Chapter 3159

Su Xinghui roughly understood the reason for the gradual decline of the Ernest company. Conservatism might be a synonym for safety in many cases, but in more cases, it might be a synonym for backwardness.

Others were innovating, but you hadn't changed much for decades or even a hundred years. How could you not fall behind?

In this era, even Rolls-Royce, known for its conservatism, had made many changes to cater to the market, which made them live better and better. However, those manufacturers that were too conservative were gradually eliminated by the era because they could not adapt to the progress of the era.

If Ernest had not been acquired by the Hou Group, it would surely have been eliminated by the era in a few years.

Su Xinghui said, "I think you two also hope to revitalize the Ernest company, right?"

Pearson and Samuel looked at each other and nodded together. Of course, they wanted to revitalize the Ernest company. They had already worked at the Ernest company for decades. Since they were only in their teens, they had entered the Ernest company as apprentices, and until now, their love for the Ernest company was beyond doubt.

They were willing to follow the Hou Group to China, partly because of their love for the Ernest company. They hoped to use their strength to revitalize the Ernest company.

Su Xinghui said, "That's good. Then I have some immature ideas that I want to discuss with you two. I think this will be helpful for you two to understand the Chinese market and the needs of Chinese consumers."

Now Pearson and Samuel had no intention of looking down on Su Xinghui at all. Pearson nodded and said, "Okay, Mayor Su, I am very happy to discuss this issue with you."

Su Xinghui said, "The first point to affirm is that the Ernest company's insistence on technology and quality is very correct. No matter what product it is, this is what needs to be focused on first, and this is also what consumers value most. Therefore, I hope that after the Ernest company builds a factory in China, it will not lose this point."

Pearson nodded and said, "Please rest assured about this, Mayor Su. No matter when or where, we will not lose the tradition of the Ernest company. We will certainly insist on technology and quality first. I believe Mr. Samuel thinks the same way."

Samuel nodded solemnly and said, "Of course, as the chief engineer of the company, I will certainly not make any compromises in this regard. Our Ernest company has the best technical workers in all of Europe and even the whole world. In terms of technology and quality, we will not lose to others."

The automobile manufacturing industry represents a country's industrial level, and the industrial level is also directly related to the industrial system and the level of technical workers. To be honest, in this regard, China still has a relatively large gap with developed countries in Europe and America. This is a fact that needs no denial.

This is because developed countries in Europe and America have a complete industrial system, and their industry has been developing for two hundred years, while China's industry has only a history of a few decades. This, of course, cannot be compared with them.

The decline of the Ernest company is related to their conservatism, but their technical R&D capability and product quality are not inferior to many large companies, and the level of their technical workers is also quite solid. This time, the Hou Group acquired the Ernest company and also kept most of the technical workers.

Su Xinghui knew that for a long time, the quality of domestic cars was not as good as imported cars. Why was this? To a large extent, it was the gap in the industrial system and technical level. This technical level, of course, also included the level of technical workers.

There is a fact that can prove this point, that is, many joint-venture automobile manufacturers use the same production lines and the same car parts, but the complete vehicles they assemble have a gap in quality compared to original imported cars of the same brand and model. Where does this gap manifest? Of course, it is in the level of technical workers.

Su Xinghui hoped that after the Ernest company built a factory in China, it would not be assimilated by manufacturers in the same industry in China, but could insist on their technical level and quality in Europe and cultivate a group of outstanding technical workers.

There are many reasons why it is difficult for China to cultivate outstanding technical workers. One important reason is that now that universities are expanding enrollment, everyone hopes that their next generation will be admitted to university and become college students. No one hopes that their next generation will be admitted to technical school and become workers. This is caused by the social atmosphere. Workers have changed from the original "big brothers" to objects of discrimination.

Su Xinghui hoped that he could change such an atmosphere in the place where he was in charge.

After listening to Samuel's words, Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Of course, on the basis of insisting on technology and quality, the Ernest company should also innovate more. It should innovate in technology, innovate in design philosophy, and innovate in business philosophy as well. Only in this way can it adapt to this era and make the name Ernest shine again."

Pearson and Samuel both nodded very seriously and said, "Mayor Su, then in what aspects can we innovate?"

Hou Wenhai also put down his chopsticks and listened carefully to Su Xinghui's words. He knew that Su Xinghui often had some astonishing remarks, and his words often shone with true insights. For example, his guidance to Hou Wenchang allowed Hou Wenchang to create a nationally leading IT company. This time, his ideas might create another miracle. Su Xinghui had created too many miracles.

Su Xinghui said, "First of all, we need to understand the Chinese automobile market. The Chinese automobile market is currently mainly occupied by government official vehicles. Government official vehicles generally favor models with dignified and elegant appearance, stable performance, and good safety. In this regard, the Ernest business car still meets the requirements relatively well."

The Ernest business car model is somewhat conservative, very stable in performance, and good in safety. Although there is no stunning design, this is very consistent with the temperament of Chinese officials. Therefore, Su Xinghui believes that it will be loved by Chinese government officials.

Ernest cars also have several characteristics, such as their grade appearing relatively high, which makes officials feel they have more face. In addition, it is now produced domestically, but the quality is not worse than imported cars, which makes it even more popular because, currently, government official vehicles are in principle not allowed to buy imported cars; at least they must be joint ventures. In this regard, Ernest cars also meet the requirements.

Pearson said, "Mayor Su, do you mean that we should focus on the market for government official vehicles? And build better relationships with Chinese local governments?"

Su Xinghui said, "Of course you should focus on this market. However, we need to look further and see the trend in the next few years or even the next decade. With China's rapid economic development, business vehicles and family vehicles will be a larger market in the future. We cannot ignore this and must plan ahead to develop related models and technologies."

Pearson said, "In terms of business vehicles, we also have luxury models, and the grade will not be much worse than the luxury models of luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW."

Su Xinghui said, "I have also seen some of your previous models. In terms of exterior design, I have to say that they are still relatively conservative. I think you need to be bolder in model design in the future, and you also need to be bolder in the application of some new technologies. You must abandon the conservative style."