Car Builders
Car Builders is a privately-held Australian e-commerce retailer, founded in 2009 and based in Kilsyth, Victoria, that designs and sells its own brand of automotive sound deadening mats, thermal insulation and vehicle-specific pre-cut kits to DIY enthusiasts, van converters and professional installers across Australia, the US, Ireland, Qatar and the UAE.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersKilsyth, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Car Builders does
Car Builders is a privately-held Australian automotive aftermarket retailer founded in 2009 and headquartered in Kilsyth, Victoria. The company designs, sources and distributes vehicle sound deadening and thermal insulation products under its own brand, targeting DIY vehicle enthusiasts and professional installers across Australia and selected international markets including the United States, Ireland, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Its product range is organised around a multi-stage system: Stage 1 vibration dampening mats based on a proprietary butyl rubber formulation with aluminium facing; Stage 2 acoustic and thermal barriers including Mass Noise Liner (mass loaded vinyl bonded to closed cell foam), Acoustic Liner, Water Proof Carpet Underlay, Insul-Layer, Van Liner and VanSeal; plus supporting categories such as Heat Shields, Paint Coatings, Wiring Loom Tape and installation accessories. The headline offer is vehicle-specific pre-cut kits covering more than 30 platforms — from small cars, Holden Commodore VB-VK sedans, Mustang-class muscle cars and MX-5s through Land Rover Defenders, Troopys and 4x4 dual cabs to Sprinter, Transit, VW Kombi, panel vans, utes and light trucks — with packs ranging from roughly AU$104.99 to AU$1,750 depending on vehicle class and tier.
The underlying technology combines butyl-based dampening mats for vibration control with layered mass-loaded and closed-cell foams for airborne noise blocking and thermal decoupling. The proprietary Stage 1 Sound Deadener differentiates through cold-applied pressure-sensitive butyl adhesive (no heating required), waterproofing, no-odour chemistry and durability that does not embrittle like bitumen alternatives. Products are configured as a modular ecosystem so customers can buy individual sheets, complete vehicle packs, or stages incrementally.
Car Builders operates a product-led growth, direct-to-consumer e-commerce model via carbuilders.com.au, supplemented by Australian retail stockists, a directory of professional installers, and a wholesale account programme for resellers. Pricing is unit-based in AUD with multi-currency checkout (USD, NZD), volume discounts on bulk Sound Deadener purchases, and same-day shipping available domestically. Marketing is content-led: an extensive YouTube how-to library, written buying guides and FAQ pages, an email newsletter, Facebook community engagement, and on-site customer reviews serve the top and mid-funnel, with the store finder and installer directory closing the funnel. There is no disclosed revenue, external funding, cap table, or management team information in the input data.
Car Builders firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Car Builders
- Legal name
- Car Builders
- Website
- https://carbuilders.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Car Builders is a privately-held Australian e-commerce retailer, founded in 2009 and based in Kilsyth, Victoria, that designs and sells its own brand of automotive sound deadening mats, thermal insulation and vehicle-specific pre-cut kits to DIY enthusiasts, van converters and professional installers across Australia, the US, Ireland, Qatar and the UAE.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Car Builders industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Sound Deadening & Thermal Insulation
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Seating and Interior Trim Manufacturing (33636), Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (336390)
- SIC
- Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714), Plastics Foam Products (3086)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Automotive NVH, Insulation & Acoustic Components Manufacturing (Sound Deadening/Thermal Barriers) (IMACAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Automotive Thermal Insulation, Sealing & NVH for HVAC/Thermal Systems (IMACALAJ), Aftermarket Interior Accessories Manufacturing (Floor Mats/Seat Covers/Steering Covers/Storage) (IMACANAJ)
Keywords
Where Car Builders is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kilsyth
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Car Builders business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Sales: Primary revenue stream through direct online sales to consumers via their website. Customers purchase individual products or complete vehicle-specific packs. The company ships products directly to customers with same-day shipping often available.
- Wholesale/Reseller: Wholesale accounts available for retailers and installers who want to stock Car Builders products. Reseller application process available on their website.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sound Deadener - Stage 1 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Acoustic Liner Carpet Underlay - Stage 2 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mass Noise Liner |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Van Liner |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | VanSeal |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Havelock Wool Insulation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Vehicle Soundproofing Kits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Car Builders product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Car Builders designs, sources, and sells a multi-stage automotive sound deadening and thermal insulation system for vehicle interiors and underbody applications. The core product portfolio includes butyl-based vibration dampening mats, mass loaded vinyl acoustic barriers, foil-faced closed cell foam thermal insulation, and vehicle-specific pre-cut kits for 4x4s, passenger cars, vans, trucks, utes, and classic cars. Supporting categories include heat shields, automotive carpets, paint coatings, specialized tapes, and installation accessories.
Product overview
Car Builders is a specialized automotive aftermarket products company offering a comprehensive range of sound deadening and thermal insulation solutions for vehicles. The product portfolio is organized around a core multi-stage soundproofing system: Stage 1 Sound Deadener (butyl-based vibration dampening mats applied to sheet metal) serves as the foundational product, while Stage 2 products including Mass Noise Liner (mass loaded vinyl with closed cell foam), Acoustic Liner, Water Proof Underlay, and Van Liner provide secondary acoustic barriers and thermal insulation. These materials are packaged into vehicle-specific kits called Vehicle Packs, which include pre-cut solutions for 4x4s (Land Cruiser, Patrol, Ford Ranger, Hilux), cars (Commodore, Mustang, small/medium/large vehicles), vans (Sprinter, Transit, VW Kombi, Caddy), trucks, and utes. Additional product categories include heat shields for underbody/engine bay applications, automotive carpets and marine carpets, paint coatings (TXT Coatings, bed liners), specialized tapes, install equipment, and branded apparel. The company sells direct to consumers and through resellers, with products designed for both DIY enthusiasts and professional installers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Significant reduction in road noise and panel resonance reported by customers in reviews
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Car Builders
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Car Builders technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Car Builders partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- FareclaminorPromotional partnership offering up to 40% off Farecla car wash products. This appears to be a promotional bundle or cross-sell opportunity rather than a strategic partnership.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Car Builders competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Noico: Direct-to-consumer butyl-based automotive sound deadening brand, sold predominantly through Amazon at low price points. Represents the commoditized butyl sheet segment competing against Car Builders' Stage 1 offering on price.
- FatMat: Long-established US aftermarket sound deadening brand offering butyl-based damping products to DIY consumers and car audio installers. Comparable product format and enthusiast customer overlap.
- HushMat: Manufacturer of automotive sound deadening and thermal acoustic insulation products sold primarily through car audio and restoration channels. Overlapping product portfolio targeting enthusiast DIY customers in the same NVH/insulation category.
- Dynamat: The original and category-defining automotive sound deadening brand in the US market, offering butyl-based vibration dampening mats and complementary acoustic materials. Car Builders' Stage 1 product is a direct functional comparable aimed at the same DIY customer use case.
- Second Skin Audio: US-based manufacturer of automotive sound deadening and thermal insulation products including closed cell foam, mass loaded vinyl, and butyl-based dampening materials. Comparable multi-stage system and DIY/pro installer customer base.
- Sound Deadener Showdown (SDS): US-based direct-to-consumer sound deadening brand offering butyl damping mats and closed cell foam products via Amazon and own storefront. Comparable product mix targeting DIY automotive customers at competitive price points.
- Kilmat: Low-cost butyl-based automotive sound deadening brand distributed primarily through Amazon. Represents the price-aggressive commodity segment of the same butyl mat category Car Builders' Stage 1 product competes in.
- Resonix: US-based manufacturer of automotive sound deadening materials including closed cell foam, mass loaded vinyl, and damping products sold through car audio and DIY channels. Closely comparable multi-product portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Eastwood Company: Larger, established US DIY automotive restoration brand offering a broad catalog including coatings, tools, welding, and interior accessories. Overlaps with Car Builders on DIY enthusiast customers and the paint/coatings sub-category, but operates at significantly greater scale and breadth.
Emerging players
- Havelock Wool: Natural sheep wool insulation manufacturer with growing presence in automotive and van conversion applications. Car Builders already resells Havelock Wool as part of its product line, indicating direct product overlap in the thermal/acoustic insulation category.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Car Builders financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Car Builders leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Car Builders funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Car Builders M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Car Builders
What does Car Builders do?
Car Builders designs, sources, and sells a multi-stage automotive sound deadening and thermal insulation system for vehicle interiors and underbody applications. The core product portfolio includes butyl-based vibration dampening mats, mass loaded vinyl acoustic barriers, foil-faced closed cell foam thermal insulation, and vehicle-specific pre-cut kits for 4x4s, passenger cars, vans, trucks, utes, and classic cars. Supporting categories include heat shields, automotive carpets, paint coatings, specialized tapes, and installation accessories.
Is Car Builders a public or private company?
Car Builders is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Car Builders founded?
Car Builders was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Car Builders based?
Car Builders is headquartered in Kilsyth, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Car Builders make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale/Reseller.
Who are Car Builders's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Noico, FatMat, HushMat, Dynamat, Second Skin Audio, Sound Deadener Showdown (SDS), Kilmat and Resonix. Eastwood Company is listed as a broad incumbent. Havelock Wool is listed as an emerging player.
Does Car Builders have an API?
No public API is recorded for Car Builders.
What industry is Car Builders in?
Car Builders's product category is Automotive Sound Deadening & Thermal Insulation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAKAH, Automotive NVH, Insulation & Acoustic Components Manufacturing (Sound Deadening/Thermal Barriers), with a secondary code of IMACALAJ, Automotive Thermal Insulation, Sealing & NVH for HVAC/Thermal Systems. Its NAICS code is 33636 and its SIC code is 3714.