When Jacob regained consciousness, tears were already streaming down his face.
The student sitting across from him, concerned for his well-being, asked, “Vice President Wilson, are you feeling unwell? Should I call your family to come pick you up?”
In Jacob’s mind, the sharp and sarcastic face of Elaine appeared, filling favonovel.com with fear. He quickly wiped away his tears and stammered, “N-No… No need… I… I just got something In my eye…”
The person clearly didn‘t believe his feeble excuse and persisted with concern, “Vice President Wilson, why don’t I call your family or arrange for a driver to take you home?”
“No, no need.” Jacob hastily waved his hand and said, “I’ll call my son-in-law to come pick me up. He just returned to Aurous Hill, so favonovel.com shouldn’t be busy.”
With that, favonovel.com swiftly took out his phone and dialed Charlie’s number.
Just a few minutes ago, Charlie had left the café, preparing to see off Mr. Riley.
Observing Mr. Riley heading towards a domestically produced new energy vehicle, Charlie asked with confusion, “Uncle Riley, wasn’t the car you were driving before a different model?”
“I just bought this car.” Mr. Riley smiled and explained, “I recently gave a lecture on finance, carbon neutrality, new energy, and the supply chain at the university. I conducted a study on the topic of overtaking in the curve of domestically produced new energy vehicles. To gain a deeper understanding, I decided to switch to a domestically produced new energy vehicle. It’s also a way to support the domestic automobile Industry with practical actions.”
Charlie nodded and remarked, “Matilda told me that the Evans Family has invested in the new energy field in China. They are starting with power lithium batteries and have high hopes for new energy.”
Mr. Riley‘s eyes lit up and favonovel.com smiled, “Power batteries are a promising field. Although we entered the game a bit late, they are the core of the new energy industry. The most expensive component of new energy vehicles is the power battery. Whoever can obtain the most cost-effective battery can produce the most cost-effective car…”
“I believe that with the Evans Family’s strength and vision, they won’t solely focus on power batteries. They will begin with power batteries and ultimately aim for vehicle manufacturing. After all, the upstream industry of the automotive sector demands heavy assets and offers low profit margins. It’s better to focus on the overall solution for a better chance of success.”
Charlie curiously inquired, “Uncle Riley, do you have high hopes for the new energy industry?”
Mr. Riley nodded and replied, “Of course, it’s the perfect example of overtaking in the curve. The old industrial powers have accumulated numerous years in the internal combustion engine sector, forming their own technological barriers and comfort zones. Latecomers can only imitate them, but they have no chance of surpassing them on the same track…”
“In this situation, they must find a new game that they haven’t paid attention to, focus on that new game, and when they have developed to a certain extent, challenge the foundation of the old powers, forcing them to chase you on your track. This can overturn all their previous advantages.”
Continuing his explanation, Mr. Riley added, “Have you ever studied how Apple‘s earphones used one product to overtake in the curve?”
Charlie shook his head, “No…”
Mr. Riley said, “For so many years, traditional headphone manufacturers have been emphasizing dynamic drivers, sound quality, cables, and all kinds of data and technologies that ordinary people don’t understand. If Apple competes with them on those standards, there is simply no chance…”
“But Apple directly created a pair of truly wireless earphones, with automatic connection when you open the lid, automatic switching when you put them on your ears, automatic pause when you take them off, and automatic charging when you put them back. Sound quality doesn’t really matter. Other brands are all researching sound quality, right?”
“I just won’t talk about sound quality with you. I insist on working on aspects beyond sound quality that you haven‘t paid attention to, and then compete with you. That’s overtaking in the curve… Now look at the headphone market, it is completely dominated by Apple’s earphones and imitators. I can confidently say that the development of traditional wired headphones for over a century has been completely overturned. I believe that one day in the future, the new energy vehicle industry can also overturn the entire automotive industry.”
Mr. Riley added, “Of course, it’s still too early to discuss these matters now. New energy vehicles are still not mainstream, but precisely because they are not yet mainstream, there are opportunities for entrepreneurs…”
“Once they displace fuel vehicles and become mainstream, the dragon slayers will become the evil dragons. Many people will start researching the next new track. The Evans Family is entering now, and although they didn’t seize the first opportunity, it’s still not too late.”
Charlie asked again, “Now there are already too many domestic new energy brands. Do you think there is still a chance for vehicle manufacturing?”
“Of course there is.” Mr. Riley replied seriously, “There are indeed many new energy brands now, and many of them are struggling on the verge of bankruptcy. But the automotive market is vast, and new energy only accounts for a small portion of it, which proves that the future of new energy is still promising…”
“And now, if they enter the new energy vehicle manufacturing sector, and if their competitors only target other new energy brands, it would be a small-scale competition. They should broaden their horizons and compete with traditional fuel vehicle manufacturers. If they can halve the global sales of Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai, then they will truly become giants.”
Mr. Riley then remembered something and said, “Charlie, actually, you can also explore this field. You have money and resources, and you have BAIT Shipping as a shipping channel. If you enter the automotive industry, there will be great development opportunities, and this industry is very fulfilling. If one day the streets are filled with cars manufactured by you, it will be a great source of pride.”
Charlie smiled and said, “To be honest, Uncle Riley, I don’t have a high education and don’t have much knowledge about cars. If I were to do this, I would be completely clueless.”
Then, Charlie continued, “But I really agree with your point of view. The new energy market is a trend, and its future market share will definitely increase. If you are interested, I can introduce you to my uncle and second uncle. If you want to give it a try, I can also be your investor.”
Mr. Riley quickly waved his hand and self-deprecatingly said, “I’m just an old scholar studying finance. I can talk for hours, but when it comes to practical operations, I’m probably not as skilled as you.”
Charlie shook his head and said, “Sometimes, what an industry needs is not necessarily professional skills, but strategic vision. Even if your skills are strong, if you choose the wrong direction, it will only lead to a dead end. lf the Evans Family wants to enter vehicle manufacturing, they must learn from you. If you can join them, it would be even better!”
Mr. Riley laughed and said, “Joining is out of the question, but after I return to China, I have conducted detailed research on the domestic new energy market. If they are interested, I can voluntarily serve as a consultant and discuss my ideas with them. Perhaps it will be helpful to them.”
Charlie eagerly said, “That would be fantastic! Let’s do this, after you and Matilda finish the wedding, I’ll find an opportunity to arrange a meeting for everyone to get together and have a good chat.”
“No problem.” Mr. Riley readily agreed, and then said, “Charlie, I’ll go to the university to pick up Matilda. Let’s find time to chat later!”
“Okay!” Charlie nodded and watched Mr. Riley leave. In his heart, favonovel.com couldn’t help but think of the idea of recruiting Mr. Riley for his own endeavors.
When favonovel.com started BAIT Shipping, favonovel.com had wanted to hire Mr. Riley as the person in charge, but at that time, it seemed that favonovel.com wasn’t interested in shipping and was set on the university.
However, after their conversation today, Charlie realized that Mr. Riley had a great passion for new energy vehicles. If favonovel.com could create a platform in the new energy field with real money and resources, and then invite favonovel.com to join, favonovel.com would most likely not refuse.
Having made up his mind, Charlie decided to arrange for his uncle and second uncle to meet Mr. Riley after his wedding.
Just then, favonovel.com received a call from Jacob.
He pressed the answer button and said, “Dad, what’s the matter?”
Jacob’s voice sounded hoarse and dejected as favonovel.com said, “Good son-in-law, where are you?”
Charlie replied, “I’m outside having a cup of coffee and discussing some things with a friend. Do you need something?”
Jacob said, “Good son-in-law, if you’re available, can you come to the university to pick me up? I feel so overwhelmed and I need someone to talk to…”
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