Chapter 214: Kill four soldiers with one peach, sit firmly on Diaoyutai
Zhu Jiansheng is a relatively open-minded person.
Now that Jiang Hui has made up his mind, he will definitely not stop him.
Besides, at his level, he has access to more information, and he actually knows that reform is a major trend.
Many things that seem impossible now will be possible in the future.
As far as Jiang Hui's technical strength and talent are concerned, there is actually no way to fully utilize Jiang Hui's technical strength and talent, whether he stays at the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant or goes to the First Machinery Department.
He deserves more and better conditions and treatment.
“Americans are really good at enjoying themselves.”
Breakfast is a buffet, and Zheng Haiming and Chen Qi will help you eat to your heart’s content.
Based on their level, it stands to reason that there is basically no shortage of food and drink.
But there is just no shortage.
It is still difficult to enjoy delicious food as much as you want.
Every family has several children, which is a big burden.
“In the two world wars, the United States enjoyed the greatest fruits of the war, and its material conditions were naturally much richer.”
“However, our domestic situation is getting better and better. Everyone’s living conditions will definitely get better in the future.”
Zhu Jiansheng had something on his mind, but he didn't eat so happily.
Of course, you must be full after eating.
“Today’s trip is mainly to go to General Motors headquarters for a welcome meeting, and then visit their exhibition hall.”
“There will be various other visits and exchanges later.”
After having breakfast, seeing that there were still more than ten minutes left before the scheduled departure time with General Motors, several people were drinking drinks and talking in the restaurant.
With such a good opportunity, Yue Rui must briefly review today's itinerary with everyone.
As the leader, his role is relatively limited, and he does his best to do this job well.
“There should be a lot of things from General Motors that are worth learning and learning from. Let’s see if we can get some useful information from this visit.”
Zheng Haiming, as the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant Although the factory director may be promoted soon, he also hopes that the development of the factory will get better and better in the future.
In this way, his resume will be more glorious.
"General Motors has dozens of models in mass production at the same time. This alone is very remarkable."
"And their annual R&D investment is said to be more than 1 billion US dollars. This is definitely an exaggeration. ”
“Being able to visit their R&D center and latest factory this time should be of great reference for the future development of our factory.”
Chen Qi said this time. We are also looking forward to the inspection.
This is his first time to visit the advanced factory of a global automobile giant.
The key is that they are willing to take out the R&D center for you to visit, which is rare.
Generally speaking, various companies actively show their production plants to the media and others for visits. Anyway, even if competitors see this kind of thing, they will not be able to copy it immediately.
Besides, the production lines of various factories are basically equipment purchased from outside.
Purely speaking from the advanced level of production lines, the difference between General Motors, Ford Motors, Toyota Motors and Mercedes-Benz Motors is very small.
Each company has its own characteristics and will not easily copy or imitate the production line layout of other manufacturers.
...
General Motors still attaches great importance to the five-person inspection team from China.
Not only did Austin come to the hotel to pick him up in person in the morning, but GM President Murphy also attended the welcome meeting held at the General Motors headquarters at 9 o'clock in the morning.
Although it was only a brief meeting of half an hour, I gave him all the respect I deserved.
After that, under the personal leadership of Austin, we visited General Motors’ R&D center and production plant.
He, the design director of a large company, could spend most of his time with Jiang Hui and the others for several days in a row, which was considered very sincere.
“Jiang, we currently have more than ten models under development at the same time, but we currently lack a hot model, a model that can completely attract the attention of consumers.”
“ I will also send you the report related to the consumer analysis of the North American market later. I hope that the model you help design will become a hot model that attracts North American consumers.”
Austin’s warm invitation. When Jiang Hui came over for inspection, didn't he just take a fancy to Jiang Hui's design talent and professional skills?
Now that a few days have passed, he will naturally start to make formal requests.
Anyway, Jiang Hui had already agreed to help design a new model during this period on his first day here.
Up to that time, Austin had never seen Jiang Hui communicating with him about this topic.
Seeing that the date for Jiang Hui's return to China was slowly approaching, he was also a little anxious.
“No problem, I already have some ideas.”
“Pickup trucks have always been popular in the North American market. This time I plan to design a classic pickup truck for the Chevrolet brand. Model, let it hit the position of North American car sales champion.”
Since Jiang Hui agreed to help General Motors design another model in exchange for a high design fee of US$100, he naturally had to come up with a competitive product.
Such as cars and SUVs can also be used in the Chinese market in the future, but he still doesn't want to give them to General Motors easily.
But pickup trucks are different.
In the beginning, pickup trucks were first designed to be transport vehicles, a practical vehicle capable of transporting large and heavy cargo that ordinary cars could not transport.
General Motors' Chevrolet pickup truck has a very long history.
As early as 1918, Chevrolet began its pickup era.
Series 490 trucks allow users to freely choose different styles of open trucks or enclosed trucks, meeting a variety of needs.
The birth of the 1955 Chevrolet Cameo Carrier changed the definition of pickup trucks.
The pickup truck, originally used for rough work, boldly adopted many elements that were only used on cars at the time in its appearance and interior, making it highly recognizable in appearance.
It proved to people for the first time that a pickup truck can not only be practical, but also comfortable and beautiful.
The 1969 C-10 pickup truck can be called the "pioneer" of high-performance pickup trucks, satisfying consumers' dual pursuit of high performance and pickup trucks.
After that, Chevrolet also successively launched the El Camino SS454 pickup truck equipped with a 7.4L engine, the Silverado SS pickup truck equipped with a 6.0LV8 engine and other models to meet people's pursuit of performance.
It can be said that Chevrolet has been working hard, but in terms of results, the pickup sales champion in the North American market in recent years has not been Chevrolet, but Ford.
Even Toyota's pickup trucks have begun to quickly seize the market, which has put considerable pressure on General Motors.
Austin has always wanted to make some breakthroughs in this area.
But according to the information he had learned before, there was basically no pickup truck market in China, so he felt that Jiang Hui was not good at designing pickup trucks, so he never asked Jiang Hui to help design pickup trucks.
Unexpectedly, this time Jiang Hui took the initiative to design a pickup truck for the Chevrolet brand.
This gave Austin a lot more expectations.
“Pickup trucks do have extraordinary significance in American automobile culture.”
“It has played an important role in the development history of American automobiles, from behind the scenes to the stage. In the past, it has transformed from a tool cart that meets basic needs to an important way for American people to pursue enjoyment and improve their quality of life, and has become one of the epitome of the American dream and American spirit. ”
"However, the design concept of pickup trucks in the United States is different from other models."
Although Austin has great confidence in Jiang Hui, he still feels it is necessary to remind him and let him fully consider it. To the particularity of the American pickup truck market, and even the particularity of the American car design culture.
If you want to sum up the meaning of American car culture in one sentence, it must be "using the simplest method to solve the most complex problems."
Unlike Japanese cars, if you want to increase power, you often need to go through a series of careful arguments such as strengthening the engine, adding a turbine, improving heat dissipation, adjusting the computer, redesigning the aerodynamics of the vehicle, etc.
In contrast, American cars have only one solution, which is to put a larger displacement engine into the cabin.
If it is not satisfied, add a large enough mechanical turbo.
American pickup trucks have the same concept.
Want to stay at home? Then make the riding space larger!
Want to load? Then just add a trunk.
Coupled with the strong power of the American V8 engine, it is simply the best equipment for traveling in the United States.
These features make pickup trucks extremely expandable and practical. Until later generations, pickup trucks have remained the best-selling models in the U.S. auto market. "Austin, don't worry, I'm slowly starting to have the idea of a full-size pickup truck in my mind. By then, I hope it will be on par with the Ford F150."
This is not the time to be humble.
It is completely meaningless to be modest with Americans. People will only think that you are not strong enough.
The products Jiang Hui plans to produce are all classic models of later generations, and they are also products that are in line with General Motors' positioning.
There is no way a car like this could fail.
“Okay, then I will wait and see.”
“I have made an appointment with Timken and SKF to come over to discuss with you this afternoon, and NTN and Koyo Seiko have also made arrangements tomorrow morning. Okay.”
“These four manufacturers basically monopolize more than 80% of the global automotive bearing market. It doesn’t matter if you don’t talk about other manufacturers such as Ensco and Schaeffler. After all, your time is limited. ”
Austin now also hopes that Jiang Hui’s sales of integrated wheel bearings will go smoothly.
If Jiang Hui is in a better mood, the products he designs will be more worth looking forward to, right?
Otherwise Jiang Hui would be in a bad mood and not have any design inspiration, and he would be depressed.
Even Austin is willing to help Jiang Hui, so that the patent for integrated wheel bearings can be sold more expensively, allowing Jiang Hui to earn more money.
With so much money, Jiang Hui may be more interested in staying in the United States.
After all, in China, even if there is a lot of money, there is no place to spend it, and the improvement of the quality of life is very limited.
But it's different here in the United States.
If you have money, you can do almost anything.
"Thank you for your hard work. I am going to meet with them alone in the afternoon. I still need to trouble you to help with the schedule of Zheng Factory and them."
Although the integrated wheel hub bearing The overseas patents are all in Jiang Hui's hands, but after all, this part was designed after Jiang Hui joined the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant.
Nowadays, if we really want to argue whether the patented technology belongs to Jiang Hui or the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant, there may be disgusting results.
After all, with enough foreign exchange stimulation, even Zheng Haiming, who cares about Jiang Hui, may not be able to stick to his position.
Not to mention Yue Rui, who was arranged by the First Machinery Department to be the leader.
So Jiang Hui thought he might as well negotiate with the other party alone.
The most you can do is to ask General Motors to help arrange for a professional lawyer to deal with some contract-related matters after the negotiation is completed.
Anyway, I can communicate in both English and Japanese without any obstacles, so there is no need for outsiders to be present.
"No problem, you can come to me anytime if you need anything."
"General Motors' next-generation models will also prepare to use integrated wheel bearing technology. Which manufacturer will obtain your patent or authorization by then? , it will have a unique advantage in obtaining orders from General Motors.”
“I have asked the purchasing director to tell the people of these bearing manufacturers specifically.”
It has to be said that GM's approach is really helping Jiang Hui.
Of course, for General Motors, it has nothing to lose.
No matter who you look for to purchase wheel hub bearings, you will always buy them. Why not take this opportunity to sell Jiang Hui a favor?
Even if the other party does not come to work at General Motors, there may still be opportunities for cooperation in the future.
Besides, Jiang Hui still cannot be persuaded to come to General Motors this time. With the changes in China's reform in the future, General Motors may still enter the Chinese market.
At that time, Jiang Hui may be invited to take up a post, and his attitude will change.
It can be said that large companies like General Motors are very sincere when it comes to real talents.
"Thank you very much Austin for your help. I believe that General Motors will get better and better in the future development."
Jiang Hui happily communicated with Austin.
That afternoon, Jiang Hui had his first negotiation with people from SKF and Timken.
One is sincere in buying and the other is sincere in selling. The atmosphere of the negotiation is quite harmonious.
The kind of slap-in-the-face scene where Jiang Hui is despised from the very beginning does not exist.
After all, don’t look at the monk’s face or the Buddha’s face. This meeting was organized by General Motors.
None of these manufacturers dare to show off in front of General Motors.
The meeting with NTN and Koyo Seiko the next day was similar.
Of course, it is impossible to successfully negotiate immediately after the first meeting.
Jiang Hui asked everyone to give him a quotation, and he would cooperate with the one whose quotation was good.
And he also specifically told the other party that he would return to China next week.
The sale of the patent for integrated wheel hub bearings will only be considered before returning to China. After returning to China, this matter will be suspended.
As a result, the enthusiasm and pressure of several manufacturers are increasing.
"Richard, is the design of this integrated wheel hub bearing really that advanced?"
As the vice president of SKF, Lucas came to participate in the patent meeting in person this time. Negotiations for acquisitions.
He also knew that General Motors helped arrange discussions with several bearing manufacturers.
The official bid will be made tomorrow, so he naturally has to weigh it carefully to see what price is appropriate.
“It is very advanced. It can even be said that the wheel hub bearings of passenger cars in the future will be integrated wheel hub bearings.”
As the design director of SKF, Richard has a deep understanding of technology. Professionalism still requires very professional judgment.
Don't look at it. It can only be used on the wheel hub. The other bearings should be designed as they should.
But wheel bearings still occupy a very important position in a car.
A car requires four wheel hub bearings, and it is a bearing product that consumers can intuitively feel the changes.
From this perspective, wheel hub bearings are the bearing products that attract the most attention in a car.
"Don't we have any way to circumvent their patents?"
If it can be done without spending money, it is definitely best not to spend money.
Even in Europe, it is the same.
Especially now that there are four companies competing, the price to finally win this technology patent is certainly not small.
“If we must avoid it, there may be some ways, but it will cause our parts structure to become more complex, and we will not be cost competitive and quality competitive.”
“And even if it is By adopting the method of circumventing the patent, if someone really wants to sue us, it is possible to succeed.”
“In the past, this patent was in the hands of the Chinese people, so we didn’t have to worry too much about them suing us even if it was infringed. ”
"But if the patent falls on Timken or a Japanese manufacturer, the situation will be completely different."
When Richard said this, Lucas knew about this patent, and SKF needed it Try your best to get it.
SKF was established in 1907 and is now the world's largest bearing manufacturer.
In the field of wheel hub bearings, they are also the number one in the world.
It is absolutely unacceptable if SKF’s position in this field changes because a patent is not successfully acquired.
"The Chinese person very directly stated that this time the patent sale will only accept one method, and that is advanced purchase."
"And except for China, the patent rights in all regions are sold at one time , do not accept sales by area. "
"In this case, I am afraid that the price we have to offer cannot be very low, otherwise it will be snatched away. "
Since there is no choice, then. We must make every effort to purchase and ensure that this key patented technology is in the hands of SKF.
In the future, whether it is licensing the patent to other manufacturers or further transferring the patent rights in some areas, it should be very feasible.
It is possible to eventually earn back the cost of the acquisition.
“I think we can communicate with General Motors. No matter what price other manufacturers offer, we at SKF are willing to add US$100,000. This situation is also problematic for patent holders. It’s good.”
When Richard said this, Lucas became interested immediately.
(End of this chapter)