Chapter 379: No. 1 in the country, this is a beginning
In later generations, the car market often has the saying "Golden Nine and Silver Ten", but in 1985, car sales obviously had nothing to do with the "Golden Nine and Silver Ten".
Under this circumstance, the output of BMW Light and Mercedes-Benz sedans of the BMW Group both exceeded 10,000 units, becoming the first automobile manufacturer in China with a monthly output of more than 20,000 units.
After the news came out, not only the local media in Shenzhen reported it, but also the China TV station specially arranged for reporters to come over for the interview, and spent more than ten seconds introducing it on the news broadcast.
It can be said that BMW cars suddenly appeared in front of many people.
This situation is naturally a good thing for the employees of the BMW Group.
Especially when many people came to Shencheng after leaving various factories in the capital, many relatives and friends around them had opinions or said strange things.
Now I find that the company I went to is doing very well, not to mention the salary and benefits.
The views of people around you are naturally different.
"Jiang Hui, people in many places now want to invite BMW Technology to invest. Can we also consider not putting all our industries in Shenzhen?"
Zhu Ling has now slowly changed her role and begun to develop in the direction of a working woman.
She also began to get involved in some matters related to BMW technology.
As the general manager of BMW Technology and a native of Hong Kong, she will naturally be involved in attracting investment in many places.
Especially here in Lingnan Province, everyone will naturally have their own thoughts when they see the rapid economic development in Shenzhen due to the existence of the BMW Group.
"Your idea is very good. Our industries are indeed not suitable for all being placed in the same place."
"But today's mobile and communication are too inconvenient, and the policies in each place are quite different."
"In the short term, we still need to fully develop in Shenzhen. After laying a solid foundation, and after the entire environment has further developed, we will then consider developing in other places."
Jiang Hui knows very well that China's economic development will definitely face some difficulties in the next few years, and the policies in different places are also quite different.
It is not suitable to develop in other places outside the special zone of Shenzhen.
Even in Shanghai or the capital, the environment for economic development cannot be compared with that of the special economic zones.
“But many leaders invited us over for inspections, but nothing happened at all. Isn’t it easy to offend people?”
Zhu Ling spoke a little worriedly.
When doing business in China, you must offend as few people as possible, especially people from relevant departments.
"It's not like we have no movement at all. We can start with the supporting factories."
"For example, developing more supporting factories for BMW cars in Yangcheng is actually supporting them."
"Or you can choose some suitable supporting factories for acquisition, which can be regarded as an investment."
When Jiang Hui said this, Zhu Ling understood immediately.
Jiang Hui has attached great importance to the construction of the automobile industry chain in recent years, and she knows this.
Although Nanshan Technology is also developing, there is obviously still a big gap between it and the ideal state.
Many parts still need to be purchased from supporting factories such as Capital City, Yangcheng, and Shanghai.
Due to the rapid increase in the production of Mercedes-Benz cars in the past few months, these supporting factories have not been without problems.
“Which supporting manufacturers should we prioritize to cooperate with or acquire manufacturers in which fields?”
On professional matters, listen to the opinions of professionals.
Although Zhu Ling has begun to get involved in the management of BMW Technology, when it comes to professional knowledge in the automotive field, she must always listen to Jiang Hui.
"Currently, we or the Automobile Industry Park are already producing key parts for engines, gearboxes and chassis, but lights and radios are all purchased from manufacturers in Shanghai."
"If there are some manufacturers in Lingnan Province that produce car lights or radios and other spare parts, we can consider acquiring one and then focus on supporting its development."
Car lights have a huge impact on improving the commercialization of a car.
Later generations of Audi had the title of "Lamp Factory" for a long time. Many of its models had very good publicity effects because of their well-designed lights.
In terms of appearance design, Jiang Hui is the best at it and is also the easiest to surpass.
As for the radio, Jiang Hui is preparing for the next step of the central control system.
In the future, the parts that play CDs and touch screens will all develop and grow based on this part.
If you start planning in this field in advance, you can accomplish a lot.
"Then I understand. I will pay attention to it when I visit various places in the future."
Zhu Ling planned to first confirm the situation in the domestic car lights and radio fields according to Jiang Hui's statement.
Since Jiang Hui felt that these two parts were very important, she was ready to work on them.
……
BMW Group's production and sales exceeded 20,000 vehicles in September. Employees within the group were delighted, but other competitors were different.
"Lao Lu, after our commercial vehicles were launched, the monthly sales volume was less than 1,000 units. This increase is not as large as the decline in the number of BJ310 units."
"If we continue to develop at this pace, it will become very difficult for our factory's monthly production and sales to not only exceed 20,000 units, but even to stabilize 10,000 units."
Chen Qi was obviously dissatisfied with the performance of the new commercial vehicle developed by Lu Jianqiang.
The BMW Light can sell 10,000 units a month in China and has become a leading model that is envied by everyone. How come it only has a fraction left at the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant?
The key is that the sales of many models on the market are increasing, but the sales of their BJ212 and BJ310 are declining.
This is very fatal.
"Director, compared with BMW's Light, our commercial vehicles have no advantage in appearance or price."
“Coupled with the emergence of Mercedes-Benz cars, many factories and units have given up purchasing commercial vehicles and instead purchased Mercedes-Benz cars.”
“Especially those units that often have reception tasks, now basically use Mercedes-Benz cars as their first choice.”
"I heard that last month's sales of 10,000 Mercedes-Benz sedans were because the production capacity was only 10,000, otherwise it could have sold several thousand more."
Lu Jianqiang has given up now.
He also knew how far his design level was from others.
It is also a new product launched this year. Mercedes-Benz cars have become popular abroad, and domestic orders have also been received. In order to pick up the cars in time, people from some units directly arranged for drivers to come to the gate of the BMW Group. You have to pick up the car and drive it back yourself.
Such a scene would be completely unimaginable in later generations.
Especially in 2024, various car companies will offer 20% off or even 30% off when selling cars.
This price is lower than the employee discount price of many factories, and it is worth it. How is it like now, when consumers go up the pole to come to your factory to pick up their cars, for fear that you will not give priority to selling to others.
"Mercedes-Benz cars are excellent, I fully admit this."
“But our BJ310 is not bad either.”
Chen Qi stared at Lu Jianqiang depressedly, feeling a little regretful about letting Jiang Hui go to Chaoyang Motorcycle Manufacturing Factory.
"We have now purchased a 1.5L engine from Nanshan Engine. By then, whether it is BJ212, BJ310, or new commercial vehicles, this engine will be used, which will enrich our configuration."
“Starting next year, our sales will definitely stop falling and rebound.”
When Lu Jianqiang said this, Chen Qi felt a little better.
Now all their products are equipped with 2.5L engines produced by Capital Internal Combustion Engine Factory.
Although the performance of this product has improved a lot after being modified by Jiang Hui, there is still a gap between it and the international advanced level.
In addition, there is no advantage in terms of cost.
6◇9◇Book◇Bar
Faced with the complex situation in the domestic automobile industry, the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant is preparing to carve out a development path of its own.
"Then do it as soon as possible. Otherwise, if this situation continues to develop, one day we may not even be able to maintain our second position in the industry."
Relying on the sales of three passenger cars, the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant still sells more than 10,000 vehicles every month.
It can be said that they have surpassed the two big guys, FAW and Second Automobile Works.
But the other party must also have ideas to come back.
Especially FAW, which is now formally negotiating joint venture details with Toyota Motor.
When the time comes, it will definitely be introduced into passenger cars and sales will increase rapidly.
Second Automobile Group Co., Ltd. is also negotiating cooperation with French car companies, and there may be news about a joint venture soon.
It can be said that the entire pattern of China's automobile industry is changing rapidly.
Under such circumstances, Chen Qi naturally did not want the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Factory to wake up early and rush to the late market.
……
"Director, the signing ceremony of the joint venture contract next week will be attended by relevant leaders from the First Machinery Department and the province, and President Shoichiro Toyoda of Toyota Motor will also personally attend."
"At that time, we will directly import Toyota's Crown sedan and work with FAW Audi to support China's high-end luxury sedan market."
Zhao Guangming has put in a lot of effort in negotiating with Toyota on behalf of FAW during this period.
Due to feeling the pressure in the American market and seeing the rise of BMW in China, Toyota is much more active in cooperating with FAW than at the same time in history.
Historically, FAW Toyota was only established in 2000, which can be said to be relatively late.
Now it has appeared in 1985, and its impact on the entire Chinese automobile industry is inestimable.
After all, Toyota's strength cannot be underestimated, and the Crown sedan has already become famous in China.
Back then, taxis in Shenzhen were basically either Crowns or Nissan Dukes.
“Up to now, our monthly output is less than 10,000 units, and we can’t sell cars at all.”
"The price of the Audi 100 is still too high, and the price of the new generation Hongqi sedan is also much higher than that of the Mercedes-Benz sedan."
“This situation makes relevant units unwilling to purchase our products.”
"This time we will cooperate with Toyota Motor to produce the Crown sedan. The price will be higher than that of the Mercedes-Benz sedan, and we hope to seize the other party's market."
"By then, if we sell several thousand vehicles a month, the joint venture will be able to survive well."
"After trying it out, and letting Toyota introduce the Camry into the joint venture factory for local production, the combined sales of the two cars are expected to reach 10,000 units per month."
The monthly sales exceed 10,000, which has almost become a demon in Geng Weidong's heart.
As the first automobile manufacturer in China, FAW is under great pressure now.
If he doesn't get some results, Geng Weidong feels that he won't be able to keep his position under his butt.
"I heard that the Camry can sell more than 20,000 units a month in the United States, and it is the best-selling single model of Toyota Motor."
"If it can be produced in a joint venture factory, then there will be no vitality for BMW and Shanghai Automobile Manufacturing Plant in the domestic car market."
Zhao Guangming is still very confident in Toyota Motor.
He also personally went to Japan for inspection and saw how powerful they were.
"This signing ceremony must be done well. Inviting more media to participate will also play a good publicity role."
As the director of FAW, Geng Weidong naturally does not want to leave the impression that he is a petty person.
What he didn't expect was that after FAW cooperated with Toyota, Volkswagen, which was originally only willing to cooperate on the Audi brand, would also change its attitude.
Of course, this is something to talk about later.
At this moment, Shanghai Automobile Manufacturing Plant, Second Automobile Manufacturing Plant, Yangcheng Automobile Manufacturing Plant and other friends are discussing the major matter of BMW dominating domestic sales and FAW's joint venture with Toyota.
"Xiao Jiang, the first product FAW Toyota plans to produce after the establishment of FAW Toyota is the Crown sedan. This product is still relatively well-known in the south. Will it have a certain impact on your Mercedes-Benz sedans by then?"
Although Zhu Jiansheng lives in the capital, he is still very concerned about the development of BMW Group.
"If there is no impact, then there must be some."
"However, our Mercedes-Benz sedan can dwarf Toyota's Camry in the American market, cause sales of Honda's Accord to decline, and disrupt the sales pace of Ford's Taurus sedan. Naturally, we will not be afraid of the threat of the Crown sedan."
"With the current situation of FAW, even if the Crown sedan is domestically produced, most of its parts will definitely need to be imported from Japan. Not to mention the foreign exchange consumption, the production volume cannot be very high."
"Otherwise, Shanghai Volkswagen would have already increased the production of Santana."
Jiang Hui is still very confident in the development of BMW.
Now that I am preparing to enter the international market on a large scale, how can I worry about the development of a joint venture company threatening me?
If you really need to worry, it’s only the people of FAW Toyota who should worry about it.
"It should be noted that FAW can mobilize a lot of resources domestically, and relevant cadres are spread across the country."
“In addition, the Crown car is indeed not bad, and many people recognize it.”
Zhu Jiansheng was worried that Jiang Hui would miss the mark and become depressed.
(End of chapter)