Premcar turns 30 in 2026. To celebrate, we’re sharing some of our carmaking knowledge. This time, it’s about two competitive animals that exemplify real-world success.
Ancient Greek poet Archilochus delivered one of history’s most important lines:
“The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.”
It means the sly fox hunts using a variety of tactics, but the smart hedgehog has one extremely effective approach.
Philosopher Isaiah Berlin expanded on this in the 1950s with his essay that classified thinkers into ‘foxes’ and ‘hedgehogs’.
He argued foxes chase after many ideas and take various approaches, whereas hedgehogs focus on the world through a single approach.
50 years later, author Jim Collins outlined his ‘Hedgehog Concept’ in his famous book ‘Good to Great’, which details how good companies become great companies.
His Hedgehog Concept was born from three intersecting characteristics:
- What you can be the best in the world at
- What drives your economic engine
- What you are deeply passionate about
Collins explained how great companies follow this concept to succeed.
Good companies resembled foxes.
Great companies were hedgehogs.
Premcar started years before Collins published his landmark book.
But the company has followed the Hedgehog principle since its inception.
A simplified and refined strategy, intense professional focus, and the discipline to stay inside the company’s deep circle of competence (to quote Warren Buffett), has helped propel Premcar’s success with carmakers for 30 years.
Adapting is critical, especially in competitive markets.
But drifting towards short-term ideas and fashionable possibilities dilutes experience and skill.
Which is why Premcar continues to take the hedgehog’s approach.
It’s the discipline to stay focused on what produces success for carmakers.
It’s how we help create the new cars people want to buy.
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 30 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 213,000 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.
