Reborn in Hong Kong: The Tycoon Grows Up

No one can retreat now, they can only bite the bullet and go forward. Otherwise, it will be difficult to explain to other shareholders. If your major shareholders and founding family members are not available at the critical moment, how can you ask them to come forward? There is no such reason in the world.

In this way, the Rolls-Royce board of directors reached an agreement. A luxury negotiation team composed of Richard Rolls, Ferdinand Royce and Dawson will take a special plane to negotiate with Heiyun Group early tomorrow morning. Of course, the so-called luxury is only relative to Rolls-Royce, and it is really not enough at the world level.

Early the next morning, we were still in the Bentley conference room. Bao Zixuan and John Chambers looked at the three people sitting opposite. I didn't expect Rolls-Royce to take it so seriously. It seems that the other party came here with great sincerity.

After Vincent Bentley introduced both parties, he stopped talking. Because he knew that there was no need to talk anymore, because what happened next was beyond the control of the Bentley family.

As the chairman of Les Les, I must be the first to speak. Moreover, before Richard Laws came over, he also said that he was following his lead. Whether it's digging a hole or being sincere. It doesn't matter at this time, at least the advantages of the position must be reflected.

Ferdinand Rice said with a smile: "Welcome to Mr. Bao and Mr. Chambers. It is also an honor for Rolls-Royce that the two of them have taken a liking to Bentley. At least it proves that we have not let the brand decline over the years."

Hearing what Ferdinand said, Richard Laws knew that this old boy was building his presence again. Anyone who knows a little bit about the history of Rolls-Royce and Bentley knows that it was Henry Royce who fought against all odds and Bentley became Rolls-Royce. After so many years of development, the company's performance is obvious to all. Although the performance has not been good in recent years, it is due to the market environment.

It has nothing to do with Henry Royce's vision. Bentley has surpassed Rolls-Royce in many cases. Of course it has something to do with the positioning of Rolls-Royce, but it is enough to explain some problems.

Rolls-Royce's internal conflicts and struggle for power have nothing to do with Heiyun Group. Bao Zixuan only cares about Bentley cars. Of course, when Rolls-Royce wants to sell, he will not reject it.

He had only heard of these two heads of the Rolls and Royce families. The two later generations have been excluded, and the Germans have fully taken over Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

If someone is polite to you, you should never extrapolate it to others. Bao Zixuan said with a smile: "Mr. Rice, you are very polite. There are many well-known car brands in the UK. But when it comes to the most noble and luxurious cars, they must be Rolls-Royce and Bentley. As a family business of the two, Rolls-Royce is of course impossible. For sale. So as long as Heiyun takes a step back, Bentley is also a very good choice."

It can be said that both sides are testing each other, wanting to see the other side's bottom line first.

Ferdinand Rice knew that he was going to get to the point, because Bao Zixuan had already said it. If it is still dragging on like this, it means Rolls-Royce is too inefficient. And as the chairman, he can only speak. He said directly: "The whole world will not doubt the strength of Heiyun Group and Mr. Bao's ability. We can also see the willingness to acquire Bentley. At the same time, Rolls-Royce is not unacceptable to the sale of Bentley cars."

"I just don't know how much Mr. Bao prices Bentley cars, or how much you think Bentley cars are worth."

This is changing from passive to active. It seems that Ferdinand Rice still refuses to give up. Selling Bentley is a last resort, and it’s hard to live with the idea.

This operation made the people present a little confused. How could it be that they directly asked people to quote without talking about anything.

But Bao Zixuan is also a person who doesn't follow common sense. It is obviously unreasonable to ask the buyer to make a direct offer. Few acquisitions are like this, after all, quotation is a systematic work. Professionals are required to calculate and combine a series of factors such as future development prospects. Now he didn't say anything, he just asked the other party to quote what Rolls-Royce wanted to do.

With a look from the richest man Bao, John Chambers immediately understood what he meant. The two of them had made a lot of plans before, and basically had thought of all the possible problems.

John Chambers: "After our investigation of Bentley cars and comprehensive evaluation of brand premiums, we believe that the price of Bentley cars should be between US$2-2.2 billion, which is a very reasonable figure."

"In order not to waste each other's time, Heiyun Group is willing to spend US$2.2 billion to acquire Bentley Motors."

This price is relatively reasonable, at least the normal market price. It has even been increased to a certain extent, mainly to show the sincerity of Heiyun Group and not to let other companies take advantage of it.

Although Heiyun's quotation is reasonable, this is only the first round of quotations. At the same time, Ferdinand Rice also expressed his opinions on the board of directors; according to the transaction price of US$2.2 billion, I am afraid there is no way to explain to other shareholders.

Dawson knew that he was required to coordinate, and the other party was a professional manager negotiating; so for Rolls-Royce, he had to come forward. After all, the other two are also major shareholders; regardless of the size of the company, they are at least equal to Bao Zixuan. Both he and John Chambers belong to the category of professional managers, but the other person manages a larger number of people and companies.

Dawson: "Rolls-Royce still can't accept this price. After all, Bentley has a 65-year history. The customers it has cultivated over the years are a huge intangible wealth. Coupled with the technology patents it owns, these are real assets. exist."

"In order to express Rolls-Royce's sincerity, we can authorize some disputed patents. This means that after Bentley Motors is acquired by Heiyun Group, it can still use the patented technology shared by Rolls-Royce and Bentley."

"This is the greatest sincerity we can show. After all, Bentley was acquired by Heiyun Group and will become Rolls-Royce's biggest competitor. In the future, which product customers choose will depend on the capabilities of the two companies."

Unexpectedly, Rolls-Royce actually gave up the patent royalties directly, which can save a lot of money. I used to think about spending money to buy patent royalties, but now they directly propose it, so appropriate compensation must be made in terms of price.

In fact, this is also the cleverness of Rolls-Royce. If Bentley introduces another stove cover, it will definitely become a major threat in the future. But if we still develop according to the trajectory of Rolls-Royce, we can only catch up from behind. Rather than becoming a formidable enemy in the future, it is better to boil a frog in warm water.

When it comes to luxury car production, Rolls-Royce believes that no company in the world can match them. This is where confidence lies, mainly because people have the capital.

John Chambers: "Black Cloud has already felt the sincerity of Rolls-Royce. At US$2.4 billion, this price is reasonable enough."

The three people who heard that Heiyun Group had raised its offer and asked Rolls-Royce to negotiate were very excited. This is a good start, and it also shows in disguise that Bao Zixuan is really rich. Most people don't have the courage to directly increase the price by US$200 million.

Dawson: "The price quoted by Heiyun Group is far from our expectations. US$3 billion is a reasonable price, and Bentley is definitely worth the money."

The price is a bit outrageous, at least for what a Bentley is actually worth these days.

John Chambers was not talking, but handed the prepared report to the other party.

See Bentley sales, and actual profits. In addition, employee salaries and various conditions are added, as well as market expectations in the next few years. It can be said that the Heiyun Group's investigation was very detailed, and it even included possible troubles that Rolls-Royce might encounter.

Cold sweat broke out on the backs of several people watching. The information held by Heiyun Group was not much less than theirs. The other party's intelligence and investigation capabilities are so terrifying that Rolls-Royce is simply beyond their reach.

In the end, after bargaining, Heiyun Automobile settled for US$2.54 billion. After acquiring 97% of Bentley's shares held by Rolls-Royce, the remaining 3% has been handed over to the Bentley family.

In previous lives, German car companies BMW and Volkswagen launched acquisitions of Bentley and Rolls-Royce respectively, spending only a billion dollars. That's because in the 1990s, British cars were in overall decline. Its market share has plummeted, and its sales have plummeted. Only then did the Germans get a big bargain. Now neither Bentley nor Rolls-Royce has reached the point of exhaustion; the price will of course be more expensive.

In fact, it is not impossible to wait until the 1990s, but by that time Xiangjiang has returned to mainland China. Bao Zixuan will lose any advantage when competing with the Germans. If the Americans stand in the way, Bentley will definitely not be sold to the Black Cloud Group.

It's nothing more than spending more money. For Bao Zixuan and Heiyun Group, it doesn't matter at all.