The company did not expect Changfeng to be ruthless, and sent them four letters one after another, demanding that they immediately fulfill the terms of the contract and build a production line for engines and other major parts in Changfeng Company, otherwise they would sue GM in court for breach of contract. At the same time, in view of the fact that GM cannot supply engines and spare parts on time and in accordance with the provisions of the contract, Changfeng Automobile Manufacturing Company will suffer certain losses, and this loss will also be borne by GM. For this reason, Changfeng Company decided to temporarily freeze the payment originally scheduled to settle with GM next month, and then dispose of it after the problem has been effectively resolved.

To say that Changfeng's reactions were not completely unexpected by General Motors. Since General Shruji has come up with the means of choking his neck, he must prevent the pawn from counterattacking.

However, generally speaking, according to the past experience of joint ventures, there are few joint venture parties who will dare to face each other as hard as Changfeng Company. Usually they are more concerned about the company's profits, the welfare of workers, etc. As long as GM shows a tough side, the joint venture partners will soften and take the initiative to "negotiate amicably" with them

The most unexpected thing for GM is that Changfeng has begun to contact Toyota of Japan and Peugeot of France. Both companies have senior vice presidents. I went to Yulan City to have a preliminary meeting with Changfeng Company. Toyota, in particular, has unequivocally expressed its great interest in cooperation.

Originally, this was the first draft of the original planning of the automobile joint venture plant. The agreed partner was a Japanese-funded automaker, and GM was not Changfeng's first choice, so it later changed its original intention.

Now, after several years of hard work, Changfeng Automobile has a certain reputation in China, occupying a large share of the mid-range car market. This time. GM broke with Changfeng. Withdrawing from the Oriental A field is tantamount to letting Toyota pick up a big ready-made bargain. Although in mature markets, every automaker has a loyal customer base, customers who accept the GM brand will not necessarily identify with Toyota's technology and brand. However, in the eastern market, the rapid economic development has not been long, and the market for private cars has just opened, and the brand awareness of consumers is not so strong. Even. Because Japanese cars have been in the domestic market for a much longer time than American cars, the popularity of Japanese brands in neighboring countries is much higher than that of American brands.

If Changfeng really turns to cooperate with Toyota, it will not have much adverse impact on the market share it already occupies and the initial creation of the Changfeng automobile brand. Until that time. The real one who suffers a big loss is General Motors.

Liu Jun has said unequivocally that if General Motors gives up this opportunity and takes the initiative to break with Changfeng, it will forever lose its re-entry into the automobile market of this ancient oriental country.

Assuming that Zhao Yan or someone else said such a thing, General Motors Wu Xu didn't care very much. It's just a scene. But when it comes out of Liu Jun's mouth, the effect is completely different.

Liu Jun's Laozi is the vice premier of the Republic, in charge of economic construction, and is also in charge of the National Development Commission. The establishment of all large-scale joint ventures will definitely not be able to bypass Liu Jincai's pass. Let alone. According to the current news from domestic officialdom. At this year's upcoming national party congress, Yoo Jincai is very likely to go one step further and become the head of the cabinet. And Liu Jun himself is also a powerful big man. At that time, the father and son of the Liu family did not let go, and it was impossible for any department to dare to give GM another chance to enter the Republic market!

Liu Jun said. It's not a lie!

According to information obtained by GM's intelligence department, several other world-renowned automakers are also preparing to contact Changfeng to see if there is an opportunity.

In addition, there is also a Jiang Xi, which is also very unfavorable to GM.

When the vice presidents of Toyota Corporation of Japan and Peugeot of France came to Yulan City to contact Changfeng Company, Di Weiqing, governor of the provincial government, personally met with the two vice presidents, extended a warm welcome to them, and said that the provincial government would provide more preferential and convenient conditions for the joint venture partners.

When General Motors and Changfeng signed a cooperation agreement, the governor of the province, who was also His Excellency Gao Weiqing, had never shown his face, let alone said such "inspiring" words.

This means, at least, provincial governments. It has become a staunch supporter of Changfeng Company.

Since GM has invested in the province, it has also done research on the political structure of the province. This is a must-have lesson for a world-class company. Although it is not like the intelligence agencies of the United States, which have made great efforts to deconstruct the political situation of the Republic in depth and detail, at least they are very clear about the relationship between Minist Weiqing and Liu Jun. It wasn't a close partnership before. It seems that these two high-ranking officials of the province have some disagreements. General Motors also considered taking advantage of the discord to create some contradictions, so that Gao Weiqing could exert some pressure on Liu Jun and Changfeng Company.

Prior to this, GM had used diplomatic channels to put pressure on the republic. With the size of GM, it is natural to be able to find people willing to speak for them in the US government and Congress. It would be nonsense to say that this can affect the general policy of US foreign policy. However, it is about the interests of General Motors and the leading position of automobile technology. It is easy to get certain dignitaries in the US State Department and Congress to exert some pressure on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic.

The initial feedback from diplomatic channels was quite encouraging. It is said that a certain dignitary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic said that he would pay attention to this matter and bring about a friendly settlement between the two sides.

But now, GM has received the news that the Ministry of Foreign Economic and Trade Cooperation of Republic Re. A director named Banlan has been appointed to personally rush to Yulan City to assist Changfeng Company in negotiations.

Director Wei Lan, whose name General Motors had also heard of, was a powerful figure who had participated in the WTO accession talks.

It seems that this diplomatic channel is not so easy to walk.

GM's mistake was that they miscalculated the situation and believed that their opponents were Zhao Yan and Changfeng. This level of opponents, GM generally does not really look at the eyes. Later, Liu Jun personally intervened, and GM realized that he had made the wrong object. However, the outlook for the future trend is still relatively optimistic. It is believed that Liu Jun just wants to increase his political capital with this, as long as General Motors makes certain concessions, it is enough for Liu Jun to "have face" in his domestic officialdom.

These politicians, as usual, are like this.

Now Changfeng Company has come up with such a drastic method, making it clear that it wants to "fight to the death" with General Motors. GM really paid attention to solving the problem as a package, and hurriedly held a high-level meeting to discuss the countermeasures in a solemn manner.

At the meeting, Lehman naturally became the center of attention.

As the management representative of General Motors stationed in Changfeng Company, Lehman has the clearest understanding of Changfeng Company and even Liu Jun's situation, even for that extremely mysterious eastern country. And much more than most Americans know. GM's top decision-makers need more information from Lehman about their negotiating partners.

Lehman admits that he is not optimistic about the outcome of this negotiation. Because "Yoo Joon is a stubborn person, and a strong person. From what I know about him, the young lieutenant governor gives it his all once he decides to do something. If there is no satisfactory result for him, he will not give up"!

This is Lehman's evaluation of Yoo Jun at the top meeting of General Motors.

No one questioned Lehman's assessment. What Lehman is talking about is exactly what they think is the standard image of a political strongman.

"Yoo Jun also has a characteristic, that is, when he decides to do something, he usually has a complete plan in advance, and then, in order to achieve this plan, he mobilizes all his forces, according to the words of their country, that is, all the relationships and strive for a perfect effect."

Lehman further explained.

No one doubts this.

As it turned out, Yoo Joon had already mobilized all his strength to deal with the matter.

"So, doesn't Yoo Jun have any shortcomings? Can't be defeated? ”

After a moment, a senior executive of the company asked.

Lehman shook his head a little frustratedly: "At least, so far, I haven't heard rumors that Yoo Joon was once defeated!" ”

Everyone fell silent.

From Lehman's description, it seems that they have seen an opponent who is too strong to be defeated.

"Well, Lehman, you have a good opinion on this negotiation. What kind of judgment is it? ”

After a while, a certain big man in the first place asked in a low voice, everyone's eyes fell on Lehman, and the atmosphere in the conference room became tense. It is clear to everyone that this meeting. A decision had to be made.

Lehman thought about it very seriously, straightened his back, and said solemnly: "If the company continues to appoint me as a negotiator, I will do my best to obtain the most favorable result for the company." However, I would like to remind you gentlemen that we must prepare for the worst" either agree to the conditions of Changfeng Company and Liu Jun, or decide to withdraw from the eastern market! And, it's a permanent exit! ”

The atmosphere of the conference room became more solemn. Even the air seems to have frozen a little.

Everyone's eyes fell on the first big man again, and fell on his statue-like face.

There was another silence, and the big man said slowly, "Okay, Lehman, you go back." Try your best to get the best result for us! ”

In mid-July, when the Northern Hemisphere heat wave was rolling, Mr. Lehman braved the scorching sun and came to Magnolia again, accompanied by a large negotiating delegation.