174: No longer a business plan, but a national strategy

Ji Jun leaned forward, his tone exceptionally firm: "Chairman Jiang, I believe we must adjust Xinghe Motors' plans."

Jiang Chen didn't speak, just watched him quietly, signaling him to continue.

Receiving the signal, Ji Jun's thoughts became clearer: "Our original plan was to utilize Solid-State Battery Technology, and once the car manufacturer we acquired produced our new car models, we would prioritize supplying them for our own use."

"We even planned to only supply our own models in the initial stages, forming a technological barrier. Only after our cars gained a firm foothold in the market would we consider collaborating with other car manufacturers for open supply."

"This idea seemed like the optimal commercial solution at the time."

"But now, the situation is completely different."

Ji Jun pointed to the documents on the table, his tone intensifying: "The nation is providing such resources and policies with the clear goal of industrializing Solid-State Battery Technology as quickly as possible, driving the entire industry chain to upgrade towards solid-state batteries, and seizing international initiative."

"If we still adhere to our previous plan, it will take at least one to two more years for our cars to be mass-marketed."

"This pace is too slow."

"The international landscape is changing rapidly; our competitors won't wait for us. I think after our press conference yesterday, they have already realized the threat of solid-state batteries, which will inevitably accelerate their research and development and their search for partnerships."

"We cannot let our own vehicle plans delay the advancement of national strategy."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly; he had actually been thinking the same thing. Now, hearing Ji Jun's thoughts align with his own, he felt even more certain about the direction.

He must never sacrifice national interests for the sake of Xinghe's interests.

Seeing Jiang Chen nod, Ji Jun continued: "My suggestion is to concentrate all our current resources on the capacity building and technological iteration of solid-state batteries."

"What we need to do is not become an enterprise that monopolizes the market through technological barriers, but to become the core engine of the entire new energy era!"

"According to your initial idea, our collaboration with Likely Xiaomi and Ju Factory is the best starting point."

"We provide micro solid-state batteries for their mobile phones, tablets, and computers, and this is just the beginning."

"In the future, the application prospects of this technology are limitless."

"From wearable devices, smart homes, to drones, all sorts of things related to electricity, and even large-scale energy storage power stations, will undergo revolutionary changes because of our technology."

"We want to become the core supplier for all these industry giants, using our technology to empower the entire industry chain, just like the theme of our press conference, 'Battery Revolution,' to drive a comprehensive energy revolution."

Jiang Chen listened quietly. The blueprint Ji Jun described, to be honest, many of his own ideas were largely similar to his.

After a few seconds, he nodded slightly, signaling Ji Jun to continue.

Ji Jun immediately understood. Having spoken so much, he was a little thirsty. He took a sip of water, paused, and then raised the most crucial question:

"But there's an unavoidable hurdle here — capacity."

"Our technology is already very mature, but the production plant we acquired, even after renovation and the construction of two new production lines, can currently only meet the supply of micro solid-state batteries, far from reaching the scale required by car manufacturers. Even if our planned super battery factory starts construction immediately, it will take at least one to two years from construction to mass production. This time is our strategic window of vulnerability."

"Therefore, to achieve rapid industrialization, we must bring in the nation's largest battery giant."

Jiang Chen, of course, knew which giant Ji Jun was referring to. In the entire domestic battery industry, the only one that could be called a giant and had the qualifications and capability to cooperate was Lemon Era.

Ji Jun's words continued:

"First, they have an existing capacity foundation. Their factory network and mass production experience are top-notch domestically, which can help us bypass the most time-consuming infrastructure and capacity ramp-up phases, directly translating technology into products."

"Second, they have a complete supply chain advantage. They have deep roots in upstream battery materials, such as cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes, and have long-term supply agreements with major domestic mining and chemical companies."

"This can help us quickly open up the industry chain, avoid being constrained by raw materials, and effectively control costs and supply stability."

"Of course, the cooperation model must be led by us. We can refer to their joint venture model with foreign car manufacturers, but the core is that we must control the technological discourse."

"Simply put, it means that with our Solid-State Battery Technology licensing as the core, both parties jointly invest to establish a new capacity company, specifically for the production and sales of solid-state batteries. This can quickly release production while ensuring our core interests."

"Once our own super factory is built and operating stably, we can then flexibly adjust the proportion of our cooperation with them based on market conditions."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly, then voiced his inner concerns and questions:

"What I'm worried about isn't whether they are willing to cooperate, but their mindset."

"They are, after all, an industry leader, accustomed to a dominant position. Now, to ask them to humble themselves, accept our technology licensing, and be in a secondary position in the cooperation, will there be internal resistance?"

"This shift in mindset might be more difficult than the technical cooperation itself."

Indeed, if Jiang Chen were in their shoes, he would also find such a change difficult to accept.

Ji Jun was well prepared and answered calmly: "This is precisely where we need to leverage their strength, Chairman Jiang."

"Our biggest card in hand is not technology, but national strategy."

"Think about it, the nation previously launched a 10-billion-yuan special fund, aiming to industrialize Solid-State Battery Technology as quickly as possible. Now that we have mature technology, what does the nation most hope to see?"

"Is it for us and them to fight separately, wasting time and resources, or to quickly integrate forces and form a synergy? The answer is self-evident."

"We will fully utilize the nation's power and position this cooperation as a crucial step in the national strategy."

"This way, what they accept is not just our technology, but also the nation's strategic arrangement."

"For their management, this elevates from a business cooperation to the level of a political task."

"Their personal honor and the fate of their enterprise are bound together with the national strategy. In this situation, the so-called 'leader's mindset' must give way to the bigger picture."

After listening, Jiang Chen's furrowed brow finally relaxed, and a look of approval appeared in his eyes.

Ji Jun truly lived up to his name; in such a short time, he had already considered everything.

He then sighed with emotion, stood up, walked over to Ji Jun, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Well said, President Ji! Your considerations are very thorough."

"Great minds think alike; we'll proceed as you've outlined!"

"Now, go and handle five things immediately."