Life 1984

Although Li Yunhai spoke with great confidence, he was actually very steady inside, and he knew that developing cars would face many problems.

As we all know, in the 90s, my country's automobile manufacturing technology was relatively backward and core technologies were monopolized by foreign capital.

By the end of the 90s, my country's automobile manufacturing level and technological capabilities had improved significantly, mainly due to joint ventures with foreign automobile companies.

However, core technologies such as engines are still monopolized by foreign capital.

Despite this, a group of earliest car manufacturing pioneers emerged in my country during this period, laying the foundation for the development of my country's automobile industry.

For example, Li Shufu, the founder of Liji Group, founded Liji in 1996, becoming the first private automobile manufacturing company in my country.

Liji Group started manufacturing cars more than a year earlier than Sihai Group.

Richie Automobile was also quietly established in the same year. Although it initially explored the development of automobile engines, it was not until 1999 that it discovered its first engine.

In addition, in the early 90s, some foreign brands and technologies were introduced into my country's automobile market, such as Peugeot 505, Xiali and Audi 100. These models not only demonstrated the technological level of my country's automobile industry at that time, but also reflected the degree of opening up of my country's automobile market.

The introduction of models such as Peugeot 505 and Xiali marked the beginning of my country's automobile industry's integration with the international market, while also providing more choices for Chinese consumers.

Despite this, we have to admit that in the 90s, my country's automobile manufacturing and maintenance technologies were relatively backward. There were not many electronic control components in the internal structure of the car, and maintenance mainly relied on personal experience and simple replacement of electrical components.

As domestic automobiles began to be mass-produced, parts were no longer scarce and costs dropped significantly, making automobile maintenance more convenient.

However, compared with foreign countries, there is still a certain gap in the quality and maintenance technology of domestic cars.

Why do some people always miss the 1990s?
Why do people always brag about the 1990s?
Apart from nostalgia, I think the 1990s are indeed worth remembering and praising.

It is undeniable that in the 90s and before, many "classics" appeared in our country. Whether they were the popular film and television works or pop songs at the time, they have always been a topic of discussion among people who have lived through that era.

Of course, the same is true for cars.

The first thing to mention is the Hongqi car.

It was my country's first super luxury car, the first to use a V8 engine, the first to use an automatic transmission, and the first domestically produced car equipped with air conditioning and electric lift windows.

The first mass-produced joint venture off-road vehicle in China, the BJ212; the first mass-produced hatchback, the Xiali; the first mass-produced station wagon, the Peugeot 505, and so on.

The three old cars, Peugeot, Jetta and Santana, have been popular in our country for twenty years. Even if people of this era have never driven one, most of them have sat in one.

Before the 1990s, my country's automobile industry mainly relied on imported technology.

After the 1990s, my country's main focus was on joint ventures, supplemented by self-research, and domestic brands gradually rose.

From the 1990s to the early 21st century, my country's automobile market gradually diversified.

As an important strategy for the development of the industry, joint ventures came into being. Domestic and foreign companies reached cooperation in technology introduction, capital investment and market expansion.

During this period, my country's automobile industry gradually rose amid fierce market competition.

But this was the era of joint venture brands. Shanghai Volkswagen Santana became a household name with its German brand background and good cost-effectiveness.

FAW-Volkswagen Jetta, also produced by a joint venture, has a broad consumer base in the domestic market. The car was considered an ideal choice for the middle class at the time.

The only exception is the high-end supercar sector, where there are no popular brands in China. Whether it is a joint venture or self-developed, everyone is focusing on mid- and low-end cars.

Maybe everyone thinks that the consumption capacity of Chinese people is not enough to support a luxury sports car brand?
Not only Chinese people think so, but foreigners also think so.

In the 80s, Ferrari came to the Beijing Auto Show in my country for the first time and displayed a high-end sports car worth more than one million RMB.

At that time, the salary level of Chinese people was only a few dozen yuan per month, and getting a hundred yuan salary was considered a high salary!
A sports car worth more than one million was a sky-high price for the Chinese people at that time!
At that time, some people asserted that this car would never be sold in our country!

Because no one can afford it!

Ferrari thinks so too.

But they still brought it to our country for exhibition.

They had no expectation of selling the sports car.

The purpose is simple, that is brand display!
They want more people on Earth to know that Ferrari is a luxury car brand, a brand that none of your one billion people can afford!
The result was beyond our expectations. This luxury sports car worth more than one million yuan was bought by a young man from Beijin, our country as soon as it was displayed!

It was that kind of auto show that made Ferrari take a new look at my country's consumption capacity, and allowed the world to see China's reform and opening up!
As my country's reform and opening up deepens, there are more and more wealthy people.

It’s just that our country’s tradition is this: Don’t show off your wealth when you’re rich!
If you have money, you have to dress elegantly and travel at night, otherwise you will attract trouble.

Especially since we had just experienced the era when even carrying a load on one's shoulders and walking around the streets would be criticized as speculation.

On the one hand, Chinese people are making money lavishly, but on the other hand, they are carefully holding on to their purse strings and dare not speak loudly for fear of alarming the gods in heaven.

It was not until the 1990s, when policies were truly relaxed, that Chinese people began to consume more freely, and wealthy people began to return home to build large houses to bring honor to their families.

As more and more rich people emerge, the demand for luxury cars will also increase day by day.

Just like Li Yunhai, he needs a luxury car not only because of his status, but also for safety reasons.

What is the difference between a luxury car worth millions and a car worth hundreds of thousands?
When the price reaches the million mark, the car has become a perfect fusion of art and technology.

Million-level luxury cars are often synonymous with the flagship of each brand. From the surging power to the cutting-edge technology, from the ultimate comfort to the extraordinary safety, every inch of detail demonstrates unparalleled dignity.

Owning such a car is not only a recognition of personal achievement, but also a declaration of life attitude. It not only represents wealth, but also a symbol of taste, vision and social status.

There are many rich people like him in the country!
Everyone has the same demand for luxury cars.

Of course, the demand for luxury cars will always be niche.

Rolls-Royce only sells a few thousand cars a year, but this does not affect the company's influence in the global automotive industry, and no one can deny the value of this company.

Many companies that manufacture low-end cars may have impressive annual sales, but their year-end financial statements and market capitalization may not be as good as Rolls-Royce.

Li Yunhai's introduction of high-end luxury brands does not mean that he will no longer produce mid- and low-end cars.

On the contrary, he introduced luxury cars in order to better develop his own brand of cars.

Since you are going to copy homework, why not pick the best student to copy?

Maserati cars can be considered a luxury car series in any aspect.

As long as Li Yunhai becomes familiar with everything about this car and understands it clearly, he will probably be able to build a car of his own.

Since the 1990s, independent innovation has become the core driving force for the development of my country's automobile industry.

Enterprises have increased their investment in research and development, and have achieved many breakthroughs in key technologies and products. At the same time, a number of local brands have gradually matured and formed a product system with international competitiveness.

It is undeniable that everyone made their fortune by copying homework.

It’s just that some people copy in a tactful way, while others copy directly, or even literally.

Similarly, some people succeed in copying while others fail. This is also the survival of the fittest in the market economy and a natural law.

Later, my country's automobile industry overtook other industries and, focusing on new energy vehicles, became the world's largest automobile industry kingdom!

Li Yunhai is aware of the development trend of this automobile industry.

What he needs to do now is to establish a car brand that everyone knows!

Facts have proved that when new energy vehicles are rising strongly, the car companies that are really doing well are those manufacturers that have been making cars since the 1990s.

They have accumulated extraordinary foundation, have an excellent consumer group, and occupy a certain share of the automobile market.

Therefore, their efforts in new energy vehicles are greater than those of other companies.

If Li Yunhai wants to win the future and win in electrification, intelligence and global competition, he must start planning now.

As for why he wanted to join this industry?

It is estimated that even Lin Zhi and Shen Xiulan, his two best confidantes, may not understand him.

Speaking of career, isn’t Sanjiang Company a career?

Speaking of making money, doesn’t Sanjiang Company help you make money?
In fact, Li Yunhai just wants to work in this industry!

Just do it when you think of it!

Just like when he was working in the electronics industry.

In a man’s world, there aren’t so many whys.

If you like fishing, go fishing. If you like washing your feet, go wash them.

You only have a few decades to live, and you can live any way you want, as long as you are happy and have enough money to support you to accomplish it all.

Is it true that one's ideal in life must be to be a scientist? Is it not possible to be a fisherman? Wouldn't it be nice to be a foot washer?

When a person thinks twice before doing anything and asks a hundred thousand whys, it is likely that he will accomplish nothing.

Li Yunhai knows the difficulties of building cars, but he is not afraid of these difficulties!
Let’s talk about the next day.

Li Yunhai and others came to De Tomaso Company and signed a contract with the other party.

De Tomaso invited representatives from Fiat to the reception luncheon.

De Tomaso acted as a go-between and introduced Li Yunhai to people from Fiat.

They talked in Italian, even in an Italian dialect.

Li Yunhai didn't understand a word.

Later, David told Li Yunhai that the people from De Tomaso told the people from Fiat that Li Yunhai was a rich man from the East, stupid but rich, and that he should sell the Maserati factory to him at a high price! Apart from him, no one else would be willing to spend a high price to acquire this declining luxury car factory.

After hearing this, Li Yunhai felt both shocked and sad.

But he was also very fortunate. Thanks to what De Tomaso said, he was treated as a big victim, which made Fiat readily agree to sell the Maserati factory.

In the end, Li Yunhai reached an agreement with Fiat with almost no effort.

He bought the Maserati factory from Fiat for $20 billion.

Li Yunhai spent a total of 45 billion US dollars to launch this luxury car brand!
Based on the official exchange rate of around 8.3, converted into RMB, that would be around 374 billion!
Adding on Li Yunhai’s investment in domestic car companies, he has spent a total of 40 billion!
However, he hadn't even seen the rear of the car.

Li Yunhai has spent more than half of the 70 billion yuan in funds!

Next, he will have to invest huge amounts of money in design, research and development.

With 70 billion yuan invested, can we produce a self-developed car? It is still unknown.

After signing the contract with Fiat, Li Yunhai has been in Italy for a week.

That day, he discussed with David and booked a flight back home for the day after tomorrow.

David asked, "Yunhai, why don't you travel to other cities in Italy?"

Li Yunhai said: "Although I really want to go out and have fun, I want to go back to work even more."

David smiled and said, "It's not that easy. Rome wasn't built in a day, and cars couldn't be developed in a day. It's a rare trip for you to Italy, why don't you put everything aside, relax, and have a good trip?"

Li Yunhai thought that made sense. Since he was already here, he might as well make the most of it. He asked, "What other attractions are there in Italy? Can you recommend some to me?"

David smiled and said, "Then I would definitely recommend Rome to you! There is the famous Piazza Venezia, which is a transportation hub and a treasure trove of Renaissance art. There is also the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which is very famous, right? You have all learned about it in your textbooks."

Li Yunhai said: "Rome? Well, okay, let's go to Rome! We are just returning home from Rome."

David said, "OK, let's go to Rome first. There are many attractions to visit in Rome. We can spend several days there. If you are sure you want to go, I will find a friend to help us book a hotel room there."

Li Yunhai said hello.

The next day, they set out for Rome.

Rome is very exotic and once you enter the city, you will be reluctant to leave.

If you visit this kind of exotic big city occasionally, you will find it novel and even shocking.

But after staying there for a long time, you will feel bored. Once the novelty wears off, you will feel that it is just so-so. It is not as beautiful as the small bridges and flowing water in your hometown, nor as charming as the historical ancient cities in China.

It's like a foreign girl, who looks gorgeous at first glance, but when you smell her carefully, you find that she has a deceptive smell, so you turn around and leave.

After arriving in Rome, Li Yunhai first went to visit the local museum.

This is also the most convenient way to understand local customs, history and culture.

That day, they came to the Art Museum and had just bought their tickets when Li Yunhai suddenly heard a voice shouting:
"Hey, what a coincidence, we meet again!" (End of this chapter)