Chapter 394 The Wind Rises in Nanhua 7
Huijing, unlike Liyang, is a very well-known city.
However, compared with other big cities, Huijing appears to be a bit weak in terms of industry. Specifically in the automobile industry, Huijing is one of the important central cities in southern China, but not even one company ranks high. None of the car companies have it.
However, in 2019, Huijing has given birth to its own automobile industry-Byton.
Former BMW executives, design directors from Apple, and vehicle system experts from Tesla. Byton brings together the top elites in the global automotive industry.
When the tide of the industry rises, everyone seems to be swimming. From the perspective of local managers in Huijing, Byton is simply the one with the most potential among the new car-making forces.
Therefore, Huijing can be regarded as a big bet, and it has given Byton huge support.
However, Mr. Cheng knows that Byton, which is now prosperous, will be doomed in the future due to high costs and endless infighting.
After all, this is the only car company in the world known for its employees’ appetite.
Byton’s internal fighting is extremely fierce. Breitfeld, a former BMW executive, has set up an office in North America under his orders, with 300 employees. In terms of number alone, this number is actually not outrageous.
But these 300 people ate 7 million dollars worth of snacks in one year.
Based on thirty days of work per month, it is approximately equivalent to nineteen sets of pancakes per person per day.
I can’t imagine what kind of arduous work it is to make employees so hungry.
Byton is the last stop of the inspection led by Chengdu General Motors, and its destination is the Byton Automobile Smart Factory located in Huijing High-tech Zone.
“Dear Mr. Consul, Mr. Wolf, welcome to the smartest car factory in the world!”
Byton CEO Dai Lei is German, but this guy’s life experience is very legendary. To put it simply, he studied Chinese in college and came to Huijing to study in the 1990s.
The capital behind Byton is Goose Factory and Foxconn, and their relationship with Huijing is just like that. Dai Lei played an important role in being able to land Byton's headquarters and manufacturing plant in Huijing.
However, no matter whether he is a German or someone from somewhere else, he must bow his head obediently in front of the American consul in Shanghai.
The afterglow of the empire has begun to dim, and the controllers of the empire have begun preparations for its overthrow early, but no one dares to despise the representatives of the empire.
“The smartest car factory in the world? Ha, I guess I won’t be disappointed, right?”
Wolff was the one who seemed to have the most respect among President Cheng's group. After a simple handshake with Dai Lei, he entered Byton's manufacturing factory with President Cheng and others under the leadership of Byton executives.
“The equipment suppliers of this factory are all top-notch in the industry, or in other words, the best, Mr. Wolf. Although Byton is just a start-up car company, there is a saying that ‘Born to Extraordinary'.
The competition in the automobile industry is very fierce. Without a good starting point or preparation, no matter how much investment you make, it will be in vain. And I happen to have some experience in the automobile field, so I am doing pretty well. "
Dai Lei's words are a bit boastful. Although he is the co-founder and former president and current CEO of Byton, he is actually a senior wage earner, and Wolf is the boss. capitalist.
Wulf's visit to Byton shows that he is interested in the automotive industry. Therefore, Dai Lei hopes to leave a good impression on Wolf - maybe he can work for Wolf in the future. Woolen cloth.
This is a car company with fierce internal fighting. Executives from different giant companies have brought the most authentic culture of internal fighting. In January this year, Dai Lei and Breitfeld were beaten by shareholders because of their incompetent management.
The former president Dai Lei became the CEO, and the former CEO Breitfeld Breitfeld became the chairman (marginalized) - so it was Dai Lei who came to receive the Chengdu delegation today.
The most outrageous point here is that if Chengdu had not appeared, then the unemployed Breitfeld would have joined Faraday Future as global CEO in a few months - Lao Jia Sha went crazy!
“I would like to know, when is the specific delivery date of your first car?”
Looking at the brand-new machines in the factory, Cheng Daqi, who was walking behind, asked. road.
Byton's death was due to internal fighting, high costs, and even more so due to product incompetence. President Cheng knew about the first two, but he could only say that he had never seen Byton's products.
Dai Lei didn’t know Cheng Daqi very well, but he still answered with a smile after being stunned for a moment.
“Most of the equipment in this factory has been debugged, and trial production of the production line is already underway. Our product verification and testing are also in progress. It is optimistically estimated that the first place is expected to be achieved in the fourth quarter of this year. SOP for mass production of the first mass-produced model.”
Cheng Daqi was silent.
Mass production in the fourth quarter of 19. He knows how Byton died.
Wolfe, Sandy and others all noticed Cheng Daqi's expression, and Zhao Hongjin even pulled his arm.
Dai Lei thought that Cheng Daqi was not too interested in Byton’s mass production speed. He explained out of the purpose of protecting the results of his work.
“From the launch of the concept car in 2018 to the verification of different rounds such as the first and second rounds of the prototype, our speed by Byton is already one of the fastest in the industry. More importantly, , this rapid mass production is achieved based on our high standard requirements for products.
In two years, from concept car to implementation, it has gone through hundreds of prototype car iterations and multiple dimensions. Safety and performance testing cannot be taken carelessly.
We have built a vehicle testing center with the highest standards in the world. For example, the Byton Huijing Test Center has the only environmental performance among the new domestic car manufacturing forces in China. Cave.”
Dai Leitaotao talked for a long time, talking about everything from the vehicle testing center to the intelligence level of the factory, from Byton's design concept to the application prospects of vehicle electrification, which made the president's head swell.
He originally thought that Dai Lei was similar to Carsten Breitfeld, a fool executive who cheated on food and drink. After all, Dai Lei later joined Evergrande Automobile - to a certain extent, he was no worse than Faraday Future. .
Looking now, it seems that Cheng Daqi got the idea first. Dai Lei was able to take the position of CEO after the shareholders launched an attack because he really knew how to build cars.
However, the two founders of Byton are really a bit like a dragon and a phoenix. In the future, one will follow Lao Jia and the other will follow Lao Xu. The ending will have a bit of black humor.
“Can I take a test drive?” Mr. Cheng continued to ask impolitely.
"Of course, of course, we have prototype cars for testing in our factory."
Dale noticed Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Consul's tolerance of this stranger, so he was particularly tolerant of Mr. Cheng's rudeness. .
Perhaps, this is the ‘white elite of the civilized world’.
"Daqi, you really want to drive. This is a factory, not a test track."
Following Mr. Cheng, Zhao Hongjin complained in a low voice about his rudeness.
"It's all here."
Byton's first mass-produced model is the mid-size SUVM-Byte, 'byte'. You can tell the background of the employer from the name. There is a high probability that it is someone who has been cheated. Internet companies that are unwilling to say anything after taking a lot of money. Penguin: Don’t CUE, I invested a lot, and the failure of some projects is nothing.
“Intelligent pure electric, 22-inch oversized wheels, shocking through-type LED light strips, extraordinary illuminated LOGO, scene-interactive appearance system, hidden door handles.
Of course, the most disruptive thing is the shared full-screen center console, driver touch screen and rear entertainment system composed of two displays
Our full-screen central control is 1.25 meters long and 25 centimeters high. In order to fully take into account the user experience of all passengers, the front seats can each rotate inward 12 degrees to facilitate passengers to chat, interact and experience. "
It's really shocking. Wolff, Giojo and all the country bumpkins were dumbfounded.
Is this how you build cars now?
Facing Dai Lei Boasting, Cheng Daqi showed an awkward but polite smile. He had made up his mind anyway. In the future, who among his designers would dare to mention the hidden door handle, a seemingly advanced but actually anti-intellectual design. He Just wear small shoes.
Sitting in the driver's seat, even if Mr. Cheng was mentally prepared, he was still shocked by the 48-inch center console.
48 inches, unprecedented, and there may still be others to come in the future. It is indeed world-class. It is difficult for other manufacturers to be so radical.
"Daqi, this chair can really rotate!"
Zhao Hongjin played with the position rotation button on the passenger seat, looking very surprised.
“Yes, I sent it first~”
Looking at this car full of anti-human designs, Mr. Cheng became more and more fond of it.
The more outrageous your cars are, the faster you will go bankrupt, which is a good thing!
“Huh?”
Zhao Hongjin didn’t understand Cheng Daqi’s words.
"Byton will definitely die, Zhao, do you think normal humans will have fun in the car? Their designers or founders didn't realize that if they take too big steps, they will tear their eggs. !”
Mr. Cheng’s gloating was too obvious, Xiao Zhao asked teasingly.
"Daqi, why do I feel that you seem to be very happy?"
"Happy? Yes, Byton's factory is very valuable. If I really get into the industry of building cars in the future, I will probably have to wait for my car to be measured. By the time of production, this factory will almost be put up for sale.”
Through the car window, Zhao Hongjin followed Cheng Daqi’s line of sight and saw what Dai Lei, the CEO of Byton, was talking about with Mr. Consul. , both of them laughed happily.
However, President Cheng has already issued a death notice to Byton.
“Isn’t this land cheap?”
After being quiet for a while, Zhao Hongjin asked again.
“Including the land cost, the total investment can reach tens of billions, ranging from the production workshop to the testing center. Their equipment is all the best and most expensive new equipment.
Millions There is no doubt that this factory represents the most advanced level in the field of smart factories in the world. One of Byton’s earliest investors was Foxconn. You also know what Foxconn does. I brought these people here to show them the state-of-the-art technology. What are the car factories like?”
The new car-making forces in China are like crucian carp crossing the river, with huge numbers. Among the brothers who have gone bankrupt, Byton is one of the closest to success. The core competitiveness is its manufacturing factory and its super team.
Byton will die, but that does not affect the fact that it was almost successful. Unfortunately, it was almost successful in all aspects, so its death is inevitable.
"Okay, I still think it's weird. This company is destined to go bankrupt in the eyes of the public, but the Huijing Municipal Government has invested in it, and you are waiting to eat."
Zhao Hongjin's perspective is very unique , Mr. Cheng understood why she was inexplicably depressed just now.
“The perspective of market economy and the macro narrative of ideology are two sets of value systems. Although in some creative and artistic fields, the interaction of different systems will appear impactful, in specific practice it is Zhao, we need to understand what we are doing and what interests our partners who are 'walking' with us have."
Cheng Daqi's meaning is very simple. The scriptures cannot guide practice rashly, and the specific situation must be analyzed in detail.
“Besides, we may not be able to eat it yet. If Byton really goes bankrupt, it will be a piece of fat meat. The first bite will most likely be taken by state-owned enterprises. If you don’t believe me, just wait and see.”
This was even more frustrating and made Zhao Hongjin speechless. She was a smart girl, so she sadly discovered that what Mr. Cheng said was right.
“Can’t buy it? What should I do?”
This problem is actually not a problem. It can only be said that Xiao Zhao has no idea about building cars.
This is an industry that requires huge capital investment and the level of competition is one of the few among all industries. When Cheng Daqi chose to try to enter the industry, he was fully prepared to persevere to the end.
The bullets of the new era are part of it, the bullets of BEC's future are part of it, and the bullets pulled from other places are part of it. The cause of becoming a great tool is very complicated, but from the perspective of development prospects, it is It’s okay to spend some money to make bullets.
Generally speaking, if you have enough money, things will be easy. Although it is still difficult, it is at least much better than the shell-like Faraday Future that is difficult to give birth to.
“Ha, I don’t expect to be hanged from a tree. Pigs with hair will be eaten anyway. If things are really similar to what I guessed, then I have other plans.
Besides, factory preparation is always necessary. Considering that it takes a lot of time to modify the production line, for me, whether I can buy it or not, I have to build one myself.”
Build a factory. The investment is actually worth it. Like Byton, even if it goes cold, just having this factory here can sell it at a good price and return blood to shareholders.
Why do those car companies like to buy and buy?
Brand and technology are on the one hand, and the factory is also a core factor.
"There is another question. Accountant Jia cannot return to China now. He made such a big splash before and later ran away. Daqi, are you sure it is true to use Faraday Future's name to build a car? Is it a good idea? ”
Xiao Zhao may not understand car building or cars, but she is still the familiar Xiao Zhao.
Just like what she thought when she first became Cheng Daqi's friend, up to now, she is still trying her best to find out and fill in the gaps for Cheng Daqi.
“Through the cooperation between Shanhaiguan and Jiajiahaowu, we can achieve the purpose of mutual utilization. This controversial operation will have a lot of buzz. In the traffic era, buzz is popularity.
Rather than die incognito, it is better to play a big one. Whether you can get away with it depends on the level of the trader. "
Cheng Daqi held the steering wheel and said calmly.
(End of this chapter)