Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

And there's Christian too! This foreigner had been eager to listen to the policy-making of the Eastern automotive industry and had been itching to speak, but he hadn't had the chance.

Now, hearing Qin Yang call his name, Christian was finally able to speak. He excitedly stood up, walked to the stage, and approached the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, when we talk about our automotive industry, we need to start from the Second Industrial Revolution. In the 1870s, we seized the valuable opportunity of the Second Empire's unification and completed the industrialization path that took Britain over a century in just thirty years. And in 1886, our Karl Benz invented the world's first automobile."

"From that moment on, we entered a new era. Car factories sprang up one after another. In 1901, we had 12 car factories in our country, with 1,773 employees, producing 884 cars annually."

"By 1908, we already had 53 car manufacturers in our country, with 12,400 employees, producing 5,547 cars annually. Before World War I, our car factories already had more than 50,000 employees, producing 20,000 cars annually."

"No government department has ever complained that we have too many car manufacturers. Our policy is open. Regardless of what industry you were in before, whether you were making tractors or toilet brushes, you could enter the car manufacturing industry, and then enter the market competition, where the fittest survive."

"We won't talk about the war years. After the war, our domestic automotive industry continued to develop, and internal mergers and combinations began. Some car factories that couldn't gain an advantage in the competition would be acquired by other companies, making the strong stronger."

Christian thought for a moment and began to give examples: "For example, you imported Audi and it became an official car, but Audi was not actually part of Volkswagen. It was acquired in '64."

"Another example is our Mercedes-Benz company, which merged with Mercedes in '26, creating the brand new Mercedes-Benz sub-brand. We develop in market competition, and we band together in market competition, gradually growing bigger and stronger. Of the dozens of companies established before, very few have truly disappeared completely. The idea that having too many is a waste of resources, I don't think that's true."

"Even now, our domestic German automotive industry is still competing. In the commercial vehicle sector, we compete with MAN, while also jointly facing other European commercial vehicles, such as Scania, Volvo, and so on."

"No one has ever wanted to create a monopoly policy to prevent others from entering this market. If one day, the Eastern automotive industry develops and wants to sell in Europe, we welcome it."

Christian spoke eloquently, and everyone present began to think.

After all, Christian was a foreigner and a representative of Mercedes-Benz, and Mercedes-Benz was a veteran of the automotive industry, so his speech carried a lot of weight.

Was it appropriate to want to create a monopoly and restrict others from entering this market?

That would only lead to stagnation! It would only lead to closed-door development!

"Old Tang, what's your opinion?" Old Yang looked at Old Tang.

"Me? I think what Christian said makes sense, and what Director Qin said also makes sense. We do need to establish relevant policies to regulate car production, but we must never block the path to developing the automotive industry. If anyone still wants to profit from a monopoly, then they are hindering our country's reform!"

Old Tang had taken a stand. Wang Guoqing knew that his plan had completely failed.

What about the people below?

Why didn't anyone dare to resist?

While Wang Guoqing was thinking about this, Old Yang continued to speak: "I think some people in the automotive industry are no longer able to correctly understand the spirit of the higher authorities. They only see the interests of their own factories. In order to pave the way for their own factories, they even endanger the industrial development of the entire country. Such people are not suitable to continue as leaders."

Wang Guoqing's expression changed.

Luo Qiang's heart also skipped a beat. Was he also going to be implicated? The whole plan was cooked up by Wang Guoqing. He was just cooperating. He was also fighting for the interests of the automotive industry company. Was that wrong?

Old Tang nodded: "Yes, some people should retire. They are not thinking about progress, only about immediate interests. These people will hinder our reform. Wang Guoqing, Luo Qiang, you should both step down and give your positions to suitable people."

Everyone present was shocked.

Old Tang actually named them directly and dismissed them on the spot! He could have dismissed them quietly.

However, some discerning people could see that since Old Yang had come, Old Tang had to give him an explanation. Everyone knew what tricks these two dismissed people had been playing behind the scenes. Old Tang had to be selfless and absolutely could not protect them.

"Then you continue the meeting, I'll leave first. Director Qin, take our foreign friend, let's go see how well that Mercedes-Benz tractor-trailer tows our howitzer."

Wang Guoqing finally reacted: The 960 Factory's import of Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks was mainly to serve the military, to solve the military's urgent problems. At this time, he actually wanted to prevent the 960 Factory from entering the automotive industry. That was definitely like an ant trying to stop a chariot!

If Wang Guoqing had obediently returned after being stimulated by Qin Yang in Jin City, he could have continued to be his factory director. But now, because he couldn't see the situation clearly and overestimated his own importance, he could only end up leaving in dismay!

Luo Qiang's heart was bitter. He didn't expect things to turn out this way. He was wronged!

At this time, the long cannon was hanging behind the Mercedes-Benz tractor-trailer, making it look even more unique. A group of people surrounded it, doing various preparations.

The Hummer RV drove back and parked next to it.

"Old Yang, this is our 203mm howitzer." Qin Yang said, "This cannon is powerful and domineering. When it is displayed on the parade ground, it will definitely cause a sensation in the world."

"Artillery, the god of war, it does look domineering, but this cannon is still too heavy. Even with a tractor-trailer, it is not convenient to enter and exit the position."

"There is also a solution to this." Qin Yang said, "We can install an auxiliary power unit equipped with an engine on this cannon, that is, an APU, which can move forward under its own power when entering and exiting the position. At the same time, this device can also be used to drive a semi-automatic loader, reducing the consumption of artillerymen. If the army supports it, we can start research and development at any time."