401: The first day's results came out, and the drivers panicked

Radish Run Headquarters.

Backend database.

As a major partner in this venture, Ren Yi naturally had to be present.

"Mr. Ren, great news!"

Upon seeing Ren Yi arrive, Chairman Wang Tao immediately went up and gave him a big hug, which made him very awkward, but he couldn't push him away.

Chairman Wang Tao paid no attention to Ren Yi's expression, pulled him to a large screen, and excitedly began to explain, pointing at various constantly fluctuating data.

"Mr. Ren, look, this is the data for Radish Run's first day of operation. On average, each car received nearly forty orders. Deducting four hours for charging and maintenance, the total working time is twenty hours."

"Calculated at an average of twenty kilometers per order, each car generates nearly 2,000 yuan in revenue per day."

"At this rate, it will take about a month to recoup all the manufacturing costs."

"Even after deducting electricity and operating expenses, it would take a maximum of three months, meaning nine months of the year would be pure profit."

The faces of the other executives were also beaming with smiles.

Because this was just an initial pilot, once Radish Run expands nationwide, the profits are unimaginable.

Crucially, driverless taxis don't require paying social insurance and housing provident fund for drivers.

The most important thing is that they operate year-round, so there's no need to worry about drivers having temporary issues or economic disputes arising from accidents.

It seemed profitable no matter how they looked at it.

However, Ren Yi knew that the calculations couldn't be that simple.

"Radish Run is in its initial launch phase, and everyone is very curious. Even those who place orders just to experience it, even if they don't have a real need, don't count as true data."

"Once the novelty wears off, whether it will remain this popular is still unknown. Furthermore, taxi companies certainly won't sit idly by; they will try every means to compete with us."

"In short, the current achievements are commendable, but we must also be wary of future risks."

He poured a bucket of cold water on them, neither too much nor too little.

As a seasoned business veteran, Chairman Wang Tao naturally understood that the current prosperity was only temporary.

The real test was yet to come.

However, the driverless taxi project was indeed the best-performing among the many projects he had invested in over the past year or so.

No matter what difficulties lay ahead, this data alone was enough to make it a hot commodity in the market.

So, even if Ren Yi poured cold water on him, he didn't care much.

"Of course, I know that, but with data like this, once it's released, it will immediately attract a large amount of funding."

"After all, Wu Du is just one of the pilot cities, and there are only five thousand cars. Anyone with a brain knows that Radish Run has an unlimited future."

Just then, Chairman Wang Tao's assistant walked over.

"Boss, Mr. Ren, we just received news that some taxi drivers are posting on their forums and online communities, calling for drivers to protest and boycott 'Radish Run,' believing it's destroying their livelihoods."

Ren Yi wasn't too surprised when he heard this; it was bound to happen sooner or later.

He opened his phone and checked the local driver forums and online communities in Wu Du.

The comments were full of resentment.

"It's too much. My car was parked right there, but those passengers actually ordered Radish Run right in front of me. I only got three orders yesterday."

"Damn, these capitalists are too shameless. They're literally eating People without spitting out the bones, even snatching money from the grassroots People."

"Exactly, that 'Radish' drives so slowly. I think it should be banned from the ecosystem."

"They can launch so grandly in Wu Du, there must be government backing, otherwise, it wouldn't be approved. Causing tens of thousands of drivers to lose their jobs is no small matter."

"No, brothers, tomorrow we'll go on a collective strike. We'll drive to block the city government entrance to protest. We won't rest until Radish Run is driven out of Wu Du."

"It's bad enough that big companies like Fenglei don't build cars properly; they even engage in capitalist practices, sucking the blood of the grassroots People. It's simply heartless."

"I admit Fenglei still has technology; they've launched many black technologies recently, providing convenience to People, but this driverless taxi project is a major decision error."

Where there were objections, there was naturally support.

"Pah! I say you deserve it. When you taxi drivers used to take detours without using the meter and overcharged passengers, did you ever think they were also grassroots People?"

"Well said. If you were honest and followed the actual routes, didn't take detours, and didn't charge extra, consumers would still prefer human-driven cars. But the reality is, you're not even as conscientious as capital."

"Exactly. Radish Run has a gentle voice, good service attitude, and you can turn on the air conditioning whenever you want. What else can you do besides speed and curse?"

"Taxis should be abolished. Driverless taxis are the mainstream of the future."

"Our Wu Du has everything to eat, drink, and play, but it just can't develop. Isn't it because you taxi drivers ruined its reputation?"

"To be honest, the experience of a human-driven taxi is not even one-tenth as good as a driverless taxi."

"Instead of complaining here about Radish Run stealing your business, why don't you think about how to improve service quality and reputation?"

"Trying to force others out of the market through moral blackmail, doesn't your conscience hurt when you do that?"

"Don't waste your effort. Even if you protest, not many People will support you."

"A just cause attracts much support, an unjust one little!"

...

"It seems the People's eyes are still sharp; the cost-effectiveness and service quality of Radish Run are evident to all!"

Seeing the comments, Chairman Wang Tao smiled complacently.

"That's true, but we can't be complacent. We still need to pay attention to public opinion and brand image."

"If we are portrayed as enemies of the grassroots People, it will be very detrimental to future promotions."

Ren Yi pondered for a moment and shared his insights, showing a sense of being prepared for danger in times of peace.

"Mr. Ren, then what do you suggest we do next?"

Chairman Wang Tao found his words very reasonable.

"How about this: aren't there many automotive self-media outlets in Wu Du recently? We've launched related incentive programs for 'Radish Run.' Let's consider inviting the best self-media outlets to help promote it."

"We can say that we're offering relevant job positions to existing taxi drivers, such as operations, safety officers, and other technical roles, responsible for the daily maintenance of driverless taxis, to establish our positive image."

Ren Yi looked at the real-time monitoring screens of various "Radish Run" vehicles and said with full confidence.

Before Chairman Wang Tao could speak, he saw some discordant scenes appear on certain monitoring screens.

A Wu Du driver jumped out of his car, walked furtively to a "Radish Run" vehicle, picked up his car key, and moved it back and forth near the car door.

As expected, he was trying to damage the QR code on it.

"Damn, these guys have such low quality!"

Chairman Wang Tao gritted his teeth as he watched.