2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 209 Issues Regarding Automobile Production Qualification
Whether it's traditional gasoline-powered vehicles or new energy vehicles, applying for vehicle manufacturing qualifications is the first major hurdle for companies that want to manufacture cars, and many companies fail at this very first step.

Automobile production qualifications are strictly required not only in China, but also in countries with very mature automotive industries such as Europe and the United States.

After 2017, due to various subsidy frauds and PPT car manufacturing, it became almost impossible to obtain qualifications for new energy vehicles. However, that was in 2017, and now it is 2006. Although it is difficult, there is much more room for maneuver than in 2017.

If my dad hadn't mentioned it, Tan Jincheng would never have heard of Andar Motors. Since it was so popular in the 90s, he probably must have seen it on the street, but he just didn't notice it.

However, Tan Jincheng didn't care about any of this. If he had all the qualifications to manufacture cars, he would not mind if his intangible assets were fully acquired, even if it was a bit expensive. He would consider it a contribution to his hometown.

But if you're looking to use this for collaboration, then forget it.

Tan Jincheng dared to cooperate with the local government in Beicang and have the government invest in Flash Technology because the coastal business environment had a good reputation and was trustworthy. In his previous life, he had also lived in Beicang for 20 years and knew about the local development situation.

However, in inland cities, Tan Jincheng would not dare to cooperate with the local government, and he would not even dare to think about investing in the same way that Flash Technology did.

"I'm not very clear about any of this, and my boss doesn't really understand it either. He's just doing this for someone else. What, are you really interested in taking over?"

"Since you've been asked to do this, whether it's meaningful or not is another matter, but we still need to talk about it, to give your boss some face. But this isn't urgent. You can tell your boss that I've gone home, but don't say anything else."

To put it bluntly, the other party was asking us for help. Although we were very interested in the car production qualifications, there was no need for us to rush to them.

These days, buying a small, run-down factory, even one that's bankrupt, even if it has some intangible assets, doesn't cost much—at most a few hundred thousand. The key is to look at other requirements; if those requirements aren't excessive, it's not impossible to negotiate.

However, it's still necessary to gather some information about Andar Auto, especially to see if it has an automotive production license. This is very important; if it doesn't have an automotive production license, then there's no point in discussing it further.

Thinking of this, Tan Jincheng dialed Zhang Xuhui's number in front of Tan Lihua: "Help me collect some information about Andaer Automobile in our city, make it comprehensive, especially check if they have automobile production qualifications. Send it to my email after you have collected it."

"Our city? Boss, you mean Yicheng, right?" Zhang Xuhui, who had been in Beicang for half a year, didn't react for a moment.

"Of course, you haven't forgotten where you're from, have you? First, check if they have the qualifications to manufacture cars. If they don't, then there's no need to collect any information. If they do have the qualifications, then collect some information."

"Okay, boss, I understand."

As soon as he finished speaking, the other end of the phone hung up, leaving Zhang Xuhui stunned: "What is the boss up to now? It's almost Chinese New Year, why is he suddenly asking me to collect information on Andar Motors?"

"What's wrong? Is that Xiao Tan calling? It's almost Chinese New Year and you still have to work?" Zhang Xupeng asked from the side.

Zhang Xuhui came back with him. Both families were having dinner at Zhang Xupeng's house tonight. Compared to the Tan family, where only Zhang Qingliang had a couple of drinks, the Zhang family was much more lively. There were quite a few people drinking at both families, and they were still chatting at the dinner table.

"Yes, the boss asked me to collect some information," Zhang Xuhui nodded.

"Is Xiao Tan sick? He's not resting even during the New Year. I'll talk to him tomorrow," Zhang Xupeng said casually, after having a few drinks.

"It's alright. I'm the boss's assistant, so I have to be available to him 24/7. Besides, it's not the official holiday time yet, so it's normal to have things to handle," Zhang Xuhui said with a smile.

"It's good that you think that way," Zhang Xuhui's father, Zhang Guoqiang, nodded.

Then he turned to Zhang Xupeng and said, "Don't talk nonsense to Xiao Tan. Let your cousin handle his own affairs. He can't just do nothing while earning such a high salary."

“Yes, don’t worry, the boss is actually quite nice. He’s never made me work during holidays. This must be some urgent matter,” Zhang Xuhui quickly added.

Zhang Xupeng grinned and said, "I was just saying, look how anxious you all are. Don't I know Xiao Tan? This kid may be very hardworking, but he's very considerate of his subordinates. He definitely won't ask his subordinates to do things on his days off."

"By the way, what did he want to talk to you about? Can you tell me?"

Zhang Xuhui thought about it and figured it wouldn't be a problem to talk to his elders about it. He had never heard of Andar Motors, but his elders probably knew about it and might be able to help.

"Dad, Uncle, have you heard of Andar Motors?"

"Andar Motors? Isn't that made by our city's car factory? It was quite popular in the 90s, and some taxis in the city even used this model. What's wrong?" "Do you know anything about this car company?"

"I know a little bit. It was a star enterprise in our city back then, but unfortunately it went bankrupt in 03. Later it was sold to a leaf spring factory, and then we haven't heard from it since. What, Xiao Tan asked you to collect information on Andar?"

A leaf spring is a steel spring made of one or more leaf springs folded together. It is often used in automobile suspensions. Its advantages are low cost, but its disadvantages are that it can only be used in non-independent suspensions, it is relatively heavy, has high stiffness, and poor comfort.

"What does Xiao Tan mean by asking you to collect information on Andar Motors? Is he planning to get into the car business?" Zhang Xupeng suddenly asked.

"It shouldn't be. The leaders approached Lao Tan a few times recently. It's probably because some people in the city wanted to take advantage of him. I guess Xiao Tan couldn't save face in front of his father," Zhang Guolong said.

Then he said to Zhang Xupeng, "You be careful too. Don't do anything outrageous during the New Year. Xiao Tan probably got targeted because of her overly prominent advertising. Don't be too high-profile."

Xiao Tan was able to set up the factory, and this young man was doing very well in another place, even managing to build good relations with the local government. Since he asked Xu Hui to collect the information, it means that he has the ability to handle these matters.

Zhang Guolong knew his son's capabilities to some extent. He hadn't experienced much of the big stage, and the reason he had made so much money was largely due to his good friend's influence. If he became too high-profile, it would actually be a bad thing for him.

"I know. We should be high-profile in our work and low-profile in our personal lives. Xiao Tan always says that, so don't worry."

"And Xiaohui, you too, you need to be low-key. Following Xiaotan is a great learning opportunity for you. If your company develops in the future, you will also be able to take charge of a region. Not just anyone can be a leader's secretary," Zhang Guoqiang also advised Zhang Xuhui.

Zhang Xuhui was somewhat helpless. He didn't like being with these elders. After drinking a little, they liked to pontificate: "Dad, Uncle, can you teach me and Pengya a lesson at another time? We're talking about Andar Motors right now. If you know anything, tell me. If you don't, I still have to go and collect information."

“Ah, right, right, you’re talking about Andar Auto, keep going, I love to hear it,” Zhang Xupeng quickly added.

"Actually, there's not much to say. The leaders saw that sales were good and started exaggerating, which led to a break in the cash flow. Plus, there were some policy changes, and after a few years, they couldn't hold on any longer and had to sell. The company that took over hasn't done anything in the past year or so, and they probably want to get rid of it again. They've probably set their sights on Xiaotan."

"They're treating Xiao Tan like a sucker; sigh, it's no wonder the economy isn't doing well." Zhang Xupeng finally understood and couldn't help but sigh.

Look at Xiao Tan's attitude in Beicang; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him an honored guest. He was given land, people, and connections. Xiao Tan couldn't resolve the issue on his own, so the government took care of everything. As long as it was beneficial to economic development and didn't violate any regulations, it was all green light.

"I guess so, that's why I told you to keep a low profile. It's not easy for you to make money. But a broken factory is worth at most a few hundred thousand, which is nothing to Xiao Tan. I'm just afraid they might have other ideas."

"Does Andar have the qualifications to produce automobiles?" Zhang Xuhui asked quickly.

Zhang Guoqiang and Zhang Guolong stared at each other, this question really stumped them. They didn't know the details, but if a company could produce cars and sell them for several years, they should have this kind of thing, right?

Seeing the expressions on his father's and uncle's faces, Zhang Xuhui knew that there was limited information he could get from them, and it seemed he would have to find a way himself.

However, from the conversation just now, Zhang Xuhui also analyzed some problems, namely that Andar, or rather the leaf spring factory, is in a very difficult situation and is eager to get rid of this mess. He doesn't know where they have set their sights on the boss.

The boss, perhaps due to certain reasons or other ideas, asked me to investigate Andar. The most important thing was whether Andar had the qualifications to produce automobiles. If it did, everything would be fine; if not, he would probably just give me a little money to get rid of it.

Once he understood the approach, Zhang Xuhui knew what to do.
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"You've just gotten back and you're already assigning Xuhui tasks? Isn't that a bit inappropriate? I bet they're still drinking at home." Tan Lihua was satisfied with his son's attitude, but still spoke with restraint.

"It's alright, that's what an assistant does. Now you understand why I don't use my own brothers as assistants, right?" Tan Jincheng replied with a smile.

The boss's assistant's salary and benefits are definitely higher than others. You know, Lin Yumin and Wu Zhenping both live in the same house, while Zhang Xuhui can enjoy a studio apartment all to himself.

But all rewards come with sacrifices; compared to others, Zhang Xuhui needs to learn more and keep his phone on 24 hours a day so that his boss can contact him at any time.

During the Chinese New Year, Tan Jincheng wouldn't bother other employees, but if there was anything that needed to be resolved, he would definitely go to Zhang Xuhui.

Just as the father and son were exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Suzhi's voice came from the living room: "You two went to the study after dinner. What important thing do you have to say today? Come out quickly, I have something to ask Jincheng."

(End of this chapter)