Rebirth 99 to become a car giant.

Chapter 116 Smart people are everywhere

The impact of the U.S. auto parts antitrust investigation is growing.

As one of the hardest-hit areas, parts companies in Japan have been investigated the most.

Even Japanese officials have spoken out to remind domestic companies to abide by local laws and regulations in the United States.

At this time, after a series of "insider stories" of SKF's monopoly in the bearing industry were exposed by Yahoo Auto, the impact was amplified.

Those parts giants under investigation all felt that SKF was a pig teammate.

"Ovid, I asked people from NTN and JTEKT to come out yesterday to discuss the quotation plan for Changan Ford's new model bearing order, but they actually refused."

"This is a bit weird. Do I need to reconsider something in the future?"

As soon as Holmer finished speaking, Ovid snarled him.

"You don't surf the Internet or read newspapers. Do you know that you spend time with women after get off work every day?"

"At this time, you are still going to make appointments with people from NTN and JTEKT. Do you think the United States' antitrust investigation is not enough, and do you want China to investigate us as well?"

Ovid, who had always had a good temper, was angry today.

This also made Holm feel strange.

However, he still defended himself habitually, "China does not have anti-monopoly laws."

"enough!"

It was okay if he didn't say it, but he became even more angry when he mentioned Ovid.

"The headquarters is now passive due to the antitrust investigation in the United States. There are even rumors that the European Union and Japan will also launch antitrust investigations."

"In a meeting with the headquarters last night, the CEO personally emphasized that personnel in each branch must abide by the law and not commit crimes against the wind."

"Otherwise, if you are jailed when the time comes, don't blame the company for being unkind."

After Ovid said this, Holm realized the seriousness of the problem.

Naturally, he had heard about the ongoing antitrust investigation in the United States.

We even knew that SKF was under investigation.

But Holm didn't take it too seriously.

In his opinion, this is a common practice in the auto parts industry.

He even feels that the antitrust investigations by the European Union and Japan's regulatory agencies are just for the sake of face, so he has to pretend to shout slogans and show off.

In his view, the absolute strength of vehicle companies has greatly reduced suppliers’ pricing power for products.

At this time, he contacted other bearing manufacturers to support each other, but it was just a helpless move to deal with the vehicle companies.

Why was it put online?

And jail time?

"I understand!"

"The quotation during this period depends on everyone's tacit understanding."

Although he was dissatisfied, Holmer did not argue with Ovid directly.

Of course, he still knows how to do it.

……

"Our boss looks young and is really not simple at all."

At the Sihai Restaurant in Yangcheng, after Pan Jinxing and Ji Hua had settled down for the rare occasion, they had their first gathering since arriving in Yangcheng.

"It's really not easy. In just a few years, I was able to run the company to its current scale and invest so many resources in research and development with such courage. It seems that I can consider not returning to Germany."

Ji Hua originally thought that what Cao Yang drew for him were all big cakes.

Unexpectedly, after entering Nanshan, he would be provided with more information.

The Transmission Division also mobilized fifty researchers in a short period of time and promised to increase the number of researchers to more than 200 within one year.

This made Ji Hua very satisfied.

Although he is a professor at the School of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering at BIT, except for a few doctoral students and graduate students under his command, the resources he could mobilize were very limited.

Graduate students these days are not like those of later generations. Any tutor can lead dozens or dozens of graduate students.

There are only 7 people in his institute and doctoral students combined.

"This is also one aspect of what you are talking about."

"But that's not what I'm telling you."

Pan Jinxing's words made Ji Hua a little confused.

Not this?

If not this, what else could it be?

"Is there any surprise at your equipment center?"

"Boss, don't you watch the news?"

Pan Jinxing looked at Ji Hua speechlessly.

This classmate, as always, only knows how to immerse himself in research.

No wonder a dignified doctor who returned from Germany in the 80s has become what he is now.

"News? What's the latest news?"

"Mr. Cao assigned me a research task on a 6AT gearbox, and also proposed a new concept of CVT continuously variable gearbox. How can I have time to pay attention to other things during this time?"

"If it hadn't been for your treat today, I would have continued to stay in the laboratory and would have been too lazy to come out."

Ji Hua's words made Pan Jinxing even more speechless.

However, perhaps it is precisely because he is so obsessed with researching gearbox technology that it is easier for him to achieve results.

Thinking of this, he felt better.

"In the United States, antitrust investigations into auto parts have been in full swing during this period, and the entire automotive industry chain is paying attention to this matter."

"SKF bore the brunt and became the biggest victim in this investigation."

"There are rumors that the American judiciary is going to issue a sky-high fine of US$[-] million."

When Pan Jinxing said this, Ji Hua was somewhat impressed.

After all, although he is immersed in research, it's not like he doesn't have access to the Internet.

Many materials and papers can only be found online.

"What does this have to do with our boss?"

Ji Hua couldn't figure out why Pan Jinxing told him this.

"Normally, it doesn't matter, but don't you think this is a coincidence?"

"The relationship between SKF and Nanshan is very tense in China, and now they are even going to court."

"At this time, Mr. Cao did not stay in Yangcheng. Instead, he went to the United States to visit Ford Motor and General Motors."

"What a coincidence is that just after he went to the United States, the auto parts antitrust case broke out."

"There is also news that General Motors and Ford Motor Company are taking this opportunity to ask those parts companies to significantly reduce their prices."

"Don't you think this is a bit of a coincidence?"

Pan Jinxing was able to become the youngest deputy chief engineer at Shenyi Machine Tool Factory, and his IQ was definitely online.

It’s just that I have no background and sometimes I don’t want to be treated like a dog, so I have always stopped at the position of deputy chief engineer.

"Old Pan, you don't think Mr. Cao can influence the American judiciary, do you?"

"This antitrust investigation is not corporate behavior."

Ji Hua obviously did not agree with Pan Jinxing's speculation.

In his opinion, the other party was just thinking wildly.

"Mr. Cao naturally does not have the ability to influence the judicial organs of the United States, but General Motors and Ford Motors can."

"The performance of these two auto giants in the first quarter of this year is very ugly. They have every incentive to develop parts manufacturers."

When Pan Jinxing said this, Ji Hua was stunned.

Does it seem to make sense logically?