Whether it's traditional fuel vehicles or new energy vehicles, for companies looking to manufacture cars, applying for vehicle production qualifications is the first major hurdle to overcome, and many companies fall at this very first step.
Automotive production qualifications are not only strict domestically but also in countries with very mature automotive industries like Europe and America.
After 2017, due to various subsidy scams and 'PPT car manufacturing,' new energy vehicle qualifications became almost impossible to obtain.
However, that was 2017; it is now 2006.
Although difficult, the room for maneuver is much greater than in 2017.
If his father hadn't mentioned it, Tan Jincheng truly hadn't heard of Andar Auto.
Since it was very popular in the 90s, he probably encountered it on the street but might not have paid attention.
However, Tan Jincheng doesn't care about these things.
If the vehicle production qualifications are complete, he wouldn't mind fully acquiring its intangible assets, even if it's a bit expensive, considering it a contribution to his hometown.
But if they want to use this for a partnership, then forget it.
Tan Jincheng dared to cooperate with the local government in Beicang and let the government invest in FlashTech because the coastal business environment had a good reputation and was trustworthy.
In his previous life, he had also spent 20 years in Beicang and knew the local development situation.
But in inland cities, Tan Jincheng wouldn't dare to cooperate with the local government.
An equity investment like with FlashTech is unimaginable.
"I'm not very clear about what you're saying, and my leader doesn't really understand either. He's just acting on someone else's behalf. So, do you really intend to take over?"
"Since it's something entrusted by others, whether I'm interested is another matter, but we should at least talk, to save your leader some face. However, this matter isn't urgent. You can let your leader know that I've returned home, but don't say anything else."
To put it plainly, they are seeking him.
Although he is eager for the automotive production qualifications, there's no need to rush to them.
Buying a small, run-down factory, especially one that has gone bankrupt, won't cost much these days, even if it has some intangible assets.
A few hundred thousand at most would be enough.
The key is to look at other requirements; if they're not excessive, then it's not out of the question to negotiate.
However, he still needs to collect some information about Andar Auto, especially to see if it has automotive production qualifications.
This is very important.
Without automotive production qualifications, there's no need to discuss further.
Thinking of this, Tan Jincheng, in front of Tan Lihua, dialed Zhang Xuhui's number:
"Help me collect some information about Andar Auto in our city, make it comprehensive, and especially check if it has automotive production qualifications. Once collected, send it to my email."
"Our city? Boss, you mean Yicheng, right?"
Zhang Xuhui, who had been in Beicang for half a year, didn't react immediately.
"Of course. You haven't forgotten where you're from, have you? First, focus on checking if it has automotive production qualifications. If not, there's no need to collect. If it has the qualification, then collect the information."
"Okay, Boss, I understand."
As soon as he finished speaking, the other side hung up, leaving Zhang Xuhui momentarily stunned:
"What is the Boss up to now? It's almost New Year, why is he suddenly asking me to collect information about Andar Auto?"
"What's wrong? Was that Xiao Tan calling? It's almost New Year, and he still wants you to work?"
Zhang Xupeng asked from beside him.
Zhang Xuhui had returned with him.
Both families were having dinner at Zhang Xupeng's house tonight.
Compared to the Tan family, where only Zhang Qingliang had a couple of drinks, the Zhang family was much livelier, with many people drinking and chatting at the dinner table.
"Yeah, the Boss asked me to collect some information,"
Zhang Xuhui nodded.
"Xiao Tan must be sick, not resting during the New Year. I'll go talk to him tomorrow,"
Zhang Xupeng, who had drunk a bit, said casually.
"It's fine. I'm the Boss's assistant, and it's my job to serve the Boss 24 hours a day. Besides, it's not even the official holiday period yet, so it's normal to have things to deal with,"
Zhang Xuhui chuckled.
"It's good that you think that way,"
Zhang Guoqiang, Zhang Xuhui's father, nodded.
Then he turned to Zhang Xupeng and said,
"Don't talk nonsense to Xiao Tan. Let your cousin handle his own affairs. He gets paid such a high salary; he can't just do nothing."
"Yeah, don't worry, the Boss is actually very good. He's never made me work during holidays. This time there must be something urgent,"
Zhang Xuhui quickly added.
Zhang Xupeng grinned:
"I was just saying that, look how anxious you both are. Don't I know Xiao Tan? This kid, even though he's a hard worker himself, is very considerate of his subordinates. He definitely wouldn't randomly ask subordinates to do things on their days off."
"By the way, what did he want you for? Can you tell me?"
Zhang Xuhui thought for a moment and felt it should be fine to discuss this with the elders.
He hadn't heard of Andar Auto, but the elders probably knew about it and might even be able to help.
"Dad, Uncle, have you heard of Andar Auto?"
"Andar Auto? Wasn't that produced by our city's auto factory? It was quite popular for a while in the 90s; some of the city's taxi models were still this car. What's up?"
"Do you know anything about this auto company?"
"We know a bit. Back then, it was also a star enterprise in our city, but unfortunately, it went bankrupt in 2003 and was later sold to a leaf spring factory. After that, there was no news. Why, did Xiao Tan ask you to collect information on Andar?"
A leaf spring, in essence, is a steel spring, a plate-shaped spring formed by folding and combining one or more pieces of spring steel, commonly used in automotive suspensions.
Its advantages are low cost, while its disadvantages are that it can only be used for non-independent suspensions, is relatively heavy, has high rigidity, and poor comfort.
"What does Xiao Tan mean by asking you to collect information on Andar Auto? He's not thinking of making cars, is he?"
Zhang Xupeng suddenly asked.
"Probably not. The leader approached old Tan a few times recently. It's likely some people in the city are trying to exploit a situation, and Xiao Tan probably didn't want to lose face in front of his father,"
Zhang Guolong said.
Then he turned to Zhang Xupeng again and said,
"You should also be careful, kid. Don't do anything out of line during the New Year. Xiao Tan probably got noticed because his advertising was too widespread. Don't be too high-profile."
Xiao Tan was able to set up a factory, a young man making a name for himself in another city, even building good relations with the local government.
Since he asked Xuhui to collect information, it shows he has the ability to handle these matters.
As for his own son's capabilities, Zhang Guolong knew a bit.
He hadn't experienced many big occasions, and the main reason he earned so much money was because his good friend helped him.
If he were too high-profile, it would actually be a bad thing for him.
"I know, be high-profile in your work, low-profile in your life. Xiao Tan often says that, don't worry."
"And Xiao Hui, you too, should be low-key. Following Xiao Tan is a great learning opportunity. If your company develops in the future, you could also govern one area. Not everyone can be a leader's secretary,"
Zhang Guoqiang also admonished Zhang Xuhui.
Zhang Xuhui was a bit helpless; he disliked being with these elders who, after a few drinks, loved to give advice:
"Dad, Uncle, can you pick another time to lecture me and Pengya? We're talking about Andar Auto right now. If you know anything, tell me; otherwise, I still need to go collect information."
"Ah, yes, yes, yes, we're talking about Andar Auto, continue, continue, I love listening,"
Zhang Xupeng also quickly said.
"Actually, there's not much to say. The leader saw good sales, boasted excessively, which led to a broken capital chain. Coupled with some policy changes, it couldn't hold on for a few years and eventually had to be sold. The company that took over hasn't done anything significant in over a year, probably wants to get rid of it again, and then might have set their sights on Xiao Tan."
"So they're treating Xiao Tan as a scapegoat, huh? Sigh, it's not without reason that the economy isn't doing well,"
Zhang Xupeng understood, unable to help but sigh.
Look at Xiao Tan's attitude in Beicang; it's no exaggeration to say he's an honored guest.
They provided land, personnel, and even networking resources.
If Xiao Tan couldn't handle something personally, the government fully took care of it.
As long as it was beneficial for economic development and didn't violate regulations, it was given the green light all the way.
"Probably, which is why I told you to be low-key. It's not easy for you to earn money. But a broken factory is worth at most a few hundred thousand, which is nothing to Xiao Tan. I'm just worried they have other intentions."
"So, does Andar have automotive production qualifications?"
Zhang Xuhui quickly asked.
Zhang Guoqiang and Zhang Guolong exchanged glances, truly stumped by the question.
They genuinely didn't know such details, but if it could produce cars and sell them for several years, it should have that, right?
As soon as Zhang Xuhui saw his father and uncle's expressions, he knew that what he could elicit was limited.
It seemed he would have to figure things out himself.
However, from the recent conversation, Zhang Xuhui also analyzed a few issues: Andar, or rather the leaf spring factory, was in a difficult situation and eager to get rid of this mess.
He didn't know how they had set their sights on the Boss.
And the Boss, perhaps due to certain reasons or having other ideas, asked him to investigate Andar.
The most important thing was whether Andar had automotive production qualifications.
If so, everything would be easy; if not, it would probably just be a matter of giving them some money to send them away.
After understanding the approach, Zhang Xuhui knew what to do.
---
"You just got back and immediately arranged work for Xuhui; isn't that a bit inappropriate? I guess their family is still drinking,"
Tan Lihua said reservedly, though he was quite pleased with his son's attitude.
"It's fine, isn't that what an assistant does? Now you understand why I don't use my own brothers as assistants, right?"
Tan Jincheng replied with a smile.
The Boss's assistant certainly gets higher wages and benefits than others.
For example, Lin Yumin and Wu Zhenping both share an apartment, while Zhang Xuhui gets to live in a single apartment all to himself.
But all rewards require effort.
Compared to others, Zhang Xuhui needs to learn more things, and his phone must be kept on 24 hours a day so that the Boss can contact him at any time.
During the New Year, Tan Jincheng wouldn't trouble other employees, but if anything needed to be resolved, he would definitely turn to Zhang Xuhui.
Just as the father and son were engaging in mutual compliments, Zhang Suzhi's voice came from the living room:
"You two, as soon as you finish eating, you hide in the study. What important matter must be discussed today? Come out quickly, I have something to ask Jincheng."
(End of Chapter)