My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 191 Public Opinion Erupts: The Chery Model and the Awakening of Players

The aftermath of the Wuhu press conference did not subside with the departure of the reporters; instead, it spread and fermented across the country at an alarming speed.

The reporters who managed to get firsthand information at the press conference did everything they could to send back news reports full of shocking details to their respective newspaper editorial departments via long-distance calls, faxes, and even by sending people to deliver the articles in person.

Overnight, the financial and front-page editorial offices of countless newspapers across the country were brightly lit as editors urgently replaced the original layouts with the news of "Wuhu Chery" in the most prominent position.

The next day, the third day... news about "Chery going to manufacture cars", "the first private car manufacturer", and "Anhui province betting on it" spread like a snowball across the pages of major newspapers across the country.

Among them, the in-depth report in the most authoritative Economic Information Daily was the most eye-catching, with its headline prominently proclaiming:

[Daring to be the first: Chery breaks the deadlock, private enterprises bravely venture into the forbidden zone of automobile manufacturing]

The article begins with a lofty theme:
In the tide of reform and opening up, countless pioneers stood at the forefront, daring to be the first.

Some had predicted that the 1990s, compared to the tumultuous 1980s, would be a period of relative quiet. However, a thunderous announcement in Wuhu—the emergence of Chery—debunked this prediction.

The article then shifts its focus, providing a detailed review of the joint venture path of the state-owned automobile industry in the 1980s:

Looking back at the 1980s, it was a decade in which China's automobile industry took off by "trading market access for technology" and through joint ventures and cooperation.

[FAW initiated a joint venture in the late 80s, partnering with Volkswagen of Germany to establish FAW-Volkswagen, and simultaneously began assembling and producing the Audi 100 (C3) sedan, marking the beginning of high-end sedan manufacturing in China.]

[Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFC) strategically positioned itself in the passenger car market in the late 80s, later forming a joint venture with Peugeot of France to establish Shenlong Automobile, laying a solid foundation for the 'Fukang' passenger car.]

SAIC Motor's milestone was already set in 1984—the establishment of Shanghai Volkswagen through a joint venture with Volkswagen of Germany. The first model, the Santana, rolled off the production line in 1985, quickly becoming a symbol of official vehicles and economy cars in China during the 80s and 90s, greatly promoting the standardization of domestic car manufacturing technology.

In addition, BAIC's BJ212 Jeep and BJ130 light truck carry the memories of an era; its joint venture with AMC in 1984, Beijing Jeep, to produce the Cherokee, became the first automotive joint venture in China, which is of great significance.

Locally, major players like Nanjing Automobile, Tianjin Automobile Manufacturing Plant, Jinan Automobile Manufacturing Plant, and Guangzhou Automobile Group also initiated joint ventures in the 1980s, and these ventures have now entered a crucial stage of fruition and rapid capacity expansion.

The article then points out the key issues and introduces the significance of Chery:

However, looking at this magnificent picture as a whole, private capital has consistently been absent from the core battlefield of complete vehicle manufacturing, which is considered a 'forbidden zone'.

High policy barriers, weak technological accumulation, and huge funding requirements have deterred countless heroes from pursuing this path.

This regret was only made up for when Chery appeared!

Although Chery's move has not yet been granted that precious "birth certificate," its pioneering spirit and its innovative model of deep integration with local governments, sharing risks and the future, are of great reference and exploratory value.

[It demonstrates to the world that in China's unique land, the development of enterprises must be rooted in the local community, aligned with national policies, and resonate with the people—'coming from the people and going back to the people!']

The article highly praised Chery's pragmatic strategy:

Its significance goes far beyond empty talk.

Chery can bring tens of thousands of jobs to Anhui Province. The vast industrial chain prospects outlined by its parts manufacturing, technology research and development, and vehicle assembly are the fundamental reasons why it attracts strong support from state-owned enterprises such as Anhui State-owned Investment Corporation.

[By introducing a mature French engine production line and exploring technological cooperation with the Soviet giant Volga… Chery's ambitious vision is not just a pipe dream; every step it takes is grounded in reality and precisely timed to fit the pulse of the era!]

Finally, the article concludes with a hopeful tone:

It is foreseeable that Chery's breakthrough may usher in a more reform-oriented and prosperous 1990s.

[A new era that is not simply a repetition of yesterday's story, but rather one with more Chinese characteristics and greater market vitality!]

This powerful and insightful report immediately generated a huge response upon publication.

The Economic Information Daily sold out almost immediately on the day of its release, and even after several reprints, demand still exceeded supply.

Even more noteworthy is that the most authoritative central-level media outlets, such as the Masses Daily and Guangming Daily, subsequently reprinted the core viewpoints of this article in the form of summaries or commentaries.

Although the wording of the reprinted article was more cautious, its attitude was clear: it appreciated Chery's courage to try new things, affirmed its model of cooperating with local governments and being rooted in the real economy, and especially fully affirmed the highly politically correct concept of "coming from the people and going back to the people." This means that Chery and its backer Qin Yuan, in an extremely clever way, won themselves enormous public sympathy and potential political space before the policy explicitly prohibited it.

For a time, people all over the country, from government departments to enterprises and institutions, from industry experts to ordinary people, were talking about "Chery", "private car manufacturing", and "Anhui model".

The names of Qin Yuan, Li Chuze, Yin Tongyao, and others frequently appeared in newspapers, becoming emerging symbols in the wave of reform.

This nationwide media storm has had an indescribable impact on all players of "Business Tycoon".

They watched in stunned silence as the overwhelming, almost unanimous praise poured in through television, radio, and newspapers.

They weren't unfamiliar with big events.

Li Yuanchao and Song Lian's collaboration with Inspur Technology led to the launch of a brand-new paging standard, which caused a sensation and received unprecedented official support.

But this time, it felt completely different.

Qin Yuan almost single-handedly swayed the entire country's media and public opinion, giving an "illegal" project unparalleled legitimacy and heroic qualities!

This ability to manipulate events at will left them feeling suffocated, yet also brought them an unprecedented sense of enlightenment.

"So... this is how the game is played?" countless small and medium-sized players murmured to themselves.

"It's not about blindly speculating and profiteering, or simply accumulating wealth... but about standing on the side of the times and the people, resonating with the authorities, and using an innovative spirit to drive this country and this era forward."

"Only in this way can we obtain the greatest official support, the strongest public opinion shield, and... that massive amount of achievement points, enough to change the rankings?!"

This realization spread like a virus among the players.

It not only exists among ordinary players, but also deeply provokes those who occupy the top of the leaderboard.

Lin Shiyun looked at the report, her slender fingers tracing the four words "national brand," her eyes filled with unwavering determination.

Her determination to create a Chinese homegrown luxury brand is even more urgent; what she wants to do is to be a "Chery" that can represent China in the fields of culture and high added value.

Feng Zhaokun, ranked first and known as the "King of Materials" in South China, is seriously examining his own industrial layout for the first time, and beginning to consider which ones truly meet the "needs of the country" and the "pulse of the times".

He Changqing, who ranked second, and Rong Guosheng, who ranked third, felt a strong sense of crisis almost simultaneously.

Their original strategy was to leverage foresight and resource monopolies to build a vast business empire, accumulating wealth discreetly and efficiently.

But Qin Yuan's appearance completely disrupted the rhythm.

"Privately-owned car manufacturing...the leading brand...supported by the entire province..."

In his office, Feng Zhaokun repeatedly pondered these words, his eyes filled with gloom.

He realized that the game's evaluation system might be far more complex and far-reaching than he had imagined.

Simply having a large economic base may not be the only criterion for passing customs clearance.

“Adjust direction.” He gave the order to his subordinates almost without hesitation: “Reassess all our projects, prioritizing those that are groundbreaking and can obtain official endorsement and public support.”

“We need a project that can be published in the People’s Daily.”

A storm triggered by Chery's press conference is quietly changing the strategies of all players and the future direction of this "game world".

Qin Yuan not only paved the way for himself, but also redefined the gameplay of "Across the Business World" for everyone.

(End of this chapter)