The car giant started by marrying the daughter of the king

Chapter 314 Half for Honor, Half for Profit
In the 1980s and 1990s, many large factories and provinces and cities had representative offices in the capital.

The restaurants opened by various offices in Beijing once became classic restaurants serving local cuisine.

Many people in later generations did not understand the significance of the existence of this institution. In fact, when China was first established, a close liaison mechanism needed to be formed between the capital and the provinces to discuss construction projects, approve plans and allocate materials.

At that time, transportation and communications were underdeveloped, and local leaders could not be on standby in the capital every day.

In order to maintain constant contact with the capital, it is necessary to have an office stationed in the capital to be responsible for document transmission and communication between superiors and subordinates.

Of course, in addition to these tasks, various reception and communication work, and even inquiring about some information, are also the focus of the daily work of the Beijing Office.

For example, one of the important tasks of FAW's Beijing office is to keep an eye on the activities of ministries or units that have close ties with FAW, such as the First Ministry of Machine Building, Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant, Capital University of Technology, and Capital Steel Plant.

Capital University of Technology reported its heavy-duty truck project to the First and Fifth Ministry of Machine Building, and then formally approved the project for the Tycoon 100 heavy-duty truck. Naturally, FAW soon learned about it.

After all, everyone has connections in ministries and commissions, so the transmission of some information is actually very fast.

On the second day after Capital University of Technology officially submitted the project proposal, FAW's Beijing office got the news and immediately reported it to the factory.

"Director, the Polytechnic Special Vehicle Factory has applied for the Balong 100 heavy truck project. It is said that the Fifth and First Machine-Building Departments are very supportive."

"But they have never developed heavy trucks in the past, yet they have received so much support."

"I think the relevant departments are just desperate and trying all sorts of methods. It's too irresponsible."

"In order to obtain more funds, can we first start a heavy truck project and apply for the funds back later?"

Zhao Guangming is in charge of the work of the Beijing Office. After receiving the report, he immediately went to Geng Weidong to report.

Obviously, he didn't believe that Capital University of Technology alone could handle the heavy-duty truck project that other domestic automobile manufacturers could not.

In order to apply for funding, these people have absolutely no bottom line in doing things.

Since other units can do this, he thinks FAW can do it as well.

"It's fine if the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building supports it, but why does the First Ministry of Machine Building also support it?"

Geng Weidong is actually quite dissatisfied with the First Ministry of Machine Building now.

In his opinion, the ministry has given too little support to FAW in the past two years.

On the contrary, the ministry’s support for Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant and even Second Automobile Works is still relatively strong.

"The heavy-duty truck project proposed by the Polytechnic Special Vehicle Factory this time is called Balong 100, which is a heavy-duty truck with a load capacity of 12 tons. Many units under the First Ministry of Machinery Industry should also have a great demand for it."

"Originally, the relevant departments even expected the factories under the First Ministry of Machinery Industry to make a breakthrough in heavy trucks."

"I guess the ministry is also feeling a lot of pressure, so they are giving strong support this time."

Zhao Guangming gave his judgment based on the information he had obtained.

It turns out that his judgment does make sense.

"If that's what I'm telling you, then the First Ministry of Machinery is really desperate and trying every possible means."

"The leaders didn't even communicate with FAW, and chose to cooperate with outside companies, and gave them very limited funds."

"This kind of thing really dampens everyone's enthusiasm."

After Geng Weidong said this, Zhao Guangming immediately followed up and said, "So let's not be polite this time. Just like the Tyrannosaurus 100, we will launch a Jiefang 100 series heavy truck project."

"In the future, we can also develop a series of heavy trucks, such as Jiefang 100, Jiefang 200, etc."

"As long as the ministry provides sufficient funding, we can also develop heavy trucks."

Anyway, Zhao Guangming would definitely not be polite if he refused the funding from his superiors.

FAW has a very special position in China's automobile industry. He didn't believe that the First Ministry of Machine Building would not approve any funding after seeing the project proposal for Jiefang 100.

If that were the case, he would go and make trouble himself.

No matter what time it is, the crying child gets the milk.

"Okay, arrange for someone to come up with a plan as soon as possible, and then our factory committee will discuss it and submit it to the First Ministry of Machine Building."

“No matter when the heavy-duty truck project is launched, it is necessary to start it now.”

Geng Weidong is able to become the director of FAW, so he is certainly not an incompetent person.

He is also very clear about the significance of heavy trucks to China's future economic development.

However, due to FAW's insufficient technical strength, he did not dare to easily propose the development of heavy-duty trucks.

Apart from other things, he had no confidence that he could handle the key components such as the engine, gearbox and axles.

Otherwise, he would have started this project long ago.

As a leader, if you don’t have more projects in hand, how can you demonstrate your authority and power?

Since FAW was able to get the news quickly, Second FAW was naturally not far behind.

"Chief Engineer Han, if I let you be in charge of developing the heavy truck project, are you confident that you can produce results within the next five years?"

As the factory director of Second Automobile Works, Chen Liangrong did not think that the Capital University of Technology was trying to defraud funds like FAW did after hearing that the Capital University of Technology had approved the heavy-duty truck project.

Heavy trucks are very important, and the First Ministry of Machine Building even wanted to build Third Automobile Works just for heavy trucks.

Since Third Automobile Works failed, it seems possible for Second Automobile Works to produce heavy trucks.

At least Chen Liangrong felt that he could do it.

The prerequisite, of course, is that the people below have the confidence and ability to do it.

So after hearing the report from the Beijing Office, he called Chief Engineer Han Hao to his office for a private discussion.

When it comes to China, big things are usually handled in small meetings, and small things are usually handled in big meetings.

If the issue is brought up at the factory committee meeting without proper communication in private, there will be no results.

If the topic raised by the factory director does not produce any results, it will also damage Chen Liangrong's prestige.

Therefore, leaders often do not easily put forward proposals that they are not sure of.

Once he brings it up, it often means that the matter has been communicated with all parties before, or that other parties have no intention of accepting any objections.

Anyone who dares to oppose at this time will often become the main target of attack.

"Director, to be honest, I also want to make heavy trucks, but the technical barriers are too high."

"Not to mention the three big mountains of engine, gearbox and axle, even parts such as steering gear, shock absorber and air compressor are very difficult to handle."

"So if the factory wants to develop heavy trucks, I definitely support it, but the timeline can't be set too tight, otherwise it will be very embarrassing."

Han Hao knew that if he couldn't convey the difficulties accurately at this time, he would be the one in the passive position.

"If it takes too long, other factories will have already come up with the product, and we will be left behind."

Chen Liangrong naturally understood the difficulty of heavy trucks, otherwise he would not have consulted Han Hao privately. But if it took five years and even longer, he really couldn't accept it.

He even felt that five years was a long time. It was a question whether he would still be in Second Automobile Works at that time, let alone a longer period of time.

This is also a drawback. Many factory managers are unwilling to push forward projects that will take a long time to produce results.

Because no matter how good the result is, it is very likely that the successor will reap the benefits.

"Or we can consider introducing some technologies from abroad and developing based on these technologies, which can shorten the time."

When Han Hao saw that Chen Liangrong did not agree with his plan, he immediately proposed another option.

Anyway, he just wants to let his leader know that heavy trucks are not that easy to make, so that if there is a problem with the project he is responsible for in the future, he will not be criticized too badly.

"We had some contact with Cummins before and wanted to introduce their B series diesel engine products and manufacturing technology."

"You can communicate with them again, make some appropriate concessions, and finalize the cooperation plan as soon as possible."

"In this way, the most difficult diesel engine problem on heavy trucks will hopefully be solved."

"As for the other parts, they can also be solved through various means."

Chen Liangrong not only did not object to the plan proposed by Han Hao, but also gave a specific instruction directly.

With the rise of the reform and opening-up wave, China's economic development speed has continued to accelerate.

Against this background, my country's commercial vehicle industry has experienced insufficient production and is unable to meet the needs of economic development.

In order to expand production capacity and narrow the technological gap, relevant departments planned to introduce a large amount of foreign truck technology during the Sixth Five-Year Plan and the Seventh Five-Year Plan.

In terms of engine technology, Cummins is one of the most important partners of all parties.

Up to now, the other party already has a cooperation project in Shuangqing City.

Therefore, Chen Liangrong believes that the cooperation between Second Automobile Works and Cummins should still be very feasible.

"No problem. Cummins is also optimistic about the Chinese market and is relatively open to the transfer of advanced technology."

"Especially in recent years, the relationship between our country and the United States has become closer, and Cummins has fewer concerns about technology transfer."

"If they are unwilling to transfer those technologies to us, the relevant departments will not have enough foreign exchange to import them directly."

"Then Cummins will not be able to make any profit in China."

"It would be better to transfer technology or directly establish a joint venture to produce engines, which should be very promising."

"And by then, these engines will not only be used by our factory, but we can also consider selling them to other customers."

"These diesel engines can be used on trucks, buses, and even as generators, and have great application prospects."

Seeing that his plan was approved, Han Hao's enthusiasm suddenly increased.

Although he had only solved the engine problem, he would still be under a lot of pressure if Second Automobile Works officially launched the truck project. But at least it was a good start, which gave him a lot of confidence.

"Since this project is worth doing, let's do it well."

"Don't let an amateur like the Polytechnic Special Vehicle Factory produce a truck. It will be embarrassing for us."

For Chen Liangrong, the issue of face is related to his position.

If the leaders above feel that the existence of Second Automobile Works is of little significance, then the support they provide in the future will be much weaker.

Therefore, it is very necessary to produce heavy trucks before the Polytechnic Special Vehicle Factory.

They already have some truck business, and it is entirely possible to upgrade on this basis.

Soon, Second Automobile Works took action and submitted relevant reports to the First Ministry of Machine Building.

"Xiao Jiang, once we started our truck business, FAW and Second Automobile Works submitted heavy-duty truck business project applications to the First Ministry of Machinery Industry. It seemed as if the domestic heavy-duty truck technology had made a huge breakthrough overnight."

"Do you think they are just making trouble this time, or are they planning to cooperate with foreign manufacturers to produce heavy trucks before us?"

Zhu Jiansheng naturally got the relevant news first.

He was a little unsure, so he called Jiang Hui to discuss it.

"FAW and Second Automobile Works have always regarded trucks as their own private land, thinking that this market belongs to them."

"As a product that has received key support from the state, it is inevitable that everyone wants to achieve some results in this area."

"So even without our stimulus, they will produce heavy trucks sooner or later."

"It's just that this time the rhythm was disrupted by us."

Jiang Hui was not surprised at all about the information shared by Zhu Jiansheng.

As long as FAW and Second FAW still have some aspirations, they will definitely do something under such pressure.

Otherwise, it is possible that the relevant departments will abandon them in the next few years.

"The funding within the ministry is limited. The more manufacturers participate, the fewer resources we can obtain."

"They are causing us trouble."

Zhu Jiansheng was still a little unhappy.

It’s better to do it sooner or later.

After their projects are submitted, we start working on them.

Isn't this just making things difficult for Capital University of Technology?

"Dad, I think if we look at this problem from a different angle, the situation will be completely different."

“It is difficult to tell whether a product is good or a thing is done well without comparison.”

"FAW and Second Automobile Works are willing to work on the heavy-duty truck project at the same time. When the time comes, we can compare the products of our three companies and see which one is better."

"By then, the school may be able to obtain higher honors and completely establish its position in the automotive industry."

Obviously, Jiang Hui did not think that FAW and Second FAW could achieve particularly big technological breakthroughs in a short period of time.

If we really had this technical foundation, we wouldn't have failed to achieve any particularly decent results in the past few years.

For Jiang Hui, the project at the Polytechnic Special Vehicle Factory was just for the sake of honor.

The project at BMW is for direct economic benefits.

Both projects must be carried out without leaving either one behind.

Only in this way can the father-in-law reach a higher position in a shorter period of time, and at the same time allow himself to gain more economic benefits and voice.

(End of this chapter)