The Industrial Giant Reborn.

Chapter 351 The setback of technology self-development
The future of Microsoft is limitless. It is better to start now if you can get it, but even if you can’t, it doesn’t matter too much. When Paul Allen is diagnosed with cancer next year, he will need a lot of money to treat it. One is an opportunity to buy the stocks in the other party's hands, and the other is to wait until Microsoft goes public.

Microsoft began to dominate the world in the mid-90s, and when it first went public, its market capitalization was only a few hundred million U.S. dollars. At most, it would cost tens of millions of U.S. dollars to acquire in the stock market. However, acquisitions in the stock market are always limited. Early is better.

In the next few days, after Chen Zhiwen had some fun in Washington State, news came from Microsoft executives that Bill Gates and others agreed to accept investment, but only accepted 7.5% of the amount.

In this regard, Chen Zhiwen also agreed, let’s talk about it first. I want 10%, which is also a room for bargaining. Now Microsoft, the business has developed normally, and it is not the kind of company that has just been established. It is impossible to sell a considerable share. If it weren't for the great value of Midea itself and the generous amount of low-interest loans offered by itself, ordinary investors would have no chance at all.

The contract between the two parties was drafted by a team of professional lawyers, and then the two parties signed a cooperation agreement. Midea’s Hong Kong head office invested in person and acquired 5% of Microsoft’s shares. At the same time, it gave an interest-free loan of 1000 million US dollars to help Microsoft carry out new research and development. , and, to a certain extent, Microsoft and Midea will also authorize or exchange many patents in the future, similar to the previous cooperation between Midea and Apple.

After the cooperation was reached, Chen Zhiwen hosted a banquet for the entire Microsoft executives at the local InterContinental Hotel to celebrate.

On the second day, Chen Zhiwen left a team of Midea to discuss the feasibility of technical cooperation with Microsoft, and then went to Detroit, the city of automobiles.

The ones who came to pick up the plane were naturally the top management of AMC, CEO Jim Hughes and Vice President Gu Dehua both came in person.The group soon arrived at AMC's headquarters.

After arriving at Chen Zhiwen's office, the blond secretary served coffee for several people.

After Chen Zhiwen took a sip, he said, "On the road, I saw a lot of special trucks transporting cars. Recently, the auto industry in Detroit has begun to recover?"

"Yes, the oil crisis is finally over, and oil prices have begun to drop. Although it has just begun, the confidence in the auto industry has returned." Gu Dehua nodded and said.

"Okay, the oil price has dropped, and we have also obtained some of Chrysler's technologies and 330 car terminal retail stores. Finally, our cars can be sold normally." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

Everything was within the plan. After AMC and Chrysler discussed the purchase of technology patents, Chen Zhiwen entrusted Morgan Stanley to quickly acquire 330 Chrysler sales outlets, and because it was at the peak of oil prices, Chrysler The pressure was very high. These stores, which were originally worth 3 million U.S. dollars, were finally sold for 2.78 million U.S. dollars. At the same time, at the request of Chrysler CEO Li Iacocca, Chen Zhiwen also invested 3 million U.S. dollars in Chrysler alone, and obtained 11% of the shares.

However, this is just a pure economic investment. For this kind of auto giant that involves millions of dollars in the United States, he does not need to really involve himself. In two years, the price of oil will plummet, and American consumers will fall in love with large cars again. , plus Li Iacocca's own ability is very strong, Chrysler will also come back to life, and by then, it will be enough to get several times the return on the stock.

"Yes, judging from the terminal data, the sales of jeeps have begun to recover recently, but AMC's normal sedans are only slightly better than before." Gu Dehua said.

"Normally, no matter what the oil price is, AMC cars are taking the fuel-efficient route, but they are not rivals of Japanese cars. They can still survive now. In two years, Toyota will invest and build a factory in the United States. That will be the real trouble. "Chen Zhiwen nodded and said.

Before there were no Japanese cars, AMC staggered the competition of the Big Three by relying on fuel-efficient routes, but when Japanese cars began to enter the US market, AMC, which took the same route as Japanese cars but could not compete no matter whether the oil price was high or low, It is destined to face tremendous pressure. In the original history, the French Renault Motor Company acquired AMC, but after a few years of support, it still had no choice but to sell it to Chrysler.

"This is indeed a big trouble, but there seems to be nothing we can do for the time being." Gu Dehua also said with some concern.

"The only way is the turbocharging technology. Once this technology can be used in the car, it will definitely be able to use a smaller engine while ensuring the same power, and at the same time reduce fuel consumption." Chen Zhiwen said: "Turbo The supercharged R&D team has been established, right? How is the recent progress?"

"It has been established for three months. Recently, we have made a finished product in the laboratory, but it is still not good in terms of materials. The lifespan is too short, and various extreme tests cannot withstand it." Gu Dehua said.

"In terms of materials, can't we directly purchase from other companies?" Chen Zhiwen asked.

"Our team has investigated companies around the world that may own the patent of this material, and finally found General Electric, but they seem to look down on us and are not willing to cooperate with us. We didn't even get a sample of this material." Gu Dehua Said.

"What material? Can't you buy the finished product directly from the market?" Chen Zhiwen asked.

"No, because this material is used in aero-engines. It is specially heat-resistant and wear-resistant. It is basically not used in other places. We contacted the aviation department of General Electric, but they were unwilling to give us samples. At present, we are still Trust me, see if I can get a sample to test first, and if possible, then find a way to cooperate." Gu Dehua said.

"Turbochargers are indeed used in high-temperature environments. The general industry does not necessarily have such materials, but General Electric is not the only one that can manufacture aero-engines in the world, right? Can you find other companies?" Chen Zhiwen asked. .

"I've asked, there are actually only a few companies in the world that can manufacture high-end aero engines. In Europe, there are Rolls-Royce in the UK and Dassault in France. These two companies are even less willing to give us such materials." Gu Dehua said.

"That's right, our relationship in Europe is even worse." Chen Zhiwen nodded, and said, "Well, let's spend more time and find a way to get samples to test first. If we can really meet our requirements, then we will come forward Contact General Electric.

General Electric's aviation department is also engaged in R&D, design and assembly. Even if the high-performance materials are developed by them, they are definitely not produced by themselves. They follow the vines and find suppliers first, and then try to get samples. "

"Okay." Gu Dehua nodded, and said, "Actually, we are almost on the same path. We have consulted many large steel mills in the United States. They do not have this kind of material. I guess they are produced overseas. , or it is produced by a small professional steel factory."

"Okay, if you have the exact news, tell me that a company like General Electric has a strong technical foundation, and it will be beneficial for us to cooperate with them. I also have plans in this regard, and it just happens to be resolved at once." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said.

(End of this chapter)