176: Chapter 176 Cooperation is impossible, they're all arguing!

By the time the tour ended, the setting sun had already dyed half the sky red.

Wang Sifu kept Lei Jun and his team for a meal at the industrial park's internal cafeteria. There were no delicacies, just simple stir-fried dishes and soup, yet they ate with remarkable rapport.

After a few rounds of drinks, Lei Jun finally couldn't help but speak, his tone tinged with probing.

"President Wang, we at Fanmi are novices in the automotive field; in many areas, we have to learn as we go!"

Wang Sifu set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and smiled. "Who didn't start as a novice? When BYD first started making batteries, even the electrolyte formula was something we had to test out bit by bit. Building cars is also starting from scratch."

Upon hearing this, Lei Jun's heart stirred, and he stopped beating around the bush.

"Since you've opened your heart to us today, President Wang, I’ll be bold and speak plainly. Fanmi is entering the new energy vehicle field, and in the future, we might very well be competitors with BYD. But your hospitality today truly commands my respect!"

"So, I’ve been thinking: could we integrate the strengths of both our companies to jointly promote cutting-edge technology in the new energy vehicle field in China and build our own technological barriers!!"

The suggestion of cooperation was very direct, and Lei Jun's tone was serious.

Zhou Guangming and Lin Wenwu both put down their chopsticks, their gazes involuntarily fixed on Wang Sifu.

Wang Sifu laughed and raised his teacup, clinking it against Lei Jun's.

"President Lei, that's too formal. The new energy vehicle market is so vast. In the future, we will face more and more foreign car companies. We are all one family, so there's no need to speak like outsiders. We at BYD have always believed that cooperation leads to win-win results, not to mention that Fanmi's strength is evident to all!"

"So, you think the same way?" Lei Jun's eyes lit up slightly.

"Of course!" Wang Sifu's tone also became serious.

He changed the subject and continued, "To be honest, I have been following the direction of Fanmi's technological R&D. In terms of car batteries, you are taking a different path than us, which is something we can actually complement. Then there's the software system, which is also your strong suit..."

"If I'm not mistaken, the breakthrough in 45nm Lithography Machine technology at Haicheng Microelectronics should have something to do with you, right?"

"The demand for automotive chips is huge, especially for automotive-grade MCUs, which are currently heavily dependent on imports. If Fanmi can produce automotive-grade chips, BYD will definitely be the first to place an order. In these areas, we can have many opportunities for cooperation!"

Lei Jun couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.

This was exactly what he wanted to hear!

Since Wang Sifu had already thought of these things, the rest would be easy to talk about.

"Then we can definitely engage in multi-faceted strategic cooperation!" Lei Jun smiled.

"Of course, I don't see why not!" Wang Sifu also smiled.

"If you can make use of our 'three electrics' technology, vehicle manufacturing technology, and experience, you can send people to learn at any time," he continued. "If there is a need, we can even share our supply chain in the early stages. That's no problem at all!"

"President Wang, you really are a great benefactor to Fanmi!" Lei Jun was so moved he almost wanted to cry.

Look at what a good person he is!

He had originally only intended to come and learn, but he hadn't expected to be able to negotiate such a smooth and deep cooperation.

"Needless to say, Fanmi is currently developing ternary batteries and is about to achieve a breakthrough in key technologies. When the time comes, if BYD needs it, we can fully engage in patent cross-sharing cooperation. Also, regarding the software system, we are currently building a professional in-vehicle system and should have a breakthrough soon. At that time, we can also share that technology with BYD!"

"That's great!" Wang Sifu's face was full of smiles.

"Then let's work together to build a technological moat in the new energy vehicle field!" Lei Jun's gaze was sincere. "Tesla has already started lowering prices and clearing inventory in the North American market, and they will definitely attack the Chinese market with full force next."

"When that time comes, if we join forces, we will definitely be able to give them a surprise!"

"President Lei is right. Then, shall we toast to a happy cooperation in advance?"

"Happy cooperation!!"

"It's best to keep this matter confidential for now so that we have more room to maneuver later. Otherwise, our cooperation will definitely make other car companies vigilant!" Lei Jun suddenly changed the subject, his face once again becoming serious.

"Of course, but the news of you coming here has probably already spread..." Wang Sifu also frowned.

"It's fine, we'll just put on a show!" Lei Jun winked.

"Understood!" Wang Sifu instantly grasped the meaning.

Subsequently, the two looked at each other and both smiled.

...

Tesla Headquarters, President's Office.

The atmosphere was so heavy it felt like it could drip water.

Zhu Danyang slammed a newspaper onto the desk. The front page headline was news about Lei Jun visiting the BYD factory.

"What on earth does Lei Jun want to do by visiting BYD at this time?"

"He must be trying to steal knowledge. Fanmi has just started in the new energy vehicle field. I guess they don't even know how to lay out the machines in the factory. This visit to BYD must be to secretly learn something!" Liu Wei said confidently.

"Do you think you're very smart? Would Wang Sifu from BYD not think of this? Yet Lei Jun from Fanmi still went, and he even entered the manufacturing factory!" Zhu Danyang frowned tightly, his tone becoming more serious.

Liu Wei's eyes flickered slightly, and he suddenly smiled. "President Zhu, don't worry. I have news. When Lei Jun and his team left BYD, their expressions and complexions were not good. The two sides must have had an unpleasant conversation!"

"Maybe it was because their attempt to steal knowledge was discovered by Wang Sifu and his team, and they even had an argument inside!"

"Where did you get this news?" Zhu Danyang was half-believing.

Liu Wei chuckled and continued, "I found a few more people to stake out the Fanmi headquarters building. As long as Lei Jun leaves, I'll get news!"

"This piece of news was witnessed by my people. When Lei Jun left, Wang Sifu didn't even arrange for anyone to see him off. It looked like he was kicked out of the BYD manufacturing factory. He looked quite wretched!"

"Really?" Zhu Danyang's eyes moved slightly.

"Absolutely true!" Liu Wei patted his chest in assurance.

"..." Zhu Danyang fell into silence.

A moment later, he nodded slightly.

"Keep watching the situation over there. Don't be careless!" He turned and picked up a document on the table.

The words "Mod S New Model Mass Production Plan" were circled again and again with a red pen, very conspicuous.

"Convene a meeting immediately. The new Mod S must be produced in China within six months, with production capacity ramping up to 10,000 units per month. Seize the market as quickly as possible, and don't harbor any wishful thinking!!"

The office fell into a deathly silence, with only the faint hissing sound from the central air conditioning vents.

"President Zhu, this is simply impossible! To build a new factory, with the speed of headquarters..." Liu Wei's tone was filled with unconcealable anxiety.

"There is no 'impossible'!" Zhu Danyang interrupted him, his voice suddenly rising. "Fanmi's new energy base is already setting up production lines. Do you think they are playing house? A company that can produce a 45nm Lithography Machine, how long would it take them to build a car?"

He walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window and pointed at the continuous factory buildings outside the plant area: "We have just entered the Chinese market. If we cannot seize the market with lightning speed, once BYD and Fanmi really cooperate, there will be nothing left for us!"

"Cooperate?" Liu Wei was stunned for a moment. "How could they possibly cooperate!"

"We cannot rule out this possibility! Even if it's only one in ten thousand..." Zhu Danyang said firmly.

"Also, regarding the supply chain..." He frowned tightly and said in a deep voice, "The price of lithium acid battery raw materials is still rising, but the price of high-nickel cathode materials needed for ternary technology from domestic suppliers is still very low. Let's try to prepare as much as we can!"

"This is a good opportunity. Once the domestic suppliers react, the price will definitely skyrocket!!"

"Yes!"

"..."