Sometimes people are looking for, 'What's the next Tesla car?

"Sometimes people are looking for, 'What's the next Tesla car? What's this really cool, super-specific thing that people are going to want?' But I try to be just like a Ford truck. They sell a lot more Ford trucks than they do Tesla cars." These words from Luke Combs carry a deep, timeless wisdom, urging us to seek value not in fleeting novelty, but in reliability, consistency, and the things that stand the test of time. In an age of constant change and the relentless pursuit of the next big thing, Luke Combs reminds us of the enduring power of the ordinary, the dependable, and the lasting.

In the rush to create something spectacular and innovative, people often forget that it is not always the flashy or the newest that will carry the weight of success, but rather the tried and true. The Tesla car, for all its revolutionary design and cutting-edge technology, is a symbol of the new, of the quest for something that will forever alter the way we travel. Yet, as Combs wisely points out, the Ford truck—simple, rugged, and trustworthy—sells far more units. It is the essence of functionality and reliability that drives the steady, powerful force of the Ford truck, not the fleeting fascination with the latest model.

Think of the stories of great civilizations from the past, whose legacies were built not on moments of dazzling brilliance, but on steadfast foundations. The Romans did not conquer the known world with glamorous displays of power; it was their discipline, their ability to build enduring roads, structures, and institutions that laid the groundwork for their dominance. Similarly, the Chinese Empire, over thousands of years, endured not through sporadic bursts of creativity, but by cultivating a culture rooted in pragmatism, in building that which lasted and sustained the empire’s citizens across generations. Ford, too, is a legacy of this enduring principle: creating something reliable, functional, and with value that extends beyond the whims of passing trends.

This idea extends to our own lives as well. Many of us may be tempted to chase after the next big thing—the trend, the fad, the thing that promises instant recognition or success. But Combs’ comparison of his approach to the Ford truck urges us to look deeper, to focus on what works consistently rather than what is momentarily fashionable. True greatness lies in building something that people can count on over time, rather than chasing fleeting moments of excitement that may not endure. This is the story of the quiet achiever, the unsung hero, who steadily and reliably works toward a goal, knowing that the value they bring is not defined by the flashiness of their output but by its lasting impact.

Consider the humble oak tree. It does not grow as quickly as the willow or the poplar, nor does it catch the eye with dazzling colors or dramatic movements. Yet it stands firm, rooted deep in the earth, its branches reaching toward the sky for centuries. Those who plant oaks are not seeking instant recognition, but they know that the legacy of such a tree is found in the slow, steady growth that eventually gives shelter, provides shade, and becomes a symbol of endurance. The same can be said of those who choose to build their lives on steadiness, on doing what works, on creating a legacy that outlasts the current season.

The lesson to be learned is clear: in our lives, whether in our careers, our relationships, or our ambitions, we are often better served by being like the Ford truck—reliable, consistent, and grounded in the things that matter. We must remember that greatness is not always about being the most innovative, nor is it about chasing the newest trends. True success lies in building something that is trustworthy, that people can rely on day after day, year after year. Like the oak tree, we should grow patiently, with steady roots in the soil, focused not on the speed of our growth but on the strength of our foundation.

So, let us embrace the wisdom of the Ford truck. Let us strive to be steadfast, reliable, and constant in the face of a world that prizes the new and the shiny. Let us find contentment not in the chase for novelty, but in the quiet satisfaction of knowing that what we build can stand the test of time. We must not be dazzled by the glitter of the moment, but rather seek to create that which endures, knowing that the road ahead, much like that of the Ford truck, is one that will take us further than we could have ever imagined.