Chapter 373 Next Generation Products

"No problem, leave it to me. What about the new equipment you mentioned just now? What are they?"

Upon hearing this, Lao Ma immediately agreed to take the responsibility.

However, I am still curious about the electronic equipment and circuit integration that Fang Xiang mentioned.

"Electric lifting windows, electric window anti-pinch, electric heated seats, electric heated steering wheel, head-up display, seat ventilation, automatic trunk lid, electric suction door, car TV, double-layer soundproof glass, remote control key remote door unlocking, automatic air conditioning, zoned air conditioning, constant temperature air conditioning."

Seeing that Lao Ma was asking, Fang Xiang counted on his fingers and listed some car functions around the 90s that he thought could be realized.

"Wait a minute, wait a minute. There are so many. I need to take notes."

When Lao Ma first listened, he was nodding, but the more he listened, the wider his mouth opened.

By the end, I couldn’t remember anything in my mind and I frantically searched for paper and pen.

"Double-layer soundproof glass, this doesn't seem difficult, but the others, I just can't understand them no matter how hard I look at them."

After Lao Ma found paper and pen, Fang Xiang repeated it again.

Lao Ma took the notebook and checked the items one by one.

In the end, I found that double-layer soundproof glass is the easiest to achieve.

"Well, double-layer soundproof glass needs glue in the middle, so the effect is better."

When Fang Xiang heard Lao Ma mention this, he remembered another detail.

Second Automobile Works and GAC really don't have the conditions to produce these things.

That means BAIC and Shanghai Auto can do it.

Because these two places not only have many universities, but also many research institutes.

At the same time, it has a strong industrial foundation, which makes it easier to achieve than Second Automobile Works and GAC.

Before, it was because cars didn’t need too many complicated functions, four wheels and a sofa would be enough.

It’s not enough to just do that. You have to compete with some configurations and equipment, especially BMW. Since it is already known as the top two luxury brands, how can it show luxury without these equipment?

When the technology of these devices matures and the cost comes down, they can also be installed on GAC's fleet of vehicles. Why not?

"There are so many things. When will we be able to research them all?"

Old Ma looked at the long line of equipment and sighed.

“No rush, BMW will be replaced next year or the year after, so I’ll take one if I can.

Even if it doesn’t catch up next year, it can still be used when the car is slightly modified in the future.”

Speaking of which, BMW will be facelifting next year or the year after. Although it’s a bit late now, it’s not too late as long as we do it.

Speaking of generational change, Fang Xiang started to have a headache again.

If Cao Tianwei is transferred to Shanghai Automobile, then wouldn't he have to do the BMW replacement himself?

After all, Ji Pengwei is not qualified for the position of chief engineer of Second Automobile Works in terms of ability, age or qualifications.

Only one person could be promoted from Second Automobile Works, and Ji Pengwei could be allowed to return to serve as deputy chief engineer.

Or he could follow me for a few more years, and after training, he could go back to take charge of Second Automobile Works. Fortunately, Second Automobile Works is now full of talented people, so it is not difficult to select a general.

Hmm... I have to ask Cao Tianwei about the generation change.

“Okay, leave this to me, and I’ll also keep an eye on the research institute.

Do you have anything else to say?"

Lao Ma carefully copied down what was written in the notebook and put it in a cabinet.

Then he asked again.

“First, stabilize the situation, install and debug the production line, and schedule production and testing of new vehicles.

You can handle other things in the factory as you wish. These are the tasks we will be doing for now.

Don’t make any major changes for now. Wait until the opportunity comes.

If you have any other ideas or need help, please let me know."

Fang Xiang shook his head. He would be satisfied if Shanghai Auto could be stabilized within two years and could mass-produce new cars.

Today, the Shanghai Automobile Group’s factory is older and smaller than that of Second Automobile Works, so we can’t expect too much from it.

After two years, when the opportunity is ripe, we will directly build a new super-large factory with an annual production capacity of more than 500,000 vehicles.

GAC is now going through the approval procedures for the new land.

The future production will also be based on 500,000 vehicles.

These two factories will have a production capacity of millions in the future. Second Automobile Works...

Thinking of Second Automobile Works, Fang Xiang felt a headache again.

Second Automobile Works was large in scale in its early years, but that was only the case at that time. It was chosen to Luoyi because of the Third Line.

Now we are in the mid-80s, and looking forward to the 90s, the production scale of units will not be enough.

The terrain in Luoyi is complex, the land is limited, and the provincial policies are not very good.

We can't just leave it there, right? Or move it out? But if we move it out, where should we go?

Move to Zheng County? Zheng County is a large place with enough land and population. If nothing else, the scale of Second Automobile Works is expected to be 500,000 units.

It would be no problem to have Zhengzhou University and Henan University as backup support, with hundreds or thousands of graduates a year.

Moreover, Henan Province has a large population and low costs, which can not only solve the employment problem but also increase local tax revenue and business development.

But the traffic...

Speaking of it, Zheng County has well-developed railways and is known as a city brought by railways. However, compared with Shanghai and Guangzhou, it is not as impressive.

No matter how advanced your transportation is, you still have to go to the sea. Can you have the convenience of a city near the sea?

If it really doesn't work, Second Automobile Works will have to change its strategy.

It no longer produces luxury brands such as BMW, and mainly produces vehicles for domestic sales.

In this way, the transportation advantages can be brought into play.

Moreover, BMW will be replacing its model next year. If it wants to make adjustments, next year will be a good opportunity to directly produce the GAC-branded cars on its outdated production lines.

Otherwise, you will have to wait another 6-7 years for the next generation change, but that will be in the 90s.

However, this is not a trivial matter and it requires approval from higher authorities and cooperation from the factory.

This is another difficult question... Never mind, let’s talk about it later and ask Cao Tianwei first.

"Let me put it this way first. I'm going to call Lao Cao.

If you have any questions, please contact me."

Fang thought about it for a long time and felt that there were too many things in front of him, so he could only choose the easiest and simplest one first.

Soon, Fang Xiang walked to an office reserved for himself.

Although Fang Xiang did not hold a position in Shanghai Auto, Lao Ma still reserved an office for him on this floor.

"Hello, brother? I want to."

After walking into the office specially prepared for him, Fang Xiang picked up the phone.

"It's me, what's up?"

Cao Tianwei's voice came from the phone.

"I just remembered that BMW will be changing its model next year. How is the change going on over there?"

Fang Xiang didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.

“Not ideal, let’s talk about the appearance first.

We have gone through six or seven designs for the exterior, but none of them are ideal.

Then there is the machinery aspect, because the new production line you shipped is half a level better than the existing one and has much higher precision.

Using the same blueprint, the engines produced are not only of better quality and better airtightness, but also directly reduce fuel consumption significantly.

The overall performance has been improved by about 5% compared to current production, so there is no need to worry about it for the time being.

Then there is the configuration part. Without you, we still don’t have anything new to offer.

I'm really stressed out now and my hair is falling out in clumps.

Junior brother, if you have a little conscience, come and help me, I can’t stand it any longer.”

When Cao Tianwei heard Fang Xiang asking about the BMW's replacement, he immediately burst into tears and complained.

At the end, he directly mentioned something that made Fang think about the past.

"Look at what you said. Without me, you can't even eat pigs?"

When Fang Xiang heard this, he burst into laughter.

"Don't tell me, I really can't eat it.

Are you busy? If not, come and have a look.

You haven't been back for several years, haven't you? Just think of it as helping me."

In Cao Tianwei's opinion, Fang Xiang is definitely one of his own, and losing face in front of him is no big deal.

So just say what you want to say.

"Okay then, let's go over and take a look. By the way, I have something else I want to discuss with you."

The original plan was to leave Shanghai, return to Guangzhou, and then go to Hong Kong Island.

But seeing Cao Tianwei's current appearance, Fang wanted to know that he had to go to Luoyi this time.

After calculating the time, he decided that there was still time, so he nodded and agreed.