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Suning positions its three car models as mass-market vehicles, so the prices cannot be too high.

The first-generation Qinglong sedan was priced at 10.8 yuan, the first-generation Zhuque urban SUV was priced at 11.8 yuan, and the first-generation Baihu hardcore off-road SUV was priced at 15.8 yuan.

This is an absolutely reasonable price, considering that a Santana costs over 200,000 yuan.

In the 1990s, the ventriloquist star, Lausanne, drove a Santana as a luxury car.

As a result, the launch of Tianchao Auto caused a sensation in the Chinese auto market.

Tianchao Auto's three models went from mass production to sales exceeding 10,000 units in less than three months.

This speed was unprecedented in the Chinese auto market in 1997, if not unparalleled.

There are other domestic cars on the market, but those cars are either old models with new shells or they are barely surviving on production lines that have been phased out by foreign companies. Their sales rely entirely on local protectionism and dumping at low prices.

Tianchao Auto is the only private car company that entered the market with a brand-new brand, brand-new models, and brand-new factory, and has established a firm foothold with solid sales figures.

After the marketing department compiled the statistics, they immediately reported them to Suning.

Manager Sun knocked on Suning's office door with the report in hand, his expression as if he had won the lottery.

"President Su, we've broken 10,000." Manager Sun placed the report on Su Ning's desk, pointing to the total column. "The Azure Dragon I sold 4,600 units, the Vermilion Bird I 3,200, and the White Tiger I 2,200. The total is just over 10,000. It's been less than three months since it went offline."

Suning was looking at the production schedule for the next phase of the Shunyi factory at the time. He took the report and read it through from beginning to end, then put the schedule aside. "It's about two weeks ahead of my expectations."

Manager Sun said, "The feedback from the dealers has been particularly good, especially in the North China and East China markets. The White Tiger One is especially popular in Shanxi and Inner Mongolia. Several dealers have called to urge delivery, saying that all the display cars in their stores have been bought, and now they have nothing to show to their customers."

Suning said, "Then strike while the iron is hot. First, increase publicity efforts and use up all the publicity budget that we had saved up. We'll use every possible channel, including newspapers, television, radio, and outdoor advertising. Second, we'll find a high-end hotel in Beijing and host a celebration banquet, inviting everyone we should invite."

"Understood! We really should celebrate such a great achievement."

……

After receiving instructions, the marketing department used up all the previously saved advertising budget in one go.

The newspaper advertisement was upgraded from half a page to a full page, with a single sentence: "Tianchao Automobile, 10,000 vehicles roll off the production line."

Below are photos of the three cars and the addresses and phone numbers of dealerships in various regions. The layout is clean and neat, without any fancy embellishments.

The radio station's hourly announcement was immediately followed by an advertisement for China's automobiles. The male announcer read out in a deep voice, "China, the great nation, made in China," followed by the sound of an engine starting up, ending the advertisement cleanly and crisply.

Large outdoor billboards for Tianchao Auto appeared on the central commercial streets of several major cities, featuring a photo of the Baihu Yi (White Tiger One) rolling off the production line on the day it was mass-produced. The white car body looked like a crouching beast against the dark background.

The TV commercial was also launched simultaneously.

The marketing department edited the footage of the production line taken when the product rolled off the assembly line into several versions of different lengths and broadcast them on CCTV and several provincial satellite TV stations.

The advertisement didn't feature any celebrities or storylines; it was simply a factory setting and product demonstration.

Sparks from the welding robot exploded on the screen, the roar of the stamping machine made the TV speakers buzz, and the shot of the three cars driving off the production line was made in slow motion, with the car body moving slowly under the lights, the overhead lights reflecting off the paint surface, gliding over the car body like flowing water.

The narration consists of only one sentence: "Ten thousand cars roll off the assembly line in China. The choice of ten thousand Chinese people."

This hardcore style of advertising actually stood out on television at the time.

Because other advertisements take a heartwarming approach, showing a family laughing around a car, or a successful person getting out of the car.

Only the advertisements for Chinese cars are like a punch thrown directly into the eyes of the audience, without any build-up, showing production lines and welding sparks right from the start, making it impossible to even change the channel.

……

The celebration banquet was held in the banquet hall of a long-established hotel in Beijing.

Suning asked Zhuangzhuang to draft an invitation list, which included several categories of people: leaders from relevant departments of various ministries and commissions, heads of automotive industry associations, heads of credit departments of major banks, editors-in-chief of automotive sections of several mainstream media outlets, and several prominent figures in the industry.

After Zhuangzhuang drafted the list, she gave it to Suning for review.

Su Ning scanned the entire document from beginning to end, pausing at the bank loan section. "Back then, when we applied for loans, several banks initially refused to approve them. It was only after General Manager Zheng made the final decision at the approval meeting that they were approved. We also invited the heads of those banks who initially refused to approve them to come over."

Zhuangzhuang asked, "If we invite them, will they even have the nerve to come?"

Su Ning said, "Whether they come or not is their business; whether we invite them or not is our business. In business, it's better to keep track of debts than to hold grudges. We've sent out invitations, so whether they come or not, they'll owe us a favor."

"Okay! Then I'll revise the list."

After the invitations were sent out, the vast majority of people accepted them.

Some people who used to avoid Chinese cars like the plague are now calling to ask about the specific time and location of the banquet, afraid of missing out.

Zhuangzhuang received several such calls on the phone, and her tone was always very polite.

After hanging up the phone, Zhuangzhuang said smugly to Xiao Zhao, "Assistant Zhao, before, when we were being scolded, we couldn't get through to any of those people on the phone. Now, they're actually calling us on their own initiative."

Xiao Zhao said, "That's normal. There are always more people who add flowers to brocade than those who offer charcoal in the snow. You'll get used to it."

……

On the day of the banquet, the hotel entrance was filled with all kinds of imported cars.

Zhuangzhuang, dressed in a business suit, stood at the entrance of the banquet hall to sign in guests, while Xiao Zhao arranged seating inside.

The banquet hall was set up with more than a dozen round tables, each covered with a white tablecloth, and in the center were fresh flowers and small models of three Chinese car models. Many people, upon arrival, did not first look for their seats, but picked up the small models on the table and examined them from all angles, looking at the logos, then the details, and finally the chassis structure.

An editor-in-chief of a car magazine picked up a model of the White Tiger 1, turned the chassis over to look at it, and said to the person next to him, "This model is very detailed. The chassis beam, transfer case, and suspension structure are all made. Do you see that? The spare tire carrier is connected to the tailgate, not hanging underneath."

The person next to him also picked up a model of the Azure Dragon and studied the dragon relief emblem on the front of the car, turning it over and over several times. "This emblem isn't pasted on; it's actually embedded in. You can't feel any seams when you touch the edge. How was it done? Was it etched or stamped?"

When Su Ning arrived, the banquet hall was already full.

He was wearing a dark suit without a tie. After entering the room, he shook hands with several leaders and exchanged a few pleasantries.

A section chief from the Economic Commission shook his hand and said, "President Su, your factory really makes us proud. Last time I had dinner with people from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, they specifically mentioned the promotional video you showed in Times Square, saying that people in New York now recognize the words 'Made in China'."

"Thank you for your recognition, leader! Tianchao Auto will definitely continue to work hard," Su Ning said with a smile.

Then he invited the guests to sit down and went to sit down at the head table himself.

Halfway through the meal, a round of drinks had been served.

A ministerial leader sitting at the main table put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a napkin, turned to Su Ning and said, "President Su, Tianchao Auto has really impressed us these past few months."

The leader spoke in a friendly tone, but there was a hidden meaning in his words: "Ten thousand vehicles. This achievement is nothing for a joint venture brand, but it is different for a newly established private car company. I am here today not only to congratulate you, but also to ask you about something."

Su Ning, holding his wine glass, smiled and said, "Please go ahead, sir."

The leader leaned closer to Suning and lowered his voice, "I visited your Shunyi factory's three production lines once. To be honest, I couldn't sleep for several nights afterward. The level of automation and the precision of the equipment are unlike anything I've ever seen in a domestic car factory. I counted the robots on the welding line, and there were more than what you mentioned in your promotional materials at the auto show. I didn't dare ask about the cleanliness level of the painting workshop at the time, but the smoothness of the finish was comparable to what I saw in the Volkswagen factory in Germany."

He paused for a moment, looking directly at Su Ning from behind his glasses: "President Su, could you tell me where these devices were purchased from?"

Suning did not respond immediately.

He picked up his glass, took a small sip, and put it back on the table. "Boss, the source of the equipment for this production line is a core trade secret of Tianchao Auto. We signed a confidentiality agreement with the equipment supplier, so I really can't disclose it to the public. I can only tell you that all the equipment was legally and compliantly imported, and all the customs and commodity inspection procedures are complete and can be verified at any time. You can rest assured about that."

Upon hearing this answer, the leader did not show obvious displeasure on his face, but he was not willing to stop there.

He nodded. “I understand, I understand. It’s a trade secret, everyone has them. But Mr. Su, let me tell you something… I have a group of executives from state-owned car factories sitting behind me. They’re here today partly to support you, and partly to find out what’s going on with you.”

“…” Su Ning remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

The leader continued, "You know those factories. Their equipment is all from the 1960s and 70s, and it's long overdue for upgrading. It's not that they don't want to upgrade, but foreign equipment is too expensive, and they can't afford it. There are only a few domestic factories that can do it, and you know their level. If we could buy equipment of the same level as the Shunyi factory, even just a portion of it, they would be willing to pay. The price is negotiable."

After listening, Su Ning shook his head. "Boss, it's not that I'm unwilling to help. The supplier of this equipment currently only has enough production capacity and technical resources to supply Tianchao Auto itself. Moreover, the supplier has strict contractual obligations, prohibiting the transfer of equivalent equipment to third parties and the acceptance of third-party purchase orders. In this regard, I really can't do anything. It's not that I'm being disrespectful, it's just that the contract terms are very restrictive."

Meng, the deputy director of a state-owned automobile factory, was listening intently.

He was the deputy director of a long-established automobile factory in Northeast China. The factory had been struggling financially for several years, and the problem of aging production lines had remained unresolved for years.

Factory Manager Meng moved his chair closer to Suning's side. "President Su, even just helping us make a connection would be helpful. We'll find suppliers ourselves, and whether we succeed or not is none of your business. We won't make things difficult for you. Just give us your contact information, and we'll handle the rest."

Su Ning shook his head again, "Director Meng, it's no use trying to make connections. This supplier doesn't accept orders from outsiders; I signed an exclusive agreement with them. Moreover, to avoid unnecessary trouble, they provide us with production lines discreetly. Even if I give you their contact information, they won't answer your calls. I can tell you this directly to save you a wasted trip."

Director Meng wanted to say something, but before he could finish speaking, the head of the industry association at the main table took over the conversation.

The association's head, President Cui, is a seasoned veteran who has been in the automotive industry for many years and has seen it all.

The association's head, President Cui, stood up with a wine glass in hand, smiling as he tried to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, today is a celebration banquet, not a bidding meeting. We can discuss the equipment later. President Su isn't stingy; he'll definitely help where he can. Old Meng, don't worry, there's plenty of time."

Chairman Cui raised his glass, "Come on, let's first toast President Su to celebrate the production of 10,000 Tianchao automobiles. 10,000 vehicles—this is a milestone for our national brand!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

The clinking of glasses filled the banquet hall, and the brief awkwardness from before was drowned out by alcohol and laughter.

After finishing his drink, Su Ning placed the glass on the table, his face still bearing that polite expression.

After Chairman Cui sat down, he leaned over and whispered to him, "President Su, Lao Meng is just impatient, don't take it to heart. Their factory is really struggling, with several thousand workers waiting to eat."

Su Ning nodded. "Chairman Cui, I understand. But there's really nothing we can do about the equipment. My own factory is still expanding its production capacity, and the equipment suppliers have limited capacity; we don't even have enough for our own needs."

Chairman Cui patted the back of his hand, "I understand. We can talk about it another time."

Su Ning raised his glass and toasted Chairman Cui again.

The sound of the wine glass tapping on the glass turntable was very soft, completely drowned out by the lively chatter in the banquet hall.

At another table, several distributors were drinking with Xiao Zhao. One distributor from Northeast China stood up, holding a glass of baijiu, and said loudly, "Assistant Zhao, Baihu Yi is selling like hotcakes in our area. The bosses in the mining area each have one. You need to ship the goods to me as soon as possible. Even the display car in the store has been driven away!"

Xiao Zhao clinked her glass with his and said, "Don't worry, the production line has already ramped up production, and we'll prioritize shipping to your area next month."

"That's a good feeling."

Zhuangzhuang watched the lively scene in the banquet hall from afar at the registration desk at the entrance. The guestbook next to her was already full of signatures.

Zhuangzhuang closed the sign-in book and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh of relief.

In these three months, she went from being the top salesperson in the real estate sales office to becoming Suning's personal assistant. The amount of documents and schedules she handled every day was unimaginable, but Zhuangzhuang felt that she had not made the wrong choice.

The bustling banquet hall before us is now separated from the skeptical looks we received three months ago before mass production, by a full ten thousand newly produced cars.

...(End of this chapter)