Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 501 Auto Show
"How much does this car cost?"

"It won't cost more than $500." Ford explained that because the car is mostly made of tinplate, it is solid and durable, and some luxury cars are actually no more technologically advanced than cheap ordinary cars.It's just that these luxury cars are popular to use silver or aluminum as the outer shell of the car, so the cost is naturally high.

The production cost of this car is only more than 450 US dollars. If other expenses are included, the total cost will be controlled within 600 US dollars.There are two models of this car, one with a hood and one without a hood.It costs $850 with a canopy.It's only $750 without the canopy.Cadillac, the overlord of the US auto industry, sells its "streamlined car" for $1200 for a two-seater and $2750 for a four-seater.

"We can consider holding a small auto show in Detroit's well-known plazas, open-air parks, etc., and select a few of the designed car products for exhibition. Any citizen can enjoy a free test drive experience. In this way, we will You can grasp people's market reaction to the company's cars." Qiao Zhiyong's words seemed to be a senior auto market analysis expert.

"Yes! How did I not think of that? You are an astonishing man."

Qiao Zhiyong said unhurriedly: "Next week, the first New York Auto Show will open. I believe our car will be a blockbuster in the auto show due to its practicality and cheapness!"

"New York Auto Show? How come I've never heard of it?"

Qiao Zhiyong smiled and said, "That was funded by the Qiao Group."

Ford suddenly realized that he admired the Chinese businessman from the bottom of his heart, as if everything was in his expectation, it was amazing!

Five days later, Ford left Detroit for New York with a total of 50 Model A cars.

Although horse-drawn carriages were the main means of transportation in cities in this era, people were no longer unfamiliar with the automobile industry, and because trains, bicycles, trams and other means of transportation were launched successively, people would not be as repulsive to new means of transport as they were at first.

Madison Square in the center of New York City is crowded with people.

The New York Auto Show sponsored by Joe Group has attracted tens of thousands of Americans to visit. People are very new to the form of the auto show, and many people want to take this opportunity to see the elegant demeanor of Mr. Qiao Zhiyong, a Chinese giant.

A large number of international automobile companies came to New York with their new products.The much-anticipated Oldsmobile, Cadillac holding high the luxury banner, and the veteran kings of the Chinese auto industry, Mercedes-Benz and Daimler, were also invited to the exhibition site, attracting a large number of American citizens to visit. We know that these two companies are the flags and leaders of the world's auto industry, and their products are also the best in the world.

Italy's Fiat, France's Renault, Britain's Royal Motors, etc. Although these companies have only risen for a few years, the European auto industry has a longer history than the United States, so it has attracted a lot of attention.Originally, these European companies were unwilling to travel across the ocean to participate in the United States. To be honest, they did not approve of the format of the exhibition, and what they needed was to actually accept orders.But this time they received an invitation letter jointly issued by the George Group and the Rothschild family. They are still relatively unfamiliar with the George Group, but no one dares to treat Rothschild's invitation as a trifle unless he does not want to be there. Europe is messed up.

However, regardless of whether it is the American auto industry or the auto industry from China and Europe, nine out of ten are luxury models with exquisite workmanship, which are specially built for the rich, but do not consider the spending power of the ordinary working class.

because.Most luxury cars are priced above $1500.such a price.So many people can only starve.There is no so-called installment payment in this era.It is difficult to come up with such a large amount of funds quickly.

"Hey, Ford, what a coincidence, you're also here to participate in the exhibition?" Henry Leland, the general manager of Cadillac, came over to greet Ford, with a very disdainful tone, "I heard that you had good luck, I have found a big backer like Qiao's Group, I hope you will not disappoint your investors again this time."

There was already a feud between Ford and Leland, and he hated this scheming businessman very much, but he still had to show a gentleman in front of so many car manufacturers and audiences, so he said: "Mr. Are you there? How is the cooperation with the greedy timber merchant William Murphy? If you are not happy, I sincerely invite you to join the Zhonghua Automobile Company. I just need a deputy like you!"

A dark cloud flashed across Lilan's face. Knowing that the other party was also mocking him, he pretended not to know, shook his head and said, "Murphy and I have no conflict of ideas. I agree with his idea of ​​producing luxury cars. As for your Ordinary citizens make cars, and I respect the idea, but I don't agree with it."

There was only a burst of excitement in front, and the two followed the sound. It turned out that a large group of car enthusiasts were watching the new Cadillac A-type car launched by Cadillac.This car is also somewhat similar to the shape of a carriage, but the interior decoration is extremely elegant.

Surprisingly, this beautiful car was on sale at the auto show for $750!

At the same time, people are surprised to find that Ford Model A and Cadillac Model A are very similar in appearance.The reason is that Cadillac's investors had Ford's design drawings, and there is almost no difference between the two except for the engine and decoration of the car.

"What's wrong with a Ford Model A and a Cadillac Model A? Who copied whom?"

"Ford Model A is so rubbish that it dares to be priced at $750. Cadillac Model A looks much better than this, and it's the same price as yours."

The people who visited talked a lot.

Ford couldn't help being startled when he heard it, but when he took a closer look, it really looked alike.However, according to the promotional materials, the Cadillac Model A car has a single-cylinder engine, while the Ford Model A car has a twin-cylinder engine.However, because Leland designed a single-cylinder engine with excellent performance, a full 10 horsepower, Ford was inferior to Leland in designing engines, and Dodge Brothers could not produce as much as Leland, a master of precision.So, if it really compares.The Ford Model A was a complete failure against the Cadillac Model A.

However, Ford quickly seized on the advantages of its own cars: simple driving, only one person.

Therefore, Ford began to explain to these potential consumers: "Although our A-type car is inconspicuous, it is solid and durable, and the driving, maintenance and other processes are much simpler than other cars. It is also much cheaper. More importantly, we provide ten-year maintenance and maintenance for each car sold by the company. Except for the core components such as the engine, we only charge the cost price for the replacement of other components, and do not charge any labor The cost of service.” Of course, the concept of after-sales service proposed by Ford was instigated by Qiao Zhiyong in advance, and how Qiao Zhiyong mastered these advanced sales concepts, of course, came from the talented emperor in Beijing.

"Really?" The audience in front of the Ford booth was excited.

"If you don't believe me, you can test drive."

At this time, some people also began to test drive. After a few laps on the special track, the test drivers were hooked.

As a result, more and more consumers began to leave the Cadillac exhibition area and buy Ford Model A cars instead.In just half a day, 50 Ford Model A cars were sold out.

When a customer pays cash and is ready to leave.Ford said: "Wait. Please leave your name and contact information. There is a maintenance card attached to the car. If the car fails, you can contact our engineers for door-to-door service. Our new repair point information is also sent by mail at any time. way to notify you."

Of course, after-sales service car owners are a little skeptical. They buy a Ford Model A mainly because it is cheap, solid, and durable. They don't believe that they will get a ten-year service at such a low price.Not only that, Ford also asked the company's engineers to explain the technical details of the car's driving to every consumer who bought a Ford car, and made a demonstration, so the audience at the exhibition were attracted by this innovative behavior Later, after all Ford cars were sold out, many people asked for orders. In another afternoon, Zhonghua Motor Company received orders for more than 400 Ford Model A cars.

The haughty Leland was completely taken aback by this astonishing spectacle!By comparison, Cadillac ended up selling only nine of its 80 Model A cars.

After the New York Auto Show, the Ford Model A, as the cheapest cheap car at the show, garnered a lot of coverage in auto magazines.

Zhonghua Automobile Company ushered in batch after batch of orders.

In the next two months, Zhonghua Automobile Company sold more than 700 Model A cars, with a profit of 40 US dollars, and became a leader in the automotive industry.

Just as the Qiao Group was making great strides in the United States, the domestic war in China had shown a completely reversed momentum.

"After Liu Cunhou led the 20th Army to occupy Leigu City, he took another vigorous effort to capture Tonggu, Bagu, and Pasheng. At present, Liu Cunhou's troops and the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd Army of Huwei Army are joining forces in Yangon, and 10,000+ troops are in charge. The siege has become three layers, and the city of Yangon is at stake. On the other hand, the Zhenwei Army led by Feng Yuxiang went deep into Vietnam. Straight to Vientiane. Our army has already shrunk to Thailand and Malaysia. If this momentum continues, these two provinces will not last long." In the Singapore Governor's Palace, Lu Zongyu reported the battle situation to Yuan Shikai worriedly.

(End of this chapter)