Great Power Industry: You're a private company building an aircraft carrier?

"Why?" Wang Shengli and Xu Zhenchao were both taken aback.

"Our Capital Automobile Factory was the first enterprise to engage in joint ventures. We may not have made any great contributions, but we certainly put in a lot of hard work!"

"Back then, we built the 212, which was the official vehicle for leaders at the county level and above across the country. Now, what's wrong with us getting official cars again?"

Both of them were indignant.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this collaboration with Mercedes-Benz is not a simple matter of licensed production, but rather a joint effort to contribute technology and develop a vehicle that is at a world-class level!"

Upon hearing the words "jointly developing technology," everyone from the Capital Automobile Company was dumbfounded.

What technology could they possibly have? Even if they had a research and development institution, it would only be used for copying. They would take apart any advanced vehicles available internationally to examine them. Expecting them to provide world-class automotive technology? No state-owned enterprise in the entire East could do that.

"Chairman Huang, this can't be right!" Zhao Jianhua said. "Looking at the domestic market, which car company has the technology to attract foreign attention? It's Mercedes-Benz!"

“That’s right, no other company in China can do that, but Laiyang Group is an exception!” Huang Wenlan’s face was full of pride: “Laiyang Group is a famous brand of our Dongfang Automobile Industry, letting the whole world know that we also have first-class automobile technology!”

Zhao Jianhua took a deep breath: "What kind of technology do they have?"

"What exactly are the advanced technologies in the power system...? You all know about the confidentiality regulations."

It wasn't that she was unwilling to speak, but rather that she genuinely didn't understand. After all, she was a political cadre who had come to the field later in life. Her leadership of the Automobile Industry Association was due to her strong organizational skills, not necessarily her professional competence. Although she had crammed some knowledge about the automobile industry over the past few years, she still couldn't understand things like BSG.

For a car, the powertrain is the most critical component, and China is also the country with the most deficiencies in this area, lagging far behind the world's advanced levels. It's astonishing that Laiyang Group can provide technical support to foreign car companies... Zhao Jianhua's feelings were incredibly complicated.

"So, do we really have no chance at all?"

"Ahem, Lao Zhao," the leader of the China National Automobile Corporation spoke up, "Of course we won't watch the Capital Automobile Factory decline. We are actively trying to bring in foreign investment and discuss cooperation with you, but... we can't rush this. We have to wait for the right opportunity!"

Over the years, seeing other car companies continuously introducing foreign investment and setting up joint venture car factories, Capital Automobile was also anxious, but... it couldn't compete with them!

Excellent foreign companies are snapped up first by companies like FAW, Dongfeng, and SAIC...

Zhao Jianhua walked out with mixed feelings. He had originally thought that snatching a piece of the pie from the private enterprise would be relatively easy, but he hadn't expected...

"President Zhao, we can't just let this go!" Wang Shengli gritted his teeth. "This is our only chance. If we don't get it this time, we'll just have to watch it fail!"

“That’s right, so many people in the factory are waiting!” Xu Zhenchao said. “Every time there’s a meeting in the automotive industry, we’re laughed at for producing agricultural vehicles. Now that we’re cooperating with world-class automakers, we can finally save face!”

Zhao Jianhua gritted his teeth: "That's right, we absolutely can't let this go. Let's go find the leaders of the higher-level ministries!"

I'll throw a tantrum, make a scene, and even threaten suicide this time. I'm going to risk everything to secure a major partnership for Capital Motors!

With this unwavering determination, the three men knocked on the door of their superiors.

"Manager Li, I'm so sorry to have disturbed your work."

Leader Li looked up from behind the mountain of official documents: "It's alright, just say what you need. Secretary, bring some tea!"

Holding the teacup, Zhao Jianhua organized his thoughts before speaking: "Leader Li, it's like this, in recent years, our Capital Automobile and Motorcycle Joint Manufacturing Company has been struggling due to its heavy burdens and lack of policy support, making it difficult to continue operating. If..."

"If we don't have a good joint venture partner, our company might go out of business. If tens of thousands of employees from our several factories were laid off, it would cause serious problems for the security of the capital, right? So, we were thinking about whether we could bring Mercedes-Benz over and cooperate with them."

"Mercedes-Benz? Great!" Leader Li looked up at them. "Our Capital Automotive has such vision and boldness; of course we should give it our full support!"

Very good!

Zhao Jianhua was overjoyed and continued, "Leader Li, the company we're currently in contact with is a private enterprise in China. This company is expanding rapidly, manufacturing steel, shipbuilding, and aircraft. It has already developed into a monopolistic Tesla, and now it wants to get involved in the automotive industry. Please support us, higher-level leaders!"

Leader Li put down his pen and looked at Zhao Jianhua and the others with a gloomy gaze: "What's the name of this private enterprise you're talking about?"

"Laiyang Group, this group is simply a menace. Whatever industry it gets involved in, it leaves the corresponding state-owned enterprises with no way to survive. Now they're going to get involved in the automotive industry. How can our state-owned enterprises possibly survive? Back then..."

Snapped!

Before he could finish speaking, Leader Li slammed his hand on the table.

"Well, Zhao Jianhua, you're shameless! If you want to discuss cooperation, go find foreign car companies yourself, like BMW, Renault, Fiat, and the like. It's your skill to find them. Now, you're eyeing projects that other domestic companies have already agreed to, trying to steal them? Disgraceful and despicable!"

Everyone was stunned. What did this mean? Why was Leader Li so angry?

"Get out, all of you get out of here! Let me tell you, if I hear you again, go and complain to other leaders about trying to snatch joint venture partners from other companies, and I'll make sure you lose your jobs!"

Watching the group leave, Leader Li's gaze remained gloomy. "So, you've actually set your sights on Xiao Chuan. You worthless bastards!"

No, I need to be even more cautious!

So, Leader Li picked up the phone: "Hello, Secretary Wang? This is Li Gang! I have something infuriating to report. How can our state-owned enterprises be so shameless..."

A dozen minutes later, Li Gang put down the phone, but was still not satisfied, so he picked up the phone again.

"Hello, is this Leader Yang? This is Li Gang. Your daughter's group is planning a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz, but that disappointing Capital Automotive has its eye on it and wants to snatch the joint venture project from them. What, you're not going to do anything about it? How can you not interfere? If negotiations are really necessary, shouldn't your foreign affairs department provide translators?"

Zhao Jianhua and his colleagues left the office building looking dejected and got into the Cherokee. They were still quite depressed.

What happened? Where exactly did the problem occur?

"This Leader Li was transferred from Dongshan Province. Could he have some connection with Laiyang Group?" After a long silence, Wang Shengli finally spoke.

"Old Wang, why didn't you say so sooner!"

"We only thought that Laiyang Group's backers were in the foreign affairs department, but we never expected..."

Foreign Affairs Department! Zhao Jianhua's face darkened even more; he really didn't know!