After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future

"In July, total deliveries reached 15,800 units, exceeding production expectations. We estimate that deliveries in August could exceed 21,000 units."

Wang Xiaofeng reported last month's sales situation. Unsurprisingly, when the weekly new energy vehicle sales rankings are announced, they should enter the top five.

If it's the new energy sedan rankings, they'd at least be in the top three, with a chance at second place. However, first place is not worth considering — it's definitely BYD (Qin).

However, the downside of rapid production increases is starting to show. The Tianshu vehicle has been in production for only two months, and the 2.3 billion US dollars in the account is almost depleted.

This is because they collected a 5,000 yuan deposit but need to pre-order various parts costing around 220,000 in total, as well as pay for labor, water, and electricity.

The reason the manufacturing industry is asset-heavy is because it not only requires massive investment upfront but also needs to advance a significant amount of funds.

Faced with this situation, most companies choose to transfer some of the financial pressure to suppliers.

For example, the most famous BYD. Their suppliers, though they don't lack orders, need to be mentally prepared for payment delay over a year.

Tianxing Automobile, to seize the priority in order scheduling and reduce the cost of parts procurement, implements a quarterly settlement scheme.

The repayment cycle for their collaborators is twice as fast as those collaborating with Tesla, and twice as fast as those with Dizi. This portion of the financial pressure has always been borne solely by Tianxing.

According to the current trend, they need to withstand this pressure by themselves for at least four months. Only after four months will they see returns — as long as Boss Lu doesn't change his mind.

Lu Liang pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, "Can a 10% equity financing raise 5 billion dollars?"

Wang Xiaofeng was surprised: "I feel it should be quite difficult."

Tianxing Automobile already has the potential to be a leading domestic player, but the scale of the new energy market is still not large enough.

Although the total industry sales for the first half of the year haven't been announced, as far as he knows, it should be less than 900,000 units.

Some analysts predict that even approaching the golden September and silver October sales season, this year's growth won't reach 100%. The maximum total sales for the year will be 2 million units.

The industry's ceiling also limits their potential ceiling. A 50 billion dollar valuation is excessively inflated.

The current reasonable valuation should be 21-24 billion dollars, which includes Tianxing Technology, Tianxing's brand value overseas, and Lu Liang's celebrity effect.

"Just 24 billion..." Lu Liang said, dissatisfied.

Wang Xiaofeng smiled bitterly, speechless, silently listening to Boss Lu's tirade against those unscrupulous venture capital firms.

Honestly, he thought this price was already quite good.

Though Lu Liang had been preparing to build cars for three years, his progress in the first two years was negligible, and it only started developing in the last year.

Given the market size at the time, 24 billion dollars of valuation might have already exhausted their five-year future development potential.

"Then for now, let some news out, spread the word about Tianxing Automobile's financing plan."

Lu Liang calmed down a little, although he thought this valuation was too low, once he remembered Ningde Era's current market value was just 230 billion, he felt balanced.

Because by observing Ningde Era's market value, he can get a side understanding of the current scale of the new energy market.

Furthermore, as the scale grows larger, it can no longer rely on Lu Liang's funds to develop. Sharing joy with more people is better, and it's time to share his happiness with others.

"What should the appropriate expectation be?" Wang Xiaofeng asked. Enterprise financing is like doing business: a price is announced, but the final decision is another price.

The announced price is typically 10%-30% higher than the actual valuation.

"30 billion."

Lu Liang grinned and added, "These days, if anyone asks about it, just mention the price. However, say the timeline for the financing project is uncertain, extend the line a bit and see if we can catch a big fish."

He thought of a good friend from the Middle East, Mr. Rich. These people, clad in white robes, have plenty of US dollars.

If he can attract their investment.

26 billion, 30 billion,

Like choosing between three or five bucks for breakfast.

"Mr. Lu, are you so confident in convinc... persuading them?"

Upon hearing Wang Xiaofeng's words, Lu Liang felt displeased: "They might even wish for it!"

Gods fight, mortals suffer, let alone a sand camel sitting on mountains of gold but holding no weapons. In the current turbulent international situation, they would definitely seek a new protector.

The country might feel reluctant to bully others, but as a renowned entrepreneur from East Country, Lu has no such qualms. Moreover, he doesn't find his actions as bullying — at most, guiding them in making the right investments.

Maybe years later, they'll even thank Lu Liang.

By afternoon, news emerged that Tianxing Automobile plans to initiate a second public financing.

Upon hearing this, some yelled angrily: "Has Lu Liang gone insane for money? 30 billion dollars! Sell him and see if he's worth 30 billion."

"Honestly, if Lu Liang can ensure future profitability remains unchanged, those Middle Eastern moguls would likely be willing to buy him out for life at 30 billion dollars."

"Have you lost your mind? That's not what I meant!"

"But truth be told, even at the normal 30% premium, 30 billion is too much. Does he really think others don't value money like he does?"

"I want to see who the fools willing to accept such terrifyingly inflated valuations are."

Just as Lu Liang expected, criticism was widespread.

After all, a 30 billion dollar valuation, except for publicly listed NIO, is still much more than the total of Li Xiang, Xiao Peng, and Weima together plus some tens of billions more.

"With such a high valuation, will anyone buy in?"

Since returning to Modu, Li Bing often visited Lu Liang for talks, even though NIO went public and can raise money from the market, the swap stations still remain too large a burden.

Relying solely on NIO might not achieve much.

Li Bing is trying to persuade... Lu Liang to involve Tianxing Automobile in constructing swap stations.

"If there are takers, then so be it; if not, then fine. Do I look like someone short on cash? The main goal is to share my joy with others. Don't you understand that sharing leads to prosperity?"

Lu Liang glanced at Li Bing, unwilling to spar verbally, directly handing him a document: "Take a look."

"What's this?" Li Bing instinctively opened the materials and his eyes widened suddenly: "You've invested in charging stations?"

Kunpeng Rapid Charging Technology Co., Ltd. with paid-up capital of 300 million RMB, legal representative Meng Changkun, shareholders including Lu Liang, Wang Xiaocong, and Meng Changkun holding 40% shares, with Lu Liang and Wang Xiaocong each holding 30%.

"Developing swap stations is too difficult." Lu Liang sighed.

Many messages from the future, he could use known outcomes to collect scattered market information, thus reverse-engineering processes.

But NIO remains baffling to him — how did its valuation exceed 90 billion dollars three years later?

Are Wall Street institutions really ignorant and money-burning, believing swap stations can develop into the oil giants of the electric vehicle industry?

Not to mention the mutual intrigue among competitors, none would aid NIO's swap station development, not even Lu Liang, despite being a co-founder of NIO, would offer any help.

And the varying battery sizes are problematic enough.

"Even you don't believe in swap stations' future?" Li Bing's face was ashen, despair filled his heart. He suddenly asked, "Then why did you invest in NIO back then?"

He recalled clearly that the decisive choice for the swap project was due to Lu Liang's support.

However, hearing Lu Liang's latest remarks made him feel like the once lovely Little Sweet had turned into today's Mrs. Niu.

Lu Liang softly said: "Though I don't have faith, it matters that others do."

He wouldn't mind telling Li Bing frankly, investing in NIO was merely for profit.

Lu Liang hopes Li Bing could also keep this mindset until a surge that shoots NIO stocks to the sky arrives, then cash out together.

Stop fantasizing about impractical swap stations; trick others if necessary, just don't deceive yourself or expect him to join the pitfalls.