Chapter 663: Technological supremacy! Bundled sales! Kneel down and I’ll consider it. No, you really want to kneel down?
Panasonic has not had an easy time in the past year.
Not only did it lose a large number of power battery orders, but sales in the camera and camcorder fields also continued to decline.
The reason is simple: competing companies are all using Deep Blue batteries, but Panasonic is still using traditional lithium batteries.
Take camera batteries for example. A deep blue battery of the same size can support 1,500 photos, while a Panasonic camera battery can only support 300 to 500 photos at most.
Although carrying an extra battery can solve the problem, if one battery can last a whole day of shooting, and the image quality is equal, who would still be willing to choose Panasonic products?
Therefore, even though Panasonic Chairman Yoshino Peng knew that sending Yamada Hiroki to China would most likely be rejected, he still held on to a glimmer of hope and decided to give it a try.
But when Yuki Yamada arrived, he found that without an invitation, he couldn't even get through the door.
He stood at the gate of Deep Blue Technology with his assistant and entourage, looking extremely embarrassed.
Shenzhen was hot and stuffy in August. It wasn't that Yamada Yuki didn't want to get in the car and enjoy the air conditioning, but he was afraid that he would miss Chen Yansen if he left.
He made up his mind to wait for Chen Yansen, Ma Zhiao or Zeng Jiwen to pass by in a car, and then immediately chase them and ask for help.
At this time, a Tesla Model S LR slowly stopped and the window rolled down, revealing a face that Yamada Yuki was very familiar with - Musk.
Yamada Yuki was slightly stunned. He really didn't expect that Musk would attach so much importance to this procurement negotiation that he would come to Shenzhen from the Lighthouse Country.
"Mr. Yamada, long time no see, what are you doing?"
Musk glanced at Yuki Yamada, whose forehead was sweating, and joked with a smile.
Musk and Yamada Yuki are old acquaintances.
After all, the battery packs used by Tesla have always been supplied by Panasonic, and it was Yuki Yamada who was responsible for coordinating this cooperation.
However, with the advent of Deep Blue batteries, Tesla's purchases of Panasonic batteries have dropped sharply.
Currently, Panasonic batteries are only used in some cheap versions with low battery life.
In 2014, the price of a pure electric sports car was as high as tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of US dollars. Users who were willing to pay for Tesla had higher requirements for battery life and handling, which led to Panasonic's power batteries being unpopular in the North American market.
In addition, as the price of Deep Blue batteries has been declining, Musk even had the idea of switching to Deep Blue batteries across the board.
"I'm waiting for a friend."
Yamada Yuki said hesitantly.
He couldn't say that he was stopped outside by security because he didn't have an invitation, right?
"Mr. Yamada, please continue. I won't bother you anymore." Musk saw through the situation but didn't say anything. He waved his hand and signaled the driver to drive.
Yamada Yuki forced a wry smile on his face and was about to step back when an idea suddenly popped up in his mind: Why not take this opportunity to get into Musk's car and go in with him?
Thinking of this, he quickly stopped, stretched out his hand to stop him, and said with a stiff upper lip, "Mr. Musk, I just remembered that I have some details to discuss with you about the battery supply price in the second half of the year. If you don't mind, could you give me a ride? We can talk things over on the way."
Musk grinned, his mind as clear as a mirror.
He is not stupid. He has known for a long time that Deep Blue Technology has blacklisted Panasonic.
He knew that if he didn't make sense of it and really brought his current life into Deep Blue Technology, Chen Yansen might vent his anger on Tesla.
"It's not convenient today, let's talk about it another day."
Musk made up an excuse in a perfunctory tone, and as soon as he finished speaking, he waved to the driver to drive away, without giving Yamada Yuki a chance to speak again.
After checking the invitation letter, the guard immediately lifted the barrier and let us in.
"Xinei!"
Seeing that Musk refused to help, Yuki Yamada could only watch as the other party's three cars drove towards the depths of the Deep Blue Technology Park, and he was helpless.
At this moment, he felt a little regretful. He was too impulsive last year!
He underestimated the impact of high-energy lithium-sulfur batteries on consumer electronics, new energy vehicles and the medical industry.
I also underestimated Chen Yansen's skills and courage!
If we say we won’t supply Panasonic, we really won’t give them any chance at all!
Be decisive in doing things and leave no room for maneuver!
Soon after, representatives from companies such as Yamasei, LG and BMW passed by one after another, but no one dared to give Yamada Yuki a ride.
Anyone who can sit in this position now is smart and naturally doesn't want to cause trouble.
Besides, what good would it be to help Yamada Yuki?
No benefit at all!
Instead, you have to take huge risks.
So everyone avoided him as if he were the plague, trying to avoid him as much as possible.
In August in Shenzhen, the weather was getting hotter and hotter. The rapid chirping of cicadas could be heard from the branches and leaves on both sides of the road, making Yamada Yuki more and more upset.
After more than ten minutes, Ma Zhiao, CEO of DeepBlue Technology, finally arrived.
Yamada Yuki seemed to have grabbed the last straw and rushed over almost at a trot, not even bothering to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
"Mr. Ma! Mr. Ma, please stay!" He waved his hands and shouted in not very fluent Chinese, with an eagerness that was hard to conceal in his voice.
Ma Zhiao stuck his head out and looked at the sweaty Yamada Yuki. A hint of understanding flashed in his eyes, but he didn't speak immediately. He just looked at him quietly.
Yamada Yuki ran to the car, bent over and took a few deep breaths, then managed to calm down and forced a flattering smile on his face: "Mr. Ma, I am Yamada Yuki from Panasonic, and I want to talk to you about battery supply.
We were wrong last year. We shouldn't have questioned the pricing and safety of Deep Blue batteries at an industry conference, and we shouldn't have joined other manufacturers in a boycott. "Can you give Panasonic a chance?"
"I'm sorry, I can't help you." Ma Zhiao shook his head.
The big boss personally ordered that no goods would be supplied to Panasonic within three years.
Yuki Yamada swallowed and felt his throat was dry and astringent. The shirt under his suit was probably soaked.
Once upon a time, a Chinese buyer came to him. He always acted superior and took the opportunity to ask the other party to eat, drink and play with him.
At this moment, the roles were completely reversed, and he truly realized how uncomfortable it was to have someone strangled you by the neck.
After saying this, Ma Zhiao drove into the company park.
Yuki Yamada froze in place, watching the taillights of Mazzio's car disappear into the depths of the park, and he didn't even have the strength to reach out and stop him.
The assistant handed him a bottle of mineral water. He unscrewed the cap and took a few big gulps. The cold water slid down his throat, but it couldn't suppress the heat and anger in his heart.
He recalled the scene three years ago when he received a representative of a Chinese manufacturer in Tokyo.
The other party came with a thick cooperation proposal to purchase, but he deliberately left them alone for two hours.
Master advanced technology and speak with confidence!
However, Deep Blue Technology currently holds a dominant position, and he has become the one who needs help.
"Minister Yamada, what should we do now?" the assistant asked cautiously, revealing a sense of frustration and uneasiness.
Yuki Yamada did not answer, but just stared at the closed door of Deep Blue Technology with a complicated expression.
He suddenly remembered what Yoshino Peng had said to him before they set off: "Yamada, when you go to China this time, you must put aside all your pride and get the battery order back, even if you have to kneel down and beg them."
At that time, he thought the chairman was exaggerating, but only now did he realize that Panasonic no longer had the capital to negotiate terms.
After a year of development, even the medical device industry is switching to Deep Blue batteries.
High-energy-density lithium batteries can store a large amount of electrical energy in a smaller volume and weight, such as portable patient monitors, small oxygen machines and other equipment. They are easy to operate on the move and can be carried by patients, and are particularly beneficial in home medical and emergency scenarios.
In addition, Deep Blue batteries can provide longer-lasting power support for medical devices, reducing the trouble of frequent charging.
You know, medical equipment has always been expensive, and purchasers don’t care about the cost of Deep Blue batteries at all. They value the battery life, ease of use, and safety and stability more.
"What should I do? What else can I do?"
Yuki Yamada smashed the empty mineral water bottle to the ground. The plastic bottle bounced twice on the hot asphalt road and rolled into the grass on the side of the road.
The assistant shrank his neck and dared not speak anymore.
Sudden!
Yamada Yuki caught a glimpse of a Mercedes-Benz S600L out of the corner of his eye. This car was very special, with a business car escorting it in front and behind.
Even Ma Zhiao, CEO of DeepBlue Technology, doesn’t have such a prestigious status!
Yamada Yuki's heart suddenly sank and he reacted instantly.
"Mr. Chen! Mr. Chen, please stay!"
Before the assistant could react, he saw Yuki Yamada jogging towards the Mercedes-Benz S600L.
The Mercedes-Benz slowly stopped and the rear window rolled down, revealing Chen Yansen's calm profile.
He looked at the breathless Yamada Yuki, with no surprise in his eyes, only a kind of knowing indifference, as if he had already expected that he would stop the car.
After all, with his mental power, he had already discovered Yamada Yuki who was squatting at the door.
Unlike last year, Yuki Yamada was sweating and looked miserable at this time.
There is a smell of sweat on the body!
Chen Yansen frowned, looking disgusted, and asked indifferently, "What's the matter?"
Yamada Yuki nodded hurriedly, bending even lower until he was almost touching the car window. "Mr. Chen, I apologize to you and Deep Blue Technology for my disrespectful behavior last year! Please give Panasonic a chance, even if it's just a small batch. We are willing to accept any conditions."
"Is kneeling okay?" Chen Yansen asked, then paused and said, "Maybe I'll consider it."
Yamada Yuki was stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect Chen Yansen to make this request.
But he immediately thought of the chairman's instructions, so he gritted his teeth, took a step back, and knelt directly on the hot concrete road.
Then he lowered his hands and forehead and kowtowed to Chen Yansen.
Damn, it’s so unlucky!
I asked you to kneel down, but I didn’t ask you to kowtow!
Why add drama to yourself?
Chen Yansen chuckled and said slowly, "You really kneel down when I ask you to? But I've thought about it and I won't accept your apology."
“…” Yamada Yuki couldn’t utter a word, and his face suddenly turned purple.
He had always thought that Chen Yansen should at least consider his dignity, but he didn't expect that the other party didn't take him seriously at all, and instead made him dizzy.
"Old Huang, drive."
Chen Yansen withdrew his gaze, feeling bored.
The other party knelt too quickly, and he didn't feel refreshed at all.
Before Yuki Yamada could stand up, he could only watch the wheels of the Mercedes-Benz slowly turning, splashing a small stone from the roadside, which hit him in the cheek.
The pain was nothing, but the humiliation in his heart surged up like a tide, making him tremble all over.
This scene happened to be seen by suppliers of Huawei and Aston Martin.
Their first thought was that this person was mentally ill. How could he kneel down to discuss business with others?
9:30 am, Deep Blue Technology Conference Hall.
There were more than 30 KA buyers present, and during the communication process, they inadvertently learned about Panasonic's embarrassing situation.
For a moment, everyone's heart trembled, and they all became much more obedient.
Originally, there were several buyers who had their own plans. They wanted to take this opportunity to win over a few big customers, put pressure on Deep Blue Technology together, improve their bargaining power, and force Chen Yansen to lower the price by another five or ten points.
But when they saw Panasonic's fate with their own eyes, all those messy thoughts disappeared.
They are completely awake!
This is a seller's market, not a buyer's market!
Unless they can find a second alternative supplier, they will have to accept whatever price Deep Blue Technology quotes.
Chen Yansen sat in the first row and chatted casually with Musk, Sun Rongzhen of Shanxing, and Herbert of BMW.
Afterwards, Ma Zhiao walked up to the podium, connected the LED projection screen, and released the concept map of the second-generation deep blue battery, with some core parameters on the right.
"First of all, I would like to thank all my friends for traveling thousands of miles to Shenzhen to attend the DeepBlue Technology 2014 Procurement Conference. Today, I have two main points to make. First, for the first generation of products, our company will adjust the supply quantity and supply price;
Second, we will launch the second generation of Deep Blue batteries!"
Ma Zhiao talked freely.
He then pressed the space bar, and the parameter table on the LED projection screen instantly enlarged.
Several core parameters such as "energy density of 860 watt-hours per kilogram", "cycle life of 1,400 times", "discharge efficiency of 88% at minus 10 degrees Celsius" and so on, pierced the eyes of all the buyers present like nails.
“This is unscientific!”
Herbert, BMW's general manager of purchasing, whispered.
Because the second-generation deep blue battery has achieved more than 40% performance improvement in both energy density and cycle life compared to the first-generation product.
Aston Martin's purchasing director Philip rubbed his eyes to confirm that he was not mistaken, and then he couldn't help but gasp.
Musk leaned back in his chair, his eyes full of excitement.
The Tesla Model S LR version has a range of 1,200 kilometers. Once it is replaced with the second-generation Deep Blue battery, the range will easily exceed 1,600 kilometers while maintaining the same weight. This is definitely an overwhelming advantage in the North American market.
How can traditional fuel vehicles compete with Tesla in terms of range?
The discussion in the audience gradually died down, and Ma Zhiao continued, "Regarding the price adjustment for the first generation of batteries: starting from August, we will reduce the supply price by 10% for customers with long-term cooperation and no record of breach of contract.
However, for partners whose procurement volume has not met the contract requirements in the past six months, the supply price will remain the same. If they still fail to meet the requirements by the end of the year, we will directly terminate the cooperation and withdraw them from the company.”
Ma Zhiao's tone and attitude were very strong.
Deep Blue Technology's technological hegemony is already established; he is announcing it, not negotiating it.
Seeing no one objected, Ma Zhiao continued, "Due to production capacity constraints, the overall supply of the first-generation Deep Blue battery will be reduced to 60% of the original amount, and the remaining production capacity will be fully invested in the production of the second-generation product.
In addition, for every $500 million worth of second-generation Deep Blue batteries purchased, customers will automatically receive a 5% discount on first-generation batteries, up to a maximum of 10%.
To put it bluntly, DeepBlue Technology is using the bundling sales approach.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
