Chapter 746: Things are settled

10 Downing Street has traditionally been the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, but since the position of First Lord of the Treasury has been held by the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street has also become the official residence of the British Prime Minister as it is generally understood today.

10 Downing Street is close to Parliament, the Treasury, the Foreign Office and Buckingham Palace, so the British Prime Minister often receives people from all walks of life and important figures from various countries here.

This time, Xia Yu and the Duke of Carter Howard went to this place together and met Margaret Thatcher in the reception hall.

'Hello, Lady Margaret!'

'Hello, Sir Carter, Mr Xia, how are you?'

Perhaps it was because Duke Carter Howard was among the visitors that Margaret Thatcher's attitude was very friendly and welcoming.

After exchanging pleasantries, they took their seats.

Xia Yu and Duke Carter Howard exchanged glances, and the latter coughed lightly, drawing Margaret Thatcher's attention and saying, 'Margaret, I've come to disturb you this time because I want your support for something.'

Margaret Thatcher's smile faded, and she looked at Carter-Howard calmly, nodding slightly and saying, 'Please go on!'

Duke Carter-Howard smiled faintly and said slowly, 'I don't know if you know, but Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has now made a comeback. Since January, it has sold more than 2,000 cars, with a turnover of more than 150 million pounds.'

Margaret Thatcher really didn't know this, and she looked at Xia Yu with surprise. She then returned her gaze to Lord Carter-Howard and asked in surprise, 'Sir Carter, is what you're saying true? That's wonderful, and many workers have stable jobs again. These families should thank you.'

Duke Carter Howard shook his head with a smile and explained, 'No, in fact, it was Mr. Xia who did all this. It was under his reforms that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was revitalised.'

Margaret Thatcher did not expect Duke Carter Howard to reply like this. He looked at Xia Yu with some surprise and said sincerely, 'Mr. Xia, on behalf of the British people, I thank you for your contributions to the UK.'

Xia Yu, suppressing his embarrassment, said modestly, 'Lady Margaret, you are being too modest. I am also a British citizen, and this is what I should do, isn't it?'

Margaret Thatcher was taken aback, and then said apologetically, 'I'm sorry, please forgive my slip of the tongue, but the contribution you have made is indelible.'

Xia Yu said with a faint smile and a meaningful tone, 'Lady Margaret, I am honoured that I can contribute to the people. If given the opportunity, I hope to be able to do more for the government and the people.'

Margaret Thatcher's heart trembled, and she thought to herself, "Here comes the moment." Without changing her smile, she said, 'Thank you for your contribution!'

At this point, as they had discussed in the car on the way here, the Duke of Carter Howard spoke up again: 'Lady Margaret, although Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has made a comeback, it is still very weak compared to companies such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Ford, and does not have the strength to compete with them head-on. In order to deal with the ubiquitous competition, we intend to strengthen Rolls-Royce Motor Cars as soon as possible.'

'And it can also solve the burden for the government and make a greater contribution to the people.'

'We intend to acquire the Leland Motors Group and hope to obtain the government's approval.'

As soon as these words were spoken, Margaret Thatcher's smile completely disappeared, her brow furrowed, and she looked completely at a loss.

But none of the people present were fools, Xia Yu and Duke Carter Howard stared at him quietly, waiting for her answer.

'Leland Motors Group? I don't know much about this company...'

Margaret Thatcher said with some regret, as if she wanted to put off the matter for the time being.

She was a cautious person who would never make a rash decision without knowing the situation, as in this case.

But Xia Yu and the others were well prepared. He immediately took out a document and placed it on the table, pushed it in front of Margaret Thatcher, made a gesture of invitation, and said with a faint smile, 'Margaret, this is all the information on the Leland Motors Group. You might as well take a look.'

(⊙o⊙)…

'Okay! Just a moment!'

Margaret Thatcher had no choice but to pick up the document and leaf through it quietly.

After a long time, she put down the document, looked up again, and looked at the two men with some embarrassment, and said, 'I understand the situation. If Rolls-Royce Motor Cars merges with the Leland Motor Group, there will be suspicions of monopoly, and Parliament may not necessarily pass it, and even if it does, there will be trouble.'

In fact, Margaret Thatcher's worries were not unreasonable!

There were a lot of British car factories, but over the past few decades, they have merged one after the other, and there are not many left.

When Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was still in decline, Jaguar Cars was arguably the only profitable British car company, and it was the best-selling British car company.

Now Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is making a comeback, and it has already overtaken Jaguar Cars, and it is on track to surpass it in annual turnover.

If Rolls-Royce Motor Cars merges with the Leland Motors Group, then the other British car companies will lose their competitiveness and there will be a monopoly.

But can we give up because of this possibility?

Absolutely not!

And Xia Yu also had a solution to the problem long ago! He will take action later!

Therefore, Xia Yu said confidently without changing his expression, 'Ms. Margaret, even if the Leland Group is acquired, there are still car manufacturers such as Aston Martin, McLaren, and Lotus. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will not create a monopoly.'

'And if you look deeper, you will find that the British car market has almost become a dumping ground for island cars and American cars. In this situation, if the major British car manufacturers do not unite, they will not be able to save face!'

Xia Yu's next words hit Margaret Thatcher where it hurt, and her face turned a little dark.

Since they had launched an offensive, they must press on.

Xia Yu continued, 'And now the Leland Motors Group has been losing money, and the government has to spend hundreds of millions of pounds a year to fill the gap. If this money were used to improve people's lives, it would improve the lives of hundreds of thousands or even millions of citizens.'

'If Leland Motors is acquired by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, we are confident that it will be revitalised and generate substantial tax revenue for the UK, just like Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.'

'It's only been a little over a month, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars already has a turnover of 150 million pounds. When the Geneva Motor Show opens in March, sales of Rolls-Royce's two new models will surge. It is possible that the company's turnover will exceed 1.5 billion pounds this year, which will contribute 500 to 600 million pounds in tax revenue to the government.'

'If the Leland Motors Group is acquired, the profits and taxes generated will only be higher, and the government will have one less burden.'

Seeing Margaret Thatcher's face filled with contemplation, and even a little bit of excitement, Xia Yu paused and then said, 'The automotive industry has always been the pride of Britain, but now in the world, when it comes to cars, all people think of are American cars, German cars, and island cars. How many people can remember British cars?'

'As a major country, Britain needs a presence in the automotive sector. The world's major automotive giants are all-rounders. Although the two new models launched by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars are very popular, this advantage is only temporary. The crisis still exists. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars urgently needs to improve its overall competitiveness in order to have the ability and confidence to go beyond the UK and become a world-class automotive giant, competing fiercely with Ford, Volkswagen and Toyota!'

'Margaret, you are a wise leader who has been trying to lead the British economy back to prosperity. I hope you will consider our proposal.'

After saying this, Xia Yu stopped talking and quietly drank his tea.

He had said everything he needed to say, and his reasons were more than sufficient. If Margaret Thatcher still disagreed in the face of these reasons, then he would have to doubt the latter's determination in economic reform.

Duke Carter Howard gave Xia Yu an appreciative look, and then said slowly, 'Lady Margaret, Mr Xia's views are the same as mine. Although the British automotive industry is still developed, almost all of the profits are earned by foreign car companies. We are contributing to other countries, and now is the time to take back what we have lost!'

After a long while, Margaret Thatcher's expression returned to calm, and she nodded and said, 'I understand what you mean, and I also hope that the British automotive industry will regain its glory.'

Upon hearing this, Xia Yu and Duke Carter Howard immediately broke into smiles.

It's settled!

As for the prime minister's approval, will there be any opposition?

Xia Yu was not worried at all. After all, no one would offend all three of them at the same time. Even the Labour Party and the Liberal Party would not do such a stupid thing, unless they wanted to have two more powerful enemies in the next general election.

'Margaret, perhaps Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will launch a takeover of the Leland Motors Group tomorrow,'

Xia Yu spoke up.

Margaret Thatcher nodded slightly and said, 'I know.'

The matter was settled, and after a few more polite words, Xia Yu and the others took their leave.

On the way back, Xia Yu rode in the same car as Duke Carter Howard. Xia Yu smiled politely and said, 'Sir Carter, this time, thank you.'

Duke Carter Howard smiled and said, 'No, it was your reasons that won Margaret over. If it were me, I wouldn't have refused either.'

'Although Rolls-Royce Motor Cars only sold for 120 million pounds when we bought it, if it can generate 500 million to 600 million pounds in tax revenue this year, the government will be the biggest beneficiary.'

Xia Yu laughed and said, 'It shouldn't be difficult to achieve a turnover of more than 15 billion pounds. As long as the Geneva Motor Show opens, it will be time for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to explode.'

Duke Carter Howard suddenly laughed and couldn't help but laugh: 'Hahaha...'

'By the way, Sir, the privatisation of Jaguar Cars and the acquisition of TI Automotive Systems also require your help.'

'No problem. William Lyons dedicated his entire life to Jaguar Cars. Although he has retired, he has always been worried about the future of Jaguar. His son is not interested in running an automobile company. With Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' current achievements, there is no reason for him to refuse.'

'As for the acquisition of TI Automotive Systems, if you encounter any difficulties, let Rudolph Brooke come to me at any time.'

'Okay.'