245: Chapter 245 The Giants Lose Their Voice

10:45 AM, the press conference drew to a close.

Wu Yi summarized the technical parameters of the three materials on the big screen, then presented the most critical information: production capacity and supply plans.

"I know everyone is concerned about: When can these materials be purchased? What is the price? What is the supply volume?"

He pulled up a table:

1. Third-generation advanced high-strength steel

Initial annual capacity: 500,000 tons (can meet the demand for 2 million vehicles)

Price: 30-35% higher than traditional high-strength steel

Supply model: Priority supply to Red Flag Automobile, remaining capacity open for procurement, but requires a three-year long-term contract.

2. Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC)

Initial annual capacity: 400 tons (can meet the demand for 100 aero-engines)

Price: $8,000-$12,000 per kilogram (customized according to specifications)

Supply model: Priority for strategic partners, must pass security review by the Huaxia government.

3. Graphene-reinforced composite materials

Initial annual capacity: 5,000 tons

Price: 20% lower than carbon fiber composite materials, 50% higher than metal materials

Supply model: Open for procurement, but prohibited for use in the military industry.

When the clause "prohibited for use in the military industry" appeared, the expressions of several Western representatives in the audience changed.

This meant one thing: Spark Materials was very clear about the military value of these materials and intended to control their flow.

"Finally, regarding technology licensing." Wu Yi looked at the audience. "The principle of Spark Materials is: We can sell materials, but we do not sell technology; we can engage in collaborative R&D, but core patents will not be transferred."

This statement shattered the hopes of those giants who wanted to buy out the technology directly.

"The press conference concludes here." Wu Yi bowed slightly. "Next is the business negotiation session. Interested clients please register at the VIP negotiation area, and our business team will arrange meetings in order."

He added: "Only preliminary contacts will be arranged today; formal negotiations will require detailed follow-up discussions. So, please do not attempt to finalize agreements on the spot—that is impossible."

Very assertive, but no one felt it was excessive.

Because it is now a seller's market.

In the audience, representatives from all the giants—Boeing, Airbus, Toyota, BASF, Rolls-Royce, Samsung...—stood up almost simultaneously and rushed toward the VIP channel on the side of the stage.

A war without smoke had just begun.

11:00 AM, VIP negotiation area.

The rear of Hall 4 had been temporarily converted into eight negotiation booths, and lines had formed outside each one.

The most popular was Booth 3—the exclusive negotiation area for CMC materials. David Miller from Boeing and Isabelle Dupont from Airbus arrived almost at the same time and exchanged a glance at the entrance.

"Mr. Miller, please go ahead." Isabelle made a gesture with French elegance, but there was not a hint of deference in her eyes.

"Ladies first." Miller also kept a smile, but his feet didn't move.

The two stood in a stalemate for three seconds.

Finally, a business manager from Spark Materials came out to resolve the situation: "The two of you, we have prepared two adjacent booths, so you can negotiate at the same time. Please follow me."

The booths were not large, about fifteen square meters, with a coffee table in the middle and sofas on both sides. The decor was simple but practical, and most importantly—the soundproofing was excellent.

After entering the booth, David Miller immediately said to the accompanying engineer: "Tom, were all the data from the demonstration just recorded?"

"All recorded, including the video." Engineer Tom opened his notebook. "But some data needs verification. A 1,000-hour lifespan at 1700°C exceeds the current understanding of materials science."

"So, either they are faking it, or they have truly achieved a breakthrough." Miller leaned back on the sofa. "Which possibility do you think is greater?"

Tom hesitated for a moment: "Given that they dared to perform a live demonstration in front of global peers, the risk of faking is too high. Moreover, the cooperation between Red Flag Automobile and Huaxia Aero Engine should be real—both are state-owned enterprises, and it is unlikely they would participate in faking."

"That means..." Miller rubbed his temples. "We must obtain the CMC, or at least ensure it doesn't fall into the hands of Airbus."

At the same time, in the adjacent booth.

Isabelle Dupont was on a video call with Airbus headquarters.

"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. The data credibility is very high." She said to the tablet, "I need authorization: First, strive to become the exclusive agent for Spark Materials' CMC in Europe; Second, if exclusivity isn't possible, at least ensure we get the goods before Boeing."

On the screen was Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury: "Authorized. You can raise the budget limit to 500 million euros. But there is one condition: you must obtain samples for the Toulouse R&D center to test."

"I will try my best," Isabelle said. "But Spark Materials is very cautious; they have explicitly stated they do not sell technology, only materials."

"Then buy the materials first. As long as we have samples, our materials team will have a chance to conduct reverse analysis."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple." Isabelle shook her head. "Huaxia is already no worse than us in terms of material characterization and reverse engineering. If they dare to sell, it means there are technical barriers that make it impossible for us to copy easily."

Hanging up the video, Isabelle took a deep breath.

She knew today's negotiations would be difficult, but she hadn't expected them to be this difficult.

Because the initiative was entirely in the hands of the other party.

11:20 AM, Booth 2 (Advanced Steel negotiation area).

Toyota President Akio Toyoda was face-to-face with Wu Yi.

There was a coffee table between them, but the atmosphere was far more tense than the physical distance suggested.

"Mr. Wu, Toyota is willing to purchase the entire first-year production capacity of your company's third-generation steel at a price 50% higher than the market rate," Akio Toyoda said, getting straight to the point. "Furthermore, we can sign a ten-year long-term contract, with prices adjusted annually based on inflation."

Very generous terms.

But Wu Yi smiled and shook his head: "President Toyoda, I am very sorry. Firstly, out of our 500,000-ton capacity, 300,000 tons have already been reserved for Red Flag Automobile. This is part of a strategic partnership and cannot be changed."

"Then the remaining 200,000 tons..."

"Secondly," Wu Yi interrupted him, "Spark Materials has a clear supply principle: priority supply to Huaxia domestic enterprises, followed by enterprises from friendly countries, and lastly, others."

Akio Toyoda's expression changed slightly: "Is Japan not a friendly country to Huaxia?"

"In the economic sphere, yes," Wu Yi said in a calm tone. "But in the technological sphere, companies from your country have implemented a thirty-year technology blockade against Huaxia. From machine tools to semiconductors, from carbon fiber to high-end steel, when have Japanese companies ever truly opened their technology to Huaxia?"

These words were very direct, so direct that Akio Toyoda could not refute them.

"So now it is... the principle of reciprocity?" Akio Toyoda asked with difficulty.

"You can understand it that way," Wu Yi nodded. "If Japanese companies are willing to open up technology to Huaxia in a certain field, we will also consider cooperation in the corresponding field. Fair trade, honest dealing."

Akio Toyoda was silent for a full minute.

He knew that what Wu Yi said was the truth. For the past few decades, Japanese companies had indeed relied on their technological advantages to make a fortune in the Huaxia market, but core technologies had never truly been transferred.

Now that it was Huaxia's turn to have the technological advantage, they had also started setting up barriers.

This is the cycle of karma.

"I understand," Akio Toyoda finally said. "I will take your opinion back to headquarters. But before that, could you at least supply a small amount of samples for us to test? The price can be doubled."

Wu Yi thought for a moment: "Yes. But there are two conditions: First, the samples can only be used for testing, not for any product development; Second, the test results must be shared with us."

"Agreed."

"In addition," Wu Yi added, "if we cooperate in the future, Toyota must promise: models using Spark Materials cannot have a selling price in the Huaxia market higher than in the Japanese market."

Akio Toyoda's eyes widened: "This..."

"This is the inspiration Red Flag gave us," Wu Yi smiled. "Huaxia consumers should not have to pay a higher price for the same product. If you agree, the possibility of cooperation will be much greater."

Akio Toyoda fell silent again.

He knew what this meant: if he agreed, Toyota's high-premium strategy in Huaxia would be unsustainable. But if he didn't agree, he might not even be able to get through the door for cooperation.

"I need to consult the board of directors," he finally said.

"Please do," Wu Yi stood up. "But please hurry. Many car companies are waiting in line."