Chapter 240: Not planning to spend more, yet still aiming to make money

The world's number one Mercedes‑Benz came to the East to cooperate, but it was merely selling its heavy‑truck technology and production line to Easterners for use; now it has unexpectedly been reversed—coming to the East, they still have to spend money on R&D!

Technology equity investment!

This is a term that Cherokee has frequently brought up in recent negotiations; to foreigners, technology equals money! And now, Eastern technology actually is worth that much?

The more he interacted with Qin Miao, the more Zhang Wanhe felt that this son‑in‑law of his was extraordinary; even if it was just bluffing, that's a skill in itself! No matter who else they swapped in from within the country, no matter how capable, they could never get Mercedes‑Benz to spend money.

At this moment, the interior of the car fell silent again, and the Capital Hotel appeared ahead.

Guesthouse, domestic guest rooms.

The Germans, without minding the fatigue of the journey, gathered together to discuss.

"We don't need to cooperate with Easterners; this place is merely a backward agricultural nation, industrialization is slow—what technology could they have!"

"No, that's just a stale impression from the past; Eastern technology has been developing rapidly these years, especially projects involving Ha Gong Da, like the Steyr engine, which they've upgraded to over 350 horsepower!"

"Hmph, that's just a fluke; in product development, occasionally achieving a breakthrough doesn't count for much and can't last; developing an engine requires genuine foundation!"

"If we don't cooperate with the East, what if they find someone else? Sikaninya, Volvo—once they introduce Eastern advanced technology, even just a few subsystems, they could leave us behind!"

Everyone voiced their opinions, and soon the room erupted in argument.

"Mr. Laoyite, what do you think?"

Finally, the big guy's gaze turned to Laoyite; at that moment, Laoyite was standing by the window, looking at the scene below.

Laoyite turned his head over: "This really is a tough choice! We came out here to make money, but unexpectedly we still have to spend money—the Easterners aren't asking us for fifty million dollars in cash to develop an engine, are they? Then… when we later discuss exporting Mercedes‑Benz heavy‑truck technology and production line, we could raise the original quoted price by fifty million dollars, how about that?"

The Mercedes‑Benz NG80 heavy‑truck—this is Mercedes‑Benz's most advanced heavy‑truck—if we hand over the technology and the complete vehicle production line to the East, the earlier plan was 150 million, now we simply want 200 million dollars; isn't that settled?

Everyone's eyes lit up: "Exactly!"

"Our Mercedes‑Benz NG80 heavy‑truck is worth two hundred million dollars!"

"Later at the banquet, we'll first sound out the Easterners' intentions." Laoyite said: "Karl, you were here last time, you get along well with Qin Miao; at the banquet…"

"Yes!"

In 1900, the Capital Hotel was built; at the time it was run by French nationals. After the founding of New China, the Capital Hotel hosted the founding ceremony's first banquet. It was expanded twice, in 1954 and 1974, becoming the Capital's largest foreign‑related hotel.

Nixon, Snow, and others have stayed here; one can say that receiving foreign guests here is of the highest standard, fully demonstrating the East's sincerity. Zhang Wanhe is also eager to push the Mercedes‑Benz heavy‑truck cooperation, not for his political achievements, but for the industrial development of the Capital, to blaze a trail for reform!

Outside, the sky gradually darkened; the multifunctional hall of the Capital Hotel was ablaze with lights.

It covers 390 square meters, can accommodate 180 people dining simultaneously; its area is smaller than the Golden Hall and the Capital Palace, but it's sufficient for receiving the Mercedes‑Benz delegation.

Many leaders from the Capital came; a few hundred people gathered together, which was quite lively.

By seniority, Qin Miao wasn't qualified to sit at the same table as the Germans; he found a secluded corner and felt more comfortable there—aside from brown‑nosers, probably no one would want to eat at a table with the leaders; it would be awkward.

But… before they had eaten a few bites, the toasting began; the Germans made a round, and then… they found Qin Miao.

"Qin, come, let me toast you!"

Seeing the Germans stride straight over to our table, the leaders at the table wore complex expressions; Qin Miao raised his cup: "Mr. Karl, I never expected you to actually convince the board after returning! Come, I ought to toast you!"

"Hmm, this is a win‑win cooperation. By the way, regarding our cooperation this time, do you… have you prepared any funds in advance? After all, introducing the NG80 heavy‑truck technology and building the production line both require money."

"Yes, we've actually prepared thirty million!"

"What?"

Karl was stunned.

"We're asking for two hundred million, and the Easterners are offering thirty million—how can this cooperation proceed?"

"Qin, this is our Mercedes‑Benz's most advanced heavy‑truck; thirty million dollars…… isn't that too little?"

"We're not asking for all the technology—engine and transmission—wasn't the matching plan already agreed upon? All that's left is the chassis, axle, and cab; how much could that be worth? Mr. Karl, do you remember what I said last time?"

"What words?"

"Knockoff?"

"Thirty million dollars is already the limit of what we can afford; if the price goes higher, we simply won't buy—we'll directly… cough cough cough, speaking personally, I respect intellectual property, but when the granary is full, one learns etiquette…"

"Frankly, no more pretense—thirty million dollars. If you want it, we cooperate; if you don't, we'll directly survey and copy!"

"Qin, we've been in contact at the Ha Gong Da school‑run factory; you're technically proficient, you should know that a single heavy‑truck production line is worth over a hundred million—your money can't even buy the supporting equipment…"

"Well, we know that, so we'll only import the key components and produce the rest ourselves; that'll solve it. We plan to spend twenty million on equipment purchases and ten million as a technology transfer fee—we can consider ourselves generous. For the MTU company's 396 diesel engine, purchasing three hundred units earns a license; we've committed to buying a thousand Mercedes‑Benz heavy‑truck kits."

"Of course, since you've come, you're guests; we Easterners are warm and hospitable—we can't let you suffer a loss!"

"What 'not suffering a loss'? We're actually losing blood!"

Karl didn't know how to explain this to Laoyite!

"By the way, we've only discussed engine R&D today; there's also automatic transmission technology. Let's continue tomorrow, still following the engine R&D plan—we contribute technology as equity, you contribute cash as equity…"

Karl saw stars, his cup almost dropping to the floor—coming to the East, this is clearly a pit! Let's leave now, leave now!

Wait, if we leave, the advanced engine technology…

"Qin, you mentioned upgrading exhaust emissions today—could you give a brief introduction?"

"Well, Ha Gong Da, after years of effort, has developed a special catalyst that can chemically react with pollutants in exhaust emissions…"

"High‑falutin urea—can't say that now!"