Chapter 1263 Spending a Small Money to Do Big Things (Second update, please subscribe)
We want it too!
It is not a must, but a must!
Only by seeing it with your own eyes can you feel the power of Nanyang. The industrial civilization of Nanyang had an unprecedented impact on Park Zhengxiong and others who came from agricultural countries.
After all, South Korea at this time was the least developed country in the world—even its economy was not as good as that of newly independent African countries.
Although they had been to the United States and witnessed the industrial power of Blue Star No. 1 at this time, that was the United States, and they were mentally prepared before going there.
But it is different in Nanyang. Nanyang was only founded 16 years ago!
For Park Zhengxiong and his party, what they saw was like a country full of science fiction colors. Factories stood on this land, and the power of industrial civilization impacted their lives. Cognition makes their souls stir.
We want it too!
And it must be there, this desire becomes more and more intense during the visit.
In fact, they were not the only ones who suffered the impact. Even Blue Star No. 2 also felt the impact. After Khrushchev visited Nanyang a few years ago, he then had a "fight" with Nixon. Kitchen Debate", and then visited the United States and felt the impact of the United States again.
Although he did not say it, Khrushchev said the same thing there - we must have it too!
Of course, it’s not just Fanta... As a by-product of Khrushchev’s visit to Southeast Asia, Fanta entered the Soviet market a few years ago. With Khrushchev’s endorsement, its sales volume As you can imagine, this carbonated drink immediately became popular throughout the Soviet Union.
However, many people, including Khrushchev, did not want the Soviets to drink Fanta from Southeast Asia. They wanted the Soviet people to live a life similar to that of the Nanyang people.
Just as Park Zhengxiong and his party were shocked from ear to ear by Nanyang's "Industrial Crusoe", another group of people were astonished by Nanyang's rich variety of industrial consumer goods.
"What should we introduce?"
As the Minister of Foreign Trade, Patolichev was dazzled by the wide variety of consumer goods after coming to Nanyang.
He came to Nanyang this time with a "consumption coupon". After the Minsk Automobile Manufacturing Plant transferred the maz543 truck technology to Foton Motor Company in Nanyang, the Soviet Union obtained a consumption coupon—— Technology worth US$4 million for civilian consumer goods can be introduced from Nanyang - this is the contract amount for the technology transfer of the maz543 truck.
After receiving this consumer voucher, Patolichev immediately led a group of Soviet experts to Nanyang to see what technology to introduce.
In fact, Foton Motor originally planned to transfer the technology of a small car to it, but the Kremlin vetoed this transfer.
"The Soviet people don't need cars now. Compared with cars, the Soviet people need consumer goods such as refrigerators and televisions more."
The Soviet Union has always had a strong need to introduce technical equipment. Very hungry for Western technology. Although the Soviet Union's military industry and cutting-edge technology were very developed, it was very backward in many fields such as chemistry, automobiles, and electronic equipment, especially the people's livelihood industry, and there was a serious gap with the West. The livelihood industries of the Soviet Union could not even meet the normal needs of the people. Even toothpaste, soap and the like had to be imported.
But after arriving in Nanyang, they discovered a very troublesome thing - there are too many types and brands of consumer goods in Nanyang.
There were so many that they were dazzled and confused.
For those who are dazzled by it, they really don’t know how to choose these products.
"We must choose a refrigerator that is not only suitable for the Soviet Union, but also technically reliable and durable."
So Hupatolichev and members of the Soviet trade delegation immediately conducted inspections of refrigerator manufacturers in Southeast Asia. conducted an inspection. After an inspection, everyone couldn’t help but be a little confused because they found that Nanyang’s products were too rich:
“In Nanyang, there are as many as 78 brands of refrigerators, and nearly a hundred brands. The company produces a variety of refrigerators, with different types, different functions, and different prices. If you include models, there are at least four to five hundred types. How should we choose? "
Faced with hundreds of models of refrigerators, Patolichev suddenly fell silent. He even couldn't help but complain,
"These Nanyang people are really serious. Why do they make them?" Isn’t that a waste of such a type of refrigerator? ”
While complaining, Patolichev also became a little entangled. How to choose from so many brands and products?
Actually, the Soviet Union has a refrigerator. It was the Saratov refrigerator independently developed in 1951. Although it has problems such as long thawing time and loud noise, the refrigerator is still extremely popular. After all, It is a rare refrigerator in the Soviet Union. Last year, sales exceeded one million units and it was even exported abroad, mainly to Eastern European countries.
Just when he didn't know how to choose, a businessman came to the hotel where the Soviet trade delegation was staying - the manager of Polar Bear Company. Wang Yumin went directly to the hotel, and then found the floor where the delegation was located. Although he did not speak Russian, and it was difficult to find a Russian translator in Nanyang, he still came alone.
"Excuse me, are you from the Soviet Trade Delegation?"
Wang Yumin asked a foreigner as soon as he got out of the elevator. He really found the right person. Although the person didn't understand Mandarin, they still made gestures and had a simple communication. Soon Wang Yumin arrived at the suite where Patolichev was located.
As soon as he saw Patolichev and confirmed that he was the head of the Russian delegation in the news, he said:
"Mr. Minister, I know the product you are looking for that is suitable for transfer, one of our company's The product is very suitable for the Soviet Union. Although it is a single-door refrigerator, it has a freezer and a refrigerator..." When introducing his product, Wang Yumin seemed extremely confident. When he took out the instruction manual, he emphasized it.
“In 1957, the Polar Bear XRT136 refrigerator and its various modified models have created a sales record of 700,000 units in the U.S. market. In the past five years, During this period, it has sold more than 7 million units. "
"It is a product of 57 years old! Is the technology lagging behind?"
Patolichev said.
“The product was put into production in 1957, but after several iterations, the technology is still the most advanced. It not only has low energy consumption, but also has mature technology and has been tested by the market. And we are preparing to upgrade the production line. , if you are willing to buy the old production line, we can transfer the technology to you for free!”
This is Wang Yumin’s purpose. The free transfer of technology is simply a gimmick. The real purpose is to Sell the obsolete production lines to the Soviet Union. After learning that the Soviet trade delegation was inspecting Nanyang and preparing to introduce refrigerator technology, he started to think about it. The company's old production lines themselves needed to be eliminated. There were two ways to eliminate them. , one is that in addition to some parts being used, some equipment is scrapped, especially those production molds, which basically need to be scrapped. After all, the market no longer needs that product.
Another option is to sell the production lines abroad. But which country abroad needs refrigerator production lines?
It can be said that basically none. After all, Western countries basically have their own refrigerator industry, and they will not spend money to buy backward production equipment. As for developing countries... they can now use it on a large scale. There were only a few developing countries that had refrigerators. Under such circumstances, the sudden appearance of the Soviet Union made Wang Yumin see an opportunity.
Ever since, he took the initiative to come here and asked to meet Patolichev.
It is still very appropriate to exchange old technology and old production lines that have been eliminated by the market for a dollar.
“Our refrigerator technology is at least 15 years ahead of the Soviet Union. Now it just doesn’t meet the market’s requirements in terms of style. Mr. Minister, in terms of overall technology, it is still extremely advanced.”
This is true, at least part of the truth. The accompanying Soviet experts also agreed. After all, the refrigerator technology sold in the Soviet market until now is still at the technical level of the late 1940s, which is far from being comparable to Southeast Asian technology. In comparison, after all, it is well known that in terms of home appliance technology, Nanyang's technology is far ahead, even surpassing that of European and American countries.
“Free transfer!”
Patolichev's eyes lit up and he asked:
"What is the annual output of your equipment?"
"Nine hundred thousand units. If the equipment is properly adjusted, There is no problem with one million units a year. If you are willing to purchase it, we will ensure that the output is more than one million units!”
Although he has never dealt with the Russians, Wang Yumin understands it! The Soviet Union and Eastern European countries attached great importance to output, so he specifically mentioned an annual output of one million.
Sure enough, when they heard this output, Patolichev and others couldn't calm down. This is equivalent to creating a Saratov refrigerator factory!
Patolichev asked:
"So what is your offer?"
"6.7 million US dollars!"
Wang Yumin directly gave an offer, and Emphasized:
"You will need at least an investment of more than 20 million US dollars to build the same factory. Adding technology, you will need an investment of almost 30 million US dollars. Now, you only need 6.7 million US dollars to get one. Such a factory, Mr. Minister, is definitely a very cost-effective investment.”
Without Wang Yumin's reminder, Patolichev knew that this was a very cost-effective investment. Just when he subconsciously wanted to agree, his instinct drove him to raise the price. After thinking about it, he said.
“Five million US dollars!”
“This is impossible, there is no such counter-offer like you!”
Wang Yumin said loudly, but what he didn’t know was that this This is the way the Soviets negotiate business, and $5 million is already very generous. If it had been anyone else, it might have been cut in half.
“6.5 million!”
In this way, Wang Yumin began to bargain with the other party. It took almost a few hours before the two parties reached a consensus. Polar Bear Company would transfer the old refrigerator production line and refrigerator technology to him and help them build a factory.
Subsequently, Patolichev reported to Moscow. Just as he had guessed, facing a refrigerator factory with an annual output of one million units and technology obtained for free, even if it is backward technology , Moscow still chose to agree. After all, being behind in the Western world does not mean falling behind in the Soviet Union. Besides, spending small money to do big things is the Soviet Union's favorite thing!
(End of this chapter)