King of Industry

  Chapter 569 Daimler is also playing for real

   "Yes, it is Daimler!" Jin Xiuzhu added.

   "Guoyang, this time Daimler can rule out that their president, Thomas Lane, personally participated in the transfer of shares of 'Skoda Auto'."

   "If you want the acquisition to be successful, they are an opponent that cannot be ignored..."

   Hearing the young lady's warning, Zhao Guoyang nodded silently.

  Indeed, anyone who faces such a behemoth as Daimler must be cautious, cautious, and cautious.

   The world-renowned Daimler AG can be regarded as one of the oldest automobile manufacturers in the world, and it is also a manufacturer with a consistent business style.

  Since the epoch-making shareholder meeting in 1926, Daimler has no longer pursued the expansion of automobile production, but only pursued the production of high-quality, high-performance high-level automobile products.

   Among the top ten automobile companies in the world, Daimler has the smallest output, with less than 1 million vehicles, but its profit and sales rank among the top five.

  At this stage, Mercedes-Benz, the most important subsidiary of Daimler AG, sells its lowest-level cars at more than 15,000 US dollars, and most of the intermediate models are around 40,000 US dollars.

   As for luxury cars, it is more than 100,000 US dollars.

   It's like the "Tiger Head Ben" that Zhao Guoyang entrusted Bai Rou to buy, which is an S-class super luxury car numbered W140.

   In the early 1990s, Mercedes-Benz had not yet determined the name of the "S" series. The W140 that Zhao Guoyang asked Bai Rou to buy was actually the predecessor of the S320.

   It's just that the name of this car has not been changed in this era.

  In addition to its heavyweight subsidiary Mercedes-Benz, several other brands under Daimler also performed well in the market.

  "Daimler" has a wide variety of trucks, special-purpose vehicles, and buses. There are more than 110 basic types of trucks alone.

   At the same time, Daimler is the world's largest manufacturer of heavy vehicles. Its all-wheel drive 3850AS truck has a maximum power of 368 kW and a towing capacity of 220 tons.

Especially in the 1980s, the 6.5-ton to 11-ton new trucks launched by Daimler on the European and American markets adopted air brakes, servo steering gears, and electronic anti-lock braking devices, which made the world's major truck companies excited. shock.

   It is no exaggeration to say that although "Volkswagen" has the largest sales volume in the world, its brand value is still a notch lower than that of "Daimler AG".

   Now that a leader in the industry such as "Daimler AG" is suddenly interested in becoming the owner of "Skoda Automobile Company", this makes Zhao Guoyang feel some pressure.

   "What's the matter, Guoyang. Do you think it's incredible that 'Daimler AG' has also joined?" Seeing that Zhao Guoyang hadn't spoken for a long time, Jin Xiuzhu asked curiously.

   "No, that's not the problem!" Zhao Guoyang took a deep breath and said.

   "Actually, it is not incomprehensible for 'Daimler AG' to join this 'war'."

  Zhao Guoyang said calmly: "Miss Xiuzhu, you should know that 'Daimler' has always pursued a strategy of high quality and high returns in the automotive industry."

   "That is to say, they value the quality of the brand more than the quantity. Whether it is 'Maybach' or 'Mercedes-Benz', this is true."

   "Although 'Skoda Auto' focuses on the low-end car market. But in these markets, it is second to none in terms of quality and word-of-mouth."

   "Because of this, it is not incomprehensible for 'Daimler AG' to join in the fun..."

   Listening to Zhao Guoyang's detailed analysis, Jin Xiuzhu sighed.

   In fact, Jin Xiuzhu's business vision has always been very high. She has already had an in-depth analysis with her team on the sale of the shares of "Skoda Auto Company".

  However, at this time, comparing her team's analysis with Zhao Guoyang's few words, Jin Xiuzhu immediately felt how big the gap was.

   Staring at the slightly frowning young man in front of her, Jin Xiuzhu's affection for him has greatly improved.

  Zhao Guoyang didn't know what Jin Xiuzhu was thinking, his mind was running fast at the moment, analyzing the existing information.

  In Zhao Guoyang’s view, the sudden appearance of “Daimler AG” this time, and the idea of ​​“Skoda Automobile Company” should be due to the idea of ​​making this “brand” more refined.

  According to my memory before my rebirth, "Daimler AG" should have established a joint venture with the Swiss watch group Swatch in 1994 to establish Smart Automobile Co., Ltd.

  As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler-Benz, Smart Auto Co., Ltd. has been committed to opening up the small and medium-sized car market since its establishment.

   In the ensuing ten or twenty years, "Smart" has achieved unexpected brilliant achievements.

   Together with the BMW "Mini", it has almost become synonymous with small cars.

  Reminiscent of the current incident, Zhao Guoyang almost deduced that the menacing "Daimler AG" must be trying to test the small car market by acquiring "Skoda Automobile Company".

   In other words, the "Daimler AG" is here for real, not just for fun.

  Thinking about this point, Zhao Guoyang couldn't help sighing secretly, it's really "a lot of trouble"!

   Originally facing the "Volkswagen Group", if I and Jin Xiuzhu can cooperate closely, the chance of winning is quite high.

  But now that there is a more powerful competitor such as "Daimler AG", Zhao Guoyang knows that his plan is about to change.

   "Guoyang, what are you thinking? Could it be that after the 'Daimler AG' joins, your chances in China are slimmer?" Jin Xiuzhu asked with some concern.

Zhao Guoyang, who was awakened, looked up at Jin Xiuzhu, shook his head slowly and said: "Miss Xiuzhu, the joining of 'Daimler AG' certainly has a great impact on us. But if the chances are slim, it may not be !"

  Jin Xiuzhu knew that Zhao Guoyang never lied, and after hearing his firm words at this time, she suddenly regained her spirits.

   "Guoyang, so you are ready to take on 'Daimler' and 'Volkswagen'. It must be very interesting!"

  Listening to the young lady's ridicule, Zhao Guoyang sighed helplessly and said, "Miss Xiuzhu, did we agree before we came to Prague?"

   "You didn't come here to watch the excitement, but to help my partner!"

  Jin Xiuzhu said "Oh" a little embarrassingly: "Guoyang, I'm sorry, I was excited and forgot about it."

   "It's just that although our 'Daewoo Group' is not bad in strength, there is still some gap compared with the 'Volkswagen Group' and 'Daimler Group'."

   "Even if we go on our own, we may not be the opponents of the two giants. If we assist you now, what chance will we have of winning?"

  After Jin Xiuzhu finished asking this question, Zhao Guoyang said with a "hey": "Miss Xiuzhu, it depends on human effort."

   "Since the opponent is so strong, we can't take the usual way, we have to come up with a strange move."

  Looking at Jin Xiuzhu who was full of interest, Zhao Guoyang paused for a few seconds, and then said: "Miss Xiuzhu, Skoda Automobile Company will invite colleagues who will participate in the competition to meet together in three days, right?"

  Jin Xiuzhu gave a "hmm" and said with certainty: "That's right, this matter has been finalized."

   "Right now, our people from the Daewoo Group and Paul, the vice president of the Volkswagen Group, are all staying in the hotel of the Skoda Automobile Company. You guys, just wait for the visit in three days' time."

   "As for the president of 'Daimler AG', Thomas Lane, he lives in a five-star hotel, so he doesn't bother to join us in the company of our 'small company' colleagues!"

   Hearing the indignation in Jin Xiuzhu's tone, Zhao Guoyang was secretly amused.

  Actually, Jin Xiuzhu may have really misunderstood President Thomas Lane in this matter.

  The management of "Daimler AG" has always been very strict, and the travel and accommodation of its managers has a strict hierarchy.

  A boss-level figure like Thomas Lane, according to the company's rules, can only live in a five-star hotel.

   "Well, that is to say, we still have three days to prepare. It should be almost enough..."

   Listening to Zhao Guoyang's cloudy words, Jin Xiuzhu was a little dazed.

  She twisted her neck, put her chin on one hand and asked in doubt: "Guoyang, what can you prepare in three days?"

  After Jin Xiuzhu asked this question, Zhao Guoyang grinned and said, "I didn't prepare it alone, I prepared it together with you!"

   "Huh?" Jin Xiuzhu was taken aback by Zhao Guoyang's words, and her face burst into astonishment.

  Zhao Guoyang waved his hand in front of her eyes, and said, "Miss Xiuzhu, I really need your help in this matter!"

   "As for me, I plan to meet with people from the 'Volkswagen Group' before the 'Skoda Automobile Company' invites everyone to visit..."

   When Zhao Guoyang said this, Jin Xiuzhu understood immediately.

   Needless to say, what Zhao Guoyang meant was to ask himself to help introduce one or two.

   After all, I live in the same hotel with people from the "Volkswagen Company", and I can't see you when you look up.

   Sure enough, Zhao Guoyang quickly explained his intentions.

  He said with a half-smile, "Miss Xiuzhu, after you moved in these two days, you should have met Boer, the vice president of the Volkswagen Group, right?"

  Jin Xiuzhu let out a "huh", nodded indifferently and said, "Well, we met once when we were eating in a hotel, and we exchanged a few words. What's the matter?"

   "It's nothing, I just want to visit you tomorrow and have a 'chance encounter' with this Mr. Pole..."

   "It's just that if you don't have a pass, I have to ask you, a VIP, to speak up before I can get in!"

  (end of this chapter)