In the late 1960s, a company called Datsun was creating a sports car.  Rumor has it that the Z-car’s creator liked the lines of the Jaguar, and took some of those lines.  His car also used an inline 6-cylinder engine that was much like the Mercedes inline 5-cylinder.

Datsun took these elements and then made a better-selling car.  Why?  Because it was sporty, it was fast, it was reliable…and it was affordable.  Unlike the expensive cars from which Datsun took its inspiration from, the 240Z was known for being an affordable sports car.  And not only that, but it was winning big time — one 240Z had single-handedly pushed all the Porsches out of the races in 1970-71.

These days, Datsun — now Nissan — has gone on to become one of America’s favorite car manufacturers.  The 350Z, a descendant of the 240Z, is still a big seller.  There are lots of accessories available for these cars, and if you don’t mind me saying so, I think the 350Z wheels are SO much better-looking than the Porsche wheels or the Lexus wheels.

This ought to tell you something about how to make your business successful.  Look at what the competition does, and take inspiration from them — but do it better and more competitively than they do!  Datsun (or Nissan) brought the hottest elements of expensive cars to a range where the common person could afford them… and nearly 40 years later, they are STILL enjoying the successes of this approach!

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