I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity!

Chapter 123: Did they manage to fool Zhou Yang?
In the early 1990s, China National Industrial Corporation took the lead in finding business for companies that had transitioned from military to civilian production but were unable to find work. One of these projects was the Alto project from Reiki Motors of Japan, which introduced the second-generation Alto launched by Reiki in 1984.

The Alto car project was divided among four manufacturers.

Chang'an, the mountain city; Xiangzhou, south of the Yangtze River; Linji, north of the Yangtze River; Xi'an, Qin Prefecture...

In the 80s and 90s, the four manufacturers not only ignited the desire for automobiles among countless Chinese people by assembling the Alto project, but also made a name for themselves in the automobile market.

However, business competition is always ruthless. In this rapidly changing era, the brief glory of a single project, without the ability to conduct substantial research and development afterward, will ultimately be nothing more than a flash in the pan.

After the turn of the millennium, more and more overseas car brands entered the Chinese market through joint ventures and factory construction.

The once-novel Alto brand is no longer novel. Faced with increasingly fierce market competition, the four manufacturers began to drastically reduce prices. Starting at 8 yuan per car, in order to grab a tiny market share, they engaged in a price war, frantically lowering prices. In just one year, the price dropped to an unbelievable 2 yuan...

With cars costing 20,000 RMB each, all four major manufacturers realized something was wrong!
Using price wars to protect the market is undoubtedly a short-sighted approach.

Although sales have stabilized, after calculating the profits, the gross profit per car was only a little over 140 yuan. After further calculation, it turned out that we were actually losing money!
However, manufacturers without R&D capabilities have no way out in the face of market competition except to compete on price!

Of the four car manufacturers, Changan, Jiangnan, and Beijiang, which also produce Alto cars, were the first to change course, begin technological upgrades, and launch new Alto models to respond to the market...

Meanwhile, Qinzhou was embroiled in unprecedented infighting and disputes. One faction decided to learn from others while investing heavily in independent research and development, while the other faction felt that the investment was too large and that it would be better to continue with the Alto model, make some modifications, and copy the appearance of the Changan Alto.

Ultimately, the plagiarism faction won.

However, this decision completely plunged Qinzhou Automobile into the abyss.

In 02, Qinzhou Automobile lost its property rights dispute with Changan Automobile and lost the right to use the "Alto" brand and its appearance.

After 02, with the emergence of more and more domestic joint venture vehicles, car designs became increasingly diverse, and the prices of branded cars on the market dropped again. Without the patent and usage rights for the new Alto, Qinzhou Automobile ultimately suffered a loss of 1500 million yuan in one year, teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. It became a mess in everyone's eyes, and several leaders in succession were unable to turn the tide…

In 2003, Qinzhou Automobile welcomed its youngest leader, Liu Fusheng…

....................................

"There's no money left in the accounts, Mr. Liu..."

"Continue with the loan!"

"We can't get a loan anymore. The development of our G1 model has exhausted all our potential..."

"What about capital financing? We'll open up equity and let capital in. Aren't there many companies in China that want to build cars? Let them come over and work with us... We've already finalized the design of our independently developed G1 model, and all we're lacking right now is funding..."

"Mr. Liu, capital is all about influence. We've invested all our savings in the development of the [G1] model, but we haven't seen any results in the market yet..."

"I'm trying it now..."

【XuanShi Entertainment】

Liu Fusheng silently hung up the phone.

At the beginning of this year, when Liu Fusheng took over the mess that was Qinzhou Automobile, he was actually very ambitious.

He had studied abroad and trained at an overseas car company, and he thought that with his abilities and talents, he could revive Qinzhou Automobile...

However, it was discovered that Qinzhou Auto was completely rotten to the core.

Various expired and invalid patents, employees receiving salaries without working, and one seasoned veteran after another...

For the past six months, he has been dealing with these matters almost entirely...

After finally completing the renovation of the entire factory and investing a huge amount of money, when it came to the newly developed [G1] car, they heard all kinds of ridicule and sarcasm almost every day.

Due to factory losses and a sluggish market, Qinzhou Automobile has not paid wages for about a month.

Liu Fusheng went everywhere to ask for money, attract investment, and talk about the future prospects, and even repeatedly put forward the idea of ​​associating the [G1] model with young people.

However, the mess that Qinzhou Auto is making is obvious to everyone in the investment world. Apart from the car manufacturing license, which is of little use, it has no other value whatsoever. No investors are willing to invest; they are all waiting for Qinzhou Auto to collapse and go bankrupt so they can snatch that car manufacturing license...

The external market is sluggish, and the long-term employees inside are showing off their seniority, making pessimistic remarks, and occasionally throwing in a sarcastic comment...

Beset by internal and external difficulties, Liu Fusheng once considered abandoning the G1 project...

And it was at this juncture that he happened to see Zhou Yang's movie and hear Zhou Yang's story...

He began to investigate Zhou Yang's background relentlessly. When he saw that Zhou Yang had built his business from scratch and that his films had a significant impact on the market, especially when he saw the merchandise related to "King of the Beasts" selling like hotcakes...

He suddenly realized that perhaps Zhou Yang's film was an opportunity!
evening.

The setting sun shone through the window.

Liu Fusheng stood up, a smile on his face, and walked into Zhou Yang's office, where he saw the young man in a suit and tie.

"Hello, Mr. Zhou!"

"Hello, Mr. Liu..."

"..."

....................................

"Our car is designed as a standard urban off-road vehicle for the younger generation..."

in the office.

Liu Fusheng was very approachable and took out a series of documents, just like usual, to chat with Zhou Yang about the future of the Qinzhou G1 car.

This is a hatchback similar to the Alto, but it's much larger, with a more luxurious interior and a significantly upgraded exterior. It features lines that differentiate it from the larger Alto, focusing on urban off-road capabilities… He actually wanted to implement a radical overhaul, but unfortunately, Qinzhou Auto's funds were simply too tight. Reforming the exterior would mean completely shutting down the old production lines, and not only would the older generation object, but his finances couldn't handle it either. He could only proceed step by step!
Zhou Yang took the exterior model of the new Qinzhou G1 car from Liu Fusheng, and after a moment of silence, finally looked at Liu Fusheng and asked, "Is it just a slightly larger Alto?"

"It can't be considered an Alto. In fact, we've carried out multiple upgrades and modifications, and we've specifically upgraded its headlights..."

"..."

Despite Liu Fusheng's tireless explanation of his car-making philosophy, Zhou Yang examined the car's design repeatedly, and no matter how he looked at it, it seemed to be just a modified Alto...

Let's not call it low-class...

Just ...

how to say?

At least the front of the car needs to be redesigned, right?

"Mr. Liu, is this your original drawing?"

“No, our original blueprint was this…” Liu Fusheng handed another blueprint to Zhou Yang.

After Zhou Yang took the blueprint, he glanced at it and immediately nodded: "That's more like it!"

Putting aside its internal features and configuration, the exterior alone gives it a bit of an urban off-road feel!

“For a large enterprise like ours, reform needs to be done step by step…” Liu Fusheng said with a serious expression.

After silently reviewing the documents for a while, Zhou Yang nodded: "President Liu, if you can make a prototype based on the blueprints, we can make a movie specifically for the G1!"

"Making a prototype is no problem..."

"Alright!" Zhou Yang nodded, then poured Liu Fusheng a glass of water, his face beaming with a smile: "Mr. Liu, you should know that our film combines commercial influence, right? For example, our 'King of Beasts' is currently selling like hotcakes in the toy market..."

“I know, I know, that’s why I came here in person to talk to you, Mr. Zhou, about brand cooperation… The moment I saw you, Mr. Zhou, I felt that this cooperation would be successful!”

“I’m actually quite interested in the automotive industry too, and we happen to need…” Zhou Yang nodded, “However, as you know, our current fees…”

"President Zhou, I understand, I understand, I understand everything. As long as the movie is released, Qinzhou Auto will offer no less than any other brand..." Liu Fusheng understood the meaning and nodded quickly, smiling brightly and enthusiastically: "President Zhou, as you know, Qinzhou Auto has a long history. If our cooperation is successful and we have influence in the market, the commercial value of your movie will definitely reach new heights in the future... It's beneficial for both of us... Haha."

"Haha, yes, that's what I mean, then..." Zhou Yang laughed along.

But as I laughed...

An awkward silence suddenly fell over the office.

The laughter suddenly stopped...

Immediately afterwards, Liu Fusheng began to dodge the question, praising Zhou Yang's youthful talent and saying that this collaboration was absolutely historic, and so on.

Looking at Liu Fusheng, who kept trying to find topics to talk about.

For some inexplicable reason, Zhou Yang suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

He remembered that this was the first time he went there to swindle investors.

Seeing that Liu Fusheng showed no sign of responding, Zhou Yang finally took a deep breath.

"Mr. Liu, don't tell me you don't have a single penny and are planning to get something for nothing?"

Liu Fusheng was slightly startled, then looked a little embarrassed.

A moment later...

They started beating around the bush again, saying that Qinzhou Automobile is currently operating well, that they are recently raising funds, and about the current market situation!
Looking at the increasingly familiar scene.

Zhou Yang finally couldn't listen anymore.

"Do you have the money, Mr. Liu? Can you come up with a 200 million yuan film investment?"

“I can take it, but… you know the current market… we can start filming the movie first… I’ll figure something out…”

"Don't tell me you're going to owe me first?"

"I..." After looking into Zhou Yang's eyes, Liu Fusheng finally blushed slightly: "We actually don't have any money right now..."

"..."

silence.

A long silence fell over the office.

"Mr. Liu, don't tell me you not only have no money, but you're also coming to ask me for money?" Zhou Yang was slightly taken aback.

Nima!

He knows this routine all too well!

"Of course, if you could invest a little, Mr. Zhou, that would be much better..." Liu Fusheng lowered his head, his eyes showing a hint of hope.

"..."

(End of this chapter)