The car giant started by marrying the daughter of the king

Chapter 447 Historic Breakthrough, World No.
While people from all walks of life across China were focusing on price changes, the morale of people at the BMW Group quickly stabilized.

The official announcement of the salary doubling plan gave everyone confidence.

The most important thing is that after comparing with my original colleagues and friends, I became more aware of the generous benefits of working in the BMW Group.

No one wants to be fired for not working hard. Not only will that cause financial loss, but it will also be a complete loss of face.

There is basically no idleness within the BMW Group.

You can't stay idle because your colleagues will make it too embarrassing for you to stay.

In this kind of atmosphere, the efficiency of advancing various tasks will naturally be very high.

"Mr. Jiang, our 5AT automatic transmission has officially completed various tests and is ready for mass production."

At Nanshan Transmission, Ji Hua reported the good news to Jiang Hui right away.

Since the introduction of the 4AT automatic transmission, Nanshan Transmission has firmly established itself as the number one in the Chinese industry.

However, 4AT is a product that has long been produced by mainstream international gearbox companies, so it is naturally not advanced.

But 5AT is different. So far, no transmission company in the world has launched a mass-produced 5AT automatic transmission.

The most fundamental reason for this is that most car companies believe that 4AT can meet most needs, and they lack the motivation to develop 5AT.

So naturally, everyone is unwilling to roll.

Since you can live a good life by relying on your old capital, why spend huge costs to develop new products?
In case the development fails, who will bear the responsibility?

Therefore, as long as no other companies launch 5AT, whether it is ZF, Aisin, BorgWarner, Jatco, or General Motors, Honda and other companies that develop their own transmissions, they are all slowly developing 5AT automatic transmissions, and some have not even started the project to develop 5AT.

Now Nanshan Transmission has emerged as a dark horse and has come up with such a product, and has immediately become the world's leading company.

If this news is officially announced, it will definitely cause a stir in the industry.

"Have all aspects of performance met the design goals?"

At the beginning, Jiang Hui personally led the design team of Nanshan Transmission to draw the structural diagram of the 5AT automatic transmission.

The process requirements for some key parts were also personally instructed and confirmed by Jiang Hui.

So it’s not particularly strange that it was produced so quickly.

Nanshan Transmission was the first to develop a 5AT automatic transmission. To a certain extent, it cannot be said that their technology is much more advanced than that of transmission giants such as ZF and Aisin.

What's more, Nanshan Transmission is determined to develop 5AT within this year and then apply it to its high-end models.

As a latecomer in the automotive industry, if the BMW Group wants to gain a foothold in the world automotive market, it must have some unique features of its own.

Whether it is the beautiful exterior design or the industry-leading body strength, they are all breakthrough points.

However, other car companies will gradually catch up with these breakthroughs.

Especially in terms of body strength, the new models launched by major automobile companies are now expanding the use of hot stamping parts or high-strength steel plates.

BMW Group's advantage in this regard is no longer obvious.

In terms of car appearance, the styles of the new models launched in the past two years have also begun to change, and are closer to similar products of the BMW Group.

In this case, the BMW Group naturally needs to continue to make big moves in other areas.

Higher-end automatic transmissions and larger-displacement engines are one of the breakthrough directions.

From the current perspective, a breakthrough has been successfully achieved in 5AT.

Regardless of whether the various performance of the 5AT gearbox is definitely better than that of the 4AT automatic gearbox, it can definitely occupy an advantageous position based on the publicity alone.

It’s like in the future your car is equipped with a 10AT automatic transmission, while others’ are equipped with an 8AT automatic transmission, then consumers will subconsciously think that the 10AT has a higher configuration and better performance.

In fact, there is probably no performance difference.

Because when driving an ordinary passenger car, there is no need to use a high-end automatic transmission like 10AT.

8AT is already sufficient for use, and even the high-end position of 8AT basically has no chance to be used.

If we really talk about cost-effectiveness, perhaps 6AT is enough.

But it's no use explaining this to consumers, they will just think that a higher grade is better.

OEMs that have mastered this technology will also promote it in this direction.

“All of them have met the design requirements, but some of the parameters are within the lower limit and there is still room for improvement.”

"As a first-generation mass-produced product, I think it's ready."

Ji Hua reported the situation truthfully.

The higher the gear range of the gearbox, the more complex its internal structure will naturally be.

The processing accuracy and material properties of various parts will have a certain impact on the performance of the gearbox.

This is the first time that Nanshan Transmission has developed a 5AT automatic transmission, and there is no comparable benchmark in the industry.

In this case, it is normal for some less-than-ideal situations to occur during development.

"It just so happens that we will not launch any new models next year except the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan."

"At that time, we can launch high-end models equipped with 5AT automatic transmissions as annual facelifts."

"This will basically be enough for our marketing efforts next year."

"Later, our first product from Chitu Automobile will become the world's first mass-produced model with a 5AT automatic transmission as standard across the board."

"It won't be easy for other automakers to catch up even if they want to."

Jiang Hui has a rough plan for the BMW Group's marketing plan for the next few years.

If a car is to be equipped with a 5AT automatic transmission, it is not possible to simply remove the 4AT and replace it with a 5AT.

Matching and tuning of the gearbox and engine.

The installation of the gearbox and its coordination with surrounding parts.

All of these take time.

Therefore, even if Nanshan Transmission's 5AT can be quickly sold to other OEMs, it will still take some time for them to launch related models.

Without fully feeling the sales pressure brought by 5AT, the speed at which various car companies use 5AT will not be particularly fast.

After all, BMW Group's current global influence still lags behind that of traditional auto giants.

"Yes, so I plan to hold a grand mass production launch ceremony for the 5AT automatic transmission."

"When the time comes, we will invite all kinds of car companies to participate in this event and turn it into a promotion meeting for 5AT automatic transmissions."

Whether it is to amortize costs or to distinguish grades, the price of the 5AT automatic transmission must be set higher.

If the price is just too high, it will damage the interests of the OEM unless the selling price of the entire vehicle is also significantly increased.

With this in mind, neither the BMW Group nor other OEMs will promote 5AT on a large scale right away.

There is no need!

Of course, the production lines have been specially built, and Nanshan Transmission certainly does not want them to be idle.

At this time, it is necessary to expand more customers, with some of you producing 5 units and others producing units, and utilize the production capacity of Nanshan Transmission's AT automatic transmission factory.

"No problem, just do it according to your idea."

“All current customers of Nanshan Transmission can be invited to participate.”

“Potential clients that we have contacted before can also be invited to participate.”

"Luxury car brands in particular should have a stronger demand for the use of 5AT automatic transmissions."

"As long as one of the OEMs, such as BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Audi, achieves a breakthrough, the rest of the work will be easy."

No matter what industry you are in, competition can promote progress.

The same is true when equipped with a 5AT automatic transmission.

If car companies are not actively installing these technologies, then everyone will not feel any pressure and there will naturally be no need to spend extra money to upgrade.

But it would be different if all competitors were equipped with it.

For example, if all Mercedes S-series models are equipped with 5AT automatic transmissions, BMW will definitely take action as soon as possible.

Otherwise, sales will likely be directly affected.

At worst, people in sales will also worry about the impact.

……

Ji Hua acted quickly and started sending out various invitations the next day.

Domestic OEMs and peers were the first to receive this information.

"Director Li, in addition to producing 4MT manual transmissions, are you developing other products at the Capital Gear Factory?"

Chen Qi and Li Nanhai are old acquaintances.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, he didn't want to cut all orders from the Capital Gear Factory.

However, in the domestic automobile industry, all products are already equipped with 4MT, 4AT and 5MT.

Now that Nanshan Transmission has developed a 5AT automatic transmission, no OEM in the industry will consider other low-end products.

"Director Chen, we originally wanted to develop a cheap 3AT automatic transmission."

“But we encountered some difficulties in developing the transmission control system.”

"But we are ready to ask Nanshan Technology to help us produce this part, and we are confident that we can develop the 3AT automatic transmission next year."

"By then it will be the first 3AT automatic transmission in China."

After hearing what Li Nanhai said, Chen Qi was a little speechless.

Others have already come out with 4AT and 5AT, and now you are telling me that you want to develop 3AT.

The key point is that up to now, 3AT products have not been developed.

"Nanshan Transmission's 5AT transmission is about to be officially mass-produced. Do you know this news?"

After a moment's silence, Chen Qi looked at Li Nanhai and asked.

Nanshan Transmission will definitely not invite peers to participate in this kind of event, but will only invite customers, suppliers and leaders of relevant departments.

So he was really worried that Li Nanhai didn't know about this.

Otherwise, why would they promote 3AT here?
Just now he asked the other party if they had any new products, and he was mainly concerned about the 4AT automatic transmission.

If the Capital Gear Factory can become the second manufacturer in China to master 4AT automatic transmission technology, the price of this transmission will definitely drop significantly in the future.

Then you can consider installing it on models such as Shouqi Zhiguang.

After all, compared with manual transmission, the advantages of automatic transmission are still very obvious. If there is a choice, people are still more willing to buy automatic transmission.

Of course, price is certainly important as well.

If the 4AT version is much more expensive than the 4MT version, then consumers will still consider 4MT.

At this time, price is a very critical factor.

As for the 5AT automatic transmission, a new technology that has just been developed globally, Chen Qi has no plans to use it on the products of Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant.

They are simply not worth using.

"I heard about it. This is a big deal in our industry. It's a huge breakthrough."

"But I think Nanshan Transmission will initially mainly equip its models for global export with 5AT."

"Such a brand new product must be expensive."

"For the Shouqi Zhiguang and the economical SUV project you are developing, I think 4MT and 3AT are the best choices."

"The two products we produce are of good quality and low price. Although their performance is slightly worse than that of Nanshan gearbox, they are sufficient."

Li Nanhai must be trying to find some excuse for himself.

Otherwise, if the Capital Automobile Manufacturing Plant abandons them, life will be difficult.

"Although what you said is not entirely unreasonable, technological upgrading is the general trend."

"Globally, 4AT automatic transmissions have been used for decades."

"Now that Nanshan Transmission has broken through the 5AT window paper, more automakers will surely follow quickly in the future."

“Even when 6AT appears in the future, I don’t think we need to wait particularly long.”

"At this time, how many manufacturers will consider using 3AT automatic transmission?"

Chen Qi said this with great concern.

"For mid- to high-end sedans, this is indeed the case."

"But for entry-level models, I think 3AT is enough."

It cannot be said that what Li Nanhai said is unreasonable.

For entry-level models that cost tens of thousands of yuan, people don’t really care whether the gearbox is 3AT or 4AT.

Of course, if the price is the same, I would definitely hope for a better configuration.

"Are you sure 3AT can be produced next year?"

After silencing Pinako, Chen Qi prepared to give the Capital Gear Factory a chance.

After all, if the Capital Gear Factory could no longer survive, it would definitely ask its superiors for help.

Instead of being forced by your superiors to use it, it is better to take the initiative.

"Yes, 3AT automatic transmission technology is very mature worldwide."

"The various mechanical mechanisms are not a big problem for our factory. The only problem is that we have no experience in control systems."

"But Nanshan Technology has experience. We can definitely solve it by cooperating with them."

Li Nanhai gave his reply very affirmatively.

Ever since Nanshan Transmission's 5AT came out, Capital Gear Factory has even fewer options.

……

"Director, the strength of the BMW Group is beyond our imagination."

"It actually launched a 5AT automatic transmission earlier than global transmission giants such as ZF and Aisin."

“This is definitely beyond my expectations.”

Zhao Guangming looked at the invitation letter in his hand and sat on the chair opposite Geng Weidong's desk.

"Compared with ordinary companies, the BMW Group is indeed completely different."

"Jiang Hui is really a capable person."

As the factory director of FAW, Geng Weidong is naturally well aware of the actual situation of the BMW Group.

It is essentially the private business of Jiang Hui and Zhu Ling.

The key point is that such a company was established less than ten years ago and has grown to its current scale without any previous technological accumulation.

This definitely exceeded many people's expectations.

Geng Weidong is a professional in the automotive industry. He is very clear about how difficult it is, whether it is vehicle design or engine and gearbox development.

Today, the BMW Group is able to do so well from complete vehicles to parts and components, and it is really hard to admire it enough.

"Yes, Nanshan Transmission has suddenly become the world's most technologically advanced transmission company."

"In the past, I wouldn't even dare to think about it."

"It seems that your decision to cooperate with BMW Group and establish Hongqi BMW Automobile was the right one."

Zhao Guangming said with great emotion.

Although these words may sound like flattery, they are indeed his true thoughts.

"Compared with our cooperation with Volkswagen and Toyota, our cooperation with BMW Group is definitely more recognized by our superiors."

"There is no need to spend foreign exchange to import parts from Germany or Japan, nor is there a need to pay technology royalties to foreign manufacturers."

"The most important thing is that all industrial chains are located in China, which is very beneficial to domestic employment, taxation and other aspects."

"And the share ratio between us won't be that sensitive."

Geng Weidong is quite satisfied with his decision to cooperate with BMW Group.

Although I felt a little uncomfortable that as China's first automobile company, I now have to bow my head and cooperate with a private enterprise that has only been established for a few years.

But after I figured it out, the uncomfortable feeling disappeared.

Especially after Jiang Hui's father-in-law Zhu Jiansheng became the newest head of the Ministry of Machinery and Electronics Industry, Geng Weidong began to think about how to work with the BMW Group to make Hongqi BMW bigger and stronger.

When the time comes to report to the department, I can have something to present and report it properly.

"This time they have brought out the world's most advanced 5AT automatic transmission. So for our Hongqi A6 project, can we also consider adding a high-end version later?"

Nanshan Transmission's 5AT automatic transmission roll-off ceremony must have invited relevant personnel from FAW to attend.

Zhao Guangming felt that the other party invited so many people to participate, and they must hope that more customers could use it.

Instead of waiting for the other party to bring it up, it would be better for FAW to bring it up first.

It's at least a favor.

"Let's see the price of 5AT at that time. If it's not too high, I can consider it."

"And it also depends on their 5AT sales."

"If we are too busy with export orders, we won't be in a hurry to install 5AT."

Many of the cars sold in the Chinese market lag behind the most advanced international levels.

Just like engines, most of the products of international mainstream automobile giants have already launched electronic fuel injection engines.

But all of the ones produced in China are still carburetor engines.

Is it because they can’t produce electronic fuel injection engines?
Not at all!
People think that selling old engines in your market is enough.

There is no need to sell you advanced products.

Especially when it comes to production in China, that’s even more undesirable.

"That's fine too, let's see how the other party reacts then."

Zhao Guangming felt that there was nothing to argue about on this topic and he could just take it one step at a time.

……

"Yiming, go find out whether Nanshan Transmission's 5AT automatic transmission project can be applied to some industrial support policies."

"When the time comes, whether it's financial subsidies or some award applications, please help promote it."

Naturally, Liu Tianwu was the first to know about the big commotion at Nanshan Transmission.

When it comes to expanding customer base, there is little that Shenzhen can do to help.

Judging from past experience, Nanshan Transmission does not require them to worry about this aspect.

But Liu Tianwu definitely wanted to do something to show his support.

"For products like automatic transmissions, our country can catch up with and even surpass the international level, and eventually become the first in the world to master 5AT automatic transmissions."

“There is still a lot that can be done here.”

"The BMW Group has previously won the first prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award."

"We can definitely submit this project this time. Even if we don't win the first prize, the third prize shouldn't be a problem."

"As for other support policies, I will follow up on them in detail."

“For such an advanced product, there must be some policies that meet the requirements.”

Yao Yiming is very clear about his leader's thoughts.

Even if it is a policy that Shenzhen has not thought of, he will definitely push it forward.

After all, Liu Tianwu’s meaning was so clear.

"Then see if you can assist with their activities this time."

"I estimate that there will be quite a few people from relevant departments attending the event, and we will try our best to help arrange them."

Liu Tianwu thought about it and felt that Shenzhen City still needed to make some efforts.

Otherwise it always feels a bit unreasonable.

"Our General Office will be responsible for helping to arrange the connection between Lingnan Province and the ministries and commissions, so as to minimize the workload of Nanshan Transmission."

Although the BMW Group is already very experienced in various reception work.

However, this aspect of things is indeed what Yao Yiming is good at.

So after Liu Tianwu said that, he immediately expressed that he would do a good job of this part of the work.

However, while most companies in China are still looking forward to and excited about Nanshan Transmission's historic success in handling the 5AT automatic transmission, the situation is different in other parts of the world.

(End of this chapter)