Based in Wakad, the business began from a 2,000 sq. ft. facility with the aim of bringing several parts of automotive care under one roof rather than operating as a conventional detailing studio. Over time, AutoNest has built its offering around paint protection films, ceramic and graphene coatings, professional detailing, interior customisation, styling, restoration and certified pre-owned vehicles.
A Business Built Around More Than Detailing
For Nikhil and Yuktha, the larger idea was to create a place where car owners could move from protection and detailing to personalisation and even vehicle purchase without having to deal with multiple providers.
The studio offers paint protection films in gloss, matte and customised finishes, along with ceramic and graphene coatings, paint correction, deep interior cleaning and exterior restoration.
Its customisation services extend to premium upholstery, leather and suede seat covers, alloy and caliper modifications, lighting upgrades and wraps. AutoNest also handles denting, painting and cosmetic restoration, while its pre-owned vehicle division includes assistance around financing, insurance and ownership transfer.
The company says its approach is built around tailoring packages to the condition of the vehicle, the customer’s preferences and the budget rather than pushing a standard combination of services.
Building Credibility in a Competitive Market
One of AutoNest’s early priorities has been to build associations with established automotive protection and detailing brands.
The company lists Tint & Orange, Cosmo and RODIM among its collaborations and brand associations, something it views as an important step in strengthening its position in the premium car-care segment.
For a young business, however, Nikhil and Yuktha see credibility as something that has to be built through execution as much as branding.
That means explaining products clearly, recommending solutions according to actual requirements and maintaining consistency in surface preparation, application and finishing. The founders remain closely involved in the business, with Nikhil focusing on brand development, customer experience, innovation and expansion.
AutoNest completed its first year in June 2026, marking an early milestone for a company still defining the scale it wants to reach.
From a Pune Studio to a Larger Automotive Brand
The next phase is centred on moving beyond being known only as a local automotive studio.
Nikhil and Yuktha want AutoNest to develop into a wider automotive brand built around protection, personalisation, restoration and vehicle ownership services. The ambition is to expand its presence while retaining the founder-led involvement and customer experience on which the business has been built so far.
For Nikhil, that makes AutoNest as much a personal entrepreneurial bet as a business venture. Leaving dentistry did not come with a guaranteed outcome, and the company is still at an early stage. But one year in, the decision has already taken shape as a growing automotive business built alongside his mother and rooted firmly in Pune.
