America: My Time

Chapter 898 The Layout of the Car
Chapter 868 The Layout of the Car
John's use of the GPS directly disrupted the entire automotive market, especially the luxury car segment, which had a huge impact. Coupled with the fact that even the Japanese were getting restless, you can imagine how crazy the situation was in Europe and how incredible the pressure they were under. But John completely ignored those bastards.

Previously, its development in Europe had encountered numerous obstacles, and now it was time for these guys to pay the price. Wasn't Mercedes very arrogant? Didn't it think it was so great? Now that it doesn't have a navigation system, how can it stand firm in the luxury car market? Moreover, the North American market, the market for the wealthy, and even the European market have all been affected. As for Japan, it goes without saying that with the bursting of the real estate bubble in Japan, who has the money to buy European luxury cars? Even if they do, they would prefer Bentley, at least it is equipped with high technology.

I went to the global navigation company time and time again to negotiate, but to no avail. They just said they had no stock and couldn't meet their needs. The company had only just been established and needed time to develop.

Going directly to John is out of the question. Global Navigation isn't John's company, at least not on the surface. Their reasons for refusing are even more compelling. Most importantly, they're competitors. Why should they give you face? Do you think you're so great? So the Europeans are now frantic, watching helplessly as their market share shrinks and is steadily eroded by Bentley.

"Ms. Mary, has our acquisition of Skoda been successful? Are those guys still going to join Volkswagen? It's been dragging on for so long, those guys should give us an answer by now!" When John received Mary Barra's call, the first thing he thought of was the negotiations with Skoda. Those bastards had been dragging their feet on Bentley Motors Group, and they all wanted to cooperate with Volkswagen and become part of Volkswagen, instead of Bentley.

"They've compromised and agreed to our full acquisition. They have no choice but to accept our terms now, otherwise the navigation system would have strangled them! This time, we have to thank Global Navigation Company for forcing those bastards to compromise!"

"Good, it's good that those guys have compromised. Take over completely and don't give them any chance to back out. Be quick. Standard Chartered Bank has already prepared the acquisition funds for you. Once we take over Skoda, we'll have a firm foothold in Central Europe. Is Rolls-Royce still resisting our acquisition?"

Bentley has always wanted to acquire Rolls-Royce, but the British have been too arrogant and have been resisting. Now they are in a bad situation. They have completely lost the Middle Eastern market, which has dealt them a heavy blow. Now they can't get the navigation system, so their situation is even more difficult. John has been waiting for these guys to surrender.

"It's almost over. They can't hold on any longer. They've been losing money for the past few years, and their brand value is constantly decreasing. You could say Bentley has already taken their place!"

"Then let's take it as soon as possible and not give others a chance. We must have an absolute advantage in the luxury car brand market!" Bentley Group has been pursuing the acquisition of car brands, but it has always been under pressure from Europeans. Now they do not have the ability to fight back. With the emergence of the global navigation company and its patents, it is no longer possible for those guys to compete with Bentley and continue to suppress Bentley's expansion.

"I will, but we also face considerable pressure. Although we have an absolute advantage in luxury car sales, there is still a significant gap in the mid-to-low-end brand segment. Moreover, to compete with those brands for a larger market share, mid-range brands must catch up. If we have enough navigation systems, this will not be a problem."

"Don't worry, we'll have results from Taiwan soon. It won't affect Bentley's expansion or our development. Taiwan is already expanding at full speed. I've already spoken to them, and they'll give us their full support. You don't need to worry about that. As for what comes next, that's your responsibility. Those guys in Japan won't last long. By only allowing Toyota to join, we'll definitely impact the market for other Japanese cars. Before long, they'll be in even greater losses. And it's not just Japan; the Europeans will be no exception."

“If only we could put more pressure on GM and Ford, we could get a bigger market share!” Mary Barra also hoped to put GM and Ford at a disadvantage, but it was impossible. GM had Morgan’s influence, and those bastards at Ford wouldn’t stand for it either. The White House would never accept it.

"Ms. Mary, you know this is impossible. The US government won't allow such a situation to occur, and we can't do that either, otherwise it would seem too selfish. If GM and Ford stand in front of us, the pressure on us will be much less. At that time, we can use them as leverage. They've taken up most of the product share, and Toyota will also be our shield. A year is enough time for us to seize more market share in the mid-range brand segment. Don't think about monopolizing the market; that won't work. We just need to suppress the Europeans, and I believe Ford and GM will be on our side on this point!"

“I know it’s impossible, but I still feel so unwilling. We had such an opportunity, but we had to give it up for other reasons. It’s really hard to accept!” At this moment, Mary Barra also sighed deeply. How could she not know the situation in the United States? Moreover, she knew even better how much pressure Global Navigation Company was under. Global Navigation Company was being visited every day, and the Europeans were even more anxious. However, everything had been shut down. If it weren’t for John, this powerful figure, and if it weren’t for the fact that it concerned the development of American car companies, Global Navigation Company would probably have compromised long ago, instead of stubbornly persisting like this.

"It's good that you understand. We can't go too far in this matter. We also need allies. Right now, our enemies are the Europeans and the Japanese. Without Ford, GM, and Toyota standing in our way, how can we move freely and get everything we want? Time is on our side. There's no need for us to rush things!"

That's true, but not everyone can accept it. Mary Barra didn't want to accept this situation either, but she had no choice. Besides, she received a call from the White House. The old man and the others didn't go to John, but went directly to Mary Barra. At least this way, everyone would have a way out.

After communicating with Mary Barra, John revealed a faint, cold smile. Those Germans wanted to hinder the development of the Bentley Motors Group, and those French bastards wanted to stop it too. Unfortunately for them, they were overthinking it. They would soon pay a heavy price and learn just how terrible the consequences of opposing them were.

John's goal is not only to target Europeans in the automotive sector, but also to suppress their development in North America and allow Bentley to gain a larger market share. On this point, American companies should choose to stand on their side, since no one wants to see European cars dominate the North American market, nor do they want to see Japanese car brands expand in North America.

"Once the battle in the automotive industry is over, we should also talk to those bastards like Boeing and McDonnell Douglas, and join forces to crush Airbus and seize market share. The large aircraft market isn't so easy to expand into. Although I have my own plans, if I want to capture more market share and survive, I still need to confront the Europeans and suppress their market. I hope Boeing and McDonnell Douglas won't let me down." Thinking of this, John couldn't help but shake his head.

Once the Russians fall, the military industry will face difficulties and will need the civilian market to support it. The Americans will not invest in military research and development for a long time, which is the biggest problem. This self-inflicted damage is a shrewd move by the Americans. Gulfstream Aerospace needs to shift its focus to the civilian market, with the large aircraft market being of paramount importance.

Just as John was pondering his next move, he finally received an invitation from Akio Morita. However, he hadn't expected it to be a cocktail party. He had thought it would be a private meeting and a private exchange, but he didn't expect that this old man, Akio Morita, was organizing a cocktail party, and not just any ordinary cocktail party.

Sure enough, once Toyota secured the spot, the Japanese couldn't sit still. Unfortunately, no matter how many ideas they had, it was useless; John D. Johnson wouldn't give Japanese automakers more opportunities, nor would he hinder his plans. At this point, Ford, GM, and Toyota became the best shields. It's not that I'm unwilling to give you all a chance, but rather that I simply can't.

I believe news of Bentley Motors' acquisition of Skoda Motors will soon be released, which will put even more pressure on the Japanese and Europeans. It's just a matter of how long Rolls-Royce can hold on, or more accurately, how long the British can hold on. As long as they acquire Rolls-Royce, they will have more room to maneuver in the luxury car market.

If the British back down, John is keen to acquire most of their car brands. After all, the British are capable, and acquiring these companies would make it easier to exert influence over them, enhance the Bentley brand, and gain a larger market share. Now it all depends on how long the British can hold out and whether they are willing to bow down! If successful, the Bentley Group will absorb the British automotive elite, giving it greater potential and development. If it fails, it will have to consider its options and can no longer trust the British.

(End of this chapter)