241: Chapter 241 Global Response

MIIT: Two hours after the press conference, it released an announcement "congratulating domestic automobile brands on achieving breakthrough progress" and announced that it would increase support for the R&D of core technologies for new energy vehicles.

European Union Commission: Stated that it would "closely monitor the development of China's new energy vehicle industry" and hinted at the possibility of adjusting the anti-subsidy investigation standards for Chinese electric vehicles.

Russian Ministry of Industry: High-profile announcement of reaching a lithium mining cooperation with Spark, "This is a model of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between Russia and China in the new era in the industrial field."

10:00 PM, a top-floor suite in a hotel near the exhibition center.

Su Chen stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the night view of Shenzhen. Behind him were more than a dozen people from the power battery and automotive core teams: Zhou Qingyu, Gu Yanting, Silent Chen, Lin Wan, Shen Nanpeng, and the heads of various subsidiaries.

"The data is out." Gu Yanting reported while holding a tablet, "During the press conference, global media exposure exceeded 5 billion times; intended orders for the three Red Flag car models: 128,000 units; for the two Star Rocket models: 95,000 units. A total of 223,000 units, with an estimated sales volume exceeding 100 billion rmb."

Low gasps echoed in the room.

One day, 100 billion in orders.

This created history in the automotive industry.

"Regarding mineral acquisitions," Silent Chen reported, "The agreement with Russia has been signed, 8 billion USD; the agreement with Congo has been signed, 3 billion USD; the ones for Kazakhstan and Chile are in the final stages. The four transactions total 15 billion USD, which just happens to use up the budget."

"But we have already controlled 18% of global lithium resources, 15% of cobalt resources, and 12% of nickel resources," he added, "And they are all high-quality mines, with mining costs 20% lower than the industry average."

Su Chen turned around: "Is the supply chain secure?"

"No problem within three years." Silent Chen nodded, "And we have locked in long-term supply agreements in the negotiations, with an annual price fluctuation cap of 5%, far lower than market fluctuations."

"Good." Su Chen looked at Silent Chen, "What about security follow-up?"

"The security team for the Russian mines has already moved in, 50 people, all retired special forces, equipped with non-lethal equipment and drone inspection systems." Silent Chen reported, "Over in Congo, Lei Zhan left a team of 30 people, and at the same time, we hired 200 local security guards, trained and commanded by our people."

"When will the infrastructure projects in Africa start?"

"Next month." Silent Chen pulled up the schedule, "The road design is complete, China Communications Construction won the bid, adopting the 'China Standard + Local Labor' model. The designs for hospitals and schools are also underway, expected to start construction within six months."

Su Chen nodded and looked at Zhou Qingyu: "Can production capacity keep up?"

"The new Red Flag factory will start production next month, with an initial capacity of 300,000 units, which can be expanded to 500,000 units." Zhou Qingyu said, "The Star Rocket factory is more advanced, with an automation rate of 85%, and an initial capacity of 200,000 units. But the supply of key components..."

"Batteries are no problem." Gu Yanting interjected, "Our battery production capacity this year is 200GWh, which can meet the demand for 3 million vehicles. We will expand to 500GWh by the end of the year."

"What about the motor and motor controller?"

"Self-developed and self-produced, with sufficient capacity."

"chips?"

"For automotive-grade chips, we use the 1 chip. Currently, the Huizhou production base is accelerating construction, and large-scale mass production can be achieved by the end of the year," Li Wanqing replied.

After hearing all the reports, Su Chen walked to the conference table.

A world map was spread out on the table, marked in red and blue with Spark's industrial layout:

Red: Controlled mineral resources

Blue: Production bases and R&D centers

Yellow: Sales network

From Siberia to Congo, from Shenzhen to Europe, the outline of a massive automotive empire had begun to emerge.

"Today is just the beginning." Su Chen pointed his finger at the map, "In the next three months, we need to do three things."

Everyone picked up their notebooks.

"First, the overseas launch of Red Flag and Star Rocket." Su Chen said, "Promote simultaneously in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Russia. Prices can be 10-15% higher than domestic, but configurations cannot be reduced."

"Second, the external supply of Spark batteries." He looked at Gu Yanting, "Prioritize supplying components and technology to A-tier partners; delay supply for B-tier and C-tier partners by one month."

"Third," Su Chen's gaze became profound, "Accelerate the 'tianting project'."

"To cope with the full implementation of L4 autonomous driving technology." Su Chen pulled up another document, "An intelligent transportation network with vehicle-road-cloud collaboration. We want to pilot in five cities: building smart roads, vehicle-road collaborative communication systems, and cloud scheduling platforms. Let every Star Rocket car become a node in this network."

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

Everyone realized that this was grander and more difficult than building cars.

"Capital budget?" CFO Shen Nanpeng asked.

"The first phase will be invested 10 billion by Red Flag Automobile and Star Rocket." Su Chen said, "This part of the funds is considered purchasing the usage rights of [tianting], and Star Rocket needs to accelerate the completion of final assembly and testing, aiming to complete the launch of 100 satellites this year."

"What about government support?"

"I have already communicated with the relevant departments, and they are very interested. This is an opportunity for China to overtake in the field of intelligent transportation."

The meeting lasted until late at night.

When the meeting adjourned, Su Chen kept Zhou Qingyu behind.

"Mr. Zhou, thank you for your hard work today." Su Chen poured him a cup of tea, "But the toughest battle has just begun. The overseas market will not be as smooth as the domestic one; there will be political resistance, technical barriers, and cultural differences."

Zhou Qingyu took the tea: "I understand. But I am mentally prepared. Back when I was at Volkswagen, I watched how German cars conquered the global market. Now it's our turn."

"Which one do you think will break the situation in the international market first, Red Flag or Star Rocket?"

"Red Flag." Zhou Qingyu said without hesitation, "Because luxury cars have a common international language: design, craftsmanship, and performance. As for intelligent electric vehicles, the demand differences in each country are too great—Europe wants range, North America wants large space, and Japan wants refinement."

"Makes sense." Su Chen nodded, "Then let Red Flag lead the charge. At next year's Geneva Motor Show, we will release the global version of the models, with localized tuning for the European market."

"It's already being done." Zhou Qingyu smiled, "One-third of the team are Europeans; they know best what European users want."

After seeing Zhou Qingyu off, Su Chen stood alone in front of the window.

The satellite phone rang; it was an encrypted number.

"Mr. Su, this is Lei Zhan." The voice from Congo came over the phone, with the sound of insects in the background, "The President of Congo has just signed the agreement, and it is officially in effect. In addition, he asked me to convey to you: Thank you for the investment, and also for the dignity that Spark has brought to Congo."

"Dignity?"

"He said that in the past, when Western countries came to discuss mineral resources, they were always condescending handouts. But we are equal partners. To him, this is more important than any amount of money."

Su Chen was silent for a few seconds: "Tell him that Spark will keep its promise. In three years, Congo will have a modern highway, a hospital with Chinese standards, a school that trains engineers—and, a dream of a new energy industry of its own."

After hanging up the phone, Su Chen opened his laptop.

On the screen was the planning document he had written two years ago, titled 'Spark Automotive Industry Ten-Year Strategy'.

At that time, many people said he was crazy: A company that makes batteries, why should it build cars? And also do the entire industrial chain?

Today, he gave the answer with 223,000 orders, 100 billion in sales, a global mineral layout, and an L4 autonomous driving demonstration.

But the last paragraph of the document, he had never shown to anyone until now:

"The century-long transformation of the automotive industry is essentially the intersection of the energy revolution and the digital revolution.

Whoever controls the battery controls the energy;

Whoever controls intelligence controls the future;

Whoever controls the entire industrial chain controls the power to define the rules.

And the end of all this is not to build better cars, but—

Reshaping the way humans move and live."

He closed the document and looked out the window.

The night sky of Shenzhen was twinkling with stars.

Just like the vision he had when he named the brand three years ago: Spark can start a prairie fire.

Today, this spark has finally ignited.

And it will burn brighter and brighter until it illuminates the whole world.