§1What this business is
An inner core of fine steel wires is twisted into a rope and fitted with die-cast zinc lugs or ferrules; the outer casing is a spiral spring coated with PVC. The cable links the handle controls to the clutch, brakes and gearbox. Cables wear out and break with daily use, so replacement demand is steady.
Capacity: 320 cables a day in a 10-hour shift; year 1 at 50% capacity.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
Someone in the auto-parts trade with dealer or OEM contacts.
Who it is not for
Someone who cannot manage many part numbers and quality checks.
Advantages
- Every two-wheeler needs several cables
- Steady replacement market
- Wide range: two-wheelers, three-wheelers, tractors, cars, trucks
- Can supply OEMs once quality is proven
Drawbacks
- Thin net margin in the first years
- OEM supply needs strict quality approvals
- Many sizes and models to make
- Large established cable makers compete
Skills you need
- Wire twisting and spring winding
- PVC extrusion
- Die casting of lugs
- Dealer and OEM sales
Why difficulty 3/5: Several processes, many models and thin early margins.
§3Market
Who buys
- Two- and three-wheeler owners through mechanics
- Tractor and commercial-vehicle users
- Vehicle makers (OEMs)
How it sells
- Spare-parts wholesalers and retailers
- Direct OEM supply after approval
Good to know
- The report says two-wheelers use the largest share of control cables.
- It describes the market as highly fragmented.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic PVC cable extruder | 1 | ₹6,50,000 |
| Spring winding / casing coiling machine | 1 | ₹3,50,000 |
| Wire twisting machine | 1 | ₹1,65,000 |
| Pressure die casting machine | 1 | ₹1,20,000 |
| Packaging machine | 1 | ₹75,000 |
| Abrasive cut-off machine | 1 | ₹70,500 |
| Bench grinder and spring-controlled arbor press | 1 each | ₹20,000 each |
| Other equipment (drawing fixture, casting die, fixtures, measuring instruments, tools) | 1 lot | ₹50,000 |
| GST at 18% | — | ₹2,73,690 |
From: PMEGP sample project report — Auto Control Cables (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
- Spring steel wire (carbon) and medium carbon steel wirefor the inner core and outer spiral
- Zinc alloy / type metalfor die-cast lugs
- PVC granulesfor the outer coating
- Tin solder, ferrules and packing material
From: PMEGP sample project report — Auto Control Cables (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam
- GST
- Pollution consent from the State Pollution Control Board (die casting and extrusion)
- Factory licence if workers cross the limit
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
Made for PMEGP; CGTMSE covers the collateral-free loan.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: Samadhan report: plant & machinery ₹17.94 L (₹15,20,500 + 18% GST), other assets ₹1.00 L, working capital ₹5.74 L = ₹24.68 L; premises rented.
Working capital: ₹5.74 L — 10 days of raw material, 15 days of finished goods and buyer credit; bank limit ₹5.17 L.
Year not printed on the report — check current machinery prices.
§8Export potential
Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export
Export council / board: EEPC India
- HS codes are from the WCO HS 2022 list; confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker.
- You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Steel and PVC price rises
- Cable failures leading to accidents and claims
- Credit to dealers
- OEM price pressure
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working auto control cables unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam, GST), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Auto Control Cables?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.