Return to Hong Kong Island for a Century

Chapter 446 The Boeing CEO's Little Thoughts (First Update)
Boeing's CEO, after watching the shareholders' outbursts, finally spoke up: "Gentlemen, I think some of the previous decisions were wrong."

When Boeing's shareholders heard the CEO say that, they all looked over, and some angrily shouted, "What do you mean by that, you bastard?"

Are you criticizing our previous decisions?

The Boeing CEO is a recent appointee, and previous decisions were made by shareholders.

"So, gentlemen, whose aircraft currently holds the largest share of the global market?" the Boeing president began.

"It's Boeing, the great Boeing! Thanks to the financial crisis, our 737 is selling even better!"

"Then may I ask, what is the market share of the Changan 201?"

"According to available information, three have been delivered, and one is undergoing an airworthiness certificate application in Obaro, for a total of four!"

"That means the monthly production is only two aircraft, and even if it's three, it's only 36 aircraft a year."

"And the demand for civil aircraft in the Eastern market is at least 300."

"So, how long will it take for Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Company to complete an order of 300 aircraft? Three years? Five years?"

"How many airplanes can we sell in three or five years!"

"Our only competitor, McDonnell Douglas, look at their current main aircraft, the MD-80, what a piece of junk it is!"

"Airbus? It can't even dominate the Europa League market, because Europa League is like a woman, it needs the big guns of our American soldiers..." The Boeing CEO said, giving a strange smile.

The others also had strange expressions, and some even burst out laughing.

"Then who in the world wouldn't dare not buy our passenger planes?"

"After I took office, I started thinking, why should our Boeing, the number one company in the market, spend money?"

"Let politicians push through proposals that shouldn't be pushed through?"

"Is it because the Chang'an 201 is produced at a rate of two aircraft per month?"

"Or does the East have an aircraft industry chain as large as ours, America?"

"Or perhaps we're afraid of that aircraft manufacturer in the East that only produces a single model?" Boeing's CEO continued to joke.

At this point, most of the other shareholders also nodded in agreement.

"How many undergraduates, master's degree holders, and doctoral degree holders does Boeing have?"

How many experienced workers do we have?

"Some of our workers even served Boeing during World War II. How long has that Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant been established?"

"Two years!"

"Therefore, gentlemen, you should not be anxious or worried, because this is all Li Song's conspiracy!"

“That’s right. This Li Song is like a cunning fox, and we are like characters in his novel. The whole thing is like a script.”

"He's peddling anxiety, and of course he has accomplices, those damn Wall Street vampires, who amplify public sentiment."

"All we need to do is present the data and give those Wall Street vampires a resounding slap in the face!"

"Gentlemen, the time for a counterattack has come!" Boeing's CEO said firmly.

Wow!
Boeing shareholders applauded.

"Yes, I've read that damned Li Song's novels. The guy who can write novels like that is a cunning fox!"

"Yes, we've been fooled! Those vampires on Wall Street should all be sent to the guillotine!" one shareholder exclaimed, though inwardly he was thinking of buying more shares, knowing the stock would surely rise after the counterattack.

This is actually the reason for the hollowing out of Aramco's manufacturing sector. Although these shareholders knew the consequences of financialization, no one wanted to turn down money.

Instead of investing hundreds of millions to build factories, it would be better to invest directly in the stock market, making grand promises and raising money.

This is simply the choice of capital!

Industrial relocation is also a choice made by capital, because capital has found that building factories in Dongda University can bring more profits.

This is why some stock markets have been consistently deceptive since then; they're designed to make you feel that there's still some manufacturing left, so you enter the stock market only to lose everything.

Anyway, once you're in, you're just a sucker. The institutions might as well fleece you. After all, most people who trade stocks have spare money, so they might as well be suckers.

Ultimately, the relocation of manufacturing and the hollowing out of industries are all driven by the pursuit of profit by capital.

Of course, while Aramco is reaping global wealth, it is also reaping the benefits of its own people.

The 70s and 80s were the happiest time for Amerindian workers. To put it bluntly, during that period, one Amerindian worker could support his entire family.

Because that fat red bear is still there.

Only after the Red Empire collapsed did Amerinthan's workers fall into the trap of unlimited exploitation by capital.

The main problem is that without competition and comparison, Amei started to let itself go, and capital began to reap the benefits without restraint.

Moreover, most of Aramco's infrastructure was built before this. Later capital only cared about profits and did not invest at all. What to do when profits are not enough and financial statements look bad? Raise prices, lay off employees, etc.

Aramco's largest railway company has laid off more than 30% of its workforce from the 90s to 2025, but its revenue has increased several times over. However, it has an average of more than 8 accidents per day, and 70% of them are derailments, mainly because it has not invested in maintenance.

"Gentlemen, we are not actually the victims. The biggest victim is McDonnell Douglas..."

"30 DC-10-30s cost a mere 6 million US dollars!"

"They are the prey in this Li Song trap!" Boeing's CEO shouted again.

"Ah..." Boeing shareholders exclaimed in astonishment.

Then thunderous applause erupted. The Boeing CEO breathed a sigh of relief; he was finally spared the humiliation of being fired. He needed to find a way to switch jobs quickly, given his impressive track record.

Boeing's CEO himself couldn't believe his own words; judging from the current data, the Changan 201 is indeed not a threat.

but!

but!

but!

TM's Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant was established for less than two years, and it has already produced such an excellent aircraft as the Chang'an 201, with its overall performance reaching the world's leading level.

I wouldn't be surprised if they produced 500 aircraft a year in two years.

Because I understand aircraft manufacturing, high-bypass engines, aircraft beam casting, and aircraft design, none of these can be completed in two years.

How many institutions and companies worldwide research high-bypass turbofan engines?

How many were successful?

For two years, Boeing has been unable to produce a new aircraft model, not even an improved version.

Boeing's CEO did consider developing a corresponding aircraft model for the Chang'an 201, but he knew that this was a common problem with large companies—they couldn't do whatever they wanted.

And it's not just Boeing itself, but also the upstream and downstream supply chains.

Ask General Electric and Pratt & Whitney how long it will take for them to produce an aircraft engine like the Chang'an 201.

Boeing can also do it, but they can give you the money first, then conduct research and development for three to five years before giving you the engine, and there might be additional investment involved.

Alternatively, they might sign a purchase contract for a certain number of items and pay a deposit based on the contract amount. That's how it works, and they can always find ways to get you to pay more later.

Not to mention there are other suppliers...

Even if everything goes smoothly, will it take three or five years to launch an aircraft comparable to the Chang'an 201?
Where was I at that time?
Still a CEO?

Who knows!

They might end up doing all the work for someone else, so they want to achieve something and then run away as soon as possible!

The Boeing CEO was then authorized to hold a press conference the following afternoon.

The reason it was in the afternoon was, of course, to give shareholders the opportunity to buy shares at a lower price.

Of course, these shareholders would never buy it themselves; that would be breaking the law.

Li Song, who was in Shanghai, was of course unaware of Boeing's actions, and even if he knew, he didn't take them seriously. Li Song's actions were purely a matter of taking risks without any real consequences.

Anyway, I didn't invest any money; I just conducted interviews by talking.

It's all Wall Street's fault!

When Li Song saw the message sent by Section Chief Zhou, he was quite surprised. This Boeing CEO is something else, fooling shareholders and investors, and slandering McDonnell Douglas.

Boeing's CEO held a press conference and first released a series of data showing that Boeing's aircraft hold the largest market share in the world.

The article listed Boeing's growth and achievements, demonstrating that the great Boeing remains great.
Then they brought up the production capacity of the Changan 201, saying that the Changan 201 would not affect Boeing for at least five years, and that Boeing would be great again in five years.

Then they accused McDonnell Douglas of being an unlucky bastard and an idiot!

It is also said that the Eastern writer is a great stock manipulator, and that Wall Street vampires are stirring up trouble.

Boeing's stock price surged following the press conference, but unfortunately trading was halted shortly afterward.

Li Song was not surprised by the CEO's actions, because whether it is Amer or other countries, most people have very limited knowledge of information.

Moreover, even if some people see through some of the things inside, they will choose to keep quiet because they believe they can profit from this falsehood.

Most people who actively participate in fraud or pyramid schemes have this mentality.

They all thought this was their chance, little did they know that others had already planned it all out.

“This is slander,” Li Song said, looking at the information.

Section Chief Zhou nodded. What the Boeing CEO said was one-sided. Section Chief Zhou knew that the production capacity of Chang'an 201 next year would definitely be more than 36 aircraft.

It will more than double; I can't even imagine what it will be like in three or five years.

Importing this type of aircraft costs approximately 1500 million or more per aircraft (the DC10-30 is a wide-body large passenger aircraft, while the Chang'an 201 is a narrow-body medium- and long-range aircraft; they are different models).

They build their own aircraft for $700 million each and accept payment in RMB.

"What's McDonnell Douglas's reaction?" Li Song asked.

"I don't know, the CEO of McDonnell Douglas may have just received the news!"

"Boeing chose the perfect time, just before the stock market closes. It's already 9 p.m. New York time," Section Chief Zhou said.

In fact, Section Chief Zhou had already received the information, but Li Song was still in bed.

Li Song nodded. McDonnell Douglas was reacting, but there was nothing he could do about the current situation.

McDonnell Douglas's president received the news even earlier, at 6 a.m., when he received a call and learned more about Boeing's press conference.

McDonnell Douglas's president knew that Boeing was downplaying the issue, but after discussing it with the shareholders, they decided not to retaliate for the time being. They would wait for the stock price to fall again and for them to obtain the aircraft technology license from Li Song before launching a counterattack.

Furthermore, the shareholders are planning to suppress McDonnell Douglas's stock price tomorrow in preparation for a later surge, since there's not much they can do to push the price up now.

(End of this chapter)