Set sail1992

Chapter 941 Market Cultivation Plan, Micro Car Offline

"That's right. In terms of the technical content of the pickup truck, it really takes some time for the black panther to digest and absorb it." Mr. Feng nodded, then shook his head and said, "I can't guess it, so don't be fooled. Tell me, what car is it?"

"Okay, then it's no secret," Zhang Qihang nodded and said, "I call him a compact MPV."

"What?" Mr. Feng thought he heard it wrong: "What did you call it?"

"Compact MPV."

"Compact MPV?" Confirming that he heard correctly, Mr. Feng's expression became serious: "Mr. Zhang, this is an MPV, are you serious?"

It’s no wonder that the old man has become so serious all of a sudden. In China, high-end luxury MPVs include Huateng Group’s Huateng Mitsubishi “Onshore Business Class” and SAIC GM’s Buick GL8, which was just launched at the end of last year, with a price of 20 yuan. There is a "medium-sized MPV" such as Huateng M6 at the Yuan level. The current Huateng Group unceremoniously put the title of "domestic chief MPV expert" on its own head when promoting it. Xia is also proud of being the best at manufacturing MPVs, but now, Zhang Qihang actually said that he would support Panther Motors to produce MPVs?

Don't talk about compact MPVs, isn't a compact MPV an MPV?

It would be fine if Mr. Zhang didn't design such a product, but if he did, it should be produced by our Huateng Group!
Seeing Mr. Feng with a serious face, Zhang Qihang's expression also became serious. He nodded and said: "Mr. Room, after reading it, you will understand why I am willing to give this design to the Panther car."

"it is good."

Mr. Feng agreed without saying a word. It would be great if Zhang Qihang was willing to take the initiative to explain clearly to himself. At the same time, he was also a little curious: what does a compact MPV look like?

........................

Zhang Qihang was in the office of the Group Design Institute. Mr. Feng looked at the renderings in front of him and said in surprise: "This is the compact MPV you mentioned? Why do I feel like a van?"

"It's nice to call it a compact MPV, but I prefer to call it the second-generation van," Zhang Qihang said with a smile, "I think there are two biggest problems with the vans on the market today, one is poor safety, and the other One is that the engine is just under the buttocks of the front and passenger seats, and the noise is too loud.

So I wondered, if a separate engine compartment is designed in front of the front of the car like MPV, and the engine and gearbox are moved there, will this not solve these two problems at once: With a separate engine compartment, the whole The car will be safer in the event of a collision, and because of the separate engine compartment, the noise and vibration levels of the vehicle will be greatly reduced, and the space utilization rate in the passenger compartment will also be greatly improved.

Let's make the passenger compartment a little better, and change the rear suspension of the car from the van's leaf spring to a more suitable combination of coil spring and shock absorber. Isn't this a compact MPV with a height of about 4.4 meters?
As for Panther Motors, they have rich experience in the production of vans, and they are familiar with the current set of 1.2-liter displacement engines and gearboxes. It is almost nothing for them to switch from the original van to this compact MPV. Difficulty, the production line only needs to be fine-tuned, what do you think, old man? "

Yes, seeing this, the brothers should have already thought of it, Zhang Qihang finally extended his black hands to Wuling Hongguang.

The old man stared at the rendering for a long time, and finally nodded: "Indeed, this product is indeed the most suitable for the Panther car, and it is indeed not suitable for our production. It is okay to give them the Panther, but let's set sail. When I was talking about pickups just now, I suddenly thought of something..."

"What? You also want to engage in pickup trucks?"

Mr. Feng waved his hand: "The pickup truck market in our country is too small. I'm talking about SUVs..."

"Wait a minute," Zhang Qihang suddenly stopped Mr. Feng, "I think it's not impossible to do pickup trucks."

"Are you planning to engage in pickup trucks?" Hearing Zhang Qihang's words, Mr. Feng was really stunned: "Qihang, are you serious?"

In Mr. Feng's opinion, Zhang Qihang is going to make a pickup truck, and he is completely messing around with it. If you really want to make a fuss, then you should make a car. Let's not say that you are making a hot-selling car like the Excelle. Even if you build a car that can sell [-] units a month, isn't that better than a high pickup?

That is to say, Zhang Qihang didn't know what the old man was thinking, otherwise he would have grabbed old man Feng by the collar and questioned: Listen!listen!Do you speak?In the current domestic automobile consumer market, except for a few models such as Excelle and Santana, even the sales of Xiali, Xiali 2000, Fukang and even Suzuki Antelope can’t reach the monthly sales of more than [-]. A model with a monthly sales of over [-] can only be regarded as a "sufficient"...

Zhang Qihang shook his head: "There is no need for us Huateng Group to engage in pickup trucks, but the product line of Qinchuan Automobile is a bit single. After the new car is put into production, their entire factory will only have such a product. It’s too safe, you said, what do you think if there is another pickup truck to cover the bottom line? Would it be better?”

"Let Qinchuan Automobile make pickup trucks..."

Hearing the words, Old Man Feng not only rubbed his chin and pondered, but after a while, Old Man nodded: "This method may be really feasible...Xiao Zhang, you already have an idea?"

Hearing what Zhang Qihang said, he also felt that what Zhang Qihang said was indeed reasonable. For Qinchuan Automobile, only such a small family car is really not interesting and not safe enough. If there is a product to assist, It's also really good.

Of course, if you ask Mr. Feng why he doesn’t let Qinchuan Automobile produce cars, Mr. Feng can spit at you: Qinchuan Automobile produces sedans, so what does Huateng Group produce?Don't know the positioning of Qinchuan Automobile?
"What?" Zhang Qihang said with a smile: "I just came up with this idea, I thought the price and profit margin of pickup trucks are much higher than that of mini cars, not to mention the annual sales of [-] to [-] vehicles like the Great Wall, Even if it can sell [-] to [-] vehicles a year, it’s still a good business, isn’t it?”

"That's true," Mr. Feng nodded, agreeing with Zhang Qihang's words, then he changed the subject and continued, "By the way, didn't you tell me about products like SUVs before?"

"Well, I said it," Zhang Qihang nodded, "What's wrong?"

He was a little curious. He had indeed introduced SUV products represented by Toyota RAV4 and Honda cr-v to him before, but why did Mr. Feng suddenly mention this?

"After you told me about this product last time, I carefully studied Toyota's RAV4 and Honda's CR-V. The more I studied, the more I found that this car is indeed a good thing. You said, let's do it How about this SUV? Can it be done?"

"SUV..."

Zhang Qihang pondered.

In fairness, at the moment in 2000, there was no concept of SUV products in China. When everyone saw a car with this SUV structure, the first reaction was: off-road vehicle!

And car fans can call out a series of car names: Toyota Domineering, Toyota Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Pajero, Beiqi Cherokee, Changfeng Leopard... Of course, the most classic 212 Jeep is indispensable.

But when it comes to SUVs, let alone ordinary people, even car fans are confused. Even senior car fans who have more research on cars will think that SUVs are not "weakened" versions of off-road vehicles. ?

But in fact, this is not the case at all. The development methods between the two are different. SUVs are developed on the basis of car chassis. For example, the best SUV product sold in the North American market today: the first generation of Honda CR- V, actually uses the chassis that died in.

However, compared with sedans, SUV not only improves the passability, but also ensures the large space and large carrying capacity similar to those of off-road vehicles while ensuring the comfort similar to that of sedans and the handling that is not too weak. Some SUVs are also equipped with some weaker four-wheel drive systems, which guarantee a certain ability to pass on bad roads.

So in general, an SUV has the comfort and handling of a car (of course it is definitely not as good as a car) and has a large interior space and a large carrying capacity similar to an off-road vehicle. The ability to walk on the road can be said to be a very good cross-border product. It has been welcomed by the market since its birth. Honda's first-generation CR-V has achieved annual sales of more than 10 vehicles in the North American market.

Annual sales of 10 vehicles may not seem like much, but considering that this is a brand new product that has never appeared on the market before, this sales volume is already very good, even exceeding Honda's expectations, so that Honda has already started Working on the second generation CR-V.

So when did the domestic SUV market start?
Many people thought it was the CR-V launched by Dongben in April 04, but it was not. The first to be launched in China was the Mitsubishi Outlander launched by Jingcheng Jeep in January 4. With the Mitsubishi Outlander and Dongben CR-V The V was launched one after another, and domestic car consumers discovered: Hey, there is such a product?

At that time, the country was engaged in infrastructure construction, and almost every city had dug potholes on the road. People who drove cars to and from get off work every day felt miserable about this situation, and felt that if there was a car with better passing performance, A car with a higher ground clearance would be fine, and the launch of Mitsubishi Outlander and Dongben CR-V instantly solved the pain points of these people, and SUV products immediately became popular in China.

But there is no doubt that whether it is the Beijing Jeep Mitsubishi Outlander or the Guangben CR-V, the price is too expensive. The cheapest Mitsubishi Outlander manual transmission costs 18.48. The expensive price greatly limits those who like SUVs. People who are short of money, but then, Chery launched the Tiggo in March 05, with the price ranging from 3 to 9.98, it instantly detonated the automobile consumer market, and became Chery's sales model second only to QQ.

It can be said that the appearance and release of this Tiggo car made great contributions to Chery becoming the leader of the national automobile industry for a time. Of course, as for the relationship between this Tiggo car and a certain car, we will not talk about it.

Therefore, there has always been a demand for SUV products in China, and it is already in the middle of 2000. If Huateng Industrial Group develops SUVs, it will be launched in early 2002 at the earliest, just in time to catch up with major cities in China. The extensive infrastructure construction has just solved the daily travel pain points of a considerable number of people...

That's it!

Thinking of this, Zhang Qihang finally figured it out, nodded and said: "We can do it, but the sales situation in the early stage may not be much better. The focus is on cultivating the market and taking some time to let people accept products like SUVs and corresponding products. concept."

Mr. Feng has been paying attention to the changes in Zhang Qihang's expression. He was relieved to see Zhang Qihang frowning sometimes and smiling at the corners of his eyes. Now that Zhang Qihang said this, he nodded immediately: "During the market cultivation period, sales It is normal that the situation is not ideal, but once the market is cultivated, the biggest piece of meat will belong to us, so I think we can try it.”

Zhang Qihang nodded in agreement. The old man was not wrong. As the first and second companies in China to enter the SUV field, Chery and Great Wall can be said to rely on the SUV market to eat and drink. Great Wall, from the earliest Cypher to the later CUV, to the later Haval H3 and Haval H5, and then to the later Haval independent brand, it can be said that Great Wall relies on the SUV market to support and grow itself.

"Then it's settled," Zhang Qihang nodded and said, "It's just right, when we come back from Chang'an, this project will be done together with the mid-level car project."

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Shaanxi Gaoguan'an City.

The gate of Qinchuan Automobile can be said to be full of flags and banners. A set of banners were pulled up several hundred meters away from the gate, which read such as "Warmly celebrate the first car of Huateng Qinchuan Automobile Officially offline" and the like.

Yes, today is the day when Qinchuan Automobile's first mini-car: Huateng Qinchuan QQ officially rolled off the assembly line. Facing this important moment, many leaders from Chang'an City and even Shaanxi Province have come.

At 9:30 in the morning, as the first Huateng·Qinchuan QQ sedan draped in red silk rolled off the production line slowly, there was immediate applause at the scene.

Looking at the Qinchuan QQ painted in lemon yellow, Ma Xiaojun held Zhang Qihang's hand excitedly and refused to let go: "This car is so beautiful, Mr. Zhang, thank you! Thank you..."

Speaking of the latter, Ma Xiaojun's voice was a little choked up.

Zhang Qihang smiled and said to Ma Xiaojun: "How is it? Director Ma, this car is not worse than the Alto you produced before, right?"

Looking greedily at the car in front of him, Ma Xiaojun said without hesitation: "This car is much better than Alto. It not only looks good, but also has a big atmosphere. It's not like Alto, who is petty."

Although this is the first time Ma Xiaojun has seen Huateng Qinchuan QQ, and he has not tried it before, but he is also very familiar with Qinchuan Alto, comparing Qinchuan Alto with the Huateng Qinchuan QQ in front of him, This car can be said to completely crush the previous Qinchuan Alto in terms of length, width and height, which means that this car completely crushes Qinchuan Alto and even the current Changan Alto in terms of the seating space in the car.

what is this?
This is a competitive advantage, so how could Ma Xiaojun be unhappy?
"Ha ha……"

Hearing that Ma Xiaojun gave such a high evaluation to the car he designed, Zhang Qihang also laughed: "Director Ma, later you have to try to see how this car is different from Alto."

"Of course!" Ma Xiaojun nodded without hesitation: "Mr. Zhang, I will tell you that I have to try it without you telling me. In addition, I will tell you that not only me, but many leaders in our Shaanxi Province want to try it." Let's try this car."

Zhang Qihang smiled and nodded, "I believe this car will not disappoint everyone."

"Mr. Zhang, you are so interesting, and our Shaanxi Province must be too." Speaking of this, Ma Xiaojun lowered his voice and said to Zhang Qihang: "Mr. Zhang, our Shaanxi Province has prepared a gift for you, I believe you will like it. "

"A gift for me?" Hearing this, Zhang Qihang was a little surprised, and then asked curiously, "May I ask what the gift is?"

Hearing this, Ma Xiaojun didn't answer right away, but instead smiled mysteriously: "It's not the time to talk about it yet, but you'll know soon."

Ok?
Looking at Ma Xiaojun's deliberate appearance, Zhang Qihang couldn't help shaking his head: What kind of plane does Shaanxi Province use?
........................

In the next session, Zhang Qihang thoroughly realized how much the comrades in Shaanxi Province attach importance to this car: even Comrade Li Xianghong got on the car for a test drive.

Test drive?

That's right, it's a test drive. That's right, Comrade Li Xianghong, who is in charge of industrial development in Shaanxi Province, not only took a test ride, but also a test drive. Zhang Qihang even found that Comrade Li Xianghong's driving skills are not bad, although His driving skills are not comparable to those of the comrades in the driver class of the compound and the taxi masters, but they are also similar to those old drivers with many years of driving experience. People who have never touched a manual transmission after driving school feel ashamed.

Getting out of the car, Li Xianghong was very satisfied, and said to Zhang Qihang happily: "Xiao Zhang, this car you designed is really good. Not only is the space inside the car much larger than the previous Alto, it can really bring a family together. Sitting comfortably inside, the configuration is also high... I just asked, your car is equipped with air conditioning, power steering system and ABS system as standard?"

Don't think that these three configurations are nothing special, don't you think these configurations should be standard configurations?
But in fact, this is not the case at all. You must know that it is now 2000. Most of the small noodles produced on the market will not be equipped with these three systems as standard, and even if it is also a family mini car, the small Alto produced by Changan is not standard. With the three systems of air conditioning, hydraulic power steering system and ABS, even the mid-range configuration does not have air conditioning and power steering systems.It's not until high-end.Then imagine that the Alto is equipped with an engine with a maximum power of only 36 horsepower at this time. Such a weak power needs to drive the air conditioner compressor. Then it is conceivable that when the air conditioner is turned on in summer, the power level of the vehicle will be lower to what extent.

Li Xianghong is very familiar with the situation of Alto, so when he learned that Huateng Qinchuan QQ is equipped with air conditioning system, hydraulic power steering system and ABS brake anti-lock braking system as standard, he was really surprised: The configuration of this car is too high, right?
Zhang Qihang smiled and said: "Leader, when we designed this car, we considered meeting family needs as much as possible within a limited cost. As a family car, if this car doesn't even have an air conditioner in summer, then it will Can people still sit? So air conditioning must be standard.”

"That makes sense," Li Xianghong nodded again and again: "What about hydraulic power steering and ABS?"

"The reason why these two configurations are also used as the standard configuration of the whole series, we have also carefully considered," Zhang Qihang said seriously: "

The first is the hydraulic power steering system. We have noticed that with the reform and opening up of our country, more and more women are learning to drive in our country in the past few years, and women are born like men in terms of strength. If there is no hydraulic power steering system, women in It is too inconvenient when starting, considering the needs of female drivers, we decided to make this one of the standard configurations..."

Speaking of this, Zhang Qihang said a little embarrassedly: "In addition, we also have some small thoughts of our own. For example, when promoting our QQ, we focus on the fact that our QQ is particularly friendly to female drivers. For example, this car is easy to drive. It is very convenient for female compatriots to drive this car to buy groceries, take their children to and from school, etc., but in a family, if female compatriots speak up, it can greatly influence family decision-making."

"You, you..." Li Xianghong patted Zhang Qihang's shoulder and laughed loudly after hearing the words: "But your idea is really good, um... what about the ABS system? And why did you decide to use it as a system?" As standard?"

"Leader, in our opinion, this thing is for life-saving and must be equipped as standard!"

Speaking of this question, Zhang Qihang's expression became serious: "Why do you say that, because in our opinion, there are more and more novice drivers, and these novice drivers do not know how to deal with emergencies. In these emergency situations, it is easy to stomp the brakes and cause the brakes to lock up, which in turn leads to serious accidents such as rollovers. In this case, the ABS brake anti-lock braking system is very important, which can effectively avoid such situations. happened."

Comrade Li Xianghong nodded again and again: "There seems to be such a saying."

"This is based on scientific basis and statistical data," Zhang Qihang said: "According to the statistics of the transportation departments of European and American countries, in the case of emergency braking, vehicles equipped with ABS brake anti-lock braking system can reduce by [-]% accidents, and even if an accident occurs, it can effectively reduce the injury to the driver and occupants of the accident.

Therefore, we would rather give up attractive and gimmicky configurations such as electric seats, electric lift windows, and electric adjustable rearview mirrors, and use the limited cost wisely. We need to let users know that we are truly They think about problems from their perspective, not just thinking about cost control and making money. "

(End of this chapter)