Chapter 730

Three days later, the supply bidding meeting held by the First Branch Factory was successfully convened.

Those suppliers who hadn't signed the contract three days ago all came with drooping faces, and their "alliance" with each other had become even tighter.

"We won't give him face today; we just won't bid. I don't believe a tiny Deputy Wu Kezhang can overturn so many of us. And don't bother asking around—if he doesn't use our engines, whose is he going to use?"

"Wu Kezhang Kan is right. Our vacuum brake pump is the first of its kind in the country and basically has no rivals domestically. Unless he imports from Hong Kong, he'll just be smashing his own brand."

"If you ask me, let's see who else comes to join the fun in a while and discuss it together. Anyway, everyone is familiar; we see each other all the time, so he can't not give us face."

"Hey, look at this, it's so deserted. Will today's bidding meeting even be able to start?"

The group entered the gate of the First Branch Factory and saw no colorful flags or banners, so they complained again, condemning Li Ye for not respecting his guests.

But when they entered the workshop for the bidding, Wu Kezhang Kan and the others were surprised.

Because there were several groups of people who had come to participate in the bidding meeting that they didn't recognize.

"Factory Director Sun, those people in suits—they aren't here to bid too, are they? Why are they wearing bidding badges?"

"That's right, that's right! And that foreigner... the First Branch Factory isn't really going to purchase imported goods, are they? Using imported parts for a 130? Is he trying to lose his shirt?"

Factory Director Sun was also puzzled, because everyone was an insider and basically familiar with each other's faces, but the few groups of people at the scene were clearly new faces.

At 8:30, Li Ye announced the start of the bidding meeting concisely and clearly.

"Now we will proceed to the first bidding item: engines. We have four units participating. Everyone has three opportunities to bid."

Wu Kezhang Kan entered the bidding process in a daze, listening to the first bidding unit begin to explain its product.

"We, Dongshan Laidong, have introduced Czech direct-injection diesel engine technology and developed this four-cylinder, medium-to-low-speed diesel engine, which features high torque, low fuel consumption, and strong durability."

The supply unit from Dongshan was well-prepared; workers started the diesel engine sample they had brought on-site, demonstrating the engine's power performance.

"This diesel engine is from Laichai? That's impossible."

"It's Laidong. I just asked; they secured a large investment last year and imported overseas production lines. This engine is overseas technology."

"Then how much does this engine cost? Besides, some people don't like diesel engines."

Wu Kezhang Kan frowned tightly. He was an industry expert; just listening to the crisp acceleration of this engine, he knew it wasn't something those old Laichai engines—which "couldn't start without three bottles of hot water"—could compare to.

It was true that some drivers in the eighties didn't like diesel engines, but that was only because the level of domestic diesel engines was backward. If it were a good product like an Isuzu diesel engine, which driver would dislike it?

【This engine must be very expensive; they're just here to put on a show. After all the tossing and turning, they'll still have to use our gasoline engines.】

Wu Kezhang Kan knew very well that the Light Automobile Company had its own Isuzu diesel engines, but they were only used on some new 136 models because they were too expensive.

But when the Laidong business personnel announced the price, Wu Kezhang Kan almost dropped his jaw, because the price of this diesel engine was surprisingly low—only two thousand yuan more expensive than their factory's gasoline engine.

"We are willing to include this diesel engine in your factory's 'Three Guarantees' system, with a 50,000-kilometer warranty."

"."

When Wu Kezhang Kan heard that they were also responsible for the warranty, he couldn't help but mutter, "He's either a madman or a liar."

As soon as Wu Kezhang Kan finished speaking, Li Ye asked into the microphone, "Wu Kezhang Kan, you are the second bidding unit. Where is your bidding document?"

Wu Kezhang Kan pursed his lips: "None. Our unit has never done any bidding documents."

Li Ye frowned slightly and said, "Then which product are you bidding with? What is your bid price?"

Wu Kezhang Kan said mechanically: "It's the 492 gasoline engine. The bid price is your previous purchase price."

At this moment, Wu Kezhang Kan had already forgotten the "no bidding" alliance agreement from just now; he was just mechanically completing the task, mechanically waiting for the result.

A few minutes later, Wu Kezhang Kan received the expected result of being "out of the game." The other three units entered the next round of bidding, eventually deciding on two winners.

Bidding is different from tendering; tendering only has one round, and if you don't calculate well, you have no chance.

Bidding has several rounds, where suppliers kill each other's prices, ultimately benefiting the purchaser.

Next, whether it was gearboxes, axles, or braking systems, the supply units participating in the bidding fought fiercely, and many units' products were clearly outstanding, yet their quotes were unbelievably low.

Wu Kezhang Kan couldn't help but ask Li Ye: "You First Branch Factory are using this kind of imported engine on the 130—how much do you plan to sell it for? Selling a 130 for the price of a Dongfeng 140?"

Li Ye said faintly, "Why sell it so expensively? You've seen everyone's quotes; we don't need to sell at a very high price."

Wu Kezhang Kan shook his head firmly: "They are losing money. Losing money to gain popularity—it's either treacherous or thieving. Don't fall for their tricks."

Li Ye glanced at Wu Kezhang Kan and didn't explain it to him.

Because even if he explained the concept of "burning money to occupy the market" to Wu Kezhang Kan, he might not be able to understand it.

There were dozens of 130 car factories in the interior, and the automotive parts they needed daily were a huge quantity. If they could get the majority, they could increase production scale and accelerate the development of their own supply chain.

Otherwise, even if they advertised on the First Television Station, occupying the market would require a slow process.

People in the interior these days recognize brands; once they recognize a certain engine or gearbox, word-of-mouth can form a good reputation.

The 130 car was popular all over the world; a year or two was enough to condense brand effect.

"Li Ye, Li Ye, pause this bidding meeting for a moment; the factory leaders are here."

As the bidding meeting was nearing its end, Wu Wu Qingyi arrived with several factory leaders and sternly ordered Li Ye to pause the bidding meeting.

Li Ye picked up the microphone: "Everyone, take a break. We will continue in half an hour."

Then Li Ye asked the leaders on-site what instructions they had.

Xiao Xiao Jingang said seriously, "Just now, the factory leaders of over a dozen supply units called us to ask if we were ending our cooperation of over a dozen years. What exactly is going on?"

"They misunderstood. This bidding meeting is limited to our First Branch Factory."

Li Ye pointed calmly at the engines and gearboxes at the scene: "Everyone can take a look. For the same price, there are advanced things; why should I use backward ones?"

"Our factory's products are becoming less and less competitive in the market. Are we doing something wrong?"

Xiao Xiao Jingang was speechless for a moment. Li Ye was using the unit's interests as a justification, and he couldn't argue against it directly; even if it were reported to the higher-ups, he would be in the wrong.

At this moment, Wu Wu Qingyi interjected: "Li Ye, you haven't been in the unit long enough to know the friendship between us and the supply units. Everyone has cooperated for over a dozen years and helped each other for over a dozen years..."

Facing Wu Wu Qingyi's emotional appeal, Li Ye remained unmoved.

He pointed to a supplier who was borrowing a phone: "Of course I know about this friendship, so I've been very accommodating for the sake of everyone's cooperation over the last dozen years. They can get advance payments after signing the contract, whereas others have to pay a security deposit after signing."

"."

That supplier was shouting into the phone: "I've already signed the contract; you must smash the pots and sell the iron to get the security deposit into the First Branch Factory's account before the end of the workday today!"

Wu Wu Qingyi looked at the person on the phone, the words stuck in his throat unable to come out.

These suppliers had gone to the factory leaders to complain, and one of the points was suspecting that these units coming to bid were unreliable and were liars.

But now they didn't want advance payments and were even paying security deposits—what else was there to suspect?

Li Ye looked at Wu Kezhang Kan and the others and said gently, "The things you take for granted are hard-won opportunities in the eyes of others, but you don't know how to cherish them."