Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

"We are genuinely approaching this collaboration with a learning mindset!"

Chen Dong didn't respond, but looked at Ji Shuzhi, waiting for him to continue. Seeing Chen Dong's silence, Ji Shuzhi continued, "We've come here today because we learned that Comrade Zai Dong's Xiaochi Motors project is about to be approved, and we wanted to seek cooperation with Xiaochi Motors on parts!"

Chen Dong crossed his legs, leaned back on the sofa with his hands on the armrests, and said to Ji Shuzhi, "As far as I know, your technology is still lacking in both heavy and light components. There's no new technology in the automotive field, and the parts produced by your subordinate parts factories don't meet our needs!"

Bai Jianbo became anxious after hearing this, "Comrade Zai Dong, you should know about our Shanghai Automotive's Shanghai-plated 760 sedan. Do you really think our 760 is that outdated?"

"The Jin Feng 680 model has a 2.2-liter inline 6-cylinder gasoline engine with a maximum power of 90 horsepower and an average fuel consumption of 18 liters per 100 kilometers, earning it the nickname 'fuel hog.' Secretary Bai, do you think this car is very advanced?"

Chen Dong's question stumped Bai Jianbo. Not to mention the most advanced cars of the time, even the fuel consumption of the Russian Lada, a "rough thing," was not as high as that of a Shanghai-registered sedan.

The Shanghai license plate 760 not only lacked an air conditioning system, but also had to be equipped with hand-cranked windshield wipers. In 1982, hand-cranked windshield wipers were simply laughable!

In an environment where the aftermath of the oil crisis has not yet completely subsided, car manufacturers across Europe are developing cars with lower fuel consumption. Even Americans who love big V8 engines have had to turn to buying small-displacement family cars due to the impact of the crisis.

The Japanese and German sedans rose to prominence in the American car market amidst the aftermath of the oil crisis. Compact yet powerful and fuel-efficient, they captured 15.8% of the market share upon entering the American car market!

The Shanghai license plate 760 was designed in the 50s, with technology from the 60s and craftsmanship from the 70s. It was sold in the 80s and was completely outmatched by the foreign cars that were subsequently introduced.

Faced with the overall backwardness of China's industrial system in terms of technological accumulation and manufacturing level, the top leadership of China had no choice but to propose "joint ventures to save the country," hoping to introduce advanced automotive technology from foreign capital to catch up!

Chen Dong had to "wake up" Bai Jianbo, who was still unwilling to face reality. He took the briefcase from Chen Zaisheng, took out the planned design drawings and related parameters of the "Dilu" sedan, and placed them on the coffee table in front of Bai Jianbo and Ji Shuzhi.

Chen Dong wasn't afraid of leaking any trade secrets. Even if he handed over all the design parameters and blueprints for the "Dilu" sedan to Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Shanghai Automobile Group, with their outdated production equipment, they might be able to produce a rough exterior and interior by hand for a year or two with the help of experienced craftsmen. But the core engine and transmission were out of the question!

Ji Shuzhi was the first to pick up the design drawings in front of him. After reading them, he remained silent for a long time. He looked up at Chen Dong, his lips pursed and his hands trembling slightly.

Bai Jianbo, standing nearby, watched with near despair before stammering, "Comrade Zai Dong, is this the sedan your Xiaochi Motors plans to produce?"

"Yes!"

"Leapmotor's Type 1 V8 32-valve all-aluminum engine, 4.0L with a maximum power of 300 horsepower, four-speed electronic transmission, and multi-point fuel injection system!"

"hiss!"

After Bai Jianbo finished speaking, he himself gasped. This configuration is too outrageous! The fuel consumption must be insane!

Putting aside the groundbreaking exterior design and interior decoration of the "Dilu" sedan, just the Leapmotor V8 engine alone made Ji Shuzhi and Bai Jianbo's hands tremble. This was an engine that they dared not even think about now!

The "Dilu" sedan is 5466 mm long, 1899 mm wide, 1498 mm high, and has a wheelbase of 3365 mm. It was custom-made by Chen Dong based on his Maybach. With the Leapmotor Type 1 V8 engine provided by the system, it is a true performance beast.

In the 1980s, when 100 horsepower was generally sufficient, the Ferrari 308 GTBi, with its 3.0L V8 engine and 240 horsepower, already stood out from the crowd. The 'Dilu' with 300 horsepower was enough to crush all the luxury cars of today!

After a long silence, Ji Shuzhi finally spoke in a trembling voice, "Comrade Zai Dong, a 300-horsepower sedan... isn't that a bit too much power? Is it really necessary to go for such a high horsepower?"

"Yes, Comrade Zai Dong, with your 4.0L V8 engine, the fuel consumption must be over twenty liters per 100 kilometers, right? Will anyone actually buy it after it's produced?"

Bai Jianbo also asked, he had to ask, Chen Dong couldn't possibly not know what 4.0L represented, could there be some unknown secret?

"It's necessary because our 'Dilu' sedan, manufactured by Xiaochi Auto, will use a large amount of high-strength steel, making the body very heavy. 300 horsepower might seem excessive to you, but it's just right for the 'Dilu'!"

"As for the fuel consumption issue you mentioned, Secretary Bai, well, we've already skipped the carburetor and adopted in-cylinder multi-point electronic fuel injection technology. In America's laboratory, after 1,000 hours of testing, the average fuel consumption of the three engines is 11-13L/100km!"

"Impossible! This is impossible!"

Bai Jianbo immediately exclaimed in surprise, "A 4.0L V8 engine, 13 liters per 100 kilometers? That's a complete fantasy! Comrade Zai Dong, I know that foreign automotive technology is advanced, but I think these figures are absolutely impossible to achieve!"

Looking at Bai Jianbo's incredulous expression, Chen Dong knew that he couldn't accept this reality. If Chen Dong's engine was just a 2.0L V6 engine with a fuel consumption of only 13L per 100 kilometers, Shanghai Automotive might still be able to catch up.

But such a huge gap made Bai Jianbo feel desperate and powerless. If the data Chen Dong mentioned was true, then the 760 produced by their Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation was pure industrial "garbage"!

Unlike Bai Jianbo, who focused on the Leapmotor engine, Ji Shuzhi looked at the other parameters of the "Dilu" sedan and fell into deep thought.

Standard configuration includes ABS anti-lock braking system.

Standard configuration includes airbags for all four vehicles.

Standard configuration includes an air conditioning system.

Standard configuration includes power seats for both driver and passenger.

As for features like electric wipers, adaptive headlights, digital instrument clusters, power windows, and premium audio systems, these are commonplace features in mainstream luxury cars today and don't need to be specifically mentioned in the specifications.

Looking at these parameters, Ji Shuzhi felt a chill for Shanghai Automotive. Fortunately, they came to Tuocheng and learned about the parameters of the sedan that Xiaochi Auto was about to launch. Otherwise, once Xiaochi Auto's "Dilu" was launched, the Shanghai license plate 760 would probably be crushed.

The gap is simply too huge. It's not just a difference of a few years, but an overall gap of at least one or two generations!

It's beyond anyone's reach!