The car giant started by marrying the daughter of the king

Chapter 145: Unprecedented test ride, a first in the industry
"Xiao Jiang, I heard that your factory is holding a very large event next week?"

As an important partner of Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant, the Vehicle Engineering Department of Capital Polytechnic Institute also received an invitation to test ride and drive the new BJ212.

"We did invite leaders from many departments to come and test drive the car."

"In the past, when new products of FAW and Second Automobile rolled off the assembly line, they usually held an assembly line launching ceremony. Although there were many people in attendance, most of them were just going through the motions."

"This time our factory is going to come up with something different so that everyone who comes to visit can test ride or test drive our new BJ212."

"Because the leaders of our factory were very confident about the new BJ212 after they took a test drive yesterday."

"To be frank, this car has no rivals in China."

Although compared with later models, the new BJ212 has no competitiveness at all except for its retro feeling.

But in China in 1979, the situation was completely different.

At this time, neither the old three models nor the new three models have entered the Chinese market.

The Honda CRV, which led the urban SUV trend, is nowhere to be seen.

Even Shouqi Jeep, China's first joint venture automaker, has not yet started formal negotiations, and even if it does, it may not necessarily establish a joint venture as in the past.

Therefore, after the new BJ212 goes into mass production, its destructive power will be absolutely enormous.

"You all have such high evaluations, so I have to bring people here tomorrow to experience it."

Zhu Jiansheng has been busy with the "Hummer" project recently and has basically no time to come to the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant.

With the project progressing to this point, there isn't much point in him coming here.

However, the prototype car has already been produced, so he will definitely come and experience it.

After all, this car was nominally designed by him, Jiang Hui and others, and the 4MT gearbox inside was a model project of cooperation between the Vehicle Engineering Department of Capital Institute of Technology and the Capital Gear Factory.

“It is indeed worthwhile for everyone to come and have a look, and combine it with the design process of the new BJ212, and then improve it when it comes to the Hummer project.”

There is no need to be humble in front of Zhu Jiansheng.

Given the current strength of teachers and students in the Vehicle Engineering Department of Capital College of Automotive Industries, there is still ample room for improvement.

The key is that many mindsets need to change further so that the future of the Hummer project can become brighter.

Just when Zhu Jiansheng received the invitation letter, the First Ministry of Machine Building had naturally also received this invitation.

"Leader, the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant seems to be very confident this time. It has invited so many people from local governments and ministries to test drive the new generation of BJ212."

"If this thing succeeds, the Capital Automobile Factory will definitely be in the spotlight."

Qin Hao has been paying close attention to the affairs of the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant during this period, especially since they put forward such a forward-looking report immediately after the conference.

All this means that Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant will become a trend-setter in the future.

"We have seen the clay model of the new BJ212 before, and it is indeed very well designed."

"Even people at General Motors in the United States have a high opinion of it, otherwise they would not have asked Xiao Jiang to help them design the appearance of a car."

"This time their prototype car has been produced, and it seems to be very effective, so they are making these big moves."

"I am becoming more and more interested in the future development of this car."

Zhou Jian was naturally very happy to see such a prosperous star enterprise emerge in the field he was in charge of, and this could be considered his credit.

"If the new BJ212 is really good after experiencing it, can the ministry consider focusing on supporting this project?"

"In the past, the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant only produced more than 10,000 vehicles a year, less than half of FAW's output."

"This is definitely not able to meet the needs of departments at all levels."

"There are many educated youth returning to the capital, and the employment problem is quite severe. If the production of the new BJ212 can be greatly increased, then both the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant and related supporting manufacturers need to expand production lines or recruit more workers."

"Conservatively speaking, if production were to increase to FAW's level, it would provide employment for at least 10,000 people."

After Qin Hao said this, Zhou Jianli immediately became interested.

He had heard about the current situation in the capital area.

Not to mention other people, even some of his own relatives had children who were unable to find jobs after returning to the city, not to mention other ordinary people's families.

If the First Ministry of Machine Building could solve the employment problem of 10,000 people, it would definitely have made a great contribution.

"You should do some research first to find out what the current production capacity of the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant is. If you want to expand the production scale, what equipment do you need to add and how much investment is involved."

"As long as there is no need for large-scale equipment investment, the ministry will definitely support them in increasing production."

A lot of equipment investment these days involves the import of equipment, which requires the use of foreign exchange.

If this is the case, then things will become more difficult, or at least the efficiency of progress will not be fast enough.

On the contrary, it would be much easier to simply add more people or some simple equipment that can be produced domestically.

For matters like this, the Ministry of First Machine Industry can make the final decision directly.

"Well, I'll go to the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant in advance to have a good discussion with Zheng Haiming and Chen Qi and listen to their own ideas first."

"By the way, let's go experience the new BJ212 and see if it's as good as the Capital Automobile Factory advertises."

After a little thought, Qin Hao knew what he should do next.

The factory under the Automobile Bureau is now making such a big move, he must go and find out what's going on.

Otherwise, if he cannot answer any questions when the leaders in the department ask him during the test ride and drive event next week, his impression score will definitely be lowered.

……

Capital Automobile Works made such a big move that FAW must have heard the news.

As the first automobile factory in China, FAW also has a special office in the capital, and the rank of the office director is not low.

Although they did not receive an invitation to the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant's test ride and drive event, they were aware that this incident might have unpredictable effects on FAW.

"Director Wang, the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant has already assembled a prototype of the new BJ212. I heard they have invited personnel from the First Ministry of Machine Building and many other ministries to participate in the test ride."

"From the last time we saw the clay model, the design of this car is undoubtedly very successful."

"If the driving performance and ride comfort are also high, it will definitely have a profound impact on China's automobile industry."

"How we at FAW will deal with the impact of the new BJ212 is something we have to consider now."

Yu Jiang has dealt with the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant quite frequently in the past six months, especially since he had attended Jiang Hui's course on "Automobile Design". His vigilance towards the largest automobile factory in the capital area has increased a lot.

Before this, he felt that only Second Automobile Works, which had just put its first model into production a few years ago, would bring a certain impact on FAW's position.

It now appears that the impact of Capital Auto Works is likely to be even greater.

This situation is definitely not what he wants to see. "The exterior design of the new BJ212 is indeed very good, but whether a car is good or not is not just about the exterior design."

"Power performance and chassis design are the most critical issues."

"In the past, all engines of the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant were purchased from the Capital Internal Combustion Engine Factory. This factory was previously a subsidiary of the Ministry of Agriculture that produced agricultural machinery products, and making engines was not something they were good at."

"Even if the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant and the Capital Internal Combustion Engine Plant worked together to upgrade the engine, I don't think the final power performance would be that good."

“As for the chassis, I think the design difficulty is even higher.”

"It seems that there are only a few parts that can be produced by any factory. In fact, we have been doing it ourselves for decades and we know that the design and adjustment of the car chassis are very difficult. Many details involved are very test of experience."

“And the experience in chassis design is something that other factories are very lacking.”

"After all, we haven't designed a car model seriously in all these years."

Wang Le felt a little uncomfortable after hearing what Yu Jiang said.

He admires Jiang Hui's level of exterior design, but that doesn't mean that Capital Automobile Manufacturing can pose a threat to FAW with the appearance of a car.

If this is really the case, how incompetent does FAW's design department appear to be?
"If it were in the past, I would definitely fully support your statement."

"But the situation this time seems a little special."

"First, the Capital Gear Factory inexplicably worked with the Capital Institute of Technology to develop a 4MT manual transmission. Our Hongqi cars are now using this transmission."

"On the other hand, I heard that Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant has worked with various supporting factories to design various parts and has made great breakthroughs in many aspects."

"Even the new generation of engines they developed in cooperation with the Capital Internal Combustion Engine Factory has improved performance by more than 30% over the current products."

"In this case, combined with the excellent appearance of the new BJ212, the lethality is very great."

After Yu Jiang said this, Wang Le's expression became much more serious.

The BJ212 produced by the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant is now the official car of many departments, and its ownership is much higher than that of the Hongqi sedan.

If the new BJ212 is really that good, more departments will definitely choose BJ212 in the future.

This is definitely not a good thing for FAW.

Hongqi sedans are their main model in the sedan field, and they do not want to be suppressed by others.

What's even more troublesome is that the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant has produced sedans in the past. It wouldn't be difficult to produce a sedan by making some modifications based on the new BJ212.

If there is another stunning appearance by then, the situation will be really a headache.

"Chief Engineer Yu, how about we go to the Capital Gear Factory next week to inspect their 4MT manual transmission production line, and then go to the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant to experience their new BJ212, so that we can have a better idea of ​​it."

"If the other party's product is really that good, then we can also consider some countermeasures in time."

Wang Le is now a little restless.

I am afraid of comparison in everything.

As the big brother of the automobile industry, if FAW is surpassed by a younger brother, it will definitely be a disgrace to many people.

This is a situation that Wang Le really doesn't want to see.

Therefore, it is necessary to go and learn about the other party's prototype car in advance while the new BJ212 has not yet been officially put into mass production.

Anyway, now is not like the future. It is impossible for a competitor to experience other people's prototype cars.

As long as FAW makes the request, Wang Le is confident that he can successfully test drive the new BJ212.

"Well, the emergence of the 4MT manual transmission is of great significance to the development of our Chinese automobile industry."

"Although we have inspected the other party's production line once before, it is also necessary to track the changes regularly."

Yu Jiang agreed to Wang Le's plan without much hesitation.

……

After the invitations for the test rides were sent out, the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant was not idle.

In particular, the phones in the offices of factory director Zheng Haiming and chief engineer Chen Qi almost never stopped ringing.

Many units that receive invitation letters will call in advance to communicate and confirm the situation, and even arrange for some people to come in advance for a test drive to confirm the situation.

Both Qin Hao and Zhu Jiansheng came to experience it before the official test ride and drive event.

Under such circumstances, the test ride and test drive activities of the new BJ212 officially kicked off.

This is also the first formal large-scale test ride and test drive event before the launch of new models in the Chinese automobile industry.

Although the guests invited were not media but personnel from relevant departments, it is still a first for China's automobile industry.

"I bought you a new pair of leather shoes yesterday. Please don't wear the old ones."

Before going out, Zhu Lin carefully tidied up Jiang Hui's clothes.

Today is a very important day for Capital Motors.

With so many leaders coming to test drive the car, Jiang Hui, the actual person in charge of this project, must also participate in the reception task.

Even if his level is relatively low, he can still show his face.

There was no way, as Jiang Hui's name had already been registered in the Ministry of First Machine Building.

Knowing this situation, Zhu Lin was determined to make sure Jiang Hui appeared in front of the leaders in the best possible image.

So she got up early this morning and started changing Jiang Hui's clothes in order to find the best match.

"Today everyone's attention is on the new BJ212 prototype. Who cares what shoes a small fry like me wears?"

Jiang Hui's basic requirement for wearing this thing is that it just needs to be comfortable.

Although today's event was important, he had no plans to dress up in anything special.

As long as you have strong skills and are flexible enough, you won't have to worry about not making a name for yourself at the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant.

"That's different. The first impression a person makes on others is very important."

"There are so many leaders attending the event today. As the person who is most familiar with car models, you will inevitably have to show up in front of them."

"Although image issues may not necessarily be a plus, they must not be a minus."

After Zhu Lin said this, Jiang Hui did not refute anything.

The daughter-in-law is the boss, so whatever she says goes.

(End of this chapter)