Return to Hong Kong Island for a Century

Chapter 352 Dai Ying's Car Brand (Second Update)
Zhang Liwei and Gong Xue were even more curious about how Zhu Ling and Li Song got together. Although they didn't know Li Song's exact age, he was younger than Zhu Ling.

With Li Song's abilities, won't his family object?

However, no one asked about family matters, because people who came from that sensitive era rarely asked about such private things.

Li Song stayed alone in the backyard. The next morning, he bought breakfast and then took the three of them to the Beijing Film Academy.

However, Zhang Liwei and Gong Xue felt strange listening to Li Song's speech yesterday and hearing the teacher talk about Dream of the Red Chamber today.

However, neither of them showed it, because some things had to conform to the general environment.

Just like the current mainstream ideology is resistance...

People from different eras and in different positions have completely different views on a certain matter.

After seeing the person off, Li Song left Kyoto and flew directly to Guangzhou in his private plane.

Li Song also has a private hangar at Guangzhou Airport, which he pays for anyway.

Li Song took a stroll around the Qiansheng Electronics Research Institute. The people from the two laboratories involved in wafer manufacturing and lithography machines had all gone to Wuxi.

Because the country's first four-inch wafer fab and the first projection lithography machine factory are under construction there, and dozens of research institutes are working together to tackle the technology at the two factories.

Li Song listened to a work report at the Electronics Research Institute. The institute was a place where money was simply burned, so the management and supervision of funds were particularly important.

After attending a meeting at the Electronics Research Institute and having lunch, Li Song returned to the BMW Motorrad Factory.

The motorcycle factory is doing brisk business, with the 90cc and 125cc production lines operating in three shifts, and monthly shipments reaching 50,000 units.

In addition, there are 50,000 other vehicles manufactured under other factories. The number of motorcycles exported each month is increasing, with an increase of more than 10%.

From 20,000 vehicles a month at the beginning to 100,000 vehicles a month now, it only took a few months.

The financial crisis did not have a significant impact on motorcycle exports because a large portion of exported motorcycles were converted into other goods.

Moreover, due to the impact of the financial crisis, the operating rate of Western factories has decreased by at least 15%, so a large number of raw materials have actually become cheaper.

However, industrial prices have actually increased.

In other words, the same motorcycle can be exchanged for more resources, such as rubber, wood, and ore.

Of course, it was also the financial crisis that allowed the small notebook cars to go global.

The reason why small-scale vehicles are going to Europe and America is largely due to policy reasons.

Because the small company made money, which then turned into military expenses for America's two aircraft carrier fleets.

In other words, if Xiaobenzi makes money, it's essentially Amei's money.

The same goes for South Korea. The famous Samsung is almost entirely an American company, which is why Japanese and South Korean companies can operate smoothly in Aramco.

Of course, this is on the premise that it does not hinder Aramco's conglomerate; otherwise, just like with semiconductors, Aramco will introduce policies.

Why are companies from certain countries suppressed by Aramco? Because these companies make money, pay taxes, and then develop their own aircraft and carriers; they are unlikely to pay tribute to Aramco.

Can America not suppress me? You're making money off me and then developing weapons to compete with me?
Anyone would have done the same.

Therefore, Li Song has always focused his attention on relatively underdeveloped countries and has adopted a resource payment method.

The key is to establish deep ties. On the one hand, these countries don't have much foreign exchange, so doing this gives us an advantage over others.

On the other hand, this method allows local industries to be integrated with one's own business.

Even if someone tries to disrupt things in a few years, these local industries will find it difficult to lose their business unless someone takes over.

It also ensured the safety of raw materials, developed the logistics industry, and indirectly stimulated the shipbuilding industry in the mainland.

90cc and 125cc motorcycles sell best in these developing countries because they are cheap.

Furthermore, the rubber, ore, and timber transported back also need to be processed, which adds to the industry.

This is actually a path that the mainland later followed.

At the BMW car manufacturing plant's Panda mini-aircraft production workshop, technicians recommended by companies across the country are being trained here.

This is a huge business involving five hundred million US dollars, so how could the higher-ups not be anxious? They have already started planning from the very beginning.

Next time, Li Song's private jet can land here.

The next day, Li Song returned to Hong Kong Island.

Representatives from Bedouin have arrived; there are six of them. They are here to formally negotiate the global exclusive agency contract for the Star Shine aircraft with Baisheng Company.

Li Song's requirements weren't high: a five-year contract with the requirement to sell at least one aircraft each year, or the authorization would be revoked if no aircraft were sold.

“Mr. Li, your terms are too good. Why don’t you sell them yourself at the price you’re offering?” Li Song was drinking red tea with a young man from the Beduch delegation in the meeting room of Parkson Company.

This guy's surname is Spencer, a nobleman from England whose ancestor received an earldom by presenting gifts to the king. Li Song obtained this information from a second-hand platform.

"Because of prejudice!"

“Prejudice is everywhere, just like how you, the British, the Americans, and the French, can’t stand each other.”

“The Americans think they are powerful, but you think they are nouveau riche.”

“You also look down on them. Although they are rich and nouveau riche, they have no heritage. They have no history of their own and no art of their own.”

"Similarly, our company, Baisheng, has advanced technology and has manufactured aircraft with better performance, but people who buy our aircraft always feel that it is a bit shameful to buy our aircraft."

“The Starliner is, after all, a luxury item,” Li Song said.

"Ok!"

"So you mean the planes are completely unsellable in your hands?" Johnny Spencer asked.

“Of course, because it’s a luxury item, even though we in the East have a long history, it doesn’t prevent other people from having prejudices.” Li Song frankly admitted to the other party’s straightforward question.

"Besides, Britain is also the center of the fashion world!" Li Song flattered her, though if Italy and France knew, they would definitely give Li Song the middle finger.

In any respect, Europeans are a disorganized bunch.

But in business, you have to be flexible.
“Mr. Li, you are an exceptionally talented individual. His Majesty is very satisfied with the aircraft you personally designed.” Johnny Spencer was pleased to hear Li Song say this, given Li Song’s reputation. He nodded and then spoke.

Johnny and others have also analyzed that the reason Li Song was so generous in giving away the exclusive global sales rights was because Li Song couldn't sell them.

Of course, this is a good thing for Johnny and others, because it means Li Song will become just an OEM manufacturer, and the sales channels will be in their own hands.

"If Your Majesty is willing, I would be willing to send Your Majesty an airplane?" Li Song used a question, and this was not mentioned before.

On one hand, we don't know if His Majesty will like it or not; on the other hand, we have to give him face, since the other party is, after all, royalty. Are you suggesting I can't afford it?

"Tsk tsk!" Johnny glanced at Li Song in surprise, because Johnny and others were already developing a marketing plan to get the royal family to own a Starship passenger plane.

However, even the basic version of such a passenger plane costs $300 million, and if it is customized, the price will increase by at least 20%.

Including the contract price, it would cost approximately 300 million. The shareholders of Bedouchi Company are mostly nobles, many of whom are not in good financial condition.

Johnny's mission this time was to persuade Li Song to agree to the Bedouin Company's marketing plan and then cover some of the marketing costs, which meant customizing an airplane for His Majesty at a low price.

This is why Johnny bluntly stated earlier that Li Song couldn't sell airplanes; by saying that earlier, it made it easier to discuss marketing later.

I just didn't expect Li Song to be so generous.

“Mr. Li, no wonder you’re a writer. It seems you’re thinking the same way as us.” Johnny looked at Li Song, clicked his tongue in admiration, and then spoke.

“As a fashion icon, the royal family is far more effective than any advertising,” Li Song readily admitted.

“Mr. Li, you’re right. We are very pleased to be able to cooperate with such a smart person as you.” Johnny couldn’t let go of his aristocratic status when he spoke, and there was always a bit of arrogance in his tone.

"Thank you!" Li Song shrugged.

“Mr. Li, you just said that people are prejudiced. Have you ever thought about changing this prejudice?” Johnny asked again.

"Mr. Johnny, what do you mean?"

“Mr. Li also owns a car factory and is about to hold a dealer conference. Our country has many car factories with a long history. Mr. Li may consider acquiring some of our brands.” Johnny picked up his teacup, took a sip of black tea, and then spoke.

Upon hearing this, Li Song said, "I've also been paying attention to the automotive industry in London and have this idea. If Mr. Johnny is willing to act as an intermediary, that would be ideal."

Li Song had these plans all along. Even though the British automotive industry was ruined, their brand was still very well-known.

Even after Land Rover was taken over by the third-in-command, a large number of people still recognized it. Although Li Song planned to establish himself in the domestic market, there were still some people who preferred foreign brands.

Of course, Li Song is not saying that people can't like something. It's their own money, and they can buy whatever they want. There's no need to morally blackmail them.

But Li Song could give customers another option, right?

Li Song thought of the car brands that had been acquired in London: Rolls-Royce acquired by BMW, Bentley acquired by Volkswagen, MG acquired by SAIC, Land Rover acquired by the third largest company, Mini acquired by BMW, Rover acquired by BMW, and Aston Martin, etc.

“That’s no problem, of course, but there might be some restrictions, such as maintaining the production base in London.” Johnny felt that Li Song was too shrewd; the company had originally prepared a whole set of arguments.

He tried to persuade Li Song, but to his surprise, Li Song agreed immediately and even asked him to be the middleman.

Bedouch Company wanted to act as a middleman because, on the one hand, the domestic auto industry was declining year by year, and on the other hand, Li Song was rich.

"That's all negotiable." Li Song didn't mind keeping the production base in Europe; he had plenty of ways to handle it.

“Mr. Johnny, there is actually a lot of room for cooperation between us. After all, London has a great influence in the world.” Li Song saw the greed of Johnny and his men, so he decided to start the resource allocation operation.

Leveraging the immense influence of people like Johnny, they can work together to acquire resources worldwide.

(End of this chapter)