ABT Chapter 202: This Is a Win-Win

Kang Tongcheng didn’t keep Li Fanyu waiting for too long. After he returned to Tiancheng, Guangqi soon sent word. Following internal discussions, Guangqi proposed their terms: one production line and an additional sales channel.

The production line was expected, but the sales channel was a special addition by Guangqi after analyzing Zhengxin’s current situation and considering their own resources. Unlike Zhengxin’s online sales, Guangqi’s sales channels reflected their financial strength. Guangqi was a conglomerate, with multiple businesses under its umbrella. To maximize market penetration, they were using subsidiaries for acquisitions and integration, establishing directly-owned 4S stores in major cities nationwide.

This was a significant move. Except for a few foreign brands, most car companies typically collaborate with dealership companies. This method, despite adding an intermediary, saves on management costs. However, the drawback is obvious—sales performance is entirely in the hands of others, leaving the company with little control.

Some dealership companies handle two or three brands, and for reasons of focus and profitability, they can't go all out in marketing for just one brand. But having their own sales network eliminates these issues.

Initially, Zhengxin wouldn’t have achieved their current sales heights for the A4 model relying solely on Longsheng’s few dozen stores without upgrading their second-hand car platform to an online sales platform.

Guangqi clearly realized this. They chose a more conservative yet solid path. Once their sales network is established across major cities, they would form a manufacturing and sales integrated industry structure. Although the initial costs are high, eliminating the intermediary dealership enhances branding and pricing power, giving them a competitive edge over other brands.

Guangqi saw Zhengxin’s weak offline sales network and offered terms that even tempted Li Fanyu. This sales channel meant that once Guangqi’s nationwide 4S stores were set up, they could introduce Zhengxin’s Audi brand, charging a much lower commission compared to dealership companies, for sales and promotion.

How low is this commission? While Zhengxin gave Longsheng 16%, Guangqi only asked for 6%!

Li Fanyu had long been displeased with Longsheng. Their contract was for one year, and he planned to part ways after establishing more experience centers through the online sales platform. However, experience centers still couldn’t match 4S stores. So, Guangqi’s offer was indeed enticing for Li Fanyu.

After discussing with An Ning, Li Fanyu convened Zhengxin’s management to discuss this matter. After thorough analysis, nearly everyone agreed the collaboration was worthwhile.

Thus, the cooperation between Zhengxin and Guangqi, two auto companies from the south and north, was finalized. An Ning and Huang Qi, along with two company lawyers, headed to Guangzhou. After four days of negotiations, they finalized the scope and details of the agreement.

As the year-end approached, news of the technical collaboration between Zhengxin and Guangqi once again drew industry attention and debate. Though the sales network’s deep cooperation remained confidential, exchanging platform technology for a production line was enough to make outsiders envious.

The domestic market welcomed the closer ties between these two rising companies, sparking speculation about their future directions. Some local media even described the partnership as a "century handshake."

However, some foreign brands felt a bit uneasy.

Zhengxin can now export its technology! Guangqi is no longer satisfied with just the SUV market! Have Chinese car companies been injected with adrenaline this year? These two teaming up is bound to stir things up!

Consequently, a few scattered car reviewers and self-media commentators have thrown out some snide remarks; questioning Zhengxin’s platform technology and predicting a bleak future for Guangqi's rapid entry into the sedan market.

But these comments were in vain. Both Guangqi and Zhengxin were quite satisfied with the collaboration. Each got what they wanted, and the conditions were within acceptable limits for both sides.

This is what a win-win situation looks like.

During the negotiations in Guangzhou, it was An Ning and Kang Tongcheng who led their respective teams, true to their roles as deputies. Li Fanyu and Xue Yaoguo were not present.

However, at the signing ceremony, Kang Tongcheng, on behalf of the group chairman Xue Yaoguo, entrusted An Ning with a gift for Li Fanyu.

When An Ning returned to Tiancheng, she handed it over to Li Fanyu. He opened it and found a framed calligraphy piece. Written in upright Ou-style script were the words: “Youthful Talent.” The signature, in flowing Huaisu-style cursive, read: “Gifted to my brother Fanyu, from Yaoguo.”

The calligraphy had meticulous strokes and a bold structure, capturing the essence of Ouyang Xun’s style. However, Li Fanyu didn’t understand calligraphy. He could only tell it looked good and struggled to find the right words to praise it.

After much thought, he finally said, “Hey, these characters... they're way better than mine.”

An Ning couldn’t help but laugh. She had seen Li Fanyu’s handwriting before. While not ugly, it was far from pretty. She teased him, saying, “It’s impolite not to reciprocate. Since he gave you a gift, shouldn’t you return the favor?”

Li Fanyu pondered for a while and replied, “Sis, I’m not good at writing characters…”

Having missed him terribly over the past few days, An Ning leaned in close like a little bird, saying softly, “You don’t have to write something or give an expensive gift. Just show your appreciation.”

Li Fanyu smiled wryly, “Then what should I send? Should I just send a bouquet?”

Wait, flowers!

Li Fanyu, having rarely given gifts, had little experience in this area. However, he remembered the impressive alloy rose that Zhuzi used to woo someone. If the universal 3D printer could print flowers, surely it could print some characters too!

With this idea in mind, he slapped his thigh and said, “I will send him a piece of calligraphy! Sis, how do you praise someone for managing a company well and having great talent?”

An Ning thought for a moment and said, “You could say ‘possesses great talent and strategy’ or ‘excellent in governance and capability.’ But are you really going to write it? Can you pull it off?”

“I'm heartbroken that you doubt my abilities…” Li Fanyu feigned deep hurt, but then reached out to grab her, saying, “Let’s see how I’ll deal with you!”

“Ah!” An Ning, caught off guard, let out a soft cry and collapsed into his arms.

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