Chapter 419 Urban SUV

In early 1998, Indonesia's financial crisis recurred and faced the worst economic recession in history. On February 11, the Indonesian government announced that it would implement a linked exchange rate system in which the Indonesian rupiah and the U.S. dollar maintain a fixed exchange rate to stabilize the Indonesian rupiah. This move was unanimously opposed by the International Monetary Fund, the United States, and Western Europe. The International Monetary Fund threatened to withdraw aid to Indonesia. Indonesia is in a major political and economic crisis.

On February 16, the price of the Indonesian rupiah to the U.S. dollar fell below 10,000:1. Affected by this, the Southeast Asian foreign exchange market has experienced turbulence again. The Singapore dollar, Malaysian ringgit, Thai baht, Philippine peso, etc. have fallen one after another. The Korean won has not been spared. It almost fell below the 2000:1 mark at one time, which made the already very difficult Korean economy even more difficult. To make matters worse, many Korean companies could not hold on and fell into bankruptcy crisis. Only a small number of chaebols received government financial assistance and were able to breathe.

Among them, Shunyang Group and Samsung Group are relatively special entities. Samsung Group can obtain financing from the U.S. capital market on its own, and Shunyang Group has abundant liquidity after selling Shunyang Automobile and Hando Steel. It will definitely be fine if you grit your teeth and hold on for a year or two.

The old man Chen Yangzhe was sitting in his office and suddenly a thought came to his mind: Could this be all part of this guy's plan?

In mid-March, Samsung Group received an investment of US$1.3 billion from U.S. capital. To this end, Qin Hao and Chen Yangzhe jointly transferred 11% of the shares. Since Samsung Group is not a listed company, this equity transfer was not carried out. According to the report, even many employees of Samsung Group did not know about this matter, so Qin Hao naturally would not publicize it.

After receiving the capital injection, Qin Hao also began to flex his muscles. He successively acquired the construction company of Halla Group, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, and the automobile department of Ssangyong Group. His successive large-scale investments also made many chaebols marvel at the strong financial resources of Samsung Group.

The reason why he acquired Halla Group's construction company was because Qin Hao remembered that after the Asian financial crisis, Goryeo's economy began to recover and a large number of infrastructure projects began. This would be a big cake in the future.

As for the automobile department of Ssangyong Group, it mainly produces high-end brands. Although its sales volume is not as good as that of Daying and Yazhen, its overall brand image is better and its profit margin is also good. The reason for its collapse is actually due to defects in the operation of Ssangyong Group. The high level of debt has little to do with Ssangyong Motors itself.

Wu Shixian was very curious and asked privately: "Boss, you have acquired three automobile companies one after another. What route do you want to take?"

Qin Hao did not answer, but summoned all the executives of the automobile department to the conference room.

"Mr. Wu just asked me a question. I think it is indeed time to hold a meeting to finalize the future plan of our Samsung Shunyang Motors."

After saying that, Qin Hao asked his assistant to turn off the lights in the conference room, and a picture appeared on the screen. This was a picture of a car, but it was different from ordinary cars. This car had a higher floor and fastback lines. Look. It looks more generous than a sedan.

"Isn't this the Sportage launched by Yazhen a few years ago?"

Someone present recognized him immediately.

Qin Hao nodded appreciatively: "Yes, this is the Sportage, the SUV model of Yazhen Motors in 1993. This is our first flagship product of Samsung Shunyang Motors."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a heated discussion in the conference room. The SUV model had actually been developed a long time ago. The first mass-produced SUV was the Chevrolet Suburban, which was born in 1935.

However, at the beginning, SUVs were not as popular as later generations. For a long time, car consumers felt that SUVs were not as stable as cars in the city, and they were not as capable of climbing over mountains as off-road vehicles. Pulling goods is not as practical as a pickup truck.

It was in the late 1990s that SUVs were gradually reaccepted by car consumers. As urban traffic conditions became better and better, SUVs gradually gained favor due to their comprehensive strength.

Qin Hao raised his hand and pressed it, and waited until the conference room became quiet again before he spoke.

“Although it is true that many car manufacturers have launched SUV models, so far, no SUV has become a hit, such as Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape. The sales of these models are actually not too high. , in fact, there is still a lot of room for development of SUV models."

In fact, it was Porsche that really pushed SUV models to the status of mainstream models. In 1998, Porsche, whose performance had been declining year after year, made a decision that went against its ancestors in order to stop its decline: to develop an SUV model. This made countless car fans follow the car at that time. The media sang bad news, but with the launch of the Porsche Cayenne in 2002, sales exceeded 150,000 units in just 5 years. You must know that Porsche’s pricing has always been high, and the profit brought by 150,000 units even exceeded the original sales generated from its main sports car business.

While the executives in the conference room were still thinking, Qin Hao had already asked his assistant to change the picture to a new one.

This is also a car picture, but unlike the previous Yazhen Sportage, this car looks weird, especially the front face, which looks like a lying toad with two protrusions. The headlights look like the eyes of a toad.

"Isn't this a bit ugly?"

"Ugly? It's not really ugly, but it's quite eye-catching."

"It's quite special, but can consumers accept such a radical design?"

Qin Hao did not stop the executives from talking, but looked at Wu Shixian.

Wu Shixian's face turned into a porridge: "Boss, who designed the appearance of this? Did Taiya escape?"

Qin Hao said sternly: "Although I acquired three automobile companies, I never expected to survive by relying on their capital. Don't forget, there is no way that Koryo Automobile can compete with Japanese, German, and American companies in the global market. It’s a matter of competition. If we don’t innovate, we will be eliminated sooner or later.”

"This car is to show our attitude to the market, to get rid of consumers' inherent impression of us, and to tell them that we are a brand-new car manufacturer! We are different!"

"Okay, you are the boss, you can always convince me." Wu Shixian spread his hands and said helplessly.

After the meeting, a model called Samsung Sunyang Cayenne was officially finalized. It has been half a year since the acquisition of Yazhen Automobile. The entire Samsung Automobile department has also been fully reorganized and has officially begun to enter the research and development stage.

At the same time, Samsung Motors also began to recruit workers on TV and newspapers. As soon as the news came out, Samsung Motors’ recruitment center was crowded. After the original employees of Yazhen Motors got the news, many people came to sign up. In the general environment In such a bad economic environment, the job market is naturally full of people. Many of them rely on the severance pay to support their family's lives. Looking at the living examples around them, it is natural that they have a good impression of Samsung Group. , rushing to apply for jobs.

Chen Yangzhe also saw the news about Samsung Group's recruitment on TV, and took advantage of the weekend party to call Qin Hao to the study.

"Has the first model been finalized?"

Qin Hao did not hide anything and told Chen Yangzhe the SUV plan.

"SUV? Do you plan to take the mid-to-high-end route?"

As expected of Lao Jianghu, who has been familiar with the automobile racing circuit for many years, he guessed what Qin Hao was thinking right away.

"That's right. In the past, neither Yazhen Auto nor Shunyang Auto could compete with Daying Auto in the low-end field. This was true in Korea, and it was even more difficult to compete with Japan in the entire world. Automobile companies are competing, so instead of doing this, it is better to open up another track and seize this part of the market as soon as possible before those luxury brands have launched SUVs, while also establishing a high-end brand image in the minds of consumers." Qin Hao explained.

Chen Yangzhe pondered for a long time and sighed: "This is another risky move for you!"

Doing so will undoubtedly put all the treasure on the SUV track. Once the first product does not achieve a sensational market effect, Samsung Motors will face serious losses.

Qin Hao smiled: "A low-risk business also means no profit. Everyone is doing it, and the competition is greater."

"Well, you kid always has your own ideas. Well, grandpa won't argue with you. Just follow the path of your choice." After Chen Yangzhe finished speaking, he said seriously.

"However, it is indeed time for you and Xianmin to have a child. When grandpa was your age, your uncle was already four or five years old."

Qin Hao teased helplessly: "Grandpa, why are you acting like my grandma now? This is not like your style at all."

A trace of loneliness flashed in Chen Yangzhe's eyes. If it were ten years ago, he would never have given up Yazhen Automobile at the last moment of the bidding, let alone sold Shunyang Automobile. But he is already 71 years old, and his body Understand, not to mention that his second grandson is so capable, which really makes him want to retire and provide for himself.

Of course, as the heir to the Shunyang Group, it is a necessary condition to have a successor. Only in this way can he hand over the Shunyang Group to his grandson with peace of mind.

"You kid, don't take it seriously. Hold on tight. Grandpa has prepared all the gifts for you." Chen Yangzhe patted Qin Hao on the shoulder and said with a smile.

Qin Hao's heart moved: "Grandpa, don't you want to retire?"

"Nonsense, am I very old now? Why should I retire!" Chen Yangzhe said harshly.

"Then it's over, don't worry, just let nature take its course. Don't worry, I will let you have your great-grandson before you retire."

"Humph, if the old lady hadn't been talking to me all day long, who would care?"

"Yes, you don't care."

Qin Hao and Chen Yangzhe came down from the study. Chen Yongji's originally gloomy face suddenly felt like a spring breeze. This also made Qin Hao wary. Chen Yongji, an old yin, was not a fool like his son Chen Xingjun. If he had taken action last time, he would have been assassinated. The plan would never be this childish.

After lunch, Qin Hao went to the back garden for a stroll. Not long after he came out, Chen Daojun followed him. In this life, because his father had received enough severance pay, his mother did not borrow money to trade stocks to raise tuition for her son. Therefore, the mother did not commit suicide, and Chen Daojun was still in a good mood.

"I heard that Samsung Motors is recruiting workers, can you do me a favor?"

Qin Hao pretended to be curious and asked: "Oh? What are you busy with?"

"Hire an automobile worker who was originally an employee of Yazhen Automobile. He is a very skilled and serious person."

Qin Hao interrupted him directly: "What can I get by helping him?"

Chen Daojun smiled bitterly: "I thought you would ask why I should help him."

"That's your business and has nothing to do with me. I only care about the benefits I can get."

"After all, we are also a family, so we don't need to be so businesslike, right? And it's just a piece of cake for you." Chen Daojun said depressedly.

Qin Hao turned his face towards the front hall sarcastically: "Family? Are you talking about uncle and the others?"

Chen Daojun was speechless, but he sat directly on the recliner next to Qin Hao, looking like he was in trouble: "Tell me, I owe you a favor anyway, what do you want me to do. "

"I just acquired the construction department of Halla Group. I have reorganized it and formed Samsung Real Estate. I heard that the Seoul New Town Plan is about to be launched. I want to know what land is within the new town. .”

Seeing that Chen Daojun was about to refute, Qin Hao sneered: "Don't tell me that you don't know, I won't ask about the source of your information, but you'd better tell me what you know, as a way of repaying my previous favor. "

"What about this time?" Chen Daojun's face was a little uncertain. He always felt that this cousin seemed to have seen through him.

Qin Hao smiled and patted Chen Daojun on the shoulder: "Well, this time it's you who returns the favor, and I give it to you as a gift. How about it? It's a good deal, right?"

Chen Daojun's face was full of bitterness: "Can I still say no?"

"Then it will be a pleasure to cooperate."

"I have to confirm the accuracy of the information before telling you."

Qin Hao was happy. This kid might have traveled through time for a long time and had forgotten a little bit, right?

"It doesn't matter, it's still early, there's still time."

"."

At the same time, in the front hall, the originally harmonious atmosphere of the family was ruined by Chen Huaying's words.

Chen Huaying said that her husband was planning to run for minister of Seoul and wanted to gain his father's support. However, Chen Yangzhe immediately changed his face after hearing this. What he hated most in his life were politicians.

Chen Yongji was also very dissatisfied with Chen Huaying's behavior of moving closer to Qin Hao. He took the opportunity to sarcastically say: "Actually, it's good for my brother-in-law to stay in the procuratorate honestly. Why bother?"

This made Chen Huaying very angry and glared at Chen Yongji.

"Okay, there is no need to discuss this matter for the time being. Let's maintain the status quo." After Chen Yangzhe finished speaking, he went back to his room to rest.

"dad."

Chen Huaying was still acting out, and Cui's son-in-law quickly stopped her.

Looking at her father's decisive back, Chen Huaying was angry and helpless, but when her eyes fell on Mao Xianmin, she suddenly had an idea.

After dinner, Qin Hao and Mao Xianmin returned home. Just when Qin Hao was about to do something bad, Mao Xianmin stopped him.

"Don't make trouble. In the afternoon, my aunt said she wanted to treat you to dinner."

"Did you ask for something during dinner, right?"

"Well, my uncle wants to run for minister of Seoul, and grandpa doesn't seem too happy about it."

"Okay, book a place and invite them to have a meal with them at noon tomorrow."

After Qin Hao finished speaking, he pinched Mao Xianmin's chin in displeasure and gritted his teeth: "If you dare to be such a disappointment in the future, see how I deal with you!"

"Come on, I'll wait for you." Mao Xianmin smiled and got into the bathroom.