Set sail1992

Chapter 1338 Higher Pursuit (Happy Children's Day, Brothers)

As Sun Cong guessed, the sales of his own Lavida were impacted by the hybrid Excelle, and similar products of several friendly competitors were also impacted:

The sales of the new generation of Corolla from the big brother in the north fell by more than 2000 units year-on-year;

The sales of the new Sunshine, which had to give up the name Sylphy because the Huateng Group snatched the name from it and instead named Sylphy "the new generation of Sunshine", fell by nearly 2000 units.

  Faced with this situation, the sales department heads of the two companies were full of bitterness: Damn Huateng Automobile, you are simply unethical! How can you sell cars like this?

Zhang Qihang didn't care what they thought. Having tasted the sweetness, he only wanted to further reduce the cost. For this purpose, he specially called Lao Wang. However, as soon as the call was connected, Lao Wang complained before Zhang Qihang could say anything: "Mr. Zhang, we are already trying to reduce costs, so don't push us anymore..."

Zhang Qihang was stunned when he heard this, and then he touched his nose in embarrassment: It seems that the oppression on Lao Wang during this period has been a bit harsh, so that even such a technology fanatic has begun to complain...

If you think about it carefully, you can’t blame Lao Wang for complaining.

All the nickel-hydrogen power battery packs on the Huateng Excelle are purchased from Lao Wang. Over time, with the increasing sales of the hybrid version of Huateng Excelle, the Huateng Group's increased procurement volume has also increased rapidly.

If it were just that, then Lao Wang would of course be very happy, and he would be counting money until his hands were tired. But the problem is that while Huateng Group is increasing its purchasing volume, it is also forcing BYD Group to reduce costs, which makes Lao Wang uncomfortable. As the power battery supplier of Huateng Kaiyue, BYD Group can be said to be in pain and happiness - of course, Huateng Group is the second largest shareholder of BYD Group after Lao Wang, so strictly speaking, everyone is actually a family. It's just that Lao Wang has suffered a lot during this period, and it's no wonder that Lao Wang is unhappy.

"Okay, okay, I won't rush you," Zhang Qihang said to Lao Wang considerately, and then said, "Lao Wang, I remember you told me before that you were going to promote your lithium iron phosphate battery, right?"

Old Wang, who was just complaining, was immediately refreshed upon hearing this, and hurriedly said: "Mr. Zhang, have you finally agreed to use lithium iron phosphate batteries to replace the current nickel-metal hydride batteries? I tell you, this is a wise decision. Compared with nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries have higher energy density and better safety!

Haven't you always been annoyed that the nickel-metal hydride battery pack takes up a lot of space in the trunk? Let me tell you, if you replace the nickel-metal hydride battery pack with a lithium iron phosphate battery pack, you can completely optimize the shape of the fuel tank and put the battery pack into the chassis of the car to make room for the trunk..."

Before Lao Wang finished his chatter, Zhang Qihang smiled and said, "Lithium iron phosphate battery, right? Sure."

"..."

Lao Wang on the other end of the phone was stunned for a moment, then he asked loudly in an extremely shocked and unbelievable tone: "Did I hear correctly? Mr. Zhang, do you really agree to replace nickel-metal hydride batteries with lithium iron phosphate batteries? Let me tell you..."

Zhang Qihang interrupted him and said, "Lao Wang, calm down first and don't get excited."

Although they were thousands of kilometers apart, Lao Wang nodded repeatedly and responded: "Okay, I'm not excited, you talk, I listen."

  He said he was not excited, but for him who has always been optimistic about the application of lithium iron phosphate batteries in the field of new energy vehicle power systems, how could he not be excited?

But now he understood better that no matter how excited he was, he had to listen to what Zhang Qihang had to say first.

Zhang Qihang said: "Due to the manufacturing cost and price of the whole vehicle, it is unlikely that the hybrid Excelle will use lithium iron phosphate batteries. It can only use cheaper nickel-metal hydride battery packs..."

Hearing this, Lao Wang nodded secretly in his heart: Indeed, the hybrid version of Huateng Kaiyue is sold at a price of just over 10 yuan, the same price as the automatic version of Kaiyue, and the profit is even lower than that of the manual version of Kaiyue. Although the sales of Huateng Kaiyue are booming, the profit of the whole vehicle is actually not high. In this case, if the power battery pack of the hybrid version of Huateng Kaiyue is upgraded from the current nickel-hydrogen battery to lithium iron phosphate battery, Huateng Group may lose money.

However, he did not say anything, but listened to Zhang Qihang continue talking.

"The hybrid Excelle is not suitable. It cannot use the lithium iron phosphate battery you developed for the time being. But if we move up to the mid-range car level, consumers will be more tolerant of the price. I think we can consider using lithium iron phosphate power batteries," Zhang Qihang said with a very sincere tone. "Lao Wang, I will not hide it from you. I plan to copy the hybrid Excelle's approach to the hybrid Sylphy, and in order to make a difference, I plan to use lithium iron phosphate batteries for the hybrid Sylphy, but I need your support."

Lao Wang responded without hesitation: "No problem!"

Zhang Qihang smiled: "You didn't even ask me what kind of support I need from you?" Lao Wang also smiled: "What kind of support can it be? At the beginning, I may even suffer a relatively large loss. I have to wait until your sales reach a certain balance point before I can make money, right?"

"Ha ha……"

Zhang Qihang acquiesced. It is easier to talk to smart people. But then, he changed his tone and said, "But I won't let you suffer any loss. Lao Wang, you have always been worried about the automatic transmission. From now on, you don't have to worry about it. Our Huateng Group's automatic transmission and even extended-range hybrid technology are open to you. Just arrange someone to talk to you."

  Zhang Qihang's attitude was very clear: Lao Wang, aren't you also working on cars? From now on, our Huateng Group will no longer set up obstacles for you in terms of technology. Just arrange someone to negotiate! With our relationship, as long as the price is right, there is nothing we can't discuss!

Hearing this, Lao Wang took a deep breath and said, "Thank you!"

At this moment, Lao Wang didn't know that because of Zhang Qihang's appearance, he entered the automobile industry a few years later. In these few years, the situation of the domestic automobile market has changed. In these few years, Lao Wang only had one feeling: making cars is really difficult! If you don't enter this industry, you really don't know how difficult it is to make cars!

  This is based on the fact that Huateng Group provides engines, gearboxes and even the entire vehicle design. If I have to rely on myself to do everything alone, I can’t imagine how difficult it would be!

It is precisely because of this that Lao Wang admires Zhang Qihang for his successful transition from the motorcycle industry to the automobile industry, and even more for his magnanimity and tolerance. Without Zhang Qihang's support, he would probably still be hesitating about whether to enter the automobile industry.

"Why are you being polite?" Zhang Qihang said with a smile, "You know my consistent attitude in this industry. I have always believed that healthy competition is the fundamental driving force for technological development... Speaking of which, if it weren't for latecomers like us, some people who entered the automotive industry earlier would have lived a very comfortable life. It would be like lying in bed with money falling from the sky. Ordinary people might spend hundreds of thousands of yuan and still be amazed that their car seats are made of real leather."

Lao Wang laughed loudly: "You are so mean!"

Although he was laughing, Lao Wang actually agreed with Zhang Qihang's words in his heart. In the past few years, especially before 2000, wasn't the domestic automobile industry like this? Those leading automobile companies really could just lie at home and money would fall from the sky. They lived a very comfortable life.

Zhang Qihang also laughed, but that was all. He continued, "When we were chatting at the beginning, we were gritting our teeth and were angry at those companies for not fighting for it. Now it's our Huateng Group's turn. Don't worry, Old Wang. I promise that as long as I'm here, Huateng Group will never be complacent."

"Thank you. I won't be polite with you. To be honest, I really admire your technology," Lao Wang sincerely thanked Zhang Qihang. At the same time, he took this opportunity to express his attitude to Zhang Qihang: "But Mr. Zhang, you can rest assured. You know what kind of person I am. I will never let you down."

At this point, Lao Wang asked tentatively: "Mr. Zhang, in a few years, would you like to come and try my job? As long as you are willing to come, the position of general manager of the group will be yours. With you in charge, I can concentrate on technology."

The reason for asking this question is that Lao Wang knows that Zhang Qihang will leave Huateng Group in a few years. Although he can understand the reasons why Zhang Qihang left Huateng Group, he also feels extremely sorry in his heart. It is a pity that such a talent in the automotive field has to leave this industry due to special reasons. How great would it be if he could come to help me?

Even though he knew that Zhang Qihang was unlikely to accept his invitation, he was still unwilling to give up and wanted to give it a try.

Of course, Lao Wang also knew that Zhang Qihang was not short of money.

Although it is not known how much money Zhang Qihang has, he is definitely financially free, so he did not spend money. Instead, he hinted to Zhang Qihang: Come on, after you come, you will have the final say on how the company develops, and I will focus on technology.

To be honest, Zhang Qihang was quite touched by what Lao Wang said, but he could not agree to Lao Wang. Without hesitation, Zhang Qihang stopped Lao Wang's idea: "Forget it, Lao Wang, you know that I don't have much pursuit in material things now. I just want to follow my heart and do something to realize my self-worth."

Hearing this, Lao Wang sighed silently in his heart, then adjusted his mood and said to Zhang Qihang: "Okay, I understand and respect your choice, but I still say that as long as you come, the position of general manager is yours."

Feeling Lao Wang's sincerity, Zhang Qihang thanked him again.

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  PS: Dear children, happy Children's Day!

(End of this chapter)