2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 537 Roadshow in the Capital
Following the March 315th Consumer Rights Day, the A-share market plummeted, falling below 4000 points and seemingly unable to stop the downward trend. On the first trading day after the end of March, the stock index fell by more than 3%, and the 3800-point level was in grave danger.

During the live broadcast, Tan Jincheng answered questions related to Flash Group's car manufacturing and also responded to ByteDance's recent research.

"We are just conducting some routine inspections and have no specific plans for cooperation yet. We are newcomers and are more interested in learning."

This response addressed market rumors about a collaboration between Flash Group and Changfeng Group that someone had asked about at a certain point in time. It did not make a clear statement, but it essentially refuted the current market rumors.

凭借着小道消息一直撑着的长风集团股价，在檀锦程给出的回应之后，3月17日以及3月18日连续两个交易日跌停，股价从上周收盘价13.84元变成了3月18日的11.21元。

The market value evaporated by nearly 11.6 billion yuan in two trading days. In just two trading days, the stock price, which the main funds had worked so hard to maintain, was directly brought back to its original level. It is unlikely that the price of 14 yuan will ever be returned.

"We really have no intention of cooperating. We're aiming for an acquisition. Even if the acquisition is successful, I won't be lying. Besides, it's more about the overall market and policies, it has nothing to do with me."

They just won't admit it. If they really say there's absolutely no connection, that's nonsense. The market has been falling these past two days, but Shuguang Auto has actually risen a bit.

Foton Motor's stock price only dropped slightly on March 17th, and then stopped falling on the 18th.

The most discussed issue during the Two Sessions these past two days has been the development of the automobile industry. The new National III emission standard is about to be introduced, and only those that meet the emission standards can be put on the market. This is more or less bad news for all automobile companies at this stage.

After expanding last year, Changfeng Group not only developed civilian SUVs, but also acquired Yangzi Pickup in 2006.

Pickups, off-road vehicles, civilian SUVs—this is practically the prototype of Great Wall Motors. Unfortunately, they haven't fully mastered the technology, and the product quality can't keep up. Furthermore, there's nothing particularly noteworthy about the industrial design of the cars; otherwise, Flash Motors wouldn't have had a chance to target them.

Changfeng Group's stock price has fallen, but Tan Jincheng is still quite optimistic. The price of 11.21 yuan corresponds to a market value of less than 50 billion yuan.

"When is the boss going to Xiangcheng?"

We still have to go. In terms of target companies, no one is more suitable for FlashCar than Changfeng Group, except for Great Wall Motors, whether it's the current state of the company or FlashCar's development strategy.

I can't afford a Great Wall Motors Flash.

Huang Ming was on the phone with Tan Jincheng. They had already arrived in the capital to prepare for their boss's arrival. Thanks to the efforts of Zhang Yong's former boss, Flashlink had a chance to get involved in the cooperation between Fukuda and Cummins.

Adding a small shareholder is not a big problem if the shareholding is not large, but it still requires talent. Without the help of the old leader Zhang Yong, it would be impossible.

People who succeed without a background will more or less encounter some benefactors. Zhang Yong's former boss was one of those benefactors, who treated him very well from the beginning of his employment.

This marks Zhang Yong's first step into independent entrepreneurship, and finding a way to facilitate this collaboration can be considered a great gift from his former boss.

In addition, Foton also has its own considerations. Foton, which belongs to BAIC but is not entirely under BAIC, is a king in the commercial vehicle and even harvester fields, but it is not that Foton does not want to enter the passenger car market.

The passenger vehicle market is the real battleground, and no car manufacturer wants to give up such a large market.

"Being in charge of automotive matters at Flash Motors is indeed a great challenge and very beneficial to your career planning. The young boss at Flash Motors is truly an amazing guy."

The former leader was very supportive of Zhang Yong joining Weilai Motors. Although he admired Zhang Yong, he couldn't interfere too much with Zhang Yong's promotion in a state-owned enterprise that valued seniority and connections.

Zhang Yong smiled and replied, "President Tan is indeed a very interesting person."

He visited his former boss's home today, and the two chatted about Tan Jincheng's upcoming visit in a couple of days, and also talked about the live broadcast last weekend.

One live stream once again refreshed Zhang Yong's understanding of Tan Jincheng's marketing skills.

A single live stream nearly ignited the entire electric vehicle industry. Leading and second-tier electric vehicle brands alike flocked to the live stream to boost their presence. Mr. Tan treated everyone equally, introducing each competitor who sent a gift.

The electric vehicle market is quite chaotic and highly regional. If you can't become a leader, you might not be known outside your province.

Zhang Yong is a tech guy, and he's not good at brand marketing. When he was working as the third prince of the new forces, he had no choice but to create a persona of low emotional intelligence, just to cover up his lack of marketing ability.

It doesn't mean he doesn't understand just because it's not done well. For consumers, it has introduced them to many electric vehicle brands, and for the brands themselves, this low-cost exposure has made more than 18 people aware of their brand, which is much more effective than many advertisements.

"Don't think it's just for fun. That live stream was all about social niceties. Given Flash's current position in the electric vehicle industry, they had no need to do that. It shows they have quite a vision." Before the Lunar New Year, the media questioned Flash for deliberately underperforming, giving up the top spot in 2007 electric vehicle sales to Xinri. After the New Year, they put on this live stream, introducing a large number of competing electric vehicle brands. From this perspective, the media's doubts last year were somewhat credible.

People with a broad perspective don't care about superficial fame.

"Would the leader like to meet with President Tan beforehand? I can make the introduction."

"No need for that. Let's not meet privately before we've discussed the cooperation. Let's talk about it later."

Tech guys are hardworking and reliable, especially those with high education, which is what the old boss values ​​in him. But his emotional intelligence is too low. It was already an exception for him to help make the connection, but it's even more surprising that they met privately before the cooperation talks even started.

Zhang Yong nodded. The resignation process was already halfway through, and Zhang Yong would be able to officially take over Weilai Automobile at the beginning of next month and assume the position of general manager of Weilai Automobile.

He is now full of passion for joining the new company. According to what Tan Jincheng told him, the first model of Weilai is positioned as an urban intelligent SUV, offering two models with multiple options: gasoline and diesel.

The industrial design of the first model is already underway. Zhang Yong has already seen some of the design drafts, which are somewhat similar to the Honda CR-V currently on the market. President Tan has also mentioned that the design concept is based on the CR-V.

However, unlike companies that simply copy everything in the market, the model tentatively named A1 does not completely replicate the design of the CRV. In Mr. Tan's words, this can reduce public resistance.

This approach is similar to that of FlashDrive Technology's first electric vehicle. With some prototypes to refer to, the design process is naturally much faster. According to Tan Jincheng, it would be best if the first model could be launched in 2010.

Time is still very tight, which requires Zhang Yong's efforts and is very challenging.

"Your new boss's purpose in coming to the capital this time is not just to talk about cooperation with us. The roadshow should be his most important task, after all, Orange Technology is in a critical period of listing."

Since Orange Technology officially submitted its prospectus to Nasdaq in early March, the company has been generating considerable buzz, with a live stream further propelling its popularity to its peak.

Futian is also a listed company. The old leaders know what a company listing means for a local area, especially a company listed outside the city. Behind the high level of attention is the promotion of Ningbo government and Zhejiang province.

With Orange Technology's IPO progressing to this stage, both the capital behind it and the local government will do everything in their power to ensure its success and set a record for the fastest IPO in China.

To make the record even more outrageous, the capital behind the scenes will work even harder, and if they can go public in April, they will definitely not go public in May.

A 25- or 26-month listing record—barring unforeseen circumstances, not many companies should be able to break that record, right?
"Actually, domestic roadshows are more or less just a formality, and the other thing is to make more connections."

Just like Zhang Yong, Tan Jincheng didn't really value domestic roadshows. With the pie already divided fairly evenly, it was better to focus on profiting from existing investors. Roadshows were simply a way to comply with the rules of the China Securities Regulatory Commission and, incidentally, to build connections in the capital market.

After Orange Technology goes public, Gu Qingqing will find an opportunity to step down as CEO. Her future task will be to learn how to become a qualified investor, and it will be beneficial to get to know more people in the investment circle and internet entrepreneurs.

It's really tough working for Boss Tan, even for Gu Qingqing; there's so much to learn.

"I understand that, but why did you bring so many employees from Weilai Auto to the capital? Is Weilai Auto planning something?"

The cooperation with Foton is still in the confidential stage. Huang Ming is currently in charge of the liaison. In addition, the automotive technical talents that Tan Jincheng poached were previously affiliated with Hangxin New Energy.

Now that Weilai Automobile has been established, the personnel relations of these talents have been officially transferred to the automobile company.

Boss Tan may seem unreliable, making haphazard and disorganized plans, but after integration, he has some merit. A new car factory is under construction, and acquisitions are being carried out in secret.

We're in talks with parts suppliers and have an industrial design institute. Once the general manager is in place, we'll be a respectable small car company.

The recruitment and training program for workers is also underway; though small, it is fully functional.

"We have a collaboration with Foton Motor regarding engines. I don't understand the principles behind it, so I need the cooperation of these technical professionals."

They were scheduled to depart on the 20th. Tan Jincheng was still thinking about Changfeng Group, which he had glanced at that morning before leaving. What a pity, how come its stock price had stabilized yesterday?

(End of this chapter)