From knock-off old-man's electric vehicles to industrial giant

Chapter 224 The Automaker That Most Respects Joint Venture Brands (5k)

This child's excellence is rarely seen in his lifetime!
This sentence couldn't help but pop into Lei Jun's mind.

He has met many brilliant entrepreneurs.

But no one else could have such a subtle and persuasive influence at a press conference, while also paying attention to details and controlling the pace.

It is neither arrogant nor humble, flamboyant yet true to itself, humor interspersed with simplicity, with technology as its backbone and configuration as its supplement.

This is worlds apart from CEOs who understand technology but not marketing, or understand marketing but not technology.

……

"I see many friends are taking out their phones, it seems everyone is very interested in this car, thank you all sincerely for your support..."

The press conference is coming to an end.

Xu Yi bowed slightly, showing his sincerity.

Then, he glanced around and looked over with a smile: "Mr. Lei, are you also using your phone to select and order a car?"

Be caught off guard.

suddenly!
"ah…?"

Lei Jun was still lost in thought, but couldn't help looking up and responding.

In that instant, he suddenly realized something and thought to himself, "This is bad!"
—But it was too late.

High-definition cameras and lights quickly came over.

The light shone on Lei Jun's face, which showed a mixture of surprise and confusion.

They also took a picture of the vehicle configuration page on his phone's large screen.

Lei Jun is numb.

Media professionals and netizens alike are paying close attention!
"666, Mr. Lei has already ordered a car?"

"Even the big shots are tempted by this configuration? They could easily buy a much better high-end car, right?"

"It's different. The Xingchen L7 is a domestically produced new energy vehicle. Its configuration and price today are truly amazing and groundbreaking!"

"I didn't expect Mr. Lei to be so supportive of Xingchen Motors. Seeing this makes me want to buy one too!!"

……

No need to overthink it.

Lei Jun seemed to be able to sense the gaze and voices from the outside world.

This Xu Yi arrived unexpectedly, and in a sudden turn of events, he was used as a living advertisement!
It can be done in full view of everyone.

He could only nod stiffly and give a somewhat "amiable" smile: "The Starry Night L7 is excellent and very touching... If Mr. Xu is willing to give me a discount, I will definitely order one."

In a half-joking tone, he took the opportunity to back down.

He predicted that... the price and configuration of the Starry Night L7 were almost the absolute bottom.

The national price is uniform and completely transparent; after excluding national subsidies, there is no room for it to decrease.

We can't possibly give him a special discount, can we?

Giving one away would be more like it.

If they don't give it to me, then I'll just treat it as a joke and move on.

...

Thinking about this, Lei Jun felt a sense of anticipation.

If Xu Yi really gives him a first-generation model, he wouldn't mind admitting it in front of the media.

Consider it as Xingchen Auto paying him "advertising fees".

Let's take a closer look.

He has a great interest in the automotive industry.

They have also established many industrial chains.

Xu Yi blinked unusually, then said slyly, "President Lei, how did you know we had some unannounced discounts..."

"I hereby announce that—starting today, customers who pay a deposit within one month will enjoy exclusive launch benefits: a discount of 8,000 yuan off a 5,000 yuan deposit, a two-year free official maintenance package, and a free 7kW home charging station!!"

Do you all think this discount is appropriate?

...

Finished speaking.

Lei Jun is speechless!

The entire stadium erupted in cheers once again!

"suitable!!"

"It's a perfect fit!"

"What?! There's a discount?!"

"Are they selling cars at a loss?"

"So touching and heartwarming!!!"

...

"So, what do you all think of the Xingchen L7? At its price point, with its features, and considering the breakthroughs in domestically produced technology, if we were to give a heartfelt evaluation, could you tell me in one sentence or even just one word...?"

Xu Yi's eyes revealed anticipation.

The right to make the final evaluation was left to everyone present.

"Top-notch!!"

"Invincible!"

Yang Li, sitting in the media section, looked at the stage and shouted loudly, "Far ahead!!"

The audience erupted in noise.

A stone stirred up a thousand waves.

"Starry Night L7 is far ahead!!"

"President Xu is far ahead!"

"Far ahead!!"

……

The live stream chat was flooded with messages: "Far ahead! Far ahead! Far ahead! Far ahead!"

In short, it spread like wildfire, almost as if it were possessed by a demon.

A wave of cheers and applause erupted as Xu Yi bowed ninety degrees once more.

Even many industry professionals and media figures couldn't help but applaud it.

Wang Chuanfu, Li Shufu, Wei Jianbing, and others had very strange and shocked expressions.

We've been making cars for so many years.

Today felt like the first time I'd ever experienced a domestic car launch event.

So noisy...

Such a benchmark...

in this way……

Forget it.

They didn't want to describe it anymore.

I'm so tired.

Xingchen Automotive is far ahead today.

We other traditional domestic brands sitting here are practically cavemen!
The press conference has finally come to a close.

The television and online live broadcasts also came to an end.

Xu Yi and the company's senior executives went down to the stage together, smiling and thanking the leaders and bigwigs from all walks of life. The press conference ended at 9 p.m., so after thanking everyone for their support, there were only some wrap-up work left.

Because of the large number of people and the difficulty in attending to everyone, Xu Yi could only communicate with the crowd as he walked out of the press conference venue.

Many media outlets took the opportunity to swarm around.

They were afraid of missing out on this opportunity.

"Mr. Xu, as your first model to target the high-end market, does your choice of the range-extended route mean that you are overturning your previous efforts in the pure electric field and admitting that hybrid is the only way for new energy vehicles to move towards high-end luxury? Moreover, although the range-extended engine of Xingchen has a high thermal efficiency, the transmission structure of the range extender is too simple from a technical point of view. Can it really be compared with other hybrids?"

Good guy.

Which reporter is this, coming in with such a sharp edge right from the start?
Xu Yi turned his gaze over; this reporter was really shameless.

He just stared at it blankly.

Having finally squeezed in, I naturally had to ask some constructive questions.

This quick question can be described as "blocking both ends".

On the one hand, Xingchen Motors started with pure electric vehicle R&D; on the other hand, regardless of whether it acknowledges range-extended electric vehicles or not, it is easy to cause controversy and conflict between other companies' pure electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid routes.

of course.

Xu Yi could choose not to answer.

A single glance or a natural movement can suffice.

Xu Yi paused slightly, then asked in return, "That's a good question. Which do you think is more convenient for eating, chopsticks or knives and forks?"

"in the country, we should use chopsticks to eat," the reporter replied quite formally.

Xu Yi: "What about wooden chopsticks and chopsticks made of pure gold?"

The reporter thought for a moment and said, "They are all chopsticks, so there shouldn't be much difference, but gold chopsticks are more valuable and more difficult to make."

Xu Yi smiled: "That's the answer. No matter how advanced the technology is, it's all for the benefit of people. So, as long as a perfect experience can be achieved, then in Xingchen's eyes, there is no difference."
There are universally applicable skills; I can eat with chopsticks and I can also eat roast meat with a knife and fork—there's no conflict between the two.

The issue was abruptly ended.

It's really hard to get hung up on the technical principles behind plug-in hybrids and range extenders.

That really turned a one-track mind into a double bind.

"Mr. Xu, are you confident about the sales of the new car? What is the projected sales volume of the Xingchen L7 by the end of the year?"

Another reporter posed a common question.

"Confidence and expectations are difficult to quantify, but I can share some data: we had already pre-produced 3,000 cars before the launch event, so the first batch of customers who are quick enough can take delivery of their cars within this month!"

Xu Yi dropped a bombshell during the interview.

I didn't say I was confident, nor did I say I wasn't confident.

But the announcement of the expected production of 3,000 cars shocked many people!
I couldn't help but gasp. As a brand with a mixed direct-sales model, this inventory level speaks volumes.

He's too confident!

...

Another reporter asked urgently: "At the press conference, Xingchen Auto repeatedly benchmarked itself against several automakers, including BBA (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi) and Toyota. Is this a tactic to elevate its own image by leveraging other luxury brands?"

That's a ridiculous question.

From the very beginning of the press conference, benchmarking was a constant theme.

This has strained the reputations of luxury car manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, and could even be seen as a provocation...

Xu Yi succinctly stated: "It's not about benchmarking, it's about paying homage."

Xingchen Automotive is a newcomer to the automotive industry, and we hold all successful luxury car manufacturers in the highest regard!

"Um...you've said this before, but isn't it too many times to pay tribute? I've seen other domestic car companies mention it only once or twice at their press conferences?"

The reporter was not going to let the matter rest easily.

It's okay if it happens once or twice.

How many times has this happened?

Is this a tribute?
I'm embarrassed to point it out to you.

It's not just him who has this problem in his mind.

There were also industry insiders from joint venture car companies present, as well as other media outlets who had the same question in mind.

You've taken advantage of my traffic, and the brands have benchmarked against me; I need to give you an explanation.

If we acknowledge this issue, there's no doubt that Xingchen Automotive is leveraging the prestige of the German Big Three (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi) to gain market share, raising suspicions of simultaneously targeting multiple automakers. For a newcomer to the luxury car market, attracting such criticism is a serious matter.

But denying it would seem too hypocritical.

It quickly escalated into a situation where both ends were blocked.

……

But I didn't expect it.

Xu Yi simply sighed softly.

Then he uttered a sentence that left the entire audience breathless:
"We pay tribute to these luxury car companies more often than others."

The voice just fell.

Everyone slipped and nearly fainted!
The reporter's lips twitched repeatedly in an uncontrollable manner.

puff.

God's fucking respect...

Is this okay? ?

"Did you write it down?" Upon hearing such a "shameless" yet quirky answer, Wang Chuanfu couldn't help but slap the arm of Zhao Changjiang, the deputy general manager of sales.

This perfectly avoids all the trap damage while still maximizing its popularity!

"Mr. Wang, I've got it! I've got it!" Zhao Changjiang nodded repeatedly, inwardly sighing with envy.

Utterly shocking!

What an arrogant and overbearing answer!
To be honest, he also admired Xu Yi's reaction and attitude.

Why would you even bother with such a thorny issue?

If it were them holding a press conference, they would simply skip it or have the employees separated.

...

"Mr. Xu, would you mind telling me the current order numbers?"

Another reporter conducted an interview.

This question is even more "daring" than the previous ones.

This caused many bigwigs around to stop in their tracks and quietly prick up their ears.

They are all curious.

Xu Yi didn't mind answering the question. More than twenty minutes had passed since the press conference ended, and he hadn't even glanced at the order count because he was surrounded by people.

Yu Nian, who had been following closely behind, quickly quickened his pace upon seeing this and excitedly whispered a piece of data in his ear.

After listening.

Xu Yi's smile was already starting to spread.

He took a long breath.

It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

He simply gestured to Yu Nian and said:

"Since everyone wants to know a preliminary result, let's release it."

All eyes turned to him, and Yu Nian felt a surge of emotions, a mix of pride and the exhilaration of showing off in front of others!
Of course.

This was something President Xu asked him to do to achieve divine intervention!

It was absolutely not his doing without authorization or prioritizing!

He's seen all those comments online; they're pure malicious fabrication!
Playing nonsense!
His loyalty to President Xu and Xingchen Motors is like a surging river, never-ending...

Yu Nian announced softly to the media:

"We have opened online and offline pre-orders simultaneously, and a full 27 minutes have passed. We have received a total of 2,300 small pre-orders, including 1,300 large pre-orders!"

All of a sudden.

Silence fell once more.
Someone blinked, as if they hadn't heard clearly.

When he came to his senses, his face suddenly twitched!
Seize the young...

? ?
Twenty-seven minutes.

Two thousand three hundred small orders, and nearly five hundred large orders?
Hiss! ! !
A violent gasp filled the air, as if the oxygen in the surroundings had thinned out.

This……

is it possible?

Is this the performance that a domestically produced car in the 300,000 RMB price range can offer?

If domestically produced goods break 2,000 units in half an hour, won't they break 10,000 units on the first day?
Some people looked skeptical.

Some people have lost their voice as a result.

Some people secretly admired it...

Someone even stumbled and nearly fell, which made them leave even faster!

……

Xu Yi smiled as he watched the surroundings suddenly fall silent.

have to.

If we make it public, you'll all be unhappy.

"Mr. Xu, congratulations on the huge order volume!"

"The Starry Night L7 is going to be a huge hit!"

"Xingchen Motors has a good chance of breaking into the high-end market..."

Only then did gasps of amazement and congratulations erupt, and the crowd grew even larger and more enthusiastic.

Xu Yi stopped answering questions from reporters.

Other follow-up work was handled by senior executives and department staff, who were busy attending a party.

Orders have exploded, but production and the first batch of shipments will require overtime work.

The Starry Sky L7 has a wide range of configurations, and the production capacity and delivery pressure involved are no less than those of the Starry Sky S7. Strict quality control is also required, and the off-line testing process is the most complex for this car at present.

At the same time, feedback data from local stores should also be monitored.

Timely adjustments were made to personnel and publicity.

It was destined to be a sleepless night.

……

They were about to lose the interview opportunity.

The reporters sighed repeatedly, and some noticed the crowd inside, their eyes suddenly lighting up as they focused their attention on the chairman of Dong'an Power.

"Mr. Chen, when did Dong'an Power begin its in-depth cooperation with Xingchen Automotive? What percentage of this ultra-high thermal efficiency hybrid engine was developed in-house by each party? Did Dong'an Power have similar research prior to this?"

A reporter asked.

Consumers rarely pay attention to things related to the supply chain.

Even if supply chain companies actively promote it, probably very few people will be interested.

However, this ultra-high thermal efficiency hybrid engine is different. Not only has it generated a lot of buzz with Toyota, but it also took up a large portion of the press conference. It is a 1.5T engine that has recently been hailed online as the "shining example of domestic products".

There's still a lot to discuss if we delve deeper into this aspect.

But without a doubt, this is another biased question.

Chen Libao publicly replied, "We are honored to cooperate with Xingchen Motors."

"This engine is the result of in-depth independent research and development by both parties. Although it is based on our original engine design, Xingchen has made many contributions in terms of technology, providing core R&D concepts. Both parties have worked together to overcome numerous difficulties... Without Mr. Xu and Xingchen Motors' firm choice, there would be no such high thermal efficiency self-developed engine today."

Chen Libao frankly admitted it without any hesitation.

The reporter was stunned!
Why does Xingchen Automotive allocate such a large portion of its budget to engine research and development?
Not content with this, some reporters turned their attention to Konghui Technology.

"Mr. Guo, air suspension is a truly high-end component of luxury cars, so its development must have been fraught with difficulties, right? How did you manage to develop air suspension? And when did you first come into contact with Xingchen Automotive?"

Guo Chuan sincerely expressed his gratitude: "At that time, we only had three million yuan in funds and could not attract investment. We couldn't even purchase half of the old air suspension production line. It was General Manager Xu who found us and invested heavily, injecting tens of millions of yuan of valuable R&D funds, allowing us to go all out... It can be said that without General Manager Xu, there would be no domestic air suspension today!"

As soon as this statement came out.

Another shock!
People have long been accustomed to the supply chain taking advantage of others, and naturally assume that Xingchen Motors' "thank you" must have taken a big advantage of the supply chain, or even paid for technology patent licenses.

Unexpectedly, Xingchen Motors was the real leader and the key player among them.

The image of Xingchen Motors has quietly changed.

Angel investor?
Wait a minute… this is practically a bulldozer for domestically developed bottleneck technologies! Is it specifically targeting areas where technology is being held back?
……

at the same time.

Li Xiang felt like the sky had fallen after watching the press conference.

It collapsed twice in a short period of time.

My phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from friends and investors.

The announcement of the Starry Night L7 brought them unprecedented shock and setbacks.

Not long ago.

Li Xiang had even come up with a name for his new car.

Let's call it Li Auto.

The positioning and concept of the entire vehicle have been touted to investors countless times.

Even after the initial blow, he still harbored a sliver of hope and expectation...

After all, while the paths to Starry Sky are similar, their prices may not be similar, and similar prices do not necessarily mean similar configurations.

As long as it hasn't been released, there's still hope.

But now, that "luck" has completely vanished.

It split completely in the middle!
The kind of crack that resembles a cradle.

good news.

After much planning, their long-awaited extended-range family SUV finally sold out.

bad news.

This thing that's selling like hotcakes isn't called Ideal, it's called Starry Night L7!!
"what!!!"

Li Xiang clutched his chest, staring unfocused at the ceiling, a tearing pain shooting through his chest...

Heartbreaking!!!

"StarCars...you've shattered my dreams!!!"

...

Click.

The office door opens.

Huang Mingming walked in just in time to hear this painful wail, and his expression turned somewhat unnatural.

He is an investment partner at Ming Capital and a key supporter behind leading the Pre-A round of financing and the latest round of investment for CHJ Automotive.

"Li Xiang, Xingchen Motors' positioning clashes too much with ours. I think the new project needs to be drastically revised as soon as possible, otherwise it won't even have a chance to go public."

he sighed.

They originally only planned to build a comfortable six-seater SUV with a large sofa and a color TV.

But now I've watched the launch event for the Starry Night L7.

I feel truly ashamed of myself.

The 1.5T super range extender is incredibly powerful compared to their 1.2T range extender system, which they haven't even developed yet.

And then there's the air suspension, the color TV and refrigerator, the standard ventilated, massaging and heated seats throughout the car, and the intelligent driving system... I can hardly understand it anymore.

All that remained was shock.

He was completely convinced.

What's the point of building this?!
They've completely lost the will to build cars!

　I caught a cold, and I'm experiencing some vomiting and diarrhea, mainly diarrhea... I'm going to bed early tonight, everyone.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)