Reborn South Africa as a police officer

Chapter 1642

As the largest capitalist in southern Africa, Rock has considered this situation long ago, in order not to let his company burn money desperately——

No, it was to allow the sponsoring companies to focus more on providing services. Rock also worked hard and had to set this standard.

Anyone can burn money. The essence of an enterprise is to provide customers with perfect services as much as possible. If it fails to do this, no matter how much money it burns, it will be eliminated by the market sooner or later.

It happened to be nine o'clock in the morning in Detroit when Kyle Kemp called back.

Mr. Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Company, has been in a bad mood recently.

As early as 1921, Ford Motor had to spend part of its funds on advertising in order to cope with the increasingly fierce market competition.

Prior to this, starting from 1917, Ford never advertised for four years, because even if Ford did not advertise, there would be too many orders to fill.

In 1922, Ford again had to produce Model Ts other than black to boost Model T sales.

Previously, from 1915, in order to improve production efficiency, Ford only used cheap and fast-drying Japanese black paint to produce black T-cars.

Because even if there is only a black Model T car for customers to choose from, it will not affect the sales of Model T cars.

In 1923, Ford again had to sell part of the shares to inject vitality into the Ford company.

Previously, in 1919, Henry Ford bought out the shares of other shareholders of the company and monopolized the Ford company.

Last year, Roque and President Coolidge signed a series of contracts, southern Africa and the United States opened their markets to each other, and more southern African car brands flocked to Ford Motor Co., which became increasingly difficult.

Just last month, Ford Motor was forced to close a production line in Kansas City, Missouri, to reduce production and reduce expenses. Facing fierce competition in the market, Ford's profit per car sold has dropped below $20, an unprecedented situation severe.

When Kyle Kemp called back to Detroit, Henry Ford was forced to convene a board meeting to discuss how to survive in the fierce market competition.

This meeting was requested by several partners of Henry Ford. They have already stated that if Henry Ford cannot lead Ford Motor out of the predicament, then either Henry Ford will step down and try to replace the chairman, or they will The shares in his hand will be transferred out.

There are not many capitals in the market that are capable of taking over Ford shares and are willing to take over. Nyasaland Bank and Goldman Sachs had contacted Henry Ford before, but Henry Ford did not agree.

"It's the [-]th now, why haven't we released last year's financial statements? We always have to know whether our assets are profitable or losing." At the meeting, a director said bluntly.

"Hehe, if it was profitable, I'm afraid it would have been announced to the world-" Another director sneered. Although Ford Motor has not released its financial statements, Washington Motor has already released it.

Last year, the sales volume of Washington Motors was 110 million, and the profit was about 1.4 million US dollars. This figure includes not only the complete vehicle, but also the parts, financing, leasing, and transportation revenue.

Since Karl Benz made the first car in 1883, the car has now developed into a complete and professional market. Customers can buy cars with installment payments, and they can also enjoy leasing services. Washington Auto has the largest car credit in the United States. Companies and car rental companies, transportation companies also earn a lot of money.

Although Ford Motor has not released its financial statements, judging from various signs in the market, the situation is very bad. Since the second half of last year, the stock price of Ford Motor has been falling, and now it is about to fall below people's psychological defense line.

In other words, when Ford's stock rose sharply in the past few years, shareholders never had the idea of ​​​​transferring shares. At that time, Ford was regarded as the "God of Management", and this situation on the board of directors was absolutely impossible.

"Now our situation is indeed relatively difficult, but this situation has not happened to us in history, so I hope you can give me more time, as long as we work together, Ford will definitely get out of the predicament and return to the top . "Henry Ford played chicken blood, and his history of fortune was not all smooth sailing.

In 1899, Ford built the first automobile and founded the Detroit Motor Company with his friends, but the company soon closed down.

By 1901, Ford and his friends opened a second company, but soon Ford was kicked out of this company by his friends, and this company is now Cadillac.

Then it was not until 1903 that Ford established the current Ford Company, which skyrocketed.

"Henry, we still believe in you, but we don't trust the current market. Are you sure that Ford can return to its peak?" Hassan Solomon, an independent director of Citibank, is Ford's second largest shareholder. Banks have a long history of cooperation.

"Of course! As long as we can get through this difficulty, we will be able to return to the top—" Henry Ford is full of confidence. The plight of Ford Motor has a lot to do with the snow disaster in the Great Lakes. Detroit was once closed due to the snow disaster last winter .

"Impossible! You are lying. Customers would rather choose a $350 Washington car than a $330 Ford car. How can Ford return to the top?" A director directly challenged, which is embarrassing, but this is the truth.

No way, compared with Ford’s Model T that hasn’t changed in ten years, Washington’s cars are richer in color, more advanced in technology, cooler in appearance, and more comfortable to use. Customers who can afford $330 don’t mind an extra $20. Opt for a sleeker Washington car.

It is fashion, and compared with Washington Motors, Ford is like a dying old man, like the British Empire and the United States now.

"We are negotiating with other car companies to set up a technology alliance to respond to market competition with more advanced technology, better services, and more perfect products—" Henry Ford looked resolute, and he was not someone who would easily admit defeat.

"Other car companies—"

"Ford is already the most powerful car company in the United States. The other car companies you mentioned are probably also American car companies that are about to be eliminated by the market?"

"Nyasaland Bank has just acquired Cadillac! I'm afraid you don't know the news yet!"

The directors attacked in groups. Ford's main competitor is not an American car company, but a southern African car company.

An alliance of a group of weaklings cannot defeat a powerful competitor no matter what.

Car companies can cooperate, but customers will not cooperate. They will vote with their feet and buy the most suitable products for them.

"Cadillac's acquisition by Nyasaland Bank is not the end of the day. We still have Chrysler, Dodge, and Buick—" Henry Ford desperately resisted. The few examples he gave were actually not very convincing.

Nyasaland Bank not only acquired Cadillac, but also Lincoln, Willys, and Jeep under Chrysler. American car companies have already lost half of their country, and southern Africans are waving checks to make acquisitions. If Ford also If it falls, then American car companies will completely decline.

This is why Ford was forced to form an alliance with other American automakers.

"Gentlemen, calm down—" Hassan Solomon couldn't bear to see Henry Ford being besieged. For Citibank, Ford was once a golden hen, and Hassan Solomon wouldn't be like that easily discarded.

On Ford's board of directors, Hassan Solomon was still very prestigious, and the other directors finally calmed down.

While Ford was struggling, Citibank was thriving.

"Henry, if you need our help, you have to be positive." Hassan Solomon seemed positive, but he was actually harboring evil intentions.

Citibank's help is not a free lunch. If Henry Ford wants to get Citibank's help, then Henry Ford will have to pay more shares.

This is really driving tigers at the front door and wolves at the back door.

"Yes, I just got a piece of news that Southern Africa is going to host the Commonwealth Games. If Ford wants to be a sponsor, it has to pay 100 million rand as a sponsor—" Henry Ford convened the board of directors to ask for money .

Only money can unite the board of directors better. In order to ensure that their investment is not in vain, even if shareholders have opinions, they must support Henry Ford's position at this time.

Because only Henry Ford could have pulled Ford out of the woods.

"What kind of sports meeting requires 100 million rand for sponsorship?" a director exclaimed. 100 million rand was indeed a sky-high price for 1926.

"One million rand, isn't that three million dollars?"

"South Africans are crazy—"

"Will anyone accept this price? I'm afraid it's not a fool—"

The directors talked a lot.

"If it weren't for the Marquess of Nyasaland, the price of sponsoring the Commonwealth Games would be even higher. Just now, Nyasaland's car has reached 188 million rand—" Henry Ford was also helpless, with active eyes Compared with the lofty southern Africans, Americans are like country bumpkins, without any knowledge.

"It seems that the United States has no chance to participate in the Commonwealth Games—" Hassan Solomon was a little hesitant. 100 million rand sponsored a sports meeting that the United States would definitely not have the opportunity to participate in, which sounded unreliable to him.

"Then what are we excited about—"

"Think about why Nyasaran Motors set a price of 188 million, because they believe they can earn back!"

"What does this have to do with us?"

"Gentlemen, let's be clear about the fact that 100 million rand is just the beginning, which also means that even if we offer this price, we may not necessarily be able to obtain sponsorship rights." Henry Ford added fuel to the fire.

"Go to the fucking Commonwealth Games!"

"Let the southern Africans have fun--"

"We are not allowed to participate, we are not rare-"

The directors broke out collectively. This matter is not very harmful, but it is extremely insulting. As for what they think in their hearts, only they know.

(End of this chapter)