Vol 4 Chapter 9: Not as smooth as expected

ps: Yesterday, I saw so many enthusiastic book friends who gave out red envelopes for this book. I didn’t know what you did for me until now. Please accept me. Thanks for being late! At the same time, I also sincerely thank all the book friends who have silently supported and accompany me for more than a year. Thank you!

It seems that no matter what kind of industry engineers, um, mainly the outstanding engineers in the industry, they can’t afford a person like Feng Yiping who has a pure business background and has zero hands-on ability. Martin Eberhard is also the same now. Sorry, Feng, you said you are interested?"

What he hopes is the joining of the entire acp team, or at least the joining of Allen, not Feng Yiping.

"Yes, I have long wanted to mobilize Alan to build a car with me, but he firmly disagrees. I am also a layman in this aspect, so I have been waiting for like-minded people."

Although Martin's disinterest is almost directly on his face, Feng Yiping explained to him patiently.

It can be said that this is the beginning of a brand-new project, and it is very much in need of a guy who has the technology, but also very passion and dreams like Martin to promote it.

"Martin, Feng Ke is more than just talking. His factory in China has mass-produced first-class power lithium batteries. That model has now become a trend. In Hollywood and Silicon Valley companies, they are used for indoor and The foldable electric car for short commutes in the park is his product."

Although Feng Yiping did not reveal his intention to cooperate with Martin to Allen before this meeting, Allen was not upset at this time, because Martin also made this proposal just now, so he consciously said it for Feng Yiping. .

Martin nodded, this is a passable reason, after all, Feng Yiping is not just a fantasy, but has actually taken action and has achieved good results.

At the same time, for electric vehicles, lithium batteries are a very critical component. If partners have such a background, it is also a good thing.

"In fact, before I joined acp, I had this idea. To be honest, if it were not for the impact of SARS, I would start this project in Silicon Valley in the first half of the year."

"Since you had this idea for a long time, why did you take action until now? Besides, why didn't you carry out such a project in China?"

Is it my initiative to use lithium batteries as car power? Martin felt that what Feng Yiping said were far-fetched, but after listening to his thoughts, he realized the huge potential of this market, so he didn't want to miss an investment opportunity.

Of course, he needs funds, but in the early stages of the project, he hopes to cooperate with people who are the first to have skills like Allen.

"Martin, we have to consider the actual situation a few years ago. At that time, the relevant technologies were not as developed as they are now. To put it simply, how thick and heavy was the lithium battery of the laptop a few years ago? How much battery life was there?"

These rebuttals are indeed what Allen said more convincingly.

"As for why Feng didn’t carry out this project in China, it’s because even if a complete set of technologies is developed in China, it may not be of much use. You may not know that the automobile manufacturing industry, in China, is a key industry controlled by the state. It’s difficult for companies to get a license to produce cars,"

Feng Yiping explained this to Allen before, and he was also moved out at this time.

Although Feng Yiping felt a little uncomfortable listening to Alan saying these words to another American, it is the fact that it is very difficult for you to get a car permit in China. You have to work by the National Development and Reform Commission. In the United States, you are very simple to set up a car company, no different from other companies.

Not to mention the production of cars, Musk should now be planning to produce rockets, such a thing, can any domestic company be interested in it?

"I plan to locate this project in Silicon Valley. I also think that the new project we are planning can be distinguished from the traditional auto manufacturing plants in Detroit and can use it thinking to carry out our project."

"In addition, I have already prepared enough funds for this project."

Martin is still a little undecided, mainly because he knows Allen well and knows that he is involved in the design and manufacture of GM's ev1. He is a skilled and experienced person, while Feng Yiping and Martin only know that he is from China. Internet upstart.

After all, a man in his early twenties became the youngest chairman of the board of directors of a company listed on the U.S. stock market, and within three months he led two of his companies to go public. He has also seen such news several times.

But other than that, Feng Yiping has no idea about other circumstances.

"I look forward to working with Feng You, but I already have a partner, I think I need to go back and ask for his opinion," Martin said, and he is still very cautious.

This is also understandable. For such a large project, he has to get a good understanding of the background and past experience of potential partners.

"Then, looking forward to our next meeting,"

Martin left a check and hurried away. When he came, Feng Yiping and Allen could say that they greeted him at the door, but when he left, they didn’t receive this treatment. Feng Yiping knew that catching up was not a business. Too diligent will make Martin even less admirable.

Although he has more reasons to persuade Martin, forget it, those words are still waiting for a more suitable opportunity.

The big deal, think of a way to directly contact Comrade Musk, anyway, he is the one who finally made Tesla.

…………

"Feng, in fact, there are many people who are interested in electric vehicles. Many of them have technical backgrounds like Martin. You can have more choices."

Allen couldn't understand Martin Eberhard's questioning of Feng Yiping, and said with a smile.

Although the solicitation was not smooth, Feng Yiping was not particularly frustrated. He knew so many things in the future and made so many preparations in advance, so he would never miss Tesla.

"Ellen, you know who I am most looking forward to joining," Feng Yiping said, looking at him.

"No, no," Allen shook his head, "I have told you many times that I will never get involved in commercial production."

"Allen, there is a proverb in our country that once you have been bitten by a snake, you will be afraid of well ropes for ten years. This is simply a portrayal of you. The new company we are going to establish is not General Motors. There are not so many possible battles and considerations , Electric cars are our only product,"

GM stopped production of ev1, except for external reasons-mainly oil companies. It is said that companies with oil industry background bought the companies that produced batteries for ev1 and then destroyed those companies. And some objective reasons-mainly related at the time If the technology is not good enough, there must be a reason to listen to the voice of the company's traditional internal combustion engine vehicle production department.

After all, traditional automobile production is the biggest advantage of GM's century-old shop. Electric vehicles like ev1 actually have a lot of experimentation and similar nature to asking for directions, and they have encountered many blows after they went on the market.

In addition to unsatisfactory sales-in 1996, the price of oil would be cheap. Most ordinary people in the United States, although they also talk about environmental protection, are also very pragmatic. They can choose between a fuel car of several thousand dollars and an electric car of tens of thousands of dollars. Most people will put environmental protection aside for now.

Those who don’t care about the price are very dissatisfied with the EV1's cruising range. After 80 miles, this car must be charged for several hours.

In addition, the U.S. government just relaxed its emission restrictions at that time, and Bush Jr., who just took office, did not support the zero-emission laws in some states...

It can be said that the emergence of ev1 is also somewhat untimely. If it did not appear in 1996 but in 2006, perhaps Tesla would not even have the opportunity to grow up.

"I still only hope to conduct technical research purely," Allen, who was heartbroken once, still insisted on his choice.

Alas, it seems that this excellent engineer also has a fragile glass heart. After being hurt once, he stays so far from the same thing.

"I will select some people from the company's previous visitors according to your requirements. If you need, I can help you contact. For some questions, the communication between engineers and engineers will be smoother."

"Thank you Ellen, you still know me best,"

"In this case, you can keep telling your girlfriend," Allen laughed, "Actually, there are many people who are interested in this aspect at Stanford University. You may rarely participate in school club activities. The solar fleet is a distribution center for those people,"

"Really? Haha, after returning to Silicon Valley, I will visit immediately"

This seems to be a bit of an impression. The car of the Stanford University’s solar team that does not look like a car at all. I should have seen it on the Internet later. It looks like a walking solar panel.

…………

"Are you not in the hotel?" Huang Jingping's phone echoed with a soft piano sound.

"I am outside with Avril Lavigne,"

"Wait, let me guess, Sunset Boulevard?"

"Hey, wrong, we are on Rodel Street,"

"Then you wait for me, I'll be there soon," Rodel Street, her credit card, I am afraid that she has used a lot today.

Rodel Street is a more tyrant street than Sunset Boulevard, where flagship stores of top brands are concentrated, and it can be said that all the most expensive stores in Southern California are concentrated.

In other words, every store there, from appearance to interior decoration, strives for perfection and has its own characteristics, combining art and commerce perfectly. For example, if you are on that street, you see a place like art Don’t be surprised to find that it was originally a jewelry store after walking in the same building as the museum.

Of course, what Feng Yiping is most concerned about is the famous saying there, “Don’t look at the price when you buy something, it means you can’t afford it.”

If you don't want to be looked down upon by those shop assistants, you have to plan to spend a lot of money when you go there.

Huang Jingping pushed the baby station in front of a Louis Vuitton door, "Here," she waved to Feng Yiping, and motioned to the shop, followed, still in casual dress, and Avril Lavigne, who was super black, came out from behind, behind Carol, carrying bags of various brands.

"Thank you Avril, it's almost time for dinner, should we have dinner together?" Feng Yiping politely.

"Okay," Avril promised very readily. She only put on a light makeup today, which is not the usual punk style, and looks much more refreshing. "Do you have a favorite restaurant?"

This girl is really upright, "It's not true, what can you recommend?"

"There are a few good clubs~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Is there a lot of stars in there?"

"There are a lot of people in the circle. Which celebrities do you like, I can take you to the restaurants they often go to," she consciously used "them".

"Forget it, are there restaurants where there are not so many celebrities that go to, but the dishes are good?"

It's one thing to watch stars, but it's another thing to be watched by stars in a place where there are more stars than ordinary people.

"That's easy, just go to the farmer's market," Avril pointed to Irving who was driving, "turn right at the intersection ahead."

Huang Jingping has already begun to present treasures to Feng Yiping, "Look, this is a shirt for you,"

Armani, Xianchi, and h&h are all luxury brands. Gee!

"This is the belt I bought for you," Tsk, Louis Vuitton's, this one is at least five or six big cows.

"It's all mine? Where are you and Amanda?"

"Oh, there are some in Avril's car, you see, this is our parent-child suit," she took out a pink dress.

I also wear this matte color, is it really good?

Avril seemed to be afraid that Owen would get lost. She kept showing him how to go. She didn't watch their interaction very much. However, just after sitting down in a restaurant, she saw Carol driving her car over and ran out quickly. No After a while, he walked in with a Chanel canvas bag, "Hey, there are all my signed albums and photos,"

"How embarrassed," Feng Yiping said, but he immediately took it, "Thank you! In the future, we will invite you to dinner in Silicon Valley."

"Then I want to eat authentic Chinese food," Avril Lavigne had bright eyes.

"Okay, for your request, then I will open an authentic Chinese restaurant,"