The leaders of Lu Province also attach great importance to the cooperation between Zhang Qihang and Big Brother. After confirming that Zhang Qihang is indeed willing to help Big Brother, the leaders are still not reassured. For no other reason than the Hongqi car.

The brand's status in the country and in the hearts of Chinese people is too special.

For this matter, the province even held a symposium to understand Zhang Qihang's truest thoughts, and at the same time to strengthen his own confidence: Don't screw it up...

At this symposium, facing these leaders who cared about him, Zhang Qihang also sincerely explained to the leaders: "Dear leaders, the reason why I agreed to this invitation from FAW is, on the one hand, because I have confidence in my abilities.

, thinking that they can come up with a design that satisfies the leaders and is recognized by the people;

On the other hand, it is also because I also have deep feelings for Hongqi Sedan, and I am proud that our country has such a luxury car brand recognized by the public, but at the same time, I am also deeply saddened by the current situation of Hongqi Sedan.

.

To be honest, leaders, before this, I actually thought about how I could revitalize this brand if I were the general manager of Hongqi Motors, but I could only think about this idea, but now, I finally have the opportunity, even though it is based on

I am a designer, but I still want to give it a try.”

The emotion in Zhang Qihang's words cannot be hidden from others. After hearing Zhang Qihang's words, several leaders participating in the symposium fell silent. They could all tell that Zhang Qihang really wanted to do something to revitalize the brand.

What.

After a while, Tang Changhao, who had not spoken much since the beginning of the meeting, finally asked Zhang Qihang: "Xiao Zhang, how confident are you about this matter?"

Zhang Qihang said without hesitation: "I guarantee that I can design a good enough car, but the subsequent marketing and promotion are beyond my control."

"Xu..."

Hearing Zhang Qihang's words, many leaders in the conference room breathed a sigh of relief: Can Zhang Qihang ensure that he comes up with a good enough design? This is enough!

No one thought that Zhang Qihang could make the Hongqi brand dominate the market with just one design. All they wanted was just one thing: as long as Zhang Qihang could come up with a design that everyone agreed on.

Tang Changhao also nodded repeatedly: "Since you are sure, the province will definitely support you... Just do your design, and you don't have to worry about other things."

This statement is quite direct, and it is equivalent to a clear promise to Zhang Qihang. If Big Brother approves your design, but the car does not sell well in the future, he wants to put the responsibility on you... Haha

, we are your "mother's family".

Zhang Qihang naturally understood the meaning of these words. He was grateful and excited at the same time. He nodded heavily: "Please rest assured, leaders, I will not let you down."

————————————

After receiving the reply from Shandong Province, FAW finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Although they agreed with Lei Zhiping's idea and felt that this method was good, before Zhang Qihang and Lu Sheng gave a clear answer, everyone was still worried. The reason was very simple: the situation of Hongqi sedan was here.

Well, since production resumed in 1996, the market performance has been unsatisfactory. Considering that the current market performance has been achieved with the support of government agencies at all levels and state-owned enterprises and institutions, this is even more important.

There is no way to satisfy people - Co-author If the government and major state-owned enterprises and institutions do not buy it, you FAW will not be able to sell Hongqi Motors, right?

Zhang Qihang is indeed the best car designer in China and the most internationally renowned. This is true, but Zhang Qihang is not stupid. Can't he see how big a pit this is?

Comrade Lei Zhiping had a good idea and asked Zhang Qihang to design a new generation of Mingshi and Century Star for Hongqi. But Zhang Qihang couldn't see the risks involved, so he would definitely agree?

There are too many unknown factors.

Because of this, after repeated weighing, FAW decided to contact Shandong Province through official channels and then confirm Zhang Qihang’s intention through Shandong Province. What FAW did not expect was the reaction from Shandong Province.

It was so fast. Not only did he give a clear answer in just a few days, he even said that "Zhang Qihang is very much looking forward to participating in such a meaningful work." Until this moment, no one else could

It's easy to say, but Lei Zhiping was able to sleep peacefully.

Of course, even if Zhang Qihang is invited to help design a new generation of Mingshi and Century Star, the big brother still has to put up his own airs. At the very least, he cannot show so much urgency, so he hopes to come to Huateng

The industrial group visited, and the official letter asking Zhang Qihang to also come to FAW for inspection came to Huateng Industrial Group.

Regarding Big Brother's petty thoughts, Zhang Qihang was angry and amused at the same time: If only you had used more of your thoughts on human relations and sophistication in business, Hongqi Car wouldn't be like this...

Just because he was angry and funny, Zhang Qihang sent a reply to Big Brother on behalf of Huateng Industrial Group, expressing that he welcomed Big Brother to Huateng Industrial Group to visit and guide the work...

The next thing happened naturally. Big Brother quickly organized an inspection group to visit Huateng Industrial Group for inspection. To be honest, at the beginning, the comrades of Hongqi were more concerned about this inspection activity.

With a go-through mentality, I felt that there was nothing to investigate: we went to Germany’s Volkswagen Group and Audi to inspect. Volkswagen and Audi represent the highest level of automobile manufacturing, technology and management in the world today. Is it difficult for you?

Can Huateng Industrial Group be more powerful than Volkswagen and Audi?

But after two days of inspection, none of Big Brother’s comrades dared to think so...

Lei Zhiping, who felt that this visit had greatly enriched his knowledge, also changed his previous views on Huateng Industrial Group. He couldn't help but said to Zhang Qihang: "Mr. Zhang, I finally understand why your Huateng Group can be so successful."

It has developed to where it is now in just a few years,”

Having said this, he gave a thumbs up with sincerity: "You are indeed amazing."

Zhang Qihang smiled and said: "They were all forced out." He didn't want to talk more about this topic. After saying this, Zhang Qihang immediately asked Lei Zhiping: "Mr. Lei, what about Mingshi and

Century Star, there are a few things I don’t quite understand, can I ask you for advice?”

Lei Zhiping said quickly: "Mr. Zhang, you are too polite. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"In the internal positioning of our group, what is the positioning of Mingshi and Century Star?" Zhang Qihang frowned and said: "Mingshi is a medium-sized car, while Century Star is a medium-to-large car? But the size of these two cars,

Especially the most important wheelbase is less than 2.7 meters, this..."

Yes, Zhang Qihang agreed to help Big Brother design a new generation of Mingshi and Century Star, but Zhang Qihang has always been a little confused about the positioning of Mingshi and Century Star: it is said that these two cars are derived from the Audi 100 and Century Star respectively.

The Audi 200 is a serious medium and large car, but the problem is that 20 years ago, with this wheelbase, it would have been considered a medium and large car, but now, it can only be said to be a standard mid-size car.

——It's not even as good as a mid-size car. The wheelbase of the Passat B5 and Guangben Accord exceeds 2.7 seconds, and the body length also exceeds 4.7 meters.

And considering the prices of these two cars, the price of Mingshi is obviously that of an entry-level mid-size car, but the Century Star, which has a similar wheelbase, costs more than 200,000...

So the feeling given to Zhang Qihang by these two cars can be described in one word: chaos!

In Zhang Qihang's opinion, maybe Big Brother himself is vague about the positioning of Mingshi and Century Star.

Facts have proved that Zhang Qihang was right. Big Brother’s positioning of Hongqi’s two cars was indeed vague. When Zhang Qihang asked this question, Lei Zhiping was a little confused. He frowned and thought for a moment before saying: "Ming

The positioning of the Shi should be a mid-size car. As for the positioning of the Century Star...well, it seems a little bit worse to say that it is a medium-sized car, and it seems to be a bit higher than a mid-size car..."

Hearing what Lei Zhiping said, Zhang Qihang was speechless: Do you want to listen to what you said?

Probably Lei Zhiping also felt that his answer was a bit outrageous. He said a little embarrassedly: "Mr. Zhang, to tell you the truth, we really haven't considered this issue carefully..."

Zhang Qihang was speechless again. Speechless, he still said what he should say: "Mr. Lei, you have to think about this issue carefully. For example, Mercedes-Benz, C-class, E-class and S-class, each level is clearly divided.

, when consumers hear the name Mercedes-Benz C-Class, they know it is a mid-size car, when they mention the E-Class, they know it is a medium-to-large luxury sedan, and as for the S-Class, they all know it is Mercedes-Benz's top luxury D-class sedan.

This is the case for Mercedes-Benz, as well as for BMW and Audi. Hongqi...should we carefully consider the division and positioning of each level? Otherwise, if nothing else, just say that this time I will help us design a new car. Designing the car is not a problem.

But the question is which level should the new generation of Mingshi be positioned at, and which level of car should it be designed for?"

"Tsk..."

When Lei Zhiping heard this, he smacked his lips and felt that what Zhang Qihang said couldn't be more correct: Yes, when it comes to Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, everyone knows that these are mid-sized cars from Audi and BMW. When it comes to Audi A6 and BMW

As for the 5 Series, we know that this is a mid-to-large car from Audi and BMW. So in Hongqi’s product lineup, what is the positioning of Mingshi? What is the positioning of Century Star?

Thinking of this, Lei Zhiping himself felt confused: Yes, it is necessary to define a clear market positioning for its products. Only in this way can targeted design and marketing be carried out. But for such a simple question, why has no one ever done it?

Considered?

With a wry smile, Lei Zhiping asked Zhang Qihang: "Mr. Zhang, how do you think the various models of our group should be divided?"

Lei Zhiping originally didn't want to ask, but after thinking about it again, since Zhang Qihang could ask this question, it means that he has carefully studied the problems of the Hongqi brand, and the problems existing inside the Hongqi sedan are as clear as day to him, and maybe even

Others know better than you do, so if that's the case, why shouldn't you admit it? Be honest, and maybe you can get some free advice.

Zhang Qihang did not answer the question immediately, but asked Lei Zhiping in return: "Mr. Lei, I heard that our Hongqi has developed a new car based on the MAJESTA version of the Crown. It is estimated that it should be launched next year. Is this the case?

Is that okay? Then what is the positioning of this car by our group?"

"..."

Lei Zhiping was numb when he heard: Can we still have some secrets?

Numbness is numbness. Since Zhang Qihang said so, Lei Zhiping did not deny it. He nodded and said: "There is such a car. Our plan is to use this car owner to enter the market of large luxury cars."

Zhang Qihang nodded: "If this car is used to focus on the mid-to-large luxury car market, then Mingshi and Century Star can only focus on the mid-level car field,"

Speaking of this, Zhang Qihang said to Lei Zhiping sincerely: "Mr. Lei, I think so. With the height of our Hongqi brand and the height of the people's hearts, I think Hongqi will never be able to produce compact cars and mid-size cars.

This is our bottom line."

"Well, that's right."

Lei Zhiping nodded and agreed with Zhang Qihang's words.

"But in this way, the market positioning of Mingshi and Century Star overlap." Speaking of this, Zhang Qihang helplessly spread his hands: "C-class cars already exist, and A-class cars cannot be produced, so Mingshi and Century

Among these two cars, which one is a B-class car? It can’t be both, right? If that’s the case, then you’re fighting with yourself?”

Lei Zhiping understood what Zhang Qihang meant, and felt that Zhang Qihang's words were very reasonable. However, he understood clearly. When he thought of giving up one of the two cars, Mingshi and Century Star, he was a little unwilling: "Mr. Zhang, what do you mean?

Give up one?"

Zhang Qihang smiled and waved his hands: "No, no, no, Mr. Lei, you have misunderstood. I just think that the positioning of these two models is repeated, which is completely unnecessary. Of course, if our group has its own considerations, I can completely understand, as long as

Just tell me their positioning and user groups. Only by knowing this can I make targeted designs, right?"

This is the truth...

Without even thinking about it carefully, Lei Zhiping admitted that what Zhang Qihang said was indeed correct. From the perspective of product positioning, the positioning of Mingshi and Century Star do overlap somewhat. Of course, strictly speaking, Century Star is better than Century Star.

The Mingshi is a higher half-level and more luxurious, but this "higher half-level" is the most difficult to deal with. The gap between the two models has not widened at all, and they are fighting with themselves...

Thinking of this, Lei Zhiping suddenly realized that things were more complicated than he thought.
Chapter completed!