My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 179 The First Sharp Knife Stabbed at the Soviet Union
Anhui Guotou underwent intense internal discussions and careful evaluations in response to offers from Southwest Development Group and Far East Trade.

As Zhao Donglai said, the domestic car brand sector is a vast blue ocean.

For Anhui, which is determined to seek industrial breakthroughs, investing in such a company will have a tremendous impact on the province's industrial development, especially on Wuhu and surrounding counties and cities.

Vehicle manufacturing will drive a vast upstream and downstream industrial chain—steel, rubber, glass, plastics, electronics and electrical engineering, precision machining, and more.

Countless factories will receive orders as a result, and countless jobs will be created.

Of course, all these wonderful visions are based on the premise that "this domestic car brand can succeed".

Can it be successful?

Can?

After careful consideration, Zhan Xialai believed that it was "possible" and "very likely to succeed."

Cars imported from the Soviet Union by Far East trade could trigger a buying frenzy in the country.

This fully demonstrates that the market's thirst for high-performance, cost-effective cars is far from being satisfied.

More importantly, what this project represents.

This is a historic opportunity to unleash the industrial potential of Wuhu and even Anhui.

This is a strategic move to revitalize Anhui's role as a link between central provinces.

While state-owned enterprises like FAW, Dongfeng, SAIC, and BAIC are busy forming joint ventures with foreign giants, exchanging market access for technology.

Without a traditional automotive industry base, Anhui Province can only rise to prominence by taking a different path—a more difficult but potentially more independent one.

Cooperation with Far East Trade and Southwest Development Group is undoubtedly a path worth trying.

However, such a big decision, involving investments of tens or even hundreds of millions, cannot be made with just a few words.

After several days of discussion.

The report was submitted to various levels of government, and finally a consensus was reached.

invest!

Anhui State-owned Investment Group, Southwest Development Group, and Far East Trade have partnered to invest in this brand-new automobile manufacturing company.

Lack of talent?

Don't be afraid!
They poached talent from major automakers across the country with high salaries.

At the same time, a call was issued to Anhui natives working in the automotive industry across the country: "Return to your hometown and make a difference!"

No technology?
Introduce!

Simultaneously, we sought out mature technologies from Europe, America, and the Soviet Union for introduction, digestion, and absorption.

Is there a lack of component supply?

Then cooperate!

Initially, supplies were imported from major supporting manufacturers, and local supply chains were gradually cultivated.

As for the name of the car company.
"Let's call it Chery!"

Qin Yuan looked at Zhao Donglai, who had been brought by the Crown Prince, and said, "This is an auspicious and miraculous encounter. I believe that we, as a group of people, are destined to create a miracle."

Qin Yuan felt that some things still required a bit of "fate".

Since history has come full circle and ultimately chosen Anhui as the land to nurture independent automobile brands, the name "Chery" should continue its legendary legacy.

According to Zhao Donglai's report, their team also went to Zhejiang to seek cooperation, but the other party's attitude was ambiguous and did not provide clear support.

This is not surprising, as Zhejiang's private economy was brimming with vitality at that time.

Township and village enterprises and the individual economy are flourishing everywhere.

A motorcycle factory in Wenling can attract foreign investment.

This motorcycle from Wenling, Zhejiang, later became Qianjiang Motorcycle, not to mention Li Shufu of Geely, who is based in Taizhou.

It's perfectly normal that they ignore it.

In contrast, Anhui Province lacks major industries, making its desire for development and breakthroughs even more urgent.

The Far East Trade's illustrious reputation in China, and its underlying ability to penetrate the Soviet market, added crucial prestige and political leverage to this cooperation plan.

Anhui's willingness to cooperate stems, to some extent, from a "do-or-die" and all-or-nothing attitude.

“President Li,” Qin Yuan looked at Crown Prince Li Chuze, “now we have the brand, and we also have policy support and start-up funds secured.”

"But to be honest, none of us know how to actually build a car. We need a real expert, a leader who can take the helm."

Li Chuze immediately asked, "Do you have a suitable candidate?"

Based on his interactions with Qin Yuan, he felt that Qin Yuan was someone who would think through the specific steps before doing anything.

Manufacturing cars and establishing domestic car brands are such major undertakings that they must have a plan.

"I have a candidate in mind, and that candidate is from FAW."

Qin Yuan said, "However, this great talent may require you to personally make another trip to the Northeast, to show the utmost sincerity, and to persuade him to come out of his humble abode even if it means making three visits."

"No problem, it's just hiring someone, right?"

Li Chuze didn't hesitate; building cars was his top priority at that moment.

Let alone going to Northeast China to recruit top talent, he could even work as an assistant to someone for a period of time to learn.

The epic achievements of Li Yuanchao and Song Lian had a profound impact on him.

He firmly believes that if Chery can establish itself as the first privately-owned domestic automobile brand, it will definitely be qualified to trigger another epic achievement!

Having a goal provides motivation.

What I fear most is being like a headless fly, without any goal.

He used to have no goals, no direction! "President Qin, what should I do? Should I go back to Anhui and discuss the establishment of Chery with Anhui Guotou?"

Zhao Donglai also aspired to make a name for himself, and although he was in charge of the overall situation at the Southwest Development Group.

But the plate was too small, leaving him no room to maneuver.

It's nothing like car manufacturing, or the automotive industry at all!
The market is huge, and the entire industrial chain is involved.

Moreover, it is somewhat related to his major.

But Qin Yuan had other important uses for him.

"Manager Zhao, in Anhui, Anhui State-owned Investment Group is even more eager than we are for Chery to land."

"For routine preparatory work, we just need to send a capable team to assist them. They are better at handling all the procedures and permits than we are."

Qin Yuan looked at him intently: "As for you, I have an even more important task for you. It depends on whether you are willing to accept this challenge."

"President Qin, please speak!" Zhao Donglai was taken aback.

"I'd like to send you to Europe, to Germany and France. Would you like to go?" Qin Yuan said slowly.

"Europe?"

Zhao Donglai's eyes widened in surprise.

The crown prince also looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"That's right, Europe."

Qin Yuan walked to the world map on the wall and pointed to Germany and France.

"As I said before, building cars is both difficult and easy."

"It's simple because it's essentially four wheels and a shell. But the difficulty lies in its three core components: the engine, the chassis, and the transmission."

"In order to acquire these core technologies, FAW and SAIC had to exchange huge amounts of market share with foreign companies."

"It is extremely difficult for us to obtain nature."

“However,” Qin Yuan’s eyes were incredibly sharp, “it’s not like there’s no loophole.”

“In Europe, especially in Germany and France, where the automotive industry has a long history, in addition to the well-known large groups with high technological barriers, there are also a large number of small and medium-sized car companies or independent design and engineering companies.”

“These companies may not be large or well-known, but they often possess unique technologies, mature platforms, or excellent design capabilities. They may also encounter difficulties in their operations and are more willing to cooperate or sell their technologies.”

"Your goal for this trip to Europe is to target these 'small but beautiful' or struggling businesses."

"Go out and contact them, negotiate, and try to buy out or license their engine technology, chassis platform technology, key component technology, and even vehicle design!"

"The cars we build must first have a reputation, and only then can they run."

"Chery's collaboration with European automakers and the introduction of key technologies is what we use to promote ourselves."

Neither Zhao Donglai nor Li Chuze were dull-witted; they immediately understood Qin Yuan's deeper meaning.

This is a typical "borrowing a shell to lay eggs" or "borrowing a boat to go to sea" strategy!
At a relatively low cost, Chery can acquire European technology endorsement and some core resources, quickly build its technology framework and brand image, and avoid direct patent and technology barrier conflicts with giants!
"I understand!" Zhao Donglai's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "President Qin, I'll take this task."

"I will do my best to bring you what we need from Europe!"

Li Chuze was equally excited.

Top talent was recruited from Northeast China to be responsible for production, manufacturing, and quality control.

They poach experienced engineers and skilled workers from car companies across the country.

Obtain technical design and core component support from Europe.

Furthermore, Anhui province is providing policy and financial support across the entire province…

Chery, this newly established car company, got on the right track in just a few words from Qin Yuan!

After the two of them left.

Wu Weiguo, who had been standing in the office the whole time, couldn't help but ask, "Brother Yuan, are we... really going to go all out to build cars?"

“I’ve heard that building cars is not like selling clothes or canned goods. From building a factory to research and development to producing cars, it takes at least five or six years to see any results.”

"Can you... wait that long? Aren't you planning to clear the 'Business Tycoon' instance as soon as possible?"

In his view, given Qin Yuan's current meteoric rise, passing the test should be a matter of one or two years. Why bother with a real business project that has such a long cycle and requires such a huge investment?

"We're definitely going to build cars," Qin Yuan laughed, then added, "With such a prestigious title as a domestic car brand, if we don't take it, someone else will."

"Moreover, we can leverage this brand to access even larger amounts of capital."

In the world of capital, what is the most classic and profitable operation?
It's about drawing a "pie" big enough, tempting enough, and representative enough of the future, and then using this "pie" to leverage billions or even tens of billions of yuan in funds from investors, banks, and even local governments!
Now, building cars is just another pie in the sky that Qin Yuan is trying to paint for the Soviet Union.

That's right, not mainland China.

It was the Soviet Union.

In mainland China, such operations require extreme caution and strict adherence to rules.

However, in another place where dramatic changes were about to occur—the Soviet Union.

The way you play there is completely different.

How do you cut the fattest and most succulent pieces of meat from that giant northern bear that is about to collapse?
First, you need a knife that is sharp enough, hard enough, and legitimately made.

Previously, both kvass and Jeanswest were merely appetizers, small tastes.

"Car manufacturing" is a seemingly huge and long-term industrial project.

The grand blueprint it depicted and the halo effect it brought were precisely what Qin Yuan had meticulously crafted, preparing to use to carve up the vast legacy of the Soviet Union…

The first sharp knife.

(End of this chapter)