you’ve been thinking to modifying your car, now is the time to get ahead of the curve!
Rich McClellan, owner of Elite Customs in Franklin, Tennessee, has been customizing vehicles for clients for years. Elite Customs offers a wide range of services, including vinyl wraps, wheel and tire enhancements, custom lighting, suspension adjustments, chrome delete, powder coating, body kits, brake and caliper customizing, radar and keyless setup, custom lighting, upholstery, and audio and video enhancements. McClellan is well aware of the increased demand for customization, as he’s watched his business boom in the past few years.
“There are a lot of reasons people are getting into car customization, and there are a lot of benefits to the practice,” says McClellan. We sat down with the entrepreneur to learn more about why drivers might want to customize a car. Read on for all of his insights.
1. Eco-Friendliness and Sustainability
There are various ways to enhance a car to make it more eco-friendly. On the most basic level, car owners can work with technicians to install eco-friendly and sustainable parts and materials. For longer-lasting effects, there are options to install green lighting, too.
“Generally speaking, it’s better to refresh your existing car than to buy a new one,” says McClellan. “If applying customizations to your car will offer it an extended life, that’s a benefit for our globe. And being on top of your maintenance can also help.” According to SellMax, while 80% of car materials can be recycled, 20% go straight to the landfill. If everyone customized and maintained their cars rather than getting new ones every few years, we could avoid a lot of waste.
2. Improved Performance
In the same vein, car customizations can be used to improve vehicle performance. Technicians can change three main areas: the engine, suspension and handling, and fuel efficiency.
Engine upgrades might include adding turbochargers or superchargers. According to AutoZone, “Both turbochargers and superchargers are kinds of forced air induction that compress air to be force-fed into the engine where it’s burned. It can deal fluctuating degrees of power growth, after mild to wild.”
Suspension and handling upgrades could look like adding struts and shocks, coilovers, anti-roll bars, or strut braces. You might also opt to lower your car’s center of gravity, depending on your goals for the vehicle.
Finally, drivers can improve fuel efficiency by working closely with a technician to develop a customized plan. “ECU tuning maps and aftermarket power programmers can offer more granular control above aspects like the air-fuel mixture and effectiveness to give your car extra pep,” AutoZone explains.
3. Enhanced Comfort and Convenience
If you spend a lot of time in your car, why not make it as comfortable as possible? When it comes to interior customizations, the sky is the limit.
A few popular ways to improve comfort and convenience inside a vehicle include upgraded seats, personalized climate controls, improved navigation systems, and smart displays. These customizations are great for individuals who work in consulting or sales and spend ample working hours driving. They’re also great for those who live in extreme climates or love road trips.
Additionally, car customizations can improve convenience and safety. Custom sound systems aren’t strictly necessary for comfort, but they can really enhance the driving experience. Similarly, upgraded brakes can bring drivers peace of mind while on the road.
4. Increased Resale Value
“Every dollar you put into your vehicle will likely improve its resale value,” says McClellan, “especially if we’re talking about interior improvements. The same applies to aesthetic changes—you’ll just have to find the right buyer.”
If you belong to any car enthusiast clubs in your area, attend a local car show to see which customizations are the most popular. If higher resale value is your end goal, do your research to ensure you select the best customizations for your market.
5. Enhancing Personal Style
The final benefit of customizing your car is that it’s plain old fun! Car customizations can be creative, unique, and memorable. Technicians like McClellan encourage customers to think outside the box and dream big. The more interesting the project, the more enjoyable it is for McClellan and his team!
Unique customizations will make you stand out and allow you to express your style and personality in every setting.
There are many great reasons to customize your car, whether you want to enhance aesthetics or function. While car customization is a careful craft that requires expert hands, the joy and pride of driving a car that’s uniquely yours is priceless.
