Chapter 1687: Industrial Temptation

"May I ask, Mr. Li, did your meeting with Nippon Steel this morning go smoothly?"

As soon as the conference room doors opened, reporters swarmed in. As the group-type enterprise of this industrial and trade delegation, the Red Steel Group was naturally a focus of attention for the Japanese media.

On the same day, at the same time, meetings in other industrial sectors did not necessarily have this kind of scene where reporters chased and intercepted them.

"Mr. Li! Is the Red Steel Group a competitor to Nippon Steel?"

"May I ask, Mr. Li, is Nippon Steel intentionally targeting your side?"

Li Xuewu walked out of the conference room without saying a word, walking outward along the path cleared by the office staff, until he heard this question.

In the crowd, a petite female reporter in a white professional skirt was holding a microphone, struggling to stand firm among her peers.

Her current appearance was like a canoe in the ocean, with the possibility of being knocked over by the waves at any moment.

Yet this situation froze instantly when Li Xuewu stopped and looked toward the media; everyone had assumed he would not accept interviews.

But this freezing of the atmosphere lasted only for a moment. The reporters realized that the Red Steel Group representative had triggered a sensitive nerve because of that last question.

So, like madmen, they stretched their wired microphones forward, brushing against the edge of that previous question to ask even sharper ones.

"Mr. Li, you didn't reach an agreement with Mr. Nishikawa, did you?"

"May I ask, Mr. Li, are you disappointed with Nippon Steel?"

"Mr. Li! You..."

"First of all, I must emphasize," Li Xuewu said calmly amidst the eager inquiries of the crowd, "the meeting with Mr. Nishikawa just now was conducted in a harmonious atmosphere."

"Secondly, we came with sincerity, so there is no question of disappointment or otherwise."

"The last point," he looked at Oshima Yoshiko in the crowd and nodded, saying, "This is only the first day, the first morning. Thank you."

He answered the reporters' questions in three sentences, turned, and left, not giving them more time or opportunity to ask.

The reporters on the scene seemed to have grasped the key point of his answer; one by one, as if stimulated by adrenaline, they turned and ran outward.

They had even drafted headlines in their minds:

"Red Steel Group, Key Enterprise of the Industrial and Trade Delegation Visiting Japan, Meets a Cold Reception; Nippon Steel's Attitude is Arrogant!"

"Emergency on the First Day! They Are Very Disappointed!"

"The First Bucket of Cold Water from Nippon Steel!"

"Which newspaper are you from?"

A senior reporter glanced at Oshima Yoshiko, and seeing she was decent-looking, took another look at her.

But that was all; at most, leaving behind a comment like "courage is commendable" or "a bright future."

Some even felt she was hogging the spotlight and couldn't help but mock, "Good luck."

Oshima Yoshiko didn't care about these words, but glanced at the direction the Red Steel Group representative had left, and walked away quickly, clutching her briefcase.

She was better prepared than anyone on the scene; even the question just now, and Li Xuewu's reaction, had been part of last night's design.

For today and the upcoming schedule, they had prepared multiple response strategies and methods.

Their preparation was certainly not limited to this; her briefcase contained three press releases, each corresponding to different situations.

Emerging from the building, Oshima Yoshiko decisively hailed a taxi and headed straight for the Yomiuri Shimbun headquarters.

The press releases in her briefcase were not entirely written by her; they also included the polishing and revisions of that Mr. Li.

As an independent reporter for Yomiuri Shimbun, Oshima Yoshiko certainly possessed a certain level of writing skill, otherwise, she wouldn't have been hired by the newspaper.

But in their exchange last night, she discovered that this enterprise head, who was even younger than her, actually possessed more professional writing skills and a sharper news sense.

She was already certain that when her press release was submitted, the deputy director would be shocked. Oshima Yoshiko couldn't wait to return to the newspaper to see the expression of the deputy director who had always bullied her.

As for why she would cooperate with her father's killer to do these things, the logic was actually not complicated.

Before Nishida Kenichi contacted her, she didn't even know her father was still alive, so her father had always been missing from her life.

Secondly, her mother was tight-lipped about her father's past, which made her feel shocked and confused after learning her father's profession.

Especially the carrot-and-stick methods Nishida Kenichi used made her feel fear and disgust; she was very afraid of following her father's old path.

Then, that Mr. Li frankly admitted the conflict with her father, stating it wasn't personal hatred, but an inevitable choice in their work.

Thinking from her perspective, Li Xuewu could be her father's killer, or he could be someone completely unrelated.

It was just that her father had chosen a dangerous profession, even abandoning the upbringing of her and her brothers, and abandoning their mother.

At this moment, she was also resentful: what kind of profession and pursuit could make her father choose to abandon his wife and children, and stoically do that kind of work?

As a news reporter, she had a sensitive vision and sense of smell, and amidst the complex emotions, it was easier to discover Mr. Li's integrity and frankness.

Conversely, Nishida Kenichi, and even his father and the force behind them, posed a greater danger to her.

At least this Mr. Li had never thought of harming her or asking her to do anything.

But the fact that Nishida Kenichi could find her meant that the organization her father had once served had already sold her as a commodity.

Looking at Nishida Kenichi again, he had been tempting her from the beginning, whether with better job opportunities or prospects, attempting to use these to control her.

Would a reporter who yearns for freedom and holds freedom of speech as a lifelong pursuit succumb to this intimidation and temptation?

So when Li Xuewu agreed to return her father's ashes through special channels, she had already chosen to forgive him in her heart.

From her perspective, that was her father, but from Mr. Li's perspective, her father was the enemy.

She couldn't blame the other party for being diligent in their work; they were just serving different masters.

Choosing to forgive was certainly a good start, and targeting Nishida Kenichi was an opportunity to further promote cooperation between the two sides.

Li Xuewu recounted the things Nishida Kenichi had done in the country, which perfectly overlapped with the person in her impression.

And when she recounted her own experiences, Mr. Li also expressed sympathy, even willing to help her within his power.

This frankness and sincerity moved her.

Mr. Li did not promise anything omnipotently like Nishida, as if she could make any request as long as she did things for him.

The more Nishida Kenichi acted like this, the less she trusted him; pies don't fall from the sky for no reason.

Instead, Mr. Li's cautious sympathy made her feel it was more genuine.

Therefore, regarding Nishida Kenichi, the two reached a preliminary intention of cooperation.

She would act as a spy, providing Li Xuewu with all information related to Nishida Kenichi, and plan to protect herself from this dangerous situation.

If the cooperation between the two sides could achieve the ultimate goal, she would not only be able to completely get rid of the shadows of Nishida Kenichi and the organization her father once served, but also reap fame and fortune.

In practice, for the next week, she would follow the footsteps of the Red Steel Group, continuously and cooperatively creating news hotspots.

While helping the Red Steel Group achieve success, as the discoverer of the news, she would certainly gain the affirmation and trust of her leaders.

She was a political news reporter, so she certainly knew that the Japanese side was seeking to establish normal diplomatic relations with the Chinese side.

This meant that in the future, she would have many opportunities to frequently obtain news hotspots on this topic.

And Li Xuewu also promised that as long as she went to China, he would definitely do his utmost to help her obtain the best interview resources.

What was there to hesitate about? One was the past, the other was the future; she could make the correct choice with her eyes closed.

"Ichiro Nishikawa's reaction is as I expected; he really is coming for the Australian iron."

Li Xuewu returned to the office base with his team members. After the security personnel closed the conference room doors, he spoke: "Wanting 17% of the shares, hehe, they are still dreaming of unifying Australian iron ore resources."

Why is it that as soon as the Australian Iron Ore Group owned by the Oriental Era Bank entered the Australian iron ore market, it was easy to achieve success?

The reason is simple: Australia also does not want Japanese capital to dominate; if they can introduce more capital to jointly mine iron ore resources, why wouldn't they be happy to do so?

Just after the Australian Iron Ore Group entered Australia, they clearly felt the tension of Japanese capital.

Under these circumstances, the possibility of Australia obtaining more benefits has greatly increased.

More capital parties, more bargaining chips.

Rio Tinto, BHP, and other enterprises have already started talks with Oriental Era, ready to introduce third-party capital.

By then, it won't be Nippon Steel coveting the shares of the Australian Iron Ore Group, but the Australian Iron Ore Group carving up the Japanese capital's cake.

Different voices will also appear on the board of directors, becoming a party of checks and balances.

So Nippon Steel cannot help but be anxious, and consortia like Mitsui and Itochu are even more anxious; "the wolf is coming" is definitely not a joke.

"How much money is 17%?" Gao Yaqin thought for a moment and asked, "Are they willing to acquire the shares at a premium?"

"Of course, the price offered is very sufficient."

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "It can even be said that the sincerity is full; if I don't agree to him, it would be a bit unappreciative."

"If you put it that way, it seems they are really anxious." A smile appeared on Gao Yaqin's face, as she was directly involved in the Australian iron project.

Among the Red Steel Group management, she was the one who had traveled abroad the most and visited the most countries.

At the furthest, she had even been to East Germany and France, and she had visited Australia frequently during that period, always transiting through Hong Kong.

"You chose to meet with Nippon Steel on the first morning, also harboring other thoughts, right?" Gao Yaqin asked with a smile, "Any gains?"

"Of course," Li Xuewu placed the notebook in his hand on the conference table and said with a smile, "Now the pressure should be on them."

"Did you leave any other preparations?" Gao Yaqin looked at him amusedly and said, "Why are you still being mysterious?"

"Not mysterious, but it needs to be kept confidential."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows, looked at the steel industry team in the conference room, nodded slowly, and said, "Everyone should have had some feelings about the meeting this morning."

"Peeking at a spot to see the whole leopard, the posture of the leading enterprise in the Japanese steel industry is very annoying, but they do have real substance in their hands."

Wanting to tempt the Red Steel Group to surrender, naturally, it couldn't just be the 17% share premium; there were also many tempting technical and equipment supports.

Li Xuewu was a stubborn mule; he didn't want to eat the other party's intimidation and temptation, but he had his eye on the technology they provided at the meeting.

"Send the content mentioned in today's meeting back to the country, let them study it immediately, and combine it with the project list here to target and gradually overcome it."

He tapped the conference table with his finger and emphasized, "Don't hang yourself on one tree; don't be vague about what can be bought with money, strike when it's time to strike."

"For what can't be bought with money, then find ways to force them to sell through other means; if that doesn't work, then find their competitors to cooperate and kill them."

"Are you willing to trade the market for technology?"

Gao Yaqin understood his words and reminded him, "We probably don't have the qualifications to import steel products directly from Japan yet."

"We naturally have them, but we can't introduce them directly; it's too much of a loss." Li Xuewu shook his head and said, "We don't want ordinary steel; we can produce that ourselves."

"Their special steel, shipbuilding, and automotive steel quality are very good; this can be targeted for procurement, and the cost will be reduced."

He thought for a moment and said, "Their steel industry here is mature; importing steel is actually cheaper than importing iron ore to produce it ourselves."

"Of course, this will directly affect the group's steel industry and the domestic metallurgical industry, but this sacrifice is worth it."

"I understand what you mean." Gao Yaqin frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "But have you ever thought about whether the other party would choose to surrender for this little profit?"

"Of course not." Li Xuewu scanned everyone in the venue and said, "The Yingcheng Trade Port is about to open for operation, and the normalization of diplomatic relations is only a matter of time."

"Actually, we hold a very large bargaining chip in our hands, which is how important the domestic market is to them."

"The next five years or ten years?"

Gao Yaqin couldn't help but remind him, "Even if diplomatic relations are normalized, it's impossible to open the market quickly."

"But the raw material market will open."

Li Xuewu looked at her and said, "This is certain; raw materials are not within the scope of trade restrictions."

"And we must also realize that even if the civilian market won't open up so quickly, it won't be too slow either."

Speaking of this, he looked at the others and explained, "We are too close to Japan, and we already have relatively mature trade channels."

"Over the past few years, the trade between the two sides has been maintained at a stable and increasing level; this is the main reason they invited our industrial and trade enterprises to Japan."

Li Xuewu tapped his finger on the table and emphasized again, "I'm telling you this not to let you use it as a condition to negotiate, but to let you recognize the situation."

"The Red Steel Group's influence in the country can be said to be second to none; the industrial categories involved can completely be called a large-scale comprehensive group enterprise, not losing to those big companies of theirs."

He said very seriously, "Comparing the two sides, we must admit there is a gap; this gap is not a reason for us to be discouraged or inferior."

"Market laws define mutual need from the essence, which is the foundation of trade; they need us, and we need them."

The eyes of everyone in the venue changed, especially those who were thinking seriously; they were already thinking about the next work.

Li Xuewu pointed them out the first time he returned, just to boost morale; they must not fall just because the conditions offered by the other party were too good.

With him, some cooperation is always conditional, whether it is the other party or the Red Steel Group.

"I'm going to Honda Motor this afternoon, so I can't stay here to have a wider discussion with everyone."

Li Xuewu nodded slowly and looked at Gao Yaqin, asking, "How about your side? Have you finalized the afternoon itinerary?"

"Hmm, I will accompany Bai Changmin of Beijing Chemical to Toray Industries."

Gao Yaqin nodded seriously and introduced, "I estimate that carbon fiber won't be obtained, because that is a new project they just came up with."

"However, polyester fiber and synthetic resin shouldn't be a problem, because our country has already introduced quite mature equipment and technology."

"Then get it done as soon as possible." Li Xuewu said very directly, "We can't waste too much time on Beijing Chemical."

"You pay attention to Hitachi Chemical and Rohm Chemical; we need semiconductor technology and electronic components, especially industrial ceramics."

He emphasized, "Especially Hitachi Chemical; their electronic material technology is very good, and these two enterprises also relate to automotive parts."

"Although these technologies are not the most advanced, they are the most mature." Gao Yaqin reminded him, "First, we don't have our own factory to convert production capacity; even if we have Beijing Chemical, that's still separated by a layer."

"Secondly, these technologies are definitely not cheap; throwing real money into it, just for the electronics and automotive parts industry, is worth discussing."

"Finally, there is the procurement of technology and equipment; I need a professional team for support."

"Let the electronics industry team cooperate with you," Li Xuewu waved his hand and said directly, "Don't consider the money issue; I said, technology that can be bought with money is the most cost-effective."

"I'm afraid that the technology we have our eye on won't be sold by them, or will be sold with conditions; that's the most headache-inducing."

He nodded and said, "You don't need to worry about industrial conversion; the Beijing Chemical Industrial Park is not dominated by them alone."

"Take these technologies back, we'll sell them first, and then keep them for our own use; anyway, we won't lose out."

"..." Gao Yaqin was a bit stunned; she never expected Li Xuewu to be so shameless.

What do you mean sell it first, and then keep it for our own use?

Isn't that violating the essence of commercial cooperation, not caring about the attitude of Japanese enterprises at all? This doesn't match the international reputation he emphasizes.

Or is it only targeting Japan that he is so unreasonable?

"Mr. Li, you set the goal of the first day of the delegation's visit to Honda Motor; do you have any considerations?"

The afternoon itinerary was not a key enterprise, so the Japanese media chasing them was less than half; only four or five reporters were guarding the scene waiting for them.

Honda can also be called the third-largest car company in Japan, but in this highly-watched industrial and trade visit activity, more attention was focused on Toyota.

It is reported that the leaders of Beijing Auto and Factory 17 have already gone to Toyota Motor, so many reporters have gone there.

The Red Steel Group certainly has greater influence among comprehensive enterprises, but he has already provided a lot of material today, and the reporters want more.

Having already obtained the emotional value she wanted from the deputy director, as well as the joy of the article being approved, Oshima Yoshiko naturally appeared at the scene.

Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Honda Yaesu Building scene.

Because there were few people, she was able to stand at the very front and ask Li Xuewu, who had just gotten out of the car, in a very loud voice.

"Mr. Li, what are your company's key focus projects?"

"Will the Red Steel Group carry out deep-level cooperation with Japanese enterprises?"

It is not difficult to see from the questions raised at the scene that these reporters represent the views and doubts of the Japanese public on this matter.

If the Red Steel Group can cooperate with Japanese enterprises, it means that Japanese products are about to enter the mainland.

Similarly, Chinese products are also about to enter Japan; especially for them, who are very dependent on agricultural and sideline products, they all hope that prices can be lowered.

However, Li Xuewu's habitually cold posture—he tidied his suit after getting out of the car and did not answer the reporters' questions.

Honda Motor arranged for Managing Director and Technical and Production Head Kawashima Yoshiyoshi to meet with Li Xuewu.

A managing director is equivalent to the level of a group vice president, and with Honda Motor's current Chairman Soichiro Honda having resigned as President of Honda R&D, this vice president in charge of technology and production has high prestige.

Li Xuewu certainly attaches great importance to the meeting with the other party, because compared to meeting an old man like Soichiro Honda, he prefers Kawashima Yoshiyoshi, who has an enterprising spirit.

"Mr. Li, welcome to Honda Motor."

Kawashima Yoshiyoshi's attitude was much more sincere than Ichiro Nishikawa's this morning; the two sides had no direct conflict, so the attitude was relatively mild.

However, precisely because there was no conflict of interest, the other party's mildness also showed a side of keeping a respectful distance.

The battle for the four major managing director positions was in full swing, and Li Xuewu could understand Kawashima Yoshiyoshi's desire not to cause extra trouble.

However, he didn't think he would return empty-handed this time, because since the other party was worried about extra trouble, they had the willingness to receive surprises.

Now it depends on what kind of surprise he can bring to the other party.

"Very honored; seeing you, I can already determine that coming to Honda today is definitely the correct choice."

Honda and Toyota's management structures are different; although President Soichiro Honda still serves as President, daily management rights have been delegated to the four major managing directors.

One can distinguish the difference between Honda and Toyota from the titles here; Toyota's head is called Chairman.

Honda also has a Vice President, Takeo Fujisawa, who is in charge of management, sales, finance, and personnel, and actually manages daily operations.

Just looking at what he manages, one knows that this Vice President cannot directly participate in production management, so Li Xuewu didn't want to see him.

Skipping the President and Vice President to directly see the Managing Director in charge of automotive R&D and production technology, Li Xuewu's goal was focused enough.

And it was precisely because of Li Xuewu's words that Kawashima Yoshiyoshi once again raised his importance to him by a level.

"Then I hope the meeting today will make your trip worthwhile."

Kawashima Yoshiyoshi nodded slightly, politely invited Li Xuewu and his accompanying team into the conference room, skipped the reporter interview session, and both sides performed very professionally and directly.

The reporters blocked outside were naturally a bit dissatisfied, but since they were already here, they could only wait here, hoping the Red Steel Group would have a good start.

Who most hopes the Red Steel Group will have gains in Japan?

Let's put it this way: almost all Japanese parties, even those dog-scum, hope that the two sides can establish normal foreign relations.

There is no one in this world who would go against money; even if their brains are full of poop, they know money is useful.

As early as before the industrial and trade delegation arrived in Japan, the Japanese domestic media had already carried out targeted publicity work.

Although the Red Steel Group is not China's largest enterprise, it appeared at the core position of the publicity.

This was not a requirement put forward by the delegation, but the most reasonable judgment made by the Japanese side from existing market exchanges and cooperation.

The Red Steel Group possesses independent trade rights, possesses financial management capabilities to connect with Hong Kong, and even more so, has cooperation cases with the Sanhe Stock Company.

Almost overwhelmingly, many Japanese enterprises have already been able to judge that the Red Steel Group is the enterprise with the most cooperation intention and the easiest to reach further cooperation in this delegation.

So the Red Steel Group has more conditions and capital for exclusive interviews; Li Xuewu meeting Nippon Steel in the morning and Honda in the afternoon explains everything.

Doing business is like this; whichever client is easier to reach cooperation with, it is normal to pour more attention and effort into them.

"I noticed Honda Motor's upcoming Life; my team gave me a promotional brochure, and it looks very exquisite in appearance."

After the opening remarks, Li Xuewu smiled and pointed to the brochure he brought, saying, "Especially the positioning of the market."

Japan's land area is narrow, and living space is the same, especially in big cities like Tokyo; many families are not convenient to use large cars.

But what to do if you can't do without a car?

People who have watched the Crayon Shin-chan animation in later generations still remember what the two cars Shin-chan's family bought in succession looked like.

That's right, that kind of compact small car is what Japan calls a K-Car.

And Japan also has relatively strange regulations; many big cities require residents to own a parking space to buy a car, and you buy a car according to the size of the parking space.

If you say you only have a small parking space and want to buy a big car, they won't sell it to you either.

The car Li Xuewu just mentioned, Life, is a classic representative of K-Car:

The body is a 2-door hatchback, with dimensions of 2995x1295x1340mm, and a wheelbase of 2080mm.

Engine: water-cooled inline 2-cylinder SOHC 356cc, with balance shaft, adapted for low-lead gasoline.

It is not difficult to see from the data that this is Honda's first mass-produced water-cooled gasoline car, marking their comprehensive shift to water cooling.

And from the body appearance and functional design, it is not difficult to see that the positioning is the same as the Red Star Gemini.

Of course, Li Xuewu is not saying that Honda is plagiarizing the Gemini, but what does he mean by saying it on such an occasion?

That's right, great minds think alike.

Speaking of small cars, Honda's N360, launched in 1967, is also a classic representative of K-Car. However, it was an air-cooled two-cylinder engine.

"I know your company's automotive industrial industry is also very comprehensive."

Kawashima Yoshiyoshi understood the implication behind his words, nodded with a smile, and said, "It's hard to imagine that a steel heavy industry enterprise like yours could develop such a good automotive industry in such a short time."

"It's also very difficult; you must be able to understand our hardship." Li Xuewu introduced seriously, "Our automotive industry can have today entirely in the process of catching up."

"During this period, we surpassed some peers, or achieved some accomplishments, but we are still a primary school student in the world automotive industry circle."

"Hahaha—" Hearing his description, Kawashima Yoshiyoshi couldn't help but laugh loudly, shook his head slightly, and said, "We are also learning."

"Of course, the sign of whether an enterprise still has combat effectiveness is to see if they still have the ability to continue learning."

Li Xuewu did not indulge the other party or accommodate the other party's speech, but expressed his opinions and views directly after showing enough sincerity.

"In some car-making thinking, the Steel City Auto owned by the Red Steel Group is somewhat similar to your company's definition of the market."

He also smiled and said, "Of course, this is also a reason why I chose Honda for the first stop, because we are more alike."

"Hmm, I also agree with this point."

The two people sitting opposite each other in the middle of the conference table probed each other back and forth, and were also rapidly advancing the progress of today's negotiations.

Almost certainly, the meetings of the first three days were to judge whether there was an intention to cooperate, and the next step was the key breakthrough.

The Japanese side arranged a quick look for the first day, and the second day was the time for them to act freely.

Li Xuewu and Gao Yaqin acted separately, and Old Li followed his requirements to act together with Director Han and the others.

The current situation is very favorable for the Red Steel Group, because they have received more attention, and the parties they choose to negotiate with will also feel this pressure.

They don't want to give up this rare cooperation opportunity, and they don't dare to easily refuse such a cooperation opportunity.

Still the same sentence, it depends on fate.

The attitude Li Xuewu showed gave Kawashima Yoshiyoshi a very favorable and positive signal.

Both sides were determining whether they could have the opportunity to cooperate, and the representatives of both sides participating in the meeting were also organizing and judging based on their conversation.

"I heard you have a car with the same name as Toyota?"

Kawashima Yoshiyoshi is not a good person either; this time Li Xuewu pointed out that their car was similar to the Gemini, and he backhanded and pointed at Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Our Land Cruiser has a different market positioning from theirs."

"To date, our Tundra and Cruiser have not entered the civilian market; you should know this."

Seeing Kawashima Yoshiyoshi doing this, he mentioned Honda's hot-selling 1300 and Coupe series again.

Unlike the Toyota business models that follow the rules, the cars Honda produced at this time still had a small-minded air.

1300 is a four-cylinder air-cooled, front-engine front-wheel drive, and the Coupe series is biased towards sports, but it is also in the 1300 series.

To put it bluntly, Honda Motor is not that capable now, and they can't be arrogant in front of the Red Steel Group.

Listening to what he said, before Li Xuewu came, he was also prepared and understood the basic situation of the Red Steel Group.

"Our automotive industry development benefits from market cultivation and evolution," Li Xuewu said temptingly, "The domestic market is in short supply; as long as we produce, we can sell."

"Another thing, we have a very professional R&D and sales team, and have also introduced advanced technology and R&D strength from the international community."

"Hmm hmm, I know, it's East Germany, right?"

Kawashima Yoshiyoshi pointed out deliberately, "I don't know how East Germany's current car production technology is developing."

"Their foundation is very thick."

Li Xuewu smiled meaningfully and emphasized, "At least thicker than Japan's automotive industry."

"Even if they have wasted time these years and haven't been able to come up with better technology and things, just eating off their old foundation is enough to squander for a period of time."

He didn't introduce what technology the Red Steel Group got in East Germany, because this itself is a trump card.

Nowadays, the Red Steel Group's cars are exported overseas; Honda must have studied Red Star cars, otherwise, they wouldn't be a world-class car company.

But the situation they grasped by dismantling cars is not necessarily comprehensive, because the technology brought back from East Germany is not necessarily all used in the new generation of production.

Now Li Xuewu holds the trump card, so he can have a certain advantage, at least in the negotiations.

And Kawashima Yoshiyoshi had to admit that his previous point was correct; East Germany definitely has a deeper industrial foundation.

Even after so many years, and with Japan's industry developing rapidly, one can look down on German industry in some industrial fields.

However, some things are not invented out of thin air, but are researched step by step, and all have roots to follow.

As long as the Red Steel Group masters the basic technology, they have a chance to catch up; this is also a reason why Honda Motor has to attach importance to the Red Steel Group.

The world automotive market is very large; they are not afraid that Red Steel's cars can have an impact and pressure on Honda.

But they have to fully consider the Red Steel Group's influence in the mainland regarding their attention to the mainland market.

"How is your production capacity?"

Kawashima Yoshiyoshi couldn't help but look at the materials in his hand and ask, "How many car manufacturing plants do you have?"

"If divided by automotive industry type, at least more than thirty factories can be determined, but we don't divide it like that."

Li Xuewu smiled and introduced, "The Red Steel Group only has one enterprise related to the automotive industry, which is the Steel City Auto Manufacturing Plant."

"And Steel City Auto is in the group's unique industrial park, with very complete supporting industries, including various parts production enterprises."

He boldly bragged, "This year, we have formed the largest automotive industrial park in the country in Steel City, which is the same area."

"The largest car manufacturing plants in the country will all set up branch plants here, building our car city in Steel City, just like Detroit."

Kawashima Yoshiyoshi was stunned, looking at him suspiciously, not sure if there was any bragging in these words.

Of course, based on their current judgment of the situation of mainland industrial enterprises, they can also roughly evaluate the value and industrial level of these enterprises mentioned by Li Xuewu.

If Honda can't beat Toyota in the world or in the country, it's because it lacks market share.

Changing a train of thought, the Red Steel Group can come to Honda, it must be lacking necessary technology and craftsmanship, and has psychological preparation for negotiations.

Honda is of course also paying attention to the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two sides, as well as subsequent trade relations.

They of course also very much hope to sell Honda cars to the mainland; whoever gets this market gets the opportunity for development.

Changing another train of thought, what if they surpass their peers and have the opportunity to enter the mainland market early with technology in other senses?

Cooperating with the Red Steel Group, exporting technology, cultivating Honda craftsmanship in advance, and cooperating in automotive R&D and market development—will this bring Honda the opportunity endowed by this era?

"If we talk purely about production, then our auto industrial park in Steel City will be the most influential part of the mainland in the next thirty to fifty years."

Li Xuewu smiled confidently and said, "Our parts, from production to assembly workshops, don't even need to cross more than ten kilometers."

He raised his eyebrows and said, "You can evaluate how much our production cost can be compressed."

"Also, we have the world's best labor force, and can even do three shifts a day, uninterrupted production."

Li Xuewu tapped the conference table with his finger and emphasized, "And we can also guarantee technology and craftsmanship quality."

"As long as we are given time for technology learning and development, I believe that in the future, our car city will be the world's car production capital."

Kawashima Yoshiyoshi didn't quite believe this, but he couldn't refute Li Xuewu's words, because when it comes to compressing costs, Japanese workers can't compare.

In Southeast Asia, he has noticed that Red Star cars sell very well and have a very high market share.

Why?

Is it playing the hooligan to talk about market share purely? Actually, the price is lower.

As a representative of industrial enterprises, Honda's cars are known for being high-quality and inexpensive, but they can't hold up in front of Red Star cars.

They have even given up direct competition, because when it comes to price wars, what is hurt is definitely themselves.

Red Star Auto's production cost has always been a mystery; even when they were dismantling cars, they were still discussing how high management input is needed to achieve such construction craftsmanship.

Facts have proved that the meeting with Li Xuewu today hit Kawashima Yoshiyoshi's mentality a bit.

He even thought that if he opened Honda's factory in the mainland, he wouldn't need to be like Li Xuewu said, enjoying the convenience of car city parts, he could also say that the cost is compressed by a large part.

If there is another car city, he dare not think about it; if they return to Japan for sales, that will be what kind of situation.

"Are you cooperating with Japan's electrical appliance industry?" He thought of something, looked at Li Xuewu and asked, "It's Sanhe Stock Company, right?"

"Yes," Li Xuewu smiled and said, "This is a successful cooperation; we are cooperating very happily."

"They provide technology, we share R&D on both sides, and this year they invested a large electronic research institution in the mainland."

Li Xuewu continued to introduce, "And in the field of electronics industry, the Red Steel Group also has Steel City Electronics, and the electrical appliance production capacity is very strong."

This is temptation; Kawashima Yoshiyoshi is envious! ===== CHAPTER 1688 =====