Chapter 1173: Giving Volkswagen a Kick

Xia Yu asked proactively, 'President Wang, is Volkswagen preparing to use the Santana brand for a joint venture when it talks with Shanghai?'

Wang Ping nodded and said, 'Yes, although I'm not sure of the specific details, I heard from others that it is Santana.'

As soon as Wang Ping finished speaking, Xia Yu suddenly snorted, 'The Santana is a Volkswagen flop. Not only is the technology outdated, it also has various defects. Europeans don't like it, and Americans don't look at it favourably either. I never thought that Volkswagen would use this car to cooperate with the mainland. This is clearly a rip-off!'

'Luckily, the mainland has not yet reached a definitive cooperation with Volkswagen, or it would be too late to regret it!'

Xia Yu's words carried a lot of weight, and most importantly, he was a person of great importance in the eyes of Wang Ping and Ma Jianmin.

The two of them only knew the basics of the automotive field, but Xia Yu owned an automotive company and had already made a name for himself worldwide, so Xia Yu was unlikely to be talking nonsense.

However, just because the two of them believed that Xia Yu was unlikely to be talking nonsense, Wang Ping and Ma Jianmin were all the more shocked.

Wang Ping hurriedly confirmed again, 'Mr Xia, the mainland has imported a lot of Santanas over the years, so it is quite well-known domestically. Is this car really that bad?'

Xia Yu nodded slightly and said affirmatively, "The overall technology of the Santana is indeed outdated, and there are quite a few technical defects, so it really is very poor.'

'Do you know why Volkswagen is focusing on promoting the Santana in the mainland?'

Wang Ping asked hurriedly, "Why?'

'Because the car doesn't sell anywhere else, the production line is already assembled, and there is a lot of inventory. It has to be sold somehow, right?'

'Continental is not rich, and Volkswagen doesn't need to sell its more expensive cars to Continental. So the stock of Santanas can be sold to Continental, clearing the inventory. The outdated production line can also be put to waste and used for cooperation with Continental. This is their real purpose.'

Xia Yu sneered and revealed these inside stories.

Then he said again, 'Continental's current level of car manufacturing is still very backward, and it should still be at the level of manual car manufacturing. Vision limits perception, and they don't know much about the situation abroad. Volkswagen is definitely blowing hot air in order to sell cars, so it's normal for many people to be unable to tell the difference between good and bad, and they are easily fooled by Volkswagen's reputation.'

'Furthermore, even if it is backward technology for Volkswagen, for Continental it is complete industrialised car manufacturing technology, which is relatively advanced, so Continental would not think to doubt it. It's a matter of perception of the world.'

'To be honest, in terms of technical content, the Santana is far inferior to the cars we at Tiangong Motors are building now.'

'You may not be aware of this, but although Tiangong Motors is a new company and a new brand, most of the technology comes from the British Rolls-Royce Motor Group, and it's the latest and most cutting-edge technology. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to shine at the Geneva International Motor Show. Dealers and consumers are not fools.'

'Rolls-Royce Motors Group is one of the world's top ten car companies, and in Europe it is also the biggest competitor of Volkswagen in West Germany. Its momentum of growth is even stronger than Volkswagen's. You definitely don't need to worry about its technical level.'

After hearing Xia Yu's words, Wang Ping and Ma Jianmin's minds were in a complete mess. They couldn't wait to report this to the mainland.

They absolutely couldn't stand by and watch their country suffer losses!

'Mr Xia, thank you for your warning. I will report this to the higher-ups immediately!'

'Yes, Mr Xia, thank you very much for your reminder!'

Wang Ping and Ma Jianmin both expressed their gratitude to Xia Yu.

Xia Yu smiled faintly and said, 'I am also a descendant of the Chinese nation. If I didn't know, it would be fine, but now that I know, I definitely can't just sit by and do nothing.'

After saying this, he frowned and pondered.

This immediately attracted the attention of Wang Ping and Ma Jianmin.

After a while, Xia Yu looked Wang Ping and Ma Jianmin straight in the eye and said with conviction, 'President Wang, since the mainland is preparing to upgrade its automobile industry, I can't just stand by and do nothing. You can report this to the higher-ups.'

'Tiangong Automobile Group now has a total of six models in these three series, all of which are available for the mainland to choose from. Tiangong Automobile Group is willing to set up a joint venture with the mainland to do its utmost to upgrade the mainland's automobile industry. I will do it without reservation!'

'I can also handle the technology involved from the British Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Group, and no one can stop me.'

'Don't say that Continental only wants to assemble an annual production line of 30,000 vehicles, even if it's a production line for 100,000 or 200,000 vehicles, I can handle it!'

Wang Ping suddenly got up, his whole body trembling with excitement, even his speech was shaky: 'Mr. Xia, are you serious?'

Xia Yu's face was solemn as he said with certainty, 'When it comes to national interests, I keep my word!'

Wang Ping was moved to tears by Xia Yu's affirmative reply, and he shook Xia Yu's hand tightly, thanking him repeatedly: 'Mr Xia, thank you for your support of the country, thank you!'

'I will definitely convey your patriotic feelings to the higher authorities!'

'Our motherland is truly blessed to have you!'

Ma Jianmin was not much better than Wang Ping. He also said with emotion, 'Mr Xia, you are the one the country needs, please allow me to pay you my highest respects!'

After saying this, Ma Jianmin bowed deeply to Xia Yu, who could not stop him and could only accept the courtesy.

'President Ma, you've made me feel embarrassed!'

'President Wang, you guys sit down!'

Xia Yu laughed helplessly.

Wang Ping, who had calmed down a little, could hardly sit still. He couldn't wait to fly back and report the good news.

He spoke a little hastily, 'Mr Xia, I don't want to sit down, I want to go back right away and report to the higher-ups and pass on your patriotic feelings.'

'I'm afraid if we delay any longer, it will be trouble if Shanghai and Volkswagen strike a deal,'

Ma Jianmin added, 'Yes, Mr Xia, we'll go back first, and come and visit you again next time we have time!'

Seeing that the two men were indeed not thinking about it anymore, Xia Yu did not insist on their staying.

He smiled and said, 'That's fine, you are welcome to come again next time!'

'I'll see you off!'

'Mr Xia, you don't have to trouble yourself, we can go out by ourselves.'

'You must!'

After seeing Wang Ping and Ma Jianmin out the door, and watching them get into their car and drive off, Xia Yu's gaze was a little absent-minded, and the corner of his mouth curled up.

The six mass-produced vehicles from Tiangong Motors only have second-rate technology, and the most core technology is in the major supercars and automotive laboratories. He is not afraid of being technologically backward.

Furthermore, as long as sincerity is shown, it is possible to overtake others, obliterating the results of several years of negotiations by the mainland.

The mass-produced mainland vehicles will improve the level of the mainland's automotive industry, benefiting the country, the people, and others. For him, the faster the mainland becomes powerful, the better, and the cars produced will all be for domestic sales and cannot be exported, so they will not affect Tiangong Motors' market in the world.

In addition, he will gain huge political benefits, as well as taking the place of Volkswagen in the mainland in his previous life, reaping at least tens of millions of car sales over the decades, as well as huge brand benefits and the potential advantage of the entire market volume.

It is a win-win for him and the mainland, and there are no disadvantages for him, so he would be stupid not to do it!

As for Volkswagen?

Haha!

...

Because of the gravity of the matter, Ma Jianmin did not part ways with Wang Ping, but went to the Xinhua News Agency in Hong Kong together to testify for Wang Ping.

After the car arrived at the Xinhua News Agency, Wang Ping and Ma Jianmin practically ran all the way into the building, and then to the room with the secret dedicated phone line.

Wang Ping called Director Liu Zhihe of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, and the news also shocked Liu Zhihe. After confirming that it was correct, Liu Zhihe immediately reported it to the higher-ups.

There had been a request from above that major matters involving Xia Yu must be reported all the way up the chain of command as soon as possible.

So the news reached the very top that day.

The inside story of the Santana from Volkswagen had a huge impact at the top, and many older generations were outraged.

However, the greatest pressure was on Minister Sun of the Machinery Department, which was established last year, and Zhang Hongchuan, head of the Shanghai Car Project Preparatory Group.

The Machinery Department was formed in 1982 by the merger of the First Machinery Department with the Agricultural Machinery Department, the State General Administration of Instrument Industry, and the State General Administration of Complete Mechanical Equipment. Minister Sun was the first minister of the new department and had just taken office last year.

Although he was originally the head of the Ministry of Machinery, he inspected Volkswagen, but now he is the new person in charge, so naturally the pressure is on him.

As a member of the older generation who lived through the war-torn years, there is no doubt about his patriotic heart. Minister Sun did not shirk his responsibilities either. After making a promise, he immediately ordered Zhang Hongchuan, who was far away in Shanghai, to temporarily suspend negotiations with Volkswagen and at the same time make every effort to investigate the true situation of the Volkswagen Santana.

At the same time, Liu Zhihe led a group of people south in haste, preparing to come and visit Xia Yu.