Premcar turns 30 in 2026. To celebrate, we’re sharing some of our knowledge. This time, it’s about resilience.
If you follow motorsport you’ll know about the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
It’s one of the most challenging endurance races on the annual calendar.
It’s also the most prestigious endurance race, having been won by famous automakers like Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren.
They’ll all tell you that trying to win Le Mans is very different to trying to win a Formula 1 race.
As one race engineer once told me, “the hardest part is being there at the end.”
That’s because racing France’s 13.6-kilometre Circuit de la Sarthe at close to the limit for 24 hours – in the blazing sun, driving rain and dark of night – pushes everything.
It stresses and strains engines and gearboxes.
It stresses and strains suspension systems, clutches, wheels and tyres.
And it stresses and strains the teams, especially their drivers.
These extreme conditions and their punishing effects make it difficult to “be there at the end”.
It’s the same in carmaking.
Just as Le Mans drivers make it look easy to race for 5,000 consecutive kilometres, part of OEM carmaking’s magic is it tends to look simple on the outside.
It’s the parts you can’t see that are often the most difficult.
These parts require broad shoulders and patience, particularly at certain times in the product development and manufacturing processes.
Technical skill and deep experience are mandatory in carmaking.
But the fuel tank that gets a team to the finish line is resilience.
Despite any brand’s speed-to-market claims, OEM carmaking is ultimately an endurance race.
Fast but fragile doesn’t win because you won’t make it to the finish line with the right result.
Resilience is essential.
It’s the difference between finishing in pit lane, or victory lane.
And there’s no getting around it.
Bernie Quinn, CEO of Premcar
About Premcar:
Premcar Pty Ltd is a leading Australian vehicle engineering business that specialises in the automotive, defence and aerospace industries. For more than 25 years, global car-makers have made Premcar their go-to partner for the complete design, engineering and manufacture of niche-model new cars, full-scale new-vehicle development programs, and electric vehicle (EV) conversions and manufacturing. Premcar’s body of work is extensive. It is the name behind more than 200,000 new cars and 55,000 new-vehicle engines. The company has delivered technical advancements and sales success for major car brands from Europe, the USA, Japan, China and Australia. Visit premcar.au.
