Chapter 19 - auto industry
Edel thinks of the car group of future generations as the first person to think of logistics. When watching TV in the previous life, when talking about logistics supplies, there will be a long line of trucks driving on the road. Edel called the Captain Carust to ask him to check the current car development. Since Karl Friedrich Benz built the world’s first car in 1885, the automotive field has been booming, but now the car is still too expensive and can only become a toy for aristocrats and wealthy people. It has little effect on the army.
But money is needed first. Edel came to the office of King Carol I and saw that Prime Minister Sturley was also there.
”Your Excellency Prime Minister.” Edel greeted the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Sturley nodded and saluted Edel, and the crown prince saw the old king staring at the telegram in a trance.
“Is there any news from my father?” Edel asked.
”The government’s finances were tense and hoped to be able to borrow from abroad. “Edel knew this was because of his own reorganization of the army and the purchase of industrial equipment. It seemed that the government’s finances could not be squeezed, and Edel thought in his heart and did not speak. Sturley saw that the crown prince was silent and knew the embarrassment of the crown prince, and said to King Carol. “Your Majesty, I’ll be here another day.”
Edel said to the old King Carol after watching the Prime Minister go. “Father, I plan to build a car factory.” The old king asked, “Why?” “That’s how I thought about it. Now the horses used for logistics transportation in the army consume three times as many people every day, and maneuvering can easily reduce the number of people. Now The marching speed depends entirely on the horse’s daily walking speed. The most important thing is that the farther you go, the slower you go, and the faster the capacity will dissipate. Cars do not have this concern, and they can usually transport domestic materials. For many places without railways, it is economical. Great help.”
“Then how much do you plan to invest for this thing.” The old king asked, “A half million pounds is enough.” Edel said. “I’ll let the general manager prepare the money, you just let it go.” Carol I was still very concerned about the army, and agreed with the crown prince’s proposal with a big wave of his hand, which made Edel very satisfied.
Back to the room After Edel fully considered the current major car-producing countries of Britain, France, Germany and the United States, the United Kingdom can eliminate the noble cars. non-compliant. France is now a workshop without thinking about it, but Germany can now just let them not produce it by themselves, the United States? Edel thought of someone who could find the best car leader now to build a car for himself, and his idea fits the crown prince’s appetite. Standard Oil can think of a way. Edel asked Standard Oil to contact Ford on his behalf, wanting to jointly invest with them in a company that produces heavy trucks.
The radio waves traveled across the ocean to the United States, and then turned to Henry Ford’s desk in Detroit. For Ford, which is still producing Model A cars, this is a big opportunity to get rid of the patent entanglement of Selden Syndicate. (In the United States, the car patent was in the hands of Selden Syndicate, and every automobile company produced a car with a patent fee. Ford did not secretly produce it.)
Regarding the major issues of this small company, Henry Ford did not dare to decide on his own to call 10 investors to discuss the good news. Everyone was excited about the good news. In the eyes of everyone, this could bring a huge amount to Ford. Profit, there is no reason to refuse.
Within two days, Edel received a telegram from Ford in person. In the telegram, Henry Ford agreed to build an automobile factory with the Crown Prince. In order to better negotiate this contract, he will come to negotiate in person.
More than twenty days later, Ford brought his assistant to see Edel. “His Royal Highness is very pleased to see you.” Henry Ford and his assistant said after a slight salute, “Mr. Henry Ford is very happy that you can come in person.” Edel walked to Ford and said to him. “His Royal Highness does not know what you plan to do about the co-founding of an automobile factory you said in the telegram.” Ford asked straightforwardly.
“I plan to invest 500,000 pounds to build this factory. Mr. Ford, you can use technology to buy 20% of the shares. This will build the largest car factory in Europe. Your task is to design a reasonable price, simple maintenance, easy to use, and load. A 1.5-ton car. You have to arrange technicians to guide the workers to operate the machine, and we will send people to Ford to learn your ideas. I think Mr. Henry Ford will not refuse this proposal.”
This is a surprise for Ford, which has not produced a Model T car, and the concept of the crown prince is also very suitable for his own appetite. It only changed the focus of cars from manned to cargo. Now Ford’s entire company is less than 200,000. The joint venture to build a plant has expanded Ford’s assets by nearly three times. UU reading www. uukanshu. com is a good deal no matter what, because Henry Ford is too good to make a decision.
“His Royal Highness Edel can let me think about it for two days.” Ford asked the crown prince, and Edel reflected that he was impatient and frightened Henry Ford. “Okay, Mr. Ford, please think about it first.” After Ford and his assistant left, Edel blamed himself a bit.
After walking out of the palace, the assistant asked Henry Ford, “Why didn’t the president agree to it? This is a good condition. God will be moved when I see it.” Ford replied, “It’s just too much for me and I don’t think it is true enough. Let’s go back and study it. The conditions of the crown prince.” Ford and his assistants returned to the residence to study Edel’s conditions overnight.
Two days later, Edel saw Henry Ford and his assistant with red eyes again. “Mr. Henry Ford doesn’t look like you are in good spirits. Do you need a break?” Edel looked at them with concern, which made Henry Ford and his assistant a little embarrassed. “His Royal Highness, I am very energetic. I have never been so energetic.” Mr. Ford replied very positively.
“That’s good, I wonder if Mr. Ford has considered the proposal two days ago?” Edel asked about his most concerned topic. “His Royal Highness is very satisfied with that proposal. I think this is an affirmation of Ford.” Henry Ford said firmly.
Two days later, the crown prince announced that he would build Europe’s largest auto manufacturing plant with Ford and sell Model A cars and planned trucks. All the funds come from the Romanian royal family. Ford’s technology and personnel account for 20% of the shares, and the royal family accounts for 80%. Ford will have new models in the future. The new company has priority in European authorized production. Ford holds shares if they are sold. The royal family has the right of first refusal, and the company name is Volkswagen.