"My findings are the same as you," Jack Welch said to Chen Geng: "I think that now in Europe, it has come time to upgrade the consumption of automobiles, and the young people in Europe who have just grown up have different requirements for cars from their parents and grandparents, and are no longer satisfied with the basic transportation needs, they want their cars to be more comfortable, or wider, or more sporty, or more powerful...... In short, the previous old European concept of building civilian cars can no longer meet the requirements of the new generation of young people for cars, and this is our opportunity. ”

Chen Geng and Jack Welch met in Paris, France, and like Chen Geng, in order to gain an in-depth understanding of Europeans' car buying and car habits, Jack Welch also personally rushed to Europe to conduct field investigations.

Chen Geng agreed with Jack Welch's judgment, but at the same time, Chen Geng also reminded him: "But after all, Europe is not a highly developed North America, they are still very sensitive to the price and fuel consumption of cars, in addition, the special traffic environment in Europe makes large cars very troublesome in daily use, and compact cars, small cars and station wagons based on hatchback structures are the mainstream of the European market." ”

Jack Welch pondered for a moment, some cities in Europe such as Rome, Paris and other places have a history of hundreds to thousands of years, hundreds of thousands of years when the city was built, people at that time obviously could not have thought of how developed the traffic is now, the width of the road is naturally very limited, plus many times to divide parking spaces on the side of the street, the original narrow road is naturally more and more cramped, plus many narrow alleys, so in many big cities in Europe living ordinary citizens, if you drive a car about 4.8 meters long, The cart with a width of about 1.8 meters is simply to find fault with yourself. He finally nodded: "That's right, that's it." ”

As he spoke, he looked at his boss expectantly.

It's a pity that Chen Geng disappointed him: "I probably already have a few drafts in mind, but if I want to be a hit in Europe, I still need the support of more detailed investigation and analysis data." ”

"Okay," Jack Welch nodded, though a little disappointed, "I'll submit the information to you as soon as possible." ”

"The next negotiation with the Philips Group will be handed over to you," Chen Geng patted Jack Welch on the shoulder: "Come on!"

"What do you ...... next"

Jack Welch asked Chen Geng, he was a little curious about Chen Geng's next trip.

"Me?" Chen Geng smiled bitterly: "I'm going to the UK." ”

United Kingdom?

Looking at the helpless boss on his face, Jack Welch wondered a little in his heart: Does the company have any business in Europe? It seems that there is no other business except for the cooperative relationship with Cosworth, so what is the reason why the boss is so sad?

........................

The reason for Chen Geng's headache is nothing else, it is the team that is negotiating with Rolls-Royce that has fed back to Chen Geng a very bad news: in terms of the transfer price of the "TAY" 650 turbofan engine, Rolls-Royce has been biting very hard, and Rolls-Royce will no longer give up half a cent when the price is 180 million pounds.

Of course, Chen Geng can't accept the price of 180 million pounds, what are you kidding! Just six or seven years ago, when you sold the "Spey" MK202 to Huaxia, the price was only more than 70 million, and the "Tai" was based on the development of the "Spey", which is nothing more than increasing the duct ratio of the fan to 3, adding a low-voltage level and a high-pressure level, considering the factors of price inflation, 100 million pounds is considered to be the top of the sky, you dare to ask me for 180 million pounds?!

In desperation, Chen Geng had to temporarily change his itinerary and go to England first.

Elizabeth, who was in charge of the negotiations, personally came to the airport to pick up Chen Geng, and after a few greetings, Chen Geng asked Elizabeth directly: "What's the matter with the British? They should know that this price is too much beyond the normal market price, and it is absolutely impossible for us to agree." ”

"Yes, I spoke to Sir about this, but Sir insisted on an interview with you. Speaking of this, Elizabeth was also full of helplessness.

She didn't understand, what is the difference between talking to herself and talking to her boss? Could it be that she didn't agree to this price, and when she came to talk with her own boss, the boss agreed? This is the difference of 80 million pounds, which is already more than 100 million dollars in dollars, and his Ralph Robbins face is so big?

Chen Geng was also curious about Elizabeth's answer: What did Ralph Robbins think? Could it be that he thought that by "invited" himself over, he would be able to agree to such an excessive condition of Rolls Royce?

Could it be that he wants to get more benefits from himself?

Moreover, what made Chen Geng particularly dissatisfied was that he had promised that after his retirement, he could work as a high-paid consultant at the "Thai" engine maintenance center in Asia.

Forget it, Chen Geng shook his head: The boat will naturally go straight to the bridge, and when I see Ralph Robbins tomorrow, I will know what the hell this old man is thinking.

........................

"Sir, let's say, what do you want?" Since the other party is so insatiable, Chen Geng is not polite, facing Sir Ralph Robbins, he said bluntly: "I might as well tell you directly, I will not accept the price of 180 million pounds under any circumstances, even if I give up this cooperation for this reason." ”

To Chen Geng's surprise, in the face of Chen Geng's tough attitude, Sir Ralph Robbins didn't care at all, and his expression was extraordinarily indifferent: "Of course, I admit that this price is indeed slightly higher." ”

"Oh?" Chen Geng raised his eyebrows, smiling, "Are you a little taller?" ”

Sir Ralph Robbins smiled, did not answer Chen Geng's question, but said to Chen Geng: "I'm sorry to invite you to England in this way, as long as you agree to our two conditions......" Speaking of this, Sir Ralph Robbins raised a finger: "90 million pounds! For only 90 million pounds, you can get the 'Thai' 650-8C and the whole set of power upgrade plans after that." ”

Chen Geng suddenly became vigilant: What conditions can make Rolls-Royce cut the transaction price that he had been biting and not giving an inch to at once?

There is no doubt that these two conditions of Rolls-Royce must be very excessive.

It's just that at this point, everyone is coming, what else can I do?

Chen Geng looked deeply at Sir Ralph Robbins, and after a long time, he finally spoke, "Please speak." ”

At this moment, Chen Geng has already made up his mind in his heart, if Rolls-Royce's conditions are really extremely excessive, 180 million pounds, right?

Lao Tzu endured!

But when you look back, Lao Tzu doesn't earn back several times or dozens of times from you, Lao Tzu has your surname!

"Our first condition is that you, Mr. Fernandez, are one of the world's leading automotive business geniuses, and that you will help Rolls-Royce Motors achieve financial well-being. ”

Well?

Sir Ralph Robbins' first request surprised Chen Geng: just ask yourself to help Rolls-Royce cars?

When it comes to Rolls-Royce cars in the seventies and eighties, it is simply a handful of snot and tears, although it is still recognized as the most luxurious car brand in the world, and no car can beat it, but the business situation of Rolls-Royce is bleak and outrageous: can you believe it? Since the late 50s, the Rolls-Royce that countless rich people have been thinking about has never made a profit.

Yes, losses, non-stop losses, always losses, this is the main theme of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars since the tacit understanding in the 50s to the present, and it is also the only melody.

Chen Geng was silent for a few minutes: "If you can convince the British government to entrust Rolls-Royce to AMC, it's not a big problem. ”

"Are you sure?!"

Sir Ralph Robbins raised his head sharply and stared at Chen Geng: "Mr. Fernandez, you can't joke about this kind of thing, you should know very well what Rolls-Royce means to the British Empire." ”

"I know very well," Chen Geng nodded, "but I also have a prerequisite." ”

Sir Ralph Robbins nodded eagerly, "You say!"

"The duration of the custody is not less than 20 years. ”

The custody period of 20 years means that no matter how well Chen Geng runs Rolls-Royce Cars, after the end of the 20-year trusteeship period, Chen Geng must return Rolls-Royce to the British government without a moment's delay - if the British government at that time was still the controlling majority shareholder of Rolls-Royce.

Chen Geng's expression was very solemn, and Sir Ralph Robbins's expression was also solemn: "I will do my best to persuade the British government to agree to your conditions." ”

What is the custody period required by Chen Geng, not 10 years, 15 years, 25 years, or 30 years?

Obviously, it is because Chen Geng hopes to spend 20 years to figure out how the top luxury car brands operate, and then build AMC's own high-end brand, but Sir Ralph Robbins does not think that there is anything wrong with Chen Geng's approach: really think that people are the best, only pay without asking for anything in return? Want to ask Fernandez Chen to help Rolls-Royce cars out of the predicament, these are the prices that Rolls-Royce cars and England must pay.

But it doesn't matter, as long as Chen Geng can do it, the Rolls-Royce Group and the British government are willing to pay this price.

This is also the reason why neither of them resorted to words but knew it.

"As for the second condition," said Sir Ralph Robbins, after a pause, "the request of the Board of Directors of the Group is ......"