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Chapter 182 Maybach

Looking at the antiques purchased during this treasure hunt in Europe being shipped and packed back to Hong Kong Island, although it cost more than 200 million US dollars, Suning suddenly felt a sense of pride.

Suning retained five antique experts in Germany and provided them with mainland college students who were sent from Hong Kong Island for training in Germany. They formed an acquisition team with them to maintain the normalization of European antique acquisitions.

“Boss, do you mean we often go to some auctions in Europe?”

"No! The prices of antiques at the auction are too high. There's no point in buying them!

I am relatively wealthy, but I cannot waste my money!
What I mean is that you should try to do what I did a few days ago, buying from these down-and-out nobles, and also looking for bargains in some European antique shops."

"You are all experts in antiques, so you don't need me to teach you how to find bargains."

"Hehe, boss, please rest assured!

We will definitely not let you down!"

After arranging the five antique experts and waiting for them to leave, Suning picked up the phone and called Shao Laoliu directly in Hong Kong Island.

"Hello! Shao Laoliu, I'm Suning!"

"Mr. Su, do you have any orders?"

"I heard that TVB has started broadcasting it! The response in Hong Kong Island is pretty good?"

"Yes! Mr. Su, I also expected that TVB would get such a good response right after it premiered!"

"Lao Shao, I want to give you a program shooting plan.

I'll ask my secretary Lucky to send it to you!
Remember, take good pictures!

This show is very important to the Su Group!"

"Huh? Don't worry, Mr. Su!
I will personally supervise it and I will definitely make you satisfied!"

After hanging up the phone, Suning thought of the program again. Suning named it "Treasures of China", which highly imitated CCTV's "National Treasure" in the original time and space.

It is to tell the residents of Hong Kong Island about the past and present of the collections and lead the audience to immerse themselves in the inheritance of ancient and modern culture.

Suning has high hopes for this new program and has personally made a program plan early on. In addition, during this treasure hunting trip in Europe, he obtained many valuable Chinese treasures, which are just right for him to be the protagonist of the program.

Suning told Hans that it wanted to acquire a car brand. It also knew that German car brands were the trump cards in the hands of car companies and they would not act rashly. It could only be regarded as an attempt by Suning.

William, the head of Germany's Daimler Group, had already received the feedback from Hans and had been struggling with it.

You should know that German car brands are well-known brands all over the world. No matter which car brand it is, they all have good consumer support all over the world.

So William really doesn't want to sell any car brand, but Suning and Su Group now have a great influence in the world, and it is not something that can be solved by simply refusing.

Bauer, the vice president of Daimler Group, saw the conflicted look on the face of CEO William and understood William's difficulties. If Bauer were asked to make the decision on this matter, he would also be in a difficult position.

"William, I have a suggestion. How about I tell you and let you guys consider it?"

"Oh? Bauer, you have always been the brains of our group!

Any suggestions please tell me quickly?"

After hearing the conversation between William and Bauer, other decision-makers of the Daimler Group also looked at Vice President Bauer with interest.

"Haha, I wonder if you still remember that our Daimler Group had a short-lived car brand called Maybach."

After hearing Bauer's reminder, the Daimler Group executives present all had their eyes light up. Then they remembered Maybach, a car brand that had existed for less than 20 years, and they all understood what Bauer meant.

"Haha, Ball, you really didn't let us down!

Your idea is great!
Suning is a layman when it comes to automobiles.

Since he wants to try running a car brand, let’s give him one without a consumer base.”

"But! Wouldn't this offend Suning for nothing?" One executive seemed hesitant.

"Will not!

Suning has always been friendly with us in Germany, and he himself is a German citizen.

Besides, the car brand Maybach did exist.

I think Suning will be very satisfied." Hearing the executive's hesitation, William said disapprovingly.

After Daimler Group decided to sell the Maybach car brand to Suning, it quickly reached a resolution and William met with Suning.

Suning received the notice from Daimler Group and came to Daimler Group with great anticipation. It was really a pleasant surprise.

Originally, purchasing a car brand was just an attempt on my part, and I knew it would be difficult to achieve. I didn't expect that Daimler Group would actually agree.

At this time, Suning began to fantasize in his mind, wondering whether Daimler agreed to sell the car brand Mercedes-Benz, Audi, or "Don't Touch Me"?
"Mr. Su, would you like tea or coffee?"

“Coffee bar!

I also want to try the coffee of the famous Daimler Group!"

"Haha, Mr. Su is so funny!
Then let’s drink coffee today!”

Soon William's secretary came down to pour coffee. This was William, the head of Daimler Group, who got straight to the point and said, "Regarding Mr. Su's idea of buying a car brand.

After discussion, we at Daimler Group have decided to sell the Maybach brand to Mr. Su."

Hearing the name "Maybach", it seemed to be the luxury car brand "Maybach" in later generations. Suning tried his best to restrain his inner surprise and made himself appear more mysterious. However, in the eyes of William and Ball, this was a manifestation of Suning's dissatisfaction.

Daimler Group Vice President Bauer quickly smiled and explained, "Mr. Su, you may not be familiar with the Maybach car brand. Let me introduce it to you!"

Suning nodded without comment, but in fact he had already laughed in his heart. How could Suning, who came from the future, not know "Maybach".

Seeing Suning nodded in agreement to listen to the introduction, Ball and William looked at each other in surprise. As long as Suning was willing to listen to the introduction, it meant that they might get Suning's consent.

"Mr. Su, Maybach is a luxury car brand founded by the Daimler Group between 1921 and 1940. It has a certain reputation and good reputation in Europe and around the world."

"Huh? Mr. Bauer means that Maybach has to start from scratch?"

"Yes! That's pretty much what I mean!
But with the help of our Daimler Group, we can get the Maybach off the production line very quickly."

"Yes! I have full confidence in the capabilities of your Daimler Group!
However, the "Maybach" brand was discontinued in 1940, which means it is a failed brand.

I’m still very worried!”

"Huh? Our group understands what Mr. Su means!
Therefore, our group only retains 20% of the shares of the "Maybach" brand.

Our group will devote all its efforts to all subsequent matters and strive to ensure that the Maybach is produced within one year."

"Well! In that case, I agree to buy your Daimler Group's 'Maybach'!"

"Haha, that's great! Mr. Su, I wish us a happy cooperation."

"William, Bauer, I have one small request, which is that the Maybach company should be established in Hong Kong Island." "This Hong Kong Island is British territory!
We are in a dilemma about Mr. Su’s request!
After all, this will inevitably make the Maybach bid more difficult." William and Bauer exchanged surprised glances, both revealing embarrassment.

“Haha, actually, it’s more accurate to say that Hong Kong Island belongs to us Hong Kong Islanders, not to the British!
Of course, William, I can understand your and Ball’s concerns!

However, we can build two factories at the same time, one in Germany and the other in Hong Kong Island. At the same time, the Maybach R&D center will be located in Hong Kong Island in the future."

After hearing Suning's proposal, William and Ball were in a dilemma again. The idea was good, but the investment was too large. After all, their Daimler Group still held a 20% stake.

"Mr. Su, isn't it too radical to just build two factories like this?"

"Okay!

Of course! If you, the Daimler Group, hesitate, you can reduce your stake in Maybach, even if it means keeping it at 10%!

This way, your Daimler Group’s investment won’t be that huge!”

"Huh?" William and Bauer looked at each other in surprise, and saw the shock in each other's eyes.

"Haha, our Daimler Group will hold 15% of the shares!"

In the end, William agreed to reduce his holdings in Maybach, so that no matter how large Suning's investment was, their Daimler Group could afford it.

"Haha, then I wish us a happy cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!"

The Su Group purchased a car brand called "Maybach" from the German Daimler Group. The news completely shocked the European automobile manufacturing industry, and everyone was surprised that the people in the Su Group were stupid and had a lot of money.

The car brand "Maybach" is not unfamiliar to Europeans. They also know that it is a car brand that has only existed for less than 20 years and is bound to face redevelopment.

Suning’s “stupid people and lots of money” shocked many European car manufacturers, and then they all had their own ideas in their minds, among which the British EF Automotive Company was the most excited.

EF Automotive has a car brand called Jaguar Land Rover, but its sales have been very poor, so it wants to sell it to Ford Motor Company in the United States, but Ford Motor Company is not willing to take over this "bad brand" at all.

The former Governor of Hong Kong Island, Robert Black, has retired to the UK for retirement. This time, he was invited by EF Automotive to come to Germany to discuss business with Suning.

"Mr. Su, this is Charlie, the president of EF Automotive."

"Hello, Mr. Charlie! Nice to meet you!"

After some greetings, Suning invited Robert and Charlie to sit down, and then they drank coffee while enjoying the scenery of Germany.

"Mr. Su, it's been over a year since I left Hong Kong Island in 1989, right?"

"Yeah! Time flies!"

“Mr. Su, I heard that you recently bought a car brand from the German Daimler Group?”

"Yes! It's a brand-new car brand. With the support of the Daimler Group, I believe the future is very bright!"

Hearing the conversation between Bai Liji and Su Ning, Charlie saw that they had finally talked about the topic of the day, and hurriedly reminded them with a smile, "Mr. Su, you may not understand!

The car brand "Maybach" was discontinued in 1940!

"Yeah! I know! Because "Maybach" is a luxury car brand and its sales were not good at the time.

However, I am very confident in Maybach."

"Mr. Su, it's good to have confidence! But you have to face reality!"

"Oh? What suggestions does Mr. Charlie have?"

"Mr. Su, we at EF have a very good car brand, Jaguar Land Rover, which is much better than Maybach!

I wonder if Mr. Su is interested?"

"Oh? Jaguar Land Rover?

I have heard of this!

But sales are worse, right?

I heard that your company has been in talks with Ford Motor Company in the United States recently?"

"Huh?" Charlie was really surprised. He didn't expect that Suning knew so much about their EF Auto situation.

"Mr. Su, if you agree to acquire the Jaguar Land Rover from EF, we will help relocate the Jaguar Land Rover to the New Territories of Hong Kong Island and contact the British Hong Kong government to grant a large amount of cheap industrial land."

“Haha, Mr. Charlie’s conditions are quite favorable!

I wonder how much your EF car costs?"

"Haha, Mr. Su only needs 200 million US dollars to get the Jaguar Land Rover car brand."

"What? Mr. Charlie is asking for too much!"

"Huh? Two hundred million dollars is nothing in Mr. Su's eyes, right?

After all, I heard that Mr. Su recently spent over 200 million US dollars on a lot of antiques!"

“Haha, spending money on antiques is my personal hobby!
It’s completely different from buying your Jaguar Landrover!
"Maybach" can start over, but your Jaguar and Land Rover have become completely bad brands.

So there’s no way I can offer a high price!”

"Mr. Su, please reconsider this!"

"Well, for the sake of our long-standing friendship, please do it.

As long as EF helps relocate the factory to Hong Kong Island and lobby the British Hong Kong government to grant industrial land, I can buy your Jaguar Land Rover for $1.3 million."

"What? This price is too low!"

“Mr. Charlie, you know best whether my offer is too low!
Of course! If Ford Motor Company of the United States is willing to bid higher than me.

I'm also very happy to see you succeed in your cooperation!"

"Mr. Su"

“Mr. Charlie, $1.3 million is my bottom line, you can go back and think about it!”

Looking at the backs of Charlie and Robert Black as they left, Suning shook his head helplessly. $1.3 million was indeed his bottom line.

I have the impression that India's Tata company spent US$23 billion to purchase Jaguar Land Rover from Ford Motor Company in .

But it is still 1965, and his $1.3 million is already a sky-high price. As for whether Ford Motor Company of the United States will bid higher than his own, Suning does not care at all. Even if he cannot acquire Jaguar Land Rover at this time, there will still be opportunities in the future.

After all, he already has the car brand "Maybach", so there is no need to spend too much on a Jaguar Land Rover.

As long as you manage the "Maybach" brand with care, you will gain a lot of experience and there will be more possibilities in the future.

(End of this chapter)