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

October 1, 1982, Jinbu Industrial Park, Mianyang Town, Zhaoyang District, Tuocheng

During the National Day holiday, the Xiaochi Automobile assembly plant, which has been operating for nearly two months, is still bustling with people. At the main gate of the plant, a striking rainbow hangs, and the Xiaochi Automobile employees who volunteered to come are spontaneously lining up below the stage.

Guo Xuemin, a reporter from the Tuocheng Morning Post, arrived at the industrial park early and was interviewing workers at Xiaochi Automobile with pen and paper in hand. The photographer who came with her was constantly recording this important historical moment for Xiaochi Automobile and the entire Tuocheng Special Economic Zone.

The photographer captured the words "Warmly celebrate the roll-off of the Xiaochi Motor vehicle and the road test launch ceremony" written on the screen, along with the enthusiastic smiles of the surrounding workers, all within the film. With a press of the shutter, a famous photo that would later be included in the Xiaochi Motor Development Memorial Hall was born.

At the factory gate, which was covered with a red carpet, two cars that were about to be unveiled were covered with silk cloth of the same color. Although they could not be seen in person, the photographer could still tell from their appearance that the two cars that were about to be tested on the road were so streamlined and beautiful.

"Today is the National Day holiday. Why did you choose to come to the factory today to participate in this activity?" Guo Xuemin asked a worker standing opposite her with a sweet smile on her beautiful face.

The young man blushed slightly when the beautiful reporter stopped him for a question. Luckily, his face was tanned enough that Guo Xuemin didn't notice. The young man said shyly, "Our factory is giving us two days off according to national regulations, but today is the day our first batch of vehicles rolls off the production line. As a member of the factory, I'm very honored to participate in this event!"

"We built this car, how could we not come?" the young man had barely finished speaking in his refined manner when an older worker behind him shouted in a loud voice, "Even if the Americans send missiles at us today, we'd still come!"

"Hahaha!"

The old master's words made the reporter and the onlookers laugh. The old master was transferred from the Second Automobile Works and had a strong local accent. Unlike the shy young man, he was a chatterbox and started talking non-stop when he caught the reporter.

"Let me tell you, these two cars, the 'Dilu' and the 'Zhaoyebai,' are absolutely impressive. You'll be captivated when you see them. I'm not exaggerating, their V8 32-valve engines are something you won't find anywhere else in China that can compare to the cars our factory makes!"

"This truck, even if it's taken abroad, it'll still be the same," the veteran mechanic said, giving a thumbs up. When the first 'Dilu' truck rolled off the production line, almost all the experienced mechanics in the factory got behind the wheel and experienced driving it, and they all gave it unanimous praise.

These veteran mechanics, transferred from Dongfeng and Shanghai Automotive, have been immersed in the automotive industry for decades. They've handled countless car parts. The "Dilu" sedan is top-notch in terms of appearance, suspension, and even power; the only downside is the four tires.

However, the export models will be equipped with tires from internationally renowned tire companies. A luxury car worth $250,000 cannot be fitted with such perfunctory tires. The main reason is that China's automotive tire industry technology is relatively backward at present. Chen Dong can only make do with what he has for now during the road test.

Chen Dong also plans to "introduce" a tire production line to Tuocheng. Currently, the only state-owned factory in China that can manufacture radial tires for passenger cars is Zhengtai Rubber Factory in Shanghai. The tires on the "Dilu" and "Zhaoyebai" cars are produced by Zhengtai Factory.

After the project was submitted for approval, Huang Bin suggested that Zhengtai Factory could open a branch factory in Tuocheng and allow Chen Dong to invest. However, Chen Dong still had some concerns about joint ventures with state-owned factories like Huaxia and had not yet formally replied to Huang Bin.

Chen Dong and his wife Zhang Yi stood in front of the crowd, with Fang Guotai, Chen Zaisheng and other directors and senior executives of Xiaochi Automobile standing beside them. Zhou Haimin, the municipal party secretary, had naturally arrived early for such an important occasion, smiling as he watched the grand scene at the factory gate.

"Old Lin, what brings you here?" Hong Quan, the Party Secretary of Zhaoyang District, smiled at Lin Deying, the Party Secretary of Nanshan District. "Today is a big event for our Zhaoyang District, so don't steal the spotlight!"

"Old Hong, look at your stingy face. I only came here because of Comrade Zai Dong," Lin Deying retorted, unable to bear Hong Quan's smug smile. "Don't go to the heavy truck line test in Nanshan District at the end of the year!"

"Why can't I go? If you can come today, I can go next time," Hong Quan replied cheekily. The two actually had a good relationship in private, but they just loved to bicker.

"Zai Dong, it's almost time," Zhou Haimin glanced at his watch and reminded Chen Dong, who was still talking to someone, that it was time to start lifting the curtain.

Chen Dong glanced at his watch, nodded, and invited, "Secretary Zhou, please!"

Seeing Chen Dong and Zhou Haimin straightening their attire, the emcee immediately grabbed the microphone and loudly announced, "Distinguished leaders, honored guests, and fellow workers, the unveiling ceremony for the roll-off of the Xiaochi Automobile vehicle is now beginning!"

"Please welcome Mr. Zhou Haimin, Secretary of the Tuocheng Municipal Party Committee, and Mr. Chen Zaidong, Chairman of Xiaochi Automobile, to step forward and unveil the plaque. A warm welcome to them all!"

A wave of applause erupted as Zhou Haimin and Chen Dong, beaming with smiles, waved to the cheering workers. Standing on either side of the "Dilu" sedan covered with a silk cloth, each holding a corner of the cloth, Chen Dong took a deep breath and forcefully pulled down the silk cloth amidst the shouts of the emcee and the surrounding workers.

The sound of celebratory cannons rang out, and the moment the silk curtain was drawn, a silver-gray "Dilu" sedan appeared before everyone. Its streamlined body gleamed softly in the sunlight, and its shiny paint reflected people's images.

The large grille at the front of the car is designed in a figure-eight shape, soaring up like a pair of wings, with the "Horse" logo in the center spreading out. The integrated headlights on the left and right sides resemble the eyes of a horse, glaring angrily ahead. On the hood, a golden horse head emblem shines brightly in the sunlight.

Moving around to the rear of the car, the entire vehicle is covered in Chinese characters, with no English characters except for the "4.0" logo. Even the center console and steering wheel inside the car are in simplified Chinese characters, and not the printed Song typeface, but rather the "Ou typeface" as the template.

Simplicity and elegance are the first impressions of these two luxury cars, "Dilu". The interior features full leather seats with no cheap plastic parts. Even the decorative strip on the center console is made of high-quality oak, and the lacquer reflects an alluring luster under the flashlight.

The word "luxury" cannot fully describe the essence of the "Dilu" luxury car!