2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 267 A Gift to the Olympics

The two bosses arrived with light steps, driven by curiosity, but left with heavy steps.

“We can’t win this battle, and there’s no time left,” Zhang Congxun suddenly said.

"Yes, combining a series of advertisements with the launch of Guanneng should be aimed at that matter. My family is fine, we didn't originally intend to do that, but you guys are having a bit of a headache," Dong Jinggui said helplessly.

Dong Jinggui's words made Zhang Congxun even more depressed.

On the 28th of this month, the press conference for the Olympic Electric Vehicle Series Design Competition will be held in Beijing. The press conference is also the submission date, which is only 10 days away. There is no time to redesign.

Unlike Xinri, Yadi's current market is mainly in mid-range models, meaning that the Fengchi Feiyi series are its real competitors. As for the Olympic electric vehicle design competition, they have always had the idea of ​​participating more than winning. It would be great if they could win, but if they couldn't, it wouldn't affect their market.

Xinri's main market is the high-end market. Winning the Olympic design competition and securing the order for electric vehicles for the Olympics is a very important strategy for them to establish their high-end brand.

ChipSun was determined to win this Olympic design competition, but unexpectedly, a dark horse emerged from the crowd.

Although the specific results are not yet available, and some methods can still be used, electric vehicles are products aimed at end consumers. Consumers will have their own judgment on the merits of the two designs, and even the organizing committee would not dare to manipulate things too much behind closed doors.

Needless to say, once Guanneng makes its debut, its publicity will immediately follow, especially since Flash Technology is a major asset in publicity, especially in the internet field where they have a significant advantage.

If a better design is rejected, not only will the organizing committee face immense pressure, but ChipDay's reputation will also be ruined. Zhang Congxun really doesn't dare to take that risk.

The reputation of end products is extremely important, especially for those selling high-end models. Once the reputation is lost, it will be fatal. You can make up for missing an opportunity like the Olympics, but you lose everything if you lose your market reputation.

"Haha, go ahead and have a headache, but I have to take this seriously too. This fellow villager of mine has some skills." Dong Jinggui laughed heartily.

Nothing is more satisfying than seeing an opponent, especially one stronger than yourself, giving you a headache.

If the Fengchi Feiyi series is targeting the Yadi market, then the Guanneng series is clearly targeting the Xinri market, and it's even more ruthless than Feiyi, launching a heavy blow!
Their move was precise and ruthless, and the timing was perfect. There was no prior information, but the announcement was made 10 days before the final result. Combined with their publicity campaign, it was practically flawless.

This fellow villager is quite something!

Dong Jinggui couldn't help but recall their previous confrontation in CD. He had initially used his media influence to gain the upper hand while the other side was still establishing itself, but the other side had easily neutralized his advantage.

By using ubiquitous elevator and bus stop advertisements, along with self-operated stores and a series of preferential policies, and leveraging the fame of their Super Girl spokesperson on CD, they easily achieved a breakthrough.

Their total sales have now exceeded 10 vehicles, production capacity has caught up, new factories are under construction, and I heard they are also developing their own batteries. The situation is ripe, and this competitor is not easy to deal with!
Perhaps the 20-vehicle annual sales target he proposed at the company's annual meeting was not just drunken boasting as he claimed, but rather a well-thought-out decision.

"What are you laughing at? By the way, I didn't notice the backdrop in the center of their stage just now. Did you understand what it meant?"

"I did notice it, but I don't understand what it means. It's probably an advertisement, maybe it's targeting Guan Neng, right?"

"Alright, I'm not going to waste my breath on you anymore," Zhang Congxun said, waving his hand dismissively.

"Why are you getting so worked up? I'll invite my fellow villager out tonight, and the three of us can have a drink together. Actually, he's a pretty nice guy in private," Dong Jinggui chuckled.

"Have you been in contact before?"

"No, we only met last night. I arrived quite early. Yesterday, I saw that their booth was covered up, and since we had clashed before at the CD market, I was curious to see if we could meet. I didn't expect him to agree so readily."

Zhang Congxun thought for a moment and said, "Let's skip today. The exhibition lasts for three days. How about we sit down and chat after the exhibition ends in three days? Business is business, and friendship is friendship. I also want to meet some young people."

"That works too. I imagine everyone's pretty busy these days, so let's talk about it after the exhibition ends."

"Yes, let's also see what surprises President Tan has in store for us."

"You're quite carefree. Guanneng is here to block you."

"What can we do but deal with it? In business, why be afraid of competition? Besides, although he caught me off guard, it was all fair and square, so there's nothing to say."

“That’s true. Although this young man is a bit domineering in business, wanting to take a share of the high-end, mid-range, and low-end markets, his methods are still quite clean,” Dong Jinggui nodded.

In the current domestic low-end market, excluding those no-name brands, the best reputation among reputable brands is the Flash series. It is inexpensive, of good quality, and has excellent after-sales service, with one or two service centers in each city.

Even if off-brand products are cheaper, they are not as competitive as the Flash series. It can be said that what the Flash series is currently lacking is a major breakthrough in production capacity; otherwise, it could occupy a large share of the low-end market.

In the mid-range market, their Fengchi Feiyi series, while not as domineering as the Shanchi series, is very popular among female consumers due to its unique positioning and rich colors.

Another thing is their design; it really gives off a feeling of completely outclassing their competitors. It's strange, though, since the designer was poached from ChipJapan. Why didn't we get this feeling when they were at ChipJapan?

Or is it that the design and marketing plans for FlashDrive were also spearheaded by this fellow villager?
Shouldn't we also try to poach some of their designers?
Back to the reporters, they followed Zhang Congxun and his group all the way and entered the exhibition hall ahead of time by virtue of their reporter status. As a result, they saw that the three groups had separated, and Zhang Congxun and Dong Jinggui followed the young man in another direction.

They naturally followed the two bosses, and thus witnessed the unveiling of the Flash Motors exhibition area, as well as Zhang Congxun circling a car model with a solemn expression for a long time.

These days, the reporters who can attend this kind of exhibition, apart from those who are entertainment reporters who keep an eye on celebrities, are generally quite professional. Although they don't understand why Zhang Congxun is doing this, it doesn't stop them from secretly pressing the shutter.

Also recorded were Dong Jinggui, whose expression was equally solemn, and Tan Jincheng, whose face was all smiles.

Reporters love stirring things up. By this point, they didn't need confirmation; they already knew Tan Jincheng's identity. Who else could it be but the rumored, very young chairman of Flash Rider?

Not wanting to disturb Zhang Congxun and Dong Jinggui, who both looked quite unhappy, I decided to avoid them. Besides, they were frequently interviewed and their popularity couldn't compare to that of the mysterious chairman of Flash.

The company's total sales volume exceeded 100,000 vehicles; the company is mysterious and low-key; the company's founder is over 20 years old and already has a net worth of over 100 million yuan; and the founder is also good-looking. These are all elements that make this newsworthy.

After the two had walked away, several reporters quickly approached the exhibition area of ​​Shanchi.

"Mr. Tan, Mr. Tan, would you like to be interviewed? I'm a reporter from Electric Vehicle News."

"I am a reporter from Electric Vehicle Times."

"I'm a reporter from an entertainment weekly. Mr. Tan, would you be willing to give me an interview?"

Tan Jincheng was taken aback. He knew the first two media outlets; they were industry media, and FlashTech had some cooperation with them. Why was Entertainment Weekly also here?

The other two reporters were also taken aback and couldn't help but look at this guy. Why are you, an entertainment industry person, getting involved in this?
The entertainment weekly reporter wasn't intimidated and explained to his two colleagues with a smile, "I came here to see some celebrities. When I heard you said it was President Tan, I came along."

Many celebrities will be attending this exhibition, so it's not surprising that there will be entertainment reporters. If we're talking about which brand's spokesperson has the biggest name, it has to be Ya-Di and Shan-Chi.

It's estimated that there are quite a few people like him who have their eyes on Tan Jincheng, but many people don't know him.

"No interviews, please. This museum is about to open, and we have a lot of things to do. However, I can answer a few questions," Tan Jincheng replied after thinking it over.

"Alright then, but could you grant us an exclusive interview after the Tan Association exhibition ends?" The reporter from TramInfo still wanted to try.

Mr. Tan is a rising star in the electric vehicle industry in the past two years. He has been making waves since the company was founded last year, but he has never given a solo interview to the media. The few interviews he has given were all written interviews and his photo was never shown.

If we could get his first interview, that would be a pretty good achievement in the industry.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid that won't work. We have a lot of things to do after the exhibition ends. Let's talk about it when we have time," Tan Jincheng said, shaking his head.

"Alright then, I hope to have the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with Mr. Tan in the future; Mr. Tan, what are your thoughts on this exhibition? This is the first time FlashTech has participated in such an exhibition, what are your goals?"

"Our view is that we are grateful for the country's policies, which have given us this opportunity. As for our goals? Let's make more friends. We are newcomers and we are here with a learning attitude."

"Mr. Tan, do you know Mr. Zhang from Xinri and Mr. Dong from Yadi? I just saw them come to your company's exhibition area with you and they seemed to be having a very pleasant conversation." This was the question asked by a reporter from Electric Vehicle Times.

He had originally intended to invite Tan Jincheng for an exclusive interview, but since he had already declined to work with him, there was no need to bring it up at this time.

Unlike Electric Vehicle News, Electric Vehicle Times is an authoritative online media outlet. Compared to print media, they have a deeper partnership with Flashcar, having participated in the "Journey Across the Seas" event. However, he had never heard of Tan Jincheng knowing the other two executives.

"I have long admired these two seniors, but this is our first meeting. I am very happy that they are willing to communicate with a junior like me."

"Are those your company's new products? I haven't seen them on the market before," the reporter from Times.com asked, pointing to the row of car models Zhang Congxun had just been observing.

"Yes, that's our new product. It's not on the market yet, and we've named it Fengchi Guanneng."

"The car looks quite nice. Also, what's the deal with the Fengchi Guanneng?" The reporter from the news website asked quickly after seeing Tan Jincheng glance at his watch.

That's spot on! I love professional reporters like that!
"Of course, this is a product we're presenting as a gift to the Olympics. We've already given the design to the Olympic Organizing Committee in advance!"

"A gift to the Olympics?" The two professional reporters exchanged a glance, their eyes lighting up.

No wonder!

"Can we take a picture of the Crown Energy model?"

"Of course, but this is just a sample. There will be some minor changes before it's released to the market. I hope you two brothers can take good pictures of it for me," Tan Jincheng said with a smile.

"Absolutely. This is the first time I've ever seen a car with a gold body. What's the design concept behind this, Mr. Tan?"

"Once, I went shopping with my mother, and she bought a lot of gold jewelry. Gold is a color that signifies nobility, which suits the temperament and aesthetics of our Chinese people, so I started using it."

As for our philosophy? Our Crown Energy series is based on the philosophy of 'Striving for the future self at the peak,' which aligns with the Olympic spirit.

The entertainment weekly reporter standing nearby, seeing that the two of them kept asking questions, knew that if they waited any longer, they would miss their chance to ask.

So, disregarding all else, he went straight to the point: "Mr. Tan, what are your thoughts on the fact that only Liu Yifei, one of your company's two spokespeople, attended a major event? Also, who is that mystery guest mentioned in your company's promotional materials?"

When it comes to stirring up trouble, you have to look to entertainment reporters!
The two professional reporters asked relatively professional and standard questions; but this entertainment reporter was trying to trap Tan Jincheng right from the start!
Okay, okay, this is how you play, right?
"It's just a work schedule conflict, there's nothing to worry about, it's all normal, and it's our fault for not communicating in time."

As for the mystery guest you mentioned, I can tell you it's a very talented singer, so please look forward to it!

(End of this chapter)