While the NSU Prinz 1, 2, and 3 were inexpensive, economical cars, they were not considered stylish. NSU realized that if they sought to sell small cars in volume numbers they needed a car with a more appealing style. The designers at NSU thought the Chevrolet Corvair was an attractive automobile and decided to style the Prinz 4 after the Corvair. It was a great success and sales skyrocketed.