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

"Secretary Bai, do you think that Shanghai Automotive's only problem is outdated engine technology?"

Bai Jianbo was taken aback by Chen Dong's sudden question. He forced a smile and said, "Comrade Zai Dong, although our technology is somewhat behind the current international level, we are constantly striving to catch up!"

"Secretary Bai, catching up requires direction and a reasonable plan," Chen Dong said quietly, looking at him. "Your Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) is lagging behind in overall technology and design. An automobile is a complex system; having a better engine doesn't solve everything!"

"You sent people to our Xiaochi Automotive to learn how to improve engines, and then you plan to go back and install those improved engines on your current chassis. The cars produced will still be outdated!"

"You're not just lagging behind in engines, your transmissions are outdated too, and your chassis tuning is indescribable. Even your most basic stamping technology is still stuck in the hammering and banging stage," Chen Dong shook his head, trying to speak in a gentle tone.

"I've ridden in your Shanghai-plated 760 sedan. All I can say is, it's very retro, but I wouldn't buy it. If Japanese cars from across the ocean were to enter China now, your 760 wouldn't stand a chance!"

Bai Jianbo opened his mouth, unsure how to best salvage the situation. Ji Shuzhi, after some thought, asked Chen Dong, "Comrade Zai Dong, what do you suggest we do?"

"Secretary Ji, you've hit the nail on the head," Chen Dong leaned back and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the sofa. "I gave you this list to open a branch factory in Tuocheng, not so that you would work as Xiaochi's assistants, but so that you would truly participate."

He paused for a moment and then continued, "When you build a factory in Tuocheng, using Xiaochi's technical standards and management processes, as well as a scientific quality control system, whether the workers are transferred from your old factory or recruited locally, they must be trained according to our Xiaochi Motors' rules."

"At first you may not be used to it and feel that I am demanding and too controlling, but after a year or two, you will understand what real modern assembly line production is."

Bai Jianbo's eyes lit up for a moment, but then dimmed again. "Then... what about the technology? Will our engineers be able to learn the technology?"

Chen Dong looked at him and couldn't help but laugh. "Secretary Bai, you still don't understand. Technology isn't something you learn; it's something you do! The people you sent have been working with me for three years, dealing with Xiaochi Auto's standards every day, coordinating with my engineers, and working with my supply chain. After three years, your engineers will naturally know how to do it."

"When the time comes, you can transfer those engineers who were sent here back to Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. They'll see your old equipment and processes, and they'll know what needs to be changed and how to change it without me having to tell them."

Bai Jianbo seemed to understand what Chen Dong meant, but Ji Shuzhi caught the key point: "Comrade Zai Dong, I think I understand your intention. You want to use your Xiaochi Motors' industrial standards to train our people!"

Chen Dong nodded, secretly giving a thumbs-up to Ji Shuzhi, this old comrade. He figured that this guy wasn't just an office worker like Bai Jianbo; he must have been promoted step by step from the workshop, and he understood things very quickly.

China's industrialization in this era is already quite strong, and it can even be said that it is stronger than 90% of the countries in the world. However, it has only one fatal weakness, which is industrial standardization!

The Soviet Union taught China industrialization, while the United States taught China standardization!

In the early days of the People's Republic of China, the Soviet Union provided financial assistance for many industrial projects. However, the Soviet Union's industry was crude. When Chinese workers built the projects according to the Soviet blueprints, they consulted Soviet experts, whose solution was simply to grind or clamp them.

As long as the parts can be installed and it can move, that's fine. As for whether it will break or how long it will take to break, that's a problem for the next process!

Like teacher, like student. No one told these Chinese engineers what industrial standardization is, and that an error greater than 0.01mm is not considered a qualified industrial standard!

Just like the engineers in India, after repairing the plane, they look at the extra screws in their hands and just throw them away. As long as the plane can move and fly, that's fine. If it breaks, they'll just fix it again!

Industry is very rigorous, especially the workpieces of precision equipment. Even the slightest error can affect the precision and lifespan of the machinery. In the 21st century, China only became the world's factory after it had completely completed industrial standardization!

"The problem with China's automobile industry isn't just a matter of one or two years," Chen Dong said, looking at Ji Shuzhi, "but rather that the overall manufacturing process can't meet standards, and that we can't produce the required components in a standardized manner!"

"The Chinese are not stupid; on the contrary, we are one of the smartest countries in the world. It's just that we've been internationally blocked for too long. You're not reinventing the wheel; no one has told you how to standardize!"

Chen Dong looked at Bai Jianbo and said in a deep voice, "Secretary Bai, if you want to send people to learn, fine. I'm not afraid of you learning. The more you learn and the better you do, the more stable my supply chain will be, and the lower my costs will be!"

"If you really want to learn, I can arrange for engineers to give you classes and let your people intern in my workshop. But you have to apply what you learn, and you have to modify what you learn! Don't learn it and then go back and treat it like a treasure, unwilling to dismantle or touch it. If that's the case, it's better not to learn it at all."

Bai Jianbo fell silent!

Ji Shuzhi also fell silent!

Seeing their silence, Chen Dong continued, "I accept your cooperation, but you must follow our Xiaochi Motors standards. Use the standardization you learn from us for your own purposes; only then will you make progress!"

"Xiaochi Motors is not afraid of competition. The Chinese market has a huge future and can accommodate both of us. We at Xiaochi Motors are not putting on airs. Perhaps you feel wronged, thinking, why should you only be a parts supplier for Xiaochi Motors!"

"But your current process standards don't meet our requirements. Once your processes are standardized, you won't feel wronged at all!"

After a long silence, Ji Shuzhi folded the parts list Chen Dong had given him and put it in his jacket pocket. He stood up and extended his hand to Chen Dong. "Comrade Zai Dong, regarding the establishment of a branch factory in Tuocheng, I will hold a seminar with the relevant cadres at the factory after I return!"

"But regardless of whether it works out or not, I've benefited greatly from your words today. Thank you!"

Chen Dong simply smiled, reached out and shook Ji Shuzhi's hand. Bai Jianbo also stood up and shook Chen Dong's hand, saying, "Comrade Chen Dong, I'm truly convinced!"

"Secretary Bai, it's not a matter of whether we submit or not, it's that we have to move forward! Time waits for no one, the market waits for no one, if we keep dawdling, we won't even get a taste of the soup."