Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

"Let's first talk about the planning of our automobile factory. We plan to build a brand new heavy truck production base in Jin City, with a planned annual output of 100,000 vehicles."

One hundred thousand vehicles!

Steyr's annual output in Europe is only 5,000 vehicles, and the Mercedes-Benz NG80 is very impressive, with an annual output of only 50,000 vehicles. But here in the East, they are actually planning to build a heavy truck factory with an annual output of 100,000 vehicles. If this factory can be put into production, it will be the largest Mercedes-Benz heavy truck factory!

Christian felt a surge of excitement, but then he became worried. Would the Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks produced here squeeze the production volume of the German factory?

"This is the ultimate goal, or rather, the goal of our first ten-year plan," Qin Yang said. Of course, he knew what the other party was thinking, and a few words dispelled his concerns.

We aim to achieve an annual output of 100,000 vehicles, but that will be ten years from now.

After all, you can't get fat in one bite. Everything has to be done slowly.

In this way, ten years later, by the time the NG80 heavy truck production is increased, this model will already be outdated.

You should know that within the Mercedes-Benz heavy truck factory, they are already developing the brand new NG85 series heavy trucks. This type of heavy truck has a more modern appearance and will also use a newly developed OM442LA V8 diesel engine with a maximum power of 430 horsepower!

In addition to the engine, it also uses a large number of advanced equipment, such as an anti-lock braking system, a traction control system, and an electronic power steering system. In the 1980s, having ABS on a heavy truck was definitely very advanced.

And that's not the most impressive thing. The NG85 is also equipped with an electronic-assisted shifting system. The driver only needs to step on the clutch and shift into gear when starting, and at other times, they only need to step on the accelerator. The shifting work is left to the electronic system!

By 2020, AMT transmissions had not yet been fully popularized in Eastern heavy trucks. Most heavy trucks still used manual shifting, but in the 1980s, Mercedes-Benz already had automatic shifting transmissions!

Compared to the NG80, the NG85's changes are transformative. Therefore, Mercedes-Benz definitely does not need to worry about being affected by the East's huge production capacity. The East produces low-end products, and Mercedes-Benz produces high-end products.

"Okay, we are willing to provide various production equipment," Christian said. "To ensure that the products you produce meet our European standards. What are your plans?"

Exporting production lines also makes money. All kinds of production equipment can be sold at high prices.

"We want to first introduce the production equipment for the chassis and cab, and produce these parts in our factory first."

The most iconic feature of Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks is the chassis, which is wider at the front and narrower at the rear, providing excellent torsional resistance and light weight.

In addition to the chassis, the cab is also very important.

In the eyes of many people, the cab is just a tin box that can be made by hammering and banging. In fact, the cab also contains a high level of technology.

The old Liberation trucks in the East had large gaps. After a few years of driving, the thick putty would fall off, and the cab would start to rust. Looking at European trucks, the gaps are very small, and the paint color does not change even after more than ten years of wind and sun.

This is of course inseparable from the pursuit of excellence in craftsmanship. The Mercedes-Benz NG series heavy trucks of this era already use advanced robotic arm welding to ensure sufficient precision. After welding, professional electrophoresis treatment is also carried out, which still has a very good corrosion resistance effect in harsh environments. This is unmatched by other brands.

If we want to introduce it, we must introduce the most advanced one.

Moreover, producing a car really starts with producing the shell.

Engines, transmissions, etc. can all be purchased externally, but the shell must be our own.

Just look at Steyr and you'll know.

Originally, Mercedes-Benz did not value the Eastern market, but Steyr took the lead. Now, a large number of parts are being shipped from the small town of Steyr to the East, and the Austrians are counting money until their hands are sore.

The number of orders has exceeded the original plan by more than ten times. The executives of Mercedes-Benz are very jealous.

Moreover, the production of the chassis must use a tens of thousands of tons hydraulic press, 20,000 tons is even better!

Not to mention heavy trucks, medium trucks also have to be made this way. The Second Automobile Works Dongfeng first built a 10,000-ton hydraulic press in order to build cars. The resulting EQ240 had a very high quality and became the main transportation tool on the southern front.

This 20,000-ton hydraulic press is also the most expensive of all the production equipment.

"No need, we have a 65,000-ton hydraulic press," Qin Yang said. "We can press it ourselves. By the way, is there any problem with having a larger tonnage?"

Christian was stunned.

"It should be fine in theory, Mr. Christian, Mr. Christian?"

Christian recovered from the shock: "Do you really have such a large hydraulic press?"

"Yes, it was designed and built with the help of China First Heavy Industries. We plan to put it next to our planned truck factory. Originally, it was for pressing landing gear for the aviation industry, but the output of landing gear is not high, and it's idle anyway, so we'll just use it to press automobile beams."

"This can press landing gear?"

"Yes, the Yun-10 we produce requires large landing gear."

They still want to make money from us through this project? We have to make money from you instead!

Christian took a deep breath: "Can we go and see it?"

"Not yet."

"Why?"

"Because we are still in negotiations," Qin Yang said. "After the cooperation is reached and the factory starts construction, I will take you to see it."

"President Qin, can your processing equipment process some products for us in Europe?"

"Processing? When we produce heavy trucks in the future, with an annual output of 100,000 vehicles, we definitely won't have time to process other parts. If you want it, you can buy one from us. What do you want to process?"

Of course, Qin Yang knew that it was the landing gear for the Airbus A300 aircraft.

This aircraft has been jointly developed since the 1970s and put into operation in 1974. By the 1980s, 300 aircraft had been produced, and there were still 200 potential orders.

It can be said that this aircraft has achieved great success, but the landing gear of this aircraft is all processed in the Soviet Union.

Only the Soviet Union has a 65,000-ton hydraulic press to press the landing gear, and the manufactured ones are even stronger than Boeing's. However, having them processed in the Soviet Union makes them feel a little embarrassed. It would be even better to have them processed in the East!

However, purchasing equipment is too expensive and not worth it.

"Process landing gear," Christian said. "If you can process it, you will receive orders from Europe. Our Mercedes-Benz company is willing to connect you. Just give us some referral fees then."