Chapter 120: The Imminent Transformation

Zhao Guoyang cleared his throat. “Mayor Huang, if I’m not mistaken, the reason Songjiang City made the painful decision to discontinue production of the Songjiang sedan was largely because Songjiang Volkswagen wants to expand its operations, wasn’t it?”

Without waiting for Huang Zhigang to answer, Zhao continued on his own. “Actually, that isn’t difficult to figure out. After all, sales of the Songjiang Santana have been extraordinarily strong over the past year or so, practically monopolizing the domestic mid-range automobile market.”

“With momentum like this, both the Songjiang municipal government and Songjiang Volkswagen naturally want to build on their success, increase production, and strive for even greater achievements.”

“Indeed, the successful launch of the Santana allowed Songjiang Volkswagen to overtake First Auto Works and Second Auto Works, putting it on a fast track of development. Others may not be able to catch up for the next five or ten years.”

“But…” Zhao shifted direction. “In my view, relying on a single model to make a living leaves Songjiang Volkswagen’s product line looking rather too limited.”

At this, not only Huang Zhigang but Fang Xuesen as well held his breath and stared intently at Zhao Guoyang, waiting for him to elaborate.

Zhao did not keep them in suspense. After a moment’s thought, he organized his words and began to explain his views. “Several leaders, I’ve ridden in a Santana myself, so I’ll just offer some casual observations. I may be mistaken in places, so I’d appreciate your corrections.”

“Because the market is expanding so rapidly, the Santana’s position should gradually shift from that of a family car toward that of an official and business vehicle.”

“As a family car, the Santana is unquestionably excellent. But as an official or business vehicle, it falls behind the Audi 100 in both comfort and rear-seat space.”

Zhao Guoyang spoke with complete candor. “In my opinion, if we want the Santana to continue leading the domestic sedan market for some time to come, then making certain personalized improvements is an urgent necessity.”

When Zhao finished speaking, the expressions of the senior figures in the conference room changed dramatically.

It had to be understood that Director Fang, Mayor Huang, and the others had already discussed Songjiang Volkswagen’s future development the previous day, drawing on the views of several domestic automobile research experts. The conclusion they had reached was almost identical to Zhao Guoyang’s analysis.

That Zhao Guoyang had arrived at the same conclusion through his own individual reasoning was truly remarkable.

Suppressing his astonishment, Fang Xuesen asked in a deep voice, “Then, Little Zhao, how do you think these personalized changes should be made?”

Zhao Guoyang smiled at the question. “Director Fang, if you want me to answer that, I’m afraid I don’t know how to put it in specific terms. I can only briefly discuss my understanding of business vehicles…”

As everyone waited expectantly, Zhao raised three fingers. “Actually, abroad, there are certain standards for defining a business vehicle. In general, they come down to three things: body length, interior space, and comfort.”

“Once we establish the two broad directions of lengthening the body and improving comfort, it certainly wouldn’t be difficult to redesign a new model on the foundation of the existing Santana.”

Zhao continued, “In this regard, I think the design team could draw on the experience of certain foreign models. As far as I know, Volkswagen has development teams in Western Europe and Latin America. If the leaders and research personnel of Songjiang Volkswagen could go there to travel around, take a look, and pay some visits, I’m sure they would gain quite a lot…”

After he finished, Zhao smiled and fell silent, allowing the senior figures to digest what he had said.

At his side, Zhao Siyan was staring at him with wide, vacant eyes. She looked as though she were gazing at a visitor from another world.

After a while, Li Kejian was the first to recover. He glanced at Fang Xuesen and Huang Zhigang, the two heavyweight figures still deep in thought, took a deep breath, and said, “I personally fully support the suggestion Little Zhao has just made.”

“Although Songjiang Volkswagen’s sales have consistently ranked among the best in the country, the problem of an overly narrow product line remains quite pronounced. If we fail to plan ahead and make preparations in advance, then whether it can continue to flourish in the future is by no means something we can view optimistically.”

Li Kejian looked directly at Zhao Guoyang and said with considerable admiration, “Little Zhao suggested designing an entirely new model to compete in the official and business vehicle market. I believe that is an extremely forward-looking idea.”

“As our country’s economic level continues to rise, the spread of automobiles will certainly accelerate further. Official and business vehicles will inevitably become the main force driving that growth.”

Li Kejian turned to Huang Zhigang. “Mayor Huang, boldly venturing abroad is the most important step in advancing our nation’s automobile industry. I believe the time has come for Songjiang Volkswagen to go out and see the world.”

As one of the country’s foremost authorities in the mechanical industry, Li Kejian’s words carried tremendous weight.

He was often an honored guest at the State Council. Naturally, Huang Zhigang would not dare treat anything he said lightly.

In fact, even without Li Kejian’s endorsement, Huang Zhigang had already made up his mind to accept Zhao Guoyang’s views in full.

The analysis Zhao Guoyang had just presented had struck directly at Huang Zhigang’s deepest concerns.

His assessment of the future official and business vehicle markets, in particular, had given Huang Zhigang an entirely new perspective.

The reason Huang Zhigang had remained silent was that he had been considering only one question: how to lure Zhao Guoyang away from Jiangnan Province.

“Elder Li is absolutely right. Once this expo is over, the Songjiang municipal government will place the matter of ‘sending the people of Songjiang Volkswagen abroad’ on its agenda. When the time comes, if possible, we hope you might be willing to serve as a technical adviser to Songjiang City, Elder Li.”

Li Kejian glanced at Director Fang beside him and smiled. “Heh heh. As long as Director Fang approves, this old man naturally has no objections.”

Huang Zhigang turned his gaze toward Fang Xuesen. “Then, Director Fang, we’re waiting for your word.”

Fang Xuesen gave a noncommittal assent. “Mayor Huang, this is not a major issue. Let’s set it aside for now. Everything can be discussed.”

“But we haven’t finished the topic we were discussing just now. Little Zhao mentioned the ‘three major points,’ but he hasn’t talked about the ‘three minor points’ yet! I’d still like to hear his views on those.”

After Fang Xuesen finished speaking, Huang Zhigang, Liang Xiaofeng, and the others all nodded inwardly.

Naturally, the leaders of Songjiang City were most concerned with Songjiang Volkswagen. Director Fang, however, was different. As a leader of a central government ministry, he had to make comprehensive plans and consider the automobile enterprises throughout the entire country.

It was rare to encounter someone as unusually perceptive as Zhao Guoyang, so Fang Xuesen naturally wanted to hear the rest of his thoughts.

Seeing the fervent gaze Director Fang directed at him, Zhao Guoyang knew there was no way to avoid it.