Chapter 1196: Very Angry

"Like Tesla, we have just started here, and we are starting from scratch." In the huge workshop of SpaceX in Los Angeles, Musk brought Feng Yiping, Martin, Mark, and Straw, all directors of Tesla, Standing on a platform on the side, looking at the busy workshop below, he said in a high tone.

At this time, with his hands on his hips, he glanced at the engineers below who were dressed differently from the general manufacturing industry. Just like a child who finally expected to get his favorite toy, his enthusiasm was mixed with joy and excitement.

"I also believe that just as Tesla can change the pattern of the automobile industry in the future, when our rocket comes out, it will also change the pattern of the world's aerospace industry,"

These guys all have one thing in common: they will seize every opportunity to confidently and enthusiastically promote their opinions to anyone.

However, I have to say that this kind of behavior is indeed very contagious.

However, his speech had no effect at this time. Everyone looked at the place in front of them that was going to produce rockets, and they were a little curious.

"It doesn't look easy," Martin whispered.

"The difficulty is indeed not small," Straw said. "This is also a sophisticated system project. However, one of the advantages of this project is that the design and manufacturing of the rocket only need to ensure that it can work normally for a few minutes. But our cars, from the design and manufacturing point of view, must ensure that they can work normally for at least tens of thousands of hours,"

"Yes, one is consumables and the other is durable goods. And as you heard from Musk, he has recruited so many experts from airlines. From technology to design, they don't care about patents. They all hope to use the existing ones. ? Can we? He only cares about completing space launches as low as possible and as reliably as possible,"

Martin thought more, "So overall, I still think it's more difficult for us. Although we drive it on the ground, in the future our cars, at least all the core technologies, will be our patents,"

"Yes, I heard that NASA has also opened up some technologies of the Apollo program so that they can develop suitable rocket engines according to mission requirements and overall design. NASA also allows them to use test benches, and the Air Force also provides them with test sites,"

Mark said with resentment, "But we don't have such good conditions. Those large car companies are ready to laugh at our jokes, but at the same time they are strictly guarding against us."

"In the field of aerospace, SpaceX is a troublesome little brother, but in the field of automobiles, we at Tesla are now a loud-mouthed troublemaker,"

"you're right,"

Several other people felt sorry for Mark's statement. In the past period of time, they had felt too much pressure from traditional car manufacturing companies, especially Martin, who was poaching people everywhere.

When he goes to a car company, he is not as popular as Musk when he goes to an airline company.

"We try every means to reduce costs," Musk was explaining to Feng Yiping some of his rocket company's attempts. "We buy a lot of second-hand equipment on eBay,"

"I also try to liberate them from the thinking of rocket scientists and look for inspiration from everywhere. For example, we once thought, could we use milk cans on milk trucks to hold fuel? That is mass-produced and very cheap. And not many break down,"

Well, Feng Yiping finally understood why their launch costs could be controlled lower than ours. It is strange that they can often think like this. Cost control is not good.

Feng Yiping thought that his next sentence would be about the theme of the board meeting held in Los Angeles. Who knew that a guy like him would not take the usual path, "Have you been to the Kennedy Space Center?" he asked enthusiastically. Everyone.

This context is too jumpy, okay?

"Shopping around," several people, including Feng Yiping, said.

"I have visited many times. Every time I go there, especially to the 39A launch tower, I am so excited. It is the place where we humans first set off to land on other celestial bodies. I hope that my rocket will be there in the future. and spacecraft can carry people with the same dreams as me to Mars. I hope that I can retire on Mars in the future,"

This is not the first time everyone has heard of his dream of colonizing Mars. No one else said anything. Straw said, "That's because, with the current technology, even if we can succeed in the future, Arriving at Mars is a one-way ticket with no return, right?”

Haha, Musk's expression was a little exciting for a moment.

Straw, a technical kid, is really too upright.

Feng Yiping quickly came to the rescue, "Straw, technology will develop. If it doesn't work now, it doesn't mean it won't work in the future. If you have a dream, you should be right."

But Martin couldn't help but chuckle from behind.

…………

In the afternoon, in the SpaceX conference room, Tesla Motors’ last board meeting of 2003 was officially held.

"In the past few months, we have formed a very good team. With everyone's collaborative efforts, we have made many breakthroughs from the underlying technology to the core technology," the company's CEO Martin said at the meeting. speak.

"The results are outstanding, but there are also many difficulties we face. There are some key technologies, such as motor systems, that we still need to overcome. The integration of various subsystems is also a big problem..."

“So overall, we need to be prepared for pure investment for at least a few years,” he said. “This is the main issue we want to discuss at this meeting. From this point of view, the company’s financial situation is no longer optimistic. I think everyone should make up for the shortfall in subscriptions by the middle of next year at the earliest,”

"In the meantime, we'd better discuss the capital increase now,"

"Please tell me what you think," Feng Yiping said.

Musk has been immersed in flipping through the pile of information in his hand, with a bad expression on his face. "In terms of research and development, there are some achievements, but I think this is not enough. Straw, as the company's CFO, I think you need to review For the work of my department, I hope to get the company’s specific R&D plan and schedule,”

Feng Yiping always felt that Musk was targeting Straw when he spoke. He might still be a little affected by Straw’s words in the morning, so he reminded him, “Musk, Straw sends emails like this every month. Check your mailbox, it must be there,"

When facing Feng Yiping, Musk was still very polite, "Oh, okay, I'll take a look again,"

The next moment, he pointed the finger at Martin, "In other words, our cumulative investment of 100 million US dollars can only last until the end of next year, that is, all of it was burned down in more than a year?"

He threw the stack of documents on the table, "I am very disappointed with the company's ability to control costs,"

Although his words were quite angry, he was still talking about the matter. He did not say that my rocket company would only invest 100 million US dollars.

"I admit that the company has room for improvement in some aspects. Especially after visiting SpaceX today, I learned a lot of good ways to save costs. I have already arranged some things at noon. I can be sure that when we return to When we go to Silicon Valley, there will definitely be some new initiatives that have been formulated,”

"So I am very confident that our cost control will be in line with SpaceX,"

Martin's words are indeed quite sincere.

But Musk was obviously not satisfied with his statement, and his expression did not improve, "Are you done?"

"No," Martin said in a good temper this time, "Please wait a moment Musk,"

"I will ensure that every penny of the funds we invest is spent where it should be used, but as CEO, I must ensure that the company's finances are sufficient and we cannot wait until we are almost out of money before raising the issue of capital increase,"

"Feng," Musk said, "I think it is necessary for us to get involved in Tesla's daily management. This research and development does not happen overnight. The daily expenses will increase. After a few years, it will not be a small amount. I don't want it to happen in the future." Develop a so-called perfect car that the public cannot afford,"

"Martin also welcomes everyone to participate in the construction and management of the company. I definitely agree with your proposal. I will try my best to spare time. As for you, let's see if you can spare one or two days every month. Going to Silicon Valley?”

Musk thought for a moment and said, "No problem,"

"Then I also want to confirm a consensus. It is impossible to develop the ideal electric vehicle with only the US$100 million we have invested. Therefore, increasing capital is inevitable. Isn't that everyone's opinion?"

"Feng, you know, I don't have any objection to the capital increase," Musk said, "I just hope that we can improve our cost control level. As for the capital increase, we will do it in accordance with the articles of association."

Regarding the capital increase, it is stipulated in the articles of association that everyone will increase their capital contribution in proportion to the original capital contribution, which is beneficial to Feng Yiping, a major shareholder who is not short of money.

"Then we will decide that before the one-year period expires in July next year, everyone will pay back the registered capital of RMB 10,000. Then at the end of July, we will hold a board of directors meeting to determine the specific details of the capital increase,"

"Agreed," Martin raised his hand first.

"agree,"

"agree,"

"Agree," Musk agreed, but with his head lowered.

ps: I have created a group, 454, 231, 228. Everyone is welcome to visit and provide valuable opinions. I look forward to the opportunity to communicate with you!