Return to 2000: Captain of the Great Powers

Chapter 208 Shorting Airbus! (Please subscribe!)

"What did you say?" The person in charge stood up with a look of disbelief on his face: "You said that you can solve the problem that the LEAP engine cannot be adapted to the 737?"

"Don't you speak Chinese quite well? Why, did you not understand which word I said just now?" Xu Cang picked up the tea and took a sip leisurely: "Of course, I only provide you with a solution to the problem. The specific operation, how to realize it is still up to you Boeing engineers.”

The person in charge still couldn't accept this information. How could a young man in his 20s with no technical background solve a problem that Boeing's technical department couldn't solve with all their brains?
"Xu Cang, are you making fun of me?"

Xu Cang raised his eyebrows, a little bit surprised: "You still know how to joke around? It seems that you should have stayed in China for a long time. Speaking of this, your Boeing engineers should not be out of pocket, right? They should be able to distinguish the ideas I provided. Is it feasible to come out? Of course, it doesn’t matter if you really don’t believe me. Wait until Airbus launches a new generation of narrow-body aircraft, and by then, it will not be the price of two 737-900s.”

The eyelids of the person in charge jumped wildly. In this transaction, Boeing must have taken a greater risk, but in the launch of the new narrow-body aircraft, Boeing is rarely behind Airbus.

You must know that Boeing 737 does still occupy the highest sales position among large narrow-body airliners, but Airbus 320 is only about 737 fewer than Boeing [-].For a high-value commodity like a large airliner, [-] is definitely a huge gap.

However, this sales volume is a cumulative sales volume. The 737 has been on sale for more than 30 years, while the Airbus 320 has only been launched in the early ten years, with a gap of 20 years.

If so, the 320 is slightly less competitive than the Airbus 737 based on the appearance of the Airbus 320 in the market.Moreover, according to the budget of Boeing's marketing department, after about 15 years, the sales volume of the Airbus 320 will even out the last gap and reach the same level as the Boeing 737.

Coupled with the market analysis of the past ten years, the stamina of the Airbus 320 is stronger than that of the Boeing 737.This means that the Airbus 320 will not only bring the two to the same level, but will even surpass them.

Most importantly, McDonnell Douglas was acquired by Boeing three years ago.This airliner giant, which was also all-powerful in the past, was a little flustered for a while, and slightly relaxed the squeeze on Airbus.

Xu Cang glanced at the person in charge with an uncertain face, and smiled brightly: "Don't be so anxious, what if your Boeing engineers suddenly have a flash of inspiration one day and find a solution?"

The muscles on the face of the person in charge couldn't help twitching. Xu Cang looked young, but his words were full of cruel words, and he couldn't help but refute.In fact, he didn't understand why Xu Cang knew the situation of Boeing so clearly?
Regardless of other things, the launch of new models always values ​​time, and everyone who does business knows that they are the first to occupy the market.However, Boeing's progress on the new generation of narrow-body aircraft has begun to fall behind.If Boeing can't find a way to adapt the LEAP engine to the 737 airframe, it can only replace the engine or change the airframe.

Since Boeing served the LEAP engine when it decided on a new generation of narrow-body aircraft, if the engine is to be replaced, the airframe system drawings prepared for the LEAP engine must also be changed.

What's more, as the latest engine of CFM, only this high-performance engine can achieve MAX efficiency, MAX reliability, and MAX passenger appeal. More importantly, Boeing has revealed to airlines that the new generation of narrow-body opportunities is better than 737NG. Significant reduction in fuel consumption.

Of course, by changing the fuselage structure, such as installing special winglets, it is possible to achieve a certain reduction in fuel consumption.However, from the point of view of fuel saving, the engine is always a big eater.How to consume less fuel while achieving the same power demand?On the market, or in the foreseeable future, there are only LEAP series engines.

If Boeing abandons the LEAP engine and there are no alternative engine options on the market, it will not be able to implement the project concept of a new generation of narrow-body aircraft. If it falls to the airline, it will be slapping itself in the face.

Therefore, it is not that Boeing nailed the LEAP engine, but that Boeing has no choice.

Why did the person in charge continue to talk with Xu Cang even though he felt that what Xu Cang said was blatantly false?That's because Boeing's technical department is really a bit of a donkey.

Waiting for a moment of inspiration from a Boeing engineer?It's better to expect Airbus to come up with some brain-dead strategy next year, and then kill yourself.

From the beginning of the new-generation narrow-body aircraft project, some engineers actually raised the issue of the LEAP engine being too large.However, because Boeing has also solved the problem of the oversized CFM56 engine before, and after communicating with CFM, CFM agreed to provide Boeing with a special model with a blade diameter of only 170 cm.

That's right, the CFM737 on the 56NG also encountered the problem of not being able to load it in. However, the diameter of the CFM56 blade is only 150 cm, and it was finally forced into it.

Perhaps the success on CFM56 has given Boeing's inexplicable confidence in the technical department, and the fact that the blades can be shortened is why the size of the engine is not unsolvable at the seminar on the new generation narrow-body aircraft project.

As a result, after getting the LEAP engine with a blade length cut by a full [-] centimeters, Boeing engineers were dumbfounded.It is precisely because of these factors that Boeing is in such a difficult situation.

As for changing the layout of the fuselage, it is basically unnecessary to consider.Don't look at what the person in charge just said swears, but in fact, the people on Boeing's board of directors don't care about this.They can still figure out the cost difference between modifying an entire aircraft for one engine and modifying an engine for one aircraft.

Even intellectually, a new body for the 737 would be more beneficial in the long run.

However, the thinking of technicians and businessmen will never cross.Unfortunately, businessmen often have the right to speak, while technicians can only rack their brains in the face of almost harsh problems.

Perhaps, as Xu Cang said, we can wait until Boeing is desperate before considering this proposal.In fact, the issue of price is okay, the key is that too much time will be wasted at that time, but the value will not be great.

Therefore, when Xu Cang raised this question, Boeing had very little room for choice.

"You still really know how to seize the opportunity." The person in charge held his forehead with one hand: "The 777 test is like this, and the problem with the LEAP engine this time is also like this."

Among other things, Xu Cang really grasped the weakness of Boeing. The blueprint of 777NG came from the accident of 737. It seems that the suitability of LEAP engine also needs to get two 737-900 aircraft from Boeing. up.

Xu Cang hummed: "I'll take it as you are praising me!"

The person in charge closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, and then gave an answer on the spot: "You can tell me the solution first, and I will give it to the technical department. If they think it is feasible, we can give you two 737-900 aircraft."

"What are you kidding?" Xu Cang looked at the person in charge like a fool: "If I say this, and you turn your face and deny people afterwards, then I can only suffer from boredom? The plane is settled first, and the rest Let's talk about it."

"Then what if you talk nonsense, aren't we the ones who suffer the most?" the person in charge yelled angrily.

In an instant, half of the people in the restaurant looked at Xu Cang's table. The person in charge probably knew that he had lost his composure, so he coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment.

"I don't want to suffer, so don't talk about it." Xu Cang spread his hands: "However, there is one thing I need to explain to you. The 777 test is bound to this matter. If you don't agree to this matter , forget about the 777 test. You can keep the 737-900 in Seattle for yourself.”

The anger just calmed down by the person in charge of "you" exploded again, and he was already on the verge of erupting: "Xu Cang, there is an old saying in your country, everything is on the front line, so we can meet each other in the future. Is it possible that you will not be with us when you become an airline company?" Boeing cooperated?"

Xu Cang's face was serious, and he raised a finger very seriously: "First of all, your Boeing family has a big business, and it's not up to me to decide whether to cooperate or not. Second, isn't there Airbus? Although there will be more aircraft types. There will be additional operating costs, but the general assembly plant of Airbus in Jinmen has been built, and it is very convenient for us to switch to Airbus models.”

In fact, for small airlines, the Airbus model is a relatively better choice, at least the initial investment is smaller.It's just that the Airbus aircraft is a little more delicate, while the Boeing is an "air tractor", which is very solid and easier to maintain later.

Therefore, the two are a short-term and long-term choice.However, small airlines have financing needs, so expanding the fleet as much as possible in a short period of time is conducive to attracting financing.

Hearing this, the person in charge showed a happy and triumphant smile for the first time: "Xu Cang, Xu Cang, do you think the Airbus General Assembly Plant in Jinmen will bring you economic benefits and technology transfer? Do you think this The project started, and everything is settled? Do you think you took advantage of the deal with Airbus? No, Airbus has a lot of ways to get back double what it lost from the main assembly plant, just watch!"

Xu Cang's eyelids twitched: "What do you mean?"

"It's not interesting, two 737-900s are just two 737-900s, it doesn't matter! Your compatriots will pay for this investment for us." The person in charge chuckled, "Yeah, why am I angry? You want Whatever, we will give it to you, anyway, it will flow back to our Boeing pocket in the end.”

Xu Cang's face turned gloomy all of a sudden, the meaning behind these words was too heavy, so heavy that he couldn't breathe.However, Xu Cang is not the beaming guy he used to be. After a short period of emotional adjustment, Xu Cang laughed instead: "It doesn't matter what you give me, as long as you can restrain the Airbus? Then you Boeing think it's empty?" What about the airline's hub plans?"

The first model born out of the hub aviation plan is the A380, a true sky jumbo that shocked the world.

"You are so powerful, don't you know that our Boeing has also participated in the hub aviation plan for a short time?" The person in charge may have cleared up the dead knot in his heart, recognized the primary and secondary contradictions, and suddenly broadened his horizons, and his thoughts They are all quite peaceful, and they are all calm when talking to Xu Cang, as if they are in control of everything.

"But you eventually withdrew. Do you think the hub airline plan won't work?"

The person in charge put the tea that he had picked up and took a sip on the table: "You have to know that we can't compete with ourselves for business."

"That is to say, you still think the hub aviation plan has the possibility of success?" Xu Cang said, "Is that what you mean?"

The person in charge clicked his lips, showing a trace of impatience: "No one can predict the market with [-]% accuracy. If you want my answer, yes, yes, the hub aviation plan does have the possibility of success. The market response at the beginning of the establishment of this project is not enough to reflect this?"

"That's right! It's like you casually changed the plan of a military cargo plane and it resulted in the birth of the 747, right?"

The person in charge flicked his fingertips lightly on the wall of the cup, making a crisp sound: "Xu Cang, do you think I'm the kind of person who has a lot of free time?"

"No!" Xu Cang laughed loudly: "No, no, it's not that I heard you say that Airbus is a serious problem. It just so happens that I have a skill, so maybe I can help."

"Oh?" The person in charge is not interested in small talk, but he is more interested in suppressing Airbus: "I would like to hear more about it."

Xu Cang leaned his upper body back slightly: "As a person, besides my ability to pilot a plane, I also have another advantage that is not worth mentioning, and that is my good eyesight."

The person in charge smiled and said, "What do you mean by that?"

"The hub aviation plan, no, to be precise, the A380 project will be a failed project." Xu Cang said seriously.

The person in charge was stunned for a moment, and then sneered disdainfully: "I'm so dazed, I still expect you to say something useful, you'd better fly your plane. The agreement will be revised, two 737-900, I It can be accepted on behalf of the headquarters. On the day the flight test is completed, a supplementary agreement will be signed, including the transfer of two 737-900s, and then tell me how to solve the compatibility problem of the LEAP engine. Well, it’s getting late, so I won’t bother you !"

After finishing speaking, the person in charge gestured to get up, as if he really wanted to end the conversation.No way, Xu Cang actually said that the A380 would be a failed project.Judging from the current feedback on the A380 in the world market, it is temporarily unknown how successful the A380 will be, but at least it has absolutely nothing to do with failure.

Ruzi Xiaoer, it's all nonsense!

"It's okay, how about I come to make a sample for you? [-] million, I will use [-] million to make a sample for you." Xu Cang smiled, seeming very sincere: "How can the market trend that everyone can see clearly? How about showing my eyesight? You know, pilots have always been very demanding on their eyes.”

"[-] million?" Now the person in charge restrained his contempt, this is not a small amount, and at least Xu Cang does not seem to be the kind of person who has lost his mind.The person in charge thought about it, and instantly understood Xu Cang's plan: "Are you going to be an Airbus?"

It is common sense that rising stock prices can make money.But in fact, it can also make money if the stock price falls. This method of operation is short selling.Since Xu Cang steadfastly predicted that the A380 project would fail, as Airbus’s flagship model, the failure of this project will inevitably hit Airbus’ stock price heavily, so it is naturally easy to short Airbus.

But the problem is, with the launch of the A380 project, Airbus is in full swing. Is there any sign of collapse?Moreover, short selling is not easy, because it needs to pay the interest of the brokerage, so it is only possible to make money if the stock price falls sharply in a short period of time.

However, the person in charge really couldn't think of the possibility that Airbus could slip into the abyss at such a peak.In fact, short selling usually involves human intervention, that is, it does not really foolishly wait for the stock price of the short-selling target to plummet. Isn't that just waiting for a rabbit?

Therefore, short-sellers generally spread negative public opinion about the companies that need to be shorted in order to reduce investors' confidence in the company, thereby artificially causing the company's stock price to plummet, and only then can they make profits from it.

But the problem is, this method of creating public opinion requires the ability of hands and eyes to reach the sky, how can Xu Cang be able to do it?

"You want to short Airbus? Do you deserve it too? Even Boeing can't do it." The person in charge said: "The stock price of Airbus has been rising, and the situation is very good. I advise you that it is more cost-effective to go long. However, you use A billion-dollar bet on the failure of the A380 project is just to give us a sample, maybe the purpose is more than that?"

Xu Cang said: "That's natural! If the A380 suffers a serious setback, it must be when Airbus is at its weakest. Beat the dog in the water. You Boeing must be very interested, right? Now that Airbus is in full swing, short public opinion is of little use. But In the future when Airbus is down, Boeing's public relations and financial departments should be able to rectify Airbus, right? At that time, just take me to eat another meal."

The person in charge was stunned for a moment, and then laughed heartily: "Xu Cang, ask yourself, you probably don't like our Boeing, do you? Let's not talk about whether this matter will come true, and you are willing to clean up the Airbus with us?"

Xu Cang thought for a while, and said very seriously: "Two annoying people dangle in front of my eyes and only one annoying person dangles in front of my eyes. I think it's cleaner to be alone."

"Okay! If you want to make a sample for us, then we'll wait and see. If your vision is as good as you said, then it's okay for us to cooperate." The person in charge finally got up: "Very good, Xu Cang! You don't seem to be as annoying as you seem. One hundred million, ha ha! How about this, I will also reveal a piece of news to you, which is a gift in return."

Xu Cang raised his eyebrows: "What news?"

"Two companies are very interested in you. However, they are very dissatisfied that you are putting your energy into such a boring business as an airline, so I hope we will not provide you with any new aircraft services, including leasing. It’s not completely settled, everything depends on the results of the Rollo-Roy test flight you participated in.” The person in charge said with a smile: “To be honest, Xu Cang! Our 777 test is actually not very dangerous. We know this in our hearts and we insist on it. Use you just to make sure the worst doesn't happen. However, in order to compete with the GP7200 engine at Rolls-Royce, the test you have to participate in will be more than ten times more dangerous than the 777 test. For something, you really You can afford it. However, those two are right, for a person like you to be an airline is a waste of money."

"By the way, I may not have made it very clear. It's not us, it's us and Airbus."

Even though he had received a reminder from Li Rongcheng before, Xu Cang's expression still fluctuated a little after hearing the news: "It's really two powerful companies, they really think highly of me. !"

"No! Xu Cang, you don't even know how much you are worth." The person in charge sighed: "In this country, you are like a pearl covered in dust. Li Rongcheng should have mentioned it to you, as long as you are willing, we can help you Take care of nationality and everything after that. On the other side of the ocean, you can give full play to your talents and live a good life ten times richer than you are now."

"Then Li Rongcheng probably conveyed my meaning."

A trace of regret appeared on the face of the person in charge: "Xu Cang, I now have some doubts whether your vision is really as accurate as you said. In this world, there has never been any nation or country, only ... class! You change Is it nationality? No, we just want you to be in the class you should be in."

Facing the person in charge's seductive words, Xu Cang didn't say anything else, he just closed his eyes gently and remained silent.

When the person in charge saw Xu Cang's appearance, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "I don't like listening to it anymore, so I'm here today, let's go!"

After finishing speaking, the person in charge stopped talking, and his figure gradually disappeared into the noisy restaurant.

As the footsteps faded away, Xu Cang slowly opened his eyes. Before, he might still be angry, but now he can't arouse the slightest emotion, and he has to take responsibility for his body when he gets angry.

After thinking for a while, Xu Cang took out his mobile phone and called Chen Jinwu.

Soon, the phone was connected, and Chen Jinwu's slightly tired voice came from the opposite side: "Xu Cang, what's wrong?"

"Old Chen, I want to ask you about the current news of the General Assembly Factory in Jinmen."

"Ah?" Chen Jinwu didn't seem to expect that Xu Cang would ask this, he hesitated for a while, and finally just said: "Is there any news, everything is moving forward in an orderly manner."

Xu Cang narrowed his eyes: "Old Chen, I'm not a kid anymore, and I hope you treat me like a kid too."

"Hey! Xu Cang, why do you need to ask?"

Hearing this, Xu Cang pursed his lips: "Airbus is playing tricks?"

"Let me tell you this." Chen Jinwu sighed: "The Jinmen General Assembly Plant's creation of economic benefits is actually secondary. We mainly want to use this to learn Airbus's complete machine inspection technology. This technology is the world's first. one."

The so-called complete machine testing technology is to test the independent operation and cooperative operation of each system after the aircraft is assembled.The new aircraft cannot be pulled into the sky and fly around casually, so the technology of simulating and testing the operation of various systems of the aircraft in the ground workshop came into being.

Airbus is unique in this field, and even Boeing is hard to come by.

"The original plan was to use 80.00% foreign technical personnel and 20.00% domestic personnel in the technical management positions, and then gradually increase the number of domestic personnel." Chen Jinwu said: "However, Airbus thinks that our domestic personnel Technicians cannot guarantee the quality of Airbus aircraft assembly, and need to maintain this staffing for at least five years, after which Airbus will evaluate whether to increase domestic personnel.”

"Is there no one in China to talk about it? What kind of bullshit is this?"

"Xu Cang, you don't understand. The Jinmen General Assembly Factory is very complicated anyway. Everyone can't do their best. In front of Airbus, they are a bunch of mobs. However, if it's just like this, it's fine, but foreign technicians The salary expenditure is too high, and the expatriate expenses, travel expenses and various subsidies add up to almost four times their salary in the original country. Moreover, the family members brought to China by these foreign technicians have to be resettled, and additional Pay living allowances. Just based on the current calculations, the cost of domestically produced Airbus finished products may be higher than that produced abroad, do you think it is ridiculous?"

At the beginning, the original intention of establishing the Airbus General Assembly Plant was to rely on the price advantage to gain the reputation of the Jinmen General Assembly Plant, and then undertake more upstream technologies.As a result, the cost of domestically produced finished products is higher than that of finished products assembled abroad. So what future does the Jinmen General Assembly Factory have?
"Old Chen, do you think this matter can be negotiated?"

"It's hard!" Chen Jinwu was very pessimistic: "It doesn't matter, it's not the first time we have suffered a loss, let's remember it."

Snapped!
Xu Cang directly closed his flip phone. This was the first time he hung up on Chen Jinwu's call rudely. Of course, it was quite rude, but Xu Cang didn't know how to say it anymore.

Xu Cang took a deep breath, and suddenly felt his phone vibrate again.At first he thought it was Chen Jinwu who was looking for him, but when he saw the caller ID, it was not Chen Jinwu's number, but an unfamiliar number.

After thinking for a while, Xu Cang still connected the phone, and a lazy voice soon came from the opposite side: "You are right, the domestic financial control has indeed been relaxed, and you really hit the mark. "

The voice was none other than Xiao Lingyun who was determined to be safe.

"You said you want to hire me to invest, yes! However, I don't want a fixed salary, I want 5.00% of your investment profit."

"Didn't you think it was unreasonable for me to want to invest in Apple and Google before?"

Xiao Lingyun smiled and said: "Only by doing unreasonable things can you earn incredible wealth. It doesn't matter, I can't lose money anyway. Why, do you still want to invest in Apple and Google now?"

"These two investments can be put aside, now you do something else for me."

In Xu Cang's memory, Apple's stock price will remain low for a while, and it will take a few years for it to really take off. Google has not yet been listed, and it will take four years to go public, and it is okay to wait for two years to invest.

"Huh?" Xiao Lingyun was startled: "What do you want to do?"

Xu Cang's lips moved slightly, and he told Xiao Lingyun all about his plan.

About 10 minutes later, there was no sound from Xiao Lingyun's side.I don't know if I was shocked by Xu Cang's plan.

"Do you know any brokers?" Xu Cang asked.

Soon, Xiao Lingyun finally spoke: "What kind of stocks does no familiar brokerage play? However, you have really thought about shorting Airbus with [-] million? Maybe you overestimated my ability, but I didn't If I can short Airbus, I can’t even tie up a hundred of them. Since artificial shorting can’t work, I can only wait for Airbus’s stock to plummet naturally.”

"Didn't I tell you just now? Airbus will have a stock price plunge in the not-too-distant future. You don't need to participate, just wait for the harvest."

"Xu Cang, wait a minute!" Xiao Lingyun still hadn't turned the corner: "Although I don't play stocks anymore, I still have some understanding of the market. The Airbus A380 project is now a raging fire. Many, still short? You said that Apple and Google are really miserable now, but Apple won Jobs back. It is still reasonable to have some fantasies about Jobs. No matter what Google says, the PAGERANK patent may become a weight to turn things around in the future These two investments seem risky, but at least there is hope for a turnaround. But what the hell is it to short Airbus? It also plummeted in the short term. The A380 project is a real manufacturing industry, not a financial castle in the air. Even if it falls, it will not It plummeted out of thin air. Are you an idiot for being an Airbus? No, Xu Cang, you hate Airbus so much? Don’t put yourself in it when you clean up Airbus for a hundred million.”

"Who said I'm going to clean up the Airbus?" Xu Cang said with a smile.

Xiao Lingyun was very surprised: "Then what do you mean?"

Xu Cang's face darkened in an instant: "The airline is not exhausted, let's clean up the Boeing first."

　I don't know why the data has started to cut in half recently. I'm in a bad mood, my health is not good recently, and my writing status is not good.

　　However, fortunately, the plot is okay, and I have already thought about how to write it later.

　　Let me tell you readers and bosses again, the final landing point of this book is still flight technology, and the commercial stuff is just some necessary routines for the rebirth article, and even if it is about commercial content, I will only write about it. Business related to flying, don't write any other mess.

　　So far this book has been pretty good, surpassing my first book in my mind, at least not regressing.

　　As for what happens next, it depends on God's will.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)