My Age of Investment

   Chapter 1279 Brand Marketing

   The next day.

In a conference room of Tesla, Zetsche exchanged the signed investment agreement with Xia Jingxing with a smile on his face, shook hands and said, "Daren, happy cooperation! I believe that in the near future, Tesla will be your wise man. Under his leadership, he will surely become a car company as great as Daimler."

   "Thank you for Mr. Zetsche's blessing. Tesla is still just a young car company. In the future, we will need more technical support from the Daimler Group.

  You are the overlords in the field of fuel vehicles, and we are the new pioneers in the new energy market.

   Our two companies will carry out in-depth cooperation, and we will definitely be able to open an industry story in the future. "

   Cai Che laughed, and after complimenting Xia Jingxing business a few times, he left with someone.

After Straubel sent the group away, he ran back to Xia Jingxing with a happy face and said, "Darren, including the USD 75 million invested by the Daimler Group and the USD 500 million loan provided by the Ministry of Energy, the Model S is ready for pre-production. We can also collect a part of the deposit after the sale, and the $1 billion we need for mass production is almost enough.”

  Xia Jingxing shook his head gently, "No, we are still one production factory away."

  Straubel frowned, "You mean the Fremont factory? Can you buy it cheap?"

   Yesterday he heard Xia Jingxing mention this, and said that the Office of the Chief Commander was willing to help with the connection, but Straubel felt that this matter might not be that simple.

   Last night he went back to investigate the Fremont plant and found that GM and Toyota invested more than $1 billion to build the car factory.

   For such a large sum of money, it is almost the same as selling Tesla.

   Looking at Straubel's skeptical eyes, Xia Jingxing smiled proudly, "Acquisitions need to be strategic, and hard work is definitely not acceptable. You must learn to use strength."

   "Using strength to fight?"

   Straubel seemed to understand a little.

  Xia Jingxing raised the investment agreement in Yang's hand and said with a smile, "Do you know why Cai Che is willing to add an additional $500 million in valuation?"

   "Because of that $500 million loan?"

   "That's right, one billion plus five hundred million, isn't that $1.5 billion?"

  Straubel sneered, is the boss bullying him for not learning mathematics?

  $500 million is a loan, which needs to be repaid, and it is not equity financing. How could it be possible to add a valuation of $500 million.

  Xia Jingxing said with a smile: "The US$500 million loan reflects the importance the US authorities place on Tesla and their support for the new energy industry policy.

   Zetsche is a smart person. He understood it at a glance. Our leader of the leadership must want to make a difference during his administration.

   Even the commander-in-chief has made a bet, what does Cai Che dare not follow? "

   Straubel suddenly realized and asked: "You mean, we took the loan agreement from the Ministry of Energy and the equity investment agreement from Daimler to talk to GM about taking the plant assets into shares?"

  Xia Jingxing shook his head again, "GM now belongs to itself, and everything is focused on cutting costs and recovering funds. How can it be possible to invest in Tesla? Be careful of creditors spraying them to death.

  Our real target is Toyota, which is also an auto industry overlord whose strength is not inferior to Daimler.

   Now that even Daimler has invested in Tesla and signed a technical cooperation agreement with Tesla, there is no reason for Toyota not to make arrangements? "

   Straubel completely understood, the boss's strategy is a bit deep.

   First of all, he raised his self-esteem with Oguanhai’s visit to Tesla and the Ministry of Energy’s interest-free loan, forcing Zetsche to raise his valuation of Tesla.

   Then take the agreement between Tesla and Daimler to negotiate with Toyota.

   This link is linked, and everyone is counted.

  If Toyota also wins it smoothly, then financing, factories, mass production and a bunch of other things will all be solved at one time.

  At the same time, Tesla has also obtained credit endorsements from the Ministry of Energy and two of the world's top automakers.

   When Tesla goes public, the benefits of this endorsement will be reflected, and it can convince more investors.

  Thinking of this, Straubel couldn't help clapping his hands and applauding, "Daren, you used these few tricks to solve the mass production and even the launch of our car."

  Xia Jingxing said with a smile, "You still missed one thing?"

  Straubel wondered, what was missing? It’s not enough to achieve several things with one stone, do you want to achieve ten birds with one stone?

   "You forgot Nikola, I heard they are finally delivering their first car."

  Although Xia Jing's jargon is full of ridicule about Nikola, he still attaches great importance to Nikola's mass production and delivery of cars.

  You must know that, unlike the years of hard work he saved in acquiring Tesla, Nikola was built by Musk from scratch.

   In the early years, Musk also came to Tesla's door to "steal" trade secrets, but who would have thought that now Nikola has begun mass production and delivery of cars.

   Unlike Boss Jia, Musk also likes to shoot, but he is a doer after all.

  O Guanhai said that if Tesla can't help him, he will help Nikola.

   This incident made Xia Jingxing feel a lot of crisis.

   Compared with Tesla, Nikola's American blood is undoubtedly more pure.

  If the technical strength and development stage of the two companies are now at the same level, it is possible that Aoguanhai will directly choose to support Nikolai.

   Speaking of Nikolai, Straubel's face gradually became serious.

   "Because of the successful launch of a private rocket, the Musk guy is now about to be made into an American hero.

   Now walking in Silicon Valley, anyone who mentions Musk's name will give a thumbs up. "

   Straubel spread his hands and said, "Anyway, I don't like that guy, his temper is too grumpy, and his character is not very good."

  Xia Jingxing smiled. In the early years, Musk had poached many corners of Tesla, and the most important poaching target was Straubel in front of him.

  After the poaching failed, Musk also completely tore his face, criticized himself and Straubel on many occasions, and touched Tesla by the way.

   "What you said, I also found out that Musk is consciously creating his own public character.

   By shaping himself into a hero and a geek, he gains the admiration of others, thus labeling his company with high-tech, subversive and other high-profile labels.

   This is similar to the operation of fans by stars, using fame to harvest fan wallets. "

   Straubel laughed, thinking that Darren's analogy was appropriate.

   "He doesn't focus on product quality, he likes to do some gimmicky gimmicks all day long. I heard that he brought a car to an interview program some time ago."

   Straubel was still observing the expression on Xia Jingxing's face as he said, and seeing that he didn't respond, he couldn't help reminding him, "Daren, do we have to find a way to contain them?

  Technology cars have always been our Tesla label.

  If Nikolay overwhelms the momentum, it will be a heavy blow to our brand marketing. "

  Xia Jingxing smiled, Straubel was also a duplicitous person, he said that others were doing things bells and whistles, but in fact he wanted to do it too.

   "Then how many shows should I go to?"

  Straubel smiled and said, "Why not?"

   "I thought of a better way!"

  Xia Jingxing smiled and said, "What do you think of having Tony Stark as our spokesperson?"

   "The one for "Iron Man"?"

   "Yes, the filming of "Iron Man 2" will start soon. We need to arrange a car for the male protagonist, and it has to be technical."

  Straubel shrugged, "Sounds and feels good, it goes well with the steel suit, but even better if you're starring."

  Xia Jingxing smiled, "The movie might lose money."

   "Daren, let's discuss something? Tesla has limited funds now. Can the advertising fee be cheaper? Tesla and Marvel are also brother companies."

  Straubel is very good at living, or is used to planning carefully, and does not miss any opportunity to cut wool.

  Xia Jingxing waved his hand, "No problem, just send a few prop cars."

  Straubel smiled, "It would be better if Tesla got an Autobot."

   "Marvel has always had a good relationship with Hasbro, maybe you can try it."

   "Really? That would be great."

  Straubel rubbed his hands excitedly. It is good to have a big backer, and all kinds of resources are available.

   (end of this chapter)