Truck production exceeded 600,000 units. In those days, cargo transport was more popular than passenger transport. Most rural areas didn't even have a large truck; people used farm tricycles with welded steel frames and tarpaulins. These were the main means of transportation.
Kevin also discovered that after Volkswagen entered the mainland market, sales were not as good as expected. With the demand for cars in developed countries gradually being met, the only market that could be opened up now was the Four Asian Tigers.
With so many car manufacturers vying for a handful of high-growth regions globally, the competition is fierce.
Without the rise of the Chinese economy, the global economy would have peaked in the early 2000s. The rise of the mainland provided the world with the cheapest products. As the economy grew, the mainland became a consumption black hole, constantly increasing global consumption of automobiles, luxury goods, industrial products, raw materials, and high technology.
“I’m getting old, so staying in Volkswagen is fine.” Kevin didn’t really want to answer.
"As long as your eyes are open, life can't be easily said to be over. Try a different path, and you might have unexpected gains." Lu Feng picked up his bowl and ate a piece of soup.
“I think so too!” Du Guoying chimed in from the side. “If I were your age and had reached your level, I would definitely do whatever I wanted, since I wouldn’t have to worry about food and drink, right?”
“I must say, Mr. Lu’s assessment of the passenger car industry is quite accurate. In the past two years, the growth rate of passenger cars in mainland China has lagged significantly behind that of trucks.” Kevin hesitated for a moment, then continued, “It may also be related to the marketing strategy.”
“It’s okay, no matter how good your marketing is, a penniless guy like me can’t afford it!” Du Guoying said to him, “Since it’s called ‘mass market,’ it’s meant to serve the masses, but your price is too niche. What President Lu does is what truly caters to the masses. There’s a saying: the lower the barrier to entry, the bigger the market. The bigger the market, the more fools there will be.”
"That's a nice way to put it, but it's not quite appropriate to say the last sentence so directly." Lu Feng raised his glass and clinked it against Du Guoying's.
"My fault, my fault, it's all the fault of our valued consumers!" He clinked his glass, downed it in one gulp, and continued, "You can't have your cake and eat it too. The important thing is to find the right market, the right target audience, and sell the right products to the right people at the right price. The problem is, if your target audience is a niche, but you want to be part of the masses, that's inherently counterproductive!"
Lu Feng clapped his hands and said to Du Guoying, "That's very well said."
Kevin looked at him with some surprise, not expecting this young man to have such a clear understanding of the issues!
"If family cars can't meet the consumption needs of the vast majority of families, I think it's an industry with no future," Lu Feng said while eating. "Actually, isn't selling anything still selling? People can't be rigid. What I dislike most is putting all your eggs in one basket; you have to learn to look for opportunities on other trees."
The three of them chatted back and forth, from the global business environment to the military and the future of the industry. Before they knew it, a case of red wine was empty, and they were having a lively conversation.
Lu Feng was already sitting next to Kevin, one arm around his shoulder, the other pinching his eyes, and said with a slight slurred speech, "Brother, I wasn't saying I was trying to poach you or anything, absolutely no. It's just fate, right? Nobody cares about ten thousand yuan. Even if I slammed this money on the table right now, you couldn't just pick it up and leave, right?"
Kevin looked at Lu Feng for a while and said, "I'll take the money and leave. I don't want to bother you any longer!"
“Look at you… even the Americans aren’t being fair.” Lu Feng took a drag of his cigarette and said, “You’re too confused to see the situation clearly. It’s okay, I won’t hold it against you. I’ll give you a chance. Here’s what we’ll do: come to my company after the New Year, and I’ll show you just how huge the global home appliance market is right now.”
Kevin wanted to refuse; he had already realized that Lu Feng would not give up until he got his hands on him.
He doesn't want that ten thousand yuan anymore.
Just as he was about to refuse, Du Guoying hurriedly said, "Brother, don't refuse yet. Let me say something to you. Let's go this way."
Lu Feng sat there smoking, while Du Guoying called Kevin aside, looking rather mysterious.
"Why can't we say these things at the dinner table?" Kevin asked, puzzled.
"Brother, I have a favor to ask you. You may not know, but my family is in dire straits. I'm the only one supporting the whole family, but now..."
Du Guoying's eyes reddened as she spoke, and she choked up, unable to continue.
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