Reinventing the Millennium

Regarding Qualcomm’s trends, this is something worth discussing at the Yike General Office meeting. After all, Yike and Qualcomm have been entangled in patent litigation for more than a year.

The lingering patent litigation will eventually come to an end, and the current trend looks more favorable, which is quite exciting.

However, this focus on Qualcomm was quickly replaced by the latter after executive vice president Yu Hong brought up the topic of "Yike Automobile".

From Q3 last year to Q1 this year, EBG President Zhang Yaqin officially issued two reports, the main purpose of which was to explore the feasibility of Yike's entry into electric vehicles. However, his call did not cause much discussion.

On the one hand, the Mars 8.8 series is about to be launched, and Yike’s focus is all around its launch. On the other hand, Mr. Fang has shown no interest in discussing it.

Yike is a technology company that focuses on consumer electronics and mobile Internet, and the automotive field is very traditional. If it is set as a future goal, considering that it far exceeds the price of mobile phones, this is at least a very significant strategic shift.

Although EBG is one of the five major business groups of Yike, its internal ranking and Zhang Yaqin's own influence are not enough to promote such an important strategic decision.

but……

If it were Mr. Yu who brought it up, the effect would be different.

The co-founder of Yike, one of the founders of the global market, a member of the board of directors and executive vice president of Yike, her status and influence far exceed that of Zhang Yaqin.

At the same time, considering that President Fang mentioned in the last General Office meeting that Yu Hong should pay more attention to the development of EBG, and that she spoke out about strategic issues not long after returning to China, it is difficult not to think of President Fang’s thinking behind it.

"From mobile phones to cars, such a direction of advancement must be cautious. Our company is now facing the challenge of global market uncertainty, so we need to be even more cautious."

Different from Yu Hong's radical discussion with Fang Zhuo in private, she brought up the overall project of "Yike Automobile" at the general office meeting, but her attitude was much more restrained.

"However, we also need to see a new development opportunity and see the thinking and choices of our peers."

"Apple is already recruiting a team of software and automotive engineers from Tesla, Google, Mercedes-Benz and other companies. According to the exposed news, it is named 'Project Titan' and will start from autonomous driving technology. scale of investment.”

"I think it's a good reference."

Yu Hong sat in the conference room and talked.

Fang Zhuo took a sip of tea and suddenly discovered a problem. As soon as Mr. Yu opened her mouth, when others looked at her, they had to look at herself. When she opened her mouth, she looked at herself. When she spoke, she looked at herself...

"This table is so long and everyone is so crowded, so sit more spread out." He suggested aloud and took the lead in moving the chairs.

The executive vice president sitting next to the chairman stared at him with a half-smile, and silently followed the instructions to leave some space.

Fang Zhuo felt that this was much better.

I don’t know whether it was affected by the fine-tuning of the seats, or whether everyone had digested the surprise from President Yu’s proposal, but YMS President Qi He still gave a different opinion despite facing his old boss.

"We don't need to follow Apple's strategy. Its strategy may not be successful." Qi He pointed out the imperfections in Mr. Yu's example. "Since the death of Steve Jobs, Apple's innovation in mobile phones has been relatively stagnant. In the past two years, regardless of the Whether it is a cheap iPhone or an enlarged version of the iPhone, both the reputation and the stock price are declining. "

He said calmly: "From last year to this year, many media have been reporting on Apple's internal car-building plan. This juncture does not rule out the need for new concepts and stories to support the stock price. I mean, Apple It’s true that it’s building a car, but how much energy and determination Apple puts into doing it is questionable.”

Yu Hong nodded and took over the words: "So, we are just exploring the feasibility. I hope everyone will consider the longer-term future of the company, including Mr. Zhang. When we mention 'car', we do not want to start from 'car', but We believe it can be used as an effective carrier for future technological development and can give full play to our advantages.”

"Whether it will work or not, the initial effort is unavoidable. The establishment of the project is just to maximize the concentration of research and development efforts."

“Not only are there trends in this regard abroad, there are also good policies in China. Domestic car manufacturers, such as BYD, launched a ‘542’ strategy last year, which aims to achieve acceleration of 100 kilometers per hour in 5 seconds, full-time electric four-wheel drive, and 100 kilometers per hour. A tram with a fuel consumption of less than 2 liters per kilometer.”

"Compared with traditional oil trucks, electric cars have largely circumvented industry barriers and core technologies. This is also a good opportunity for industry acceleration."

The executive vice president's attitude was very mild. He showed no emotion in the face of rebuttal and just introduced what he had noticed.

At this time, European President Pan Ben laughed: "I sometimes see BYD taxis when I come back from the airport."

There was a trace of disapproval in these words to the new example given by the old boss.

"Didn't Buffett also buy BYD's shares in large quantities? This industry definitely needs accumulation." Liu Qiangdong, President of Huaxia, said that he also spent this week studying the demands of Tram and EBG, and this was because of President Fang's last general office meeting. Mentioning Mr. Yu and EBG.

He continued: "I feel that the overall project is not a problem, the problem is how to do it. Steve Zadsky, who is responsible for Apple's 'Titan Project', said that Apple will build a fully autonomous car without a steering wheel. This Is it too forward-looking? If the car is built with such a goal, then I am definitely opposed to it.”

"But if we proceed step by step and combine our advantages in chip design, chip manufacturing, system ecology and algorithms, and even artificial intelligence, I will vote for Mr. Yu."

Liu Qiangdong opened up a subdivided direction on today's theme, in which direction the project will be established.

Zhang Yaqin glanced at the CEO of Yike Huaxia with approval.

Yu Hong remained calm.

"A self-driving car without a steering wheel must be an L5-level car, so I think Cook is trying to find a way to promote Apple's new story." Qi He said, "Building a car is a major investment, although Mr. Zhang and EBG think This is the carrier of future technology, but compared to such heavy assets, I prefer the breakthrough of machine learning itself. If I vote, I will definitely vote for this.”

The discussion atmosphere in the conference room gradually became thicker. This was the first time that Zhang Yaqin felt that senior executives paid attention to the car-building proposal, and the expression of radical and progressive goals also made him think.

Fang Zhuo always listened and did not participate in the discussion too much.

Because of the company's problems, he actually had to admit that his future planning focused more on five years rather than a longer period. Relatively speaking, he was optimistic about the company's R\u0026D investment mechanism.

When the enthusiasm of everyone's discussion gradually subsided, Fang Zhuo put down the tea cup that contained his thoughts and said slowly: "I don't agree with the radical car-building plan."

As soon as the boss spoke, the conference room fell completely silent.

And this sentence seems to set the tone.

"But I'm not sure whether I will still disapprove of the radical car-building plan two years later." Fang Zhuo's second sentence was a denial of himself.

Yu Hong frowned.

"Based on objective reality, Yike needs to face many problems, but similarly, we also have advantages in many aspects that you are all aware of. If we put aside the situation of Yike, I think we should do research on assisted driving first. "It would be a good route to collect operational data at low cost and then make improvements through algorithm iteration," Fang Zhuo gave his own idea.

Liu Qiangdong nodded immediately. Mr. Fang's meaning was close to his own, but it was impossible to put aside Yike's situation.

"Collecting operating data requires the use of larger volumes. Just relying on simulation algorithms and internal testing, I'm afraid its progress will not be too optimistic." Yu Hong said, "And this also requires the cooperation of automobile manufacturers, well... ...You can find car manufacturers to cooperate, or acquire shares to cooperate in everything from assisted driving to batteries, motors, and design and manufacturing.”

She brought the topic back: "But those things need to be done after we establish the project. We must first research an outline before we can conduct experiments."

Qi He, Pan Ben and others remained silent, their eyes fixed on the boss's face. Mr. Fang's attitude had deviated somewhat from before.

"Let's make an all-round argument first. We are not in a hurry. We are not in a hurry for one day or two days. We are not in a hurry for this month, two months or even a year." Fang Zhuo glanced at the people present, "A comprehensive From market to policy to technical arguments, the truth becomes clearer with each passing day. I think your discussion today was good.”

He raised his wrist and gave a time: "After the first general meeting of the new year, I hope to see more arguments that will prompt me to make a decision."

The wind that is about to rise within Yike seems to have stopped again, but the proposal of the car-building plan still tied a knot in the hearts of all participants. No matter how Apple's car-making outside is, it depends on Mr. Fang's intention. If he wants to If you do it, it is definitely not for the stock price.

"Oh, yes, Yike will consider a secondary listing in Xiangjiang from the end of this year to next year. It depends on the situation." Fang Zhuo made another surprising change at the end of the meeting.

Yike, which is already listed on Nasdaq, is considering a secondary listing in Hong Kong...

This vaguely illustrates Mr. Fang's inner expectations and judgments about the future.

After the meeting ended, Yu Hong did not return to her 26th floor, but entered the president's office on the 23rd floor. The topic of the meeting was not about the heated discussion about car building: "Is there any new news from Washington?"

"There is not much definite news at the moment, but there are some more specific trends." Fang Zhuo replied, "BIS may push for ice cores in the second quarter."

BIS has been organizing relevant discussions and measures since the launch of Yike Mars 8.8.

Yu Hong's heart sank. The ice core was further restricted. This must be the beginning of a chain reaction.

She walked a few steps and asked again: "What about Yike?"

"If the ice core is restricted to the outside world, then apply for a temporary license." Fang Zhuo said calmly, "It will be done for 90 days at a time, which is exactly one quarter. If BIS really takes action, I hope to push it to postpone it to Q3, so that Once we get a temporary license, we can guarantee a good supply of products, and then we will be able to do just that.”

Yu Hong nodded slightly, making time difference in exchange for competitiveness. This was one of the things to do.

She asked again: "Where's SMIC?"

"We are already collaborating in depth. Ice Core's technology is really 'empowering'. Hey, its own market value is just that, but if you poke it here and poke it there, the effect is really big." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "BIS has a time lag. If we can switch to SMIC for supply, we will be able to hold on for a while. There will be an election again. We may not be able to hold on until Ozi is over, but the labor pain will not be that painful."

According to the current situation, Ami must press the button to emerge, but Bingxin is held down, and Zhongxin can also try to emerge.

Pressing down the gourd and raising the gourd, the time gained in the process can have a profound impact.

"If we can get most of the breakthroughs, the semiconductor industry will eventually come down to market competition." Yu Hong said slowly.

"It will take time to achieve a full breakthrough, but it is good if it can operate well. Besides, I think you are quite confident in building cars. If you can really do it well, it will also be a good boost to Yike's transformation and the promotion of the domestic semiconductor industry. ." Fang Zhuo took a sip of tea.

"Are you inclined to agree?" Yu Hong asked.

Fang Zhuo shook his head: "I try my best not to make a predetermined position and watch everyone's arguments and discussions."

He ended the topic, looked at the message he had just received on his phone, and said with emotion: "Alibaba has successfully gone public again."

"Alibaba's development is still very good, its Taobao is really dynamic, and this trip to the New York Stock Exchange is really a sensation." Yu Hong said with a smile.

Fang Zhuo said "Yeah": "Its e-commerce is indeed difficult to shake."

Yu Hong thought for a moment and suddenly asked: "Can that Douyin you created do things from a new dimension?"

Fang Zhuo smiled: "Why do you ask that?"

"I see that you have invested a lot of resources. If the development of e-commerce was based on the Internet and mobile Internet in the past, can this faster mobile Internet bring more forms of expression in the future?" Yu Hong just discussed casually, " Besides, I think Weiwei is in a good mood."

Fang Zhuo laughed dumbly: "She was in a mood because Xiao Man was full of energy every day. She should have named him 'Da Man'."

Yu Hong was a little doubtful.

"But there's nothing wrong with your feeling." Fang Zhuo thought for a while, "Alibaba started the listing process last year, and it seems to have been delayed. This listing, well..."

He picked up his mobile phone and looked at the listed Alibaba stock price, and continued: "The performance of this listing is very good. It seems to have a huge rise on the first day. It is expected to exceed 200 billion US dollars on the first day. However, the version of the times may indeed be slightly A little updated.”

Alibaba’s offering price on the New York Stock Exchange was US$68, and it has now exceeded US$80, with no signs of stopping. It has raised US$21.8 billion, which is also the largest listing transaction in American history.

Yu Hong took out her mobile phone, watched the many discussions about Ali's listing, and suggested: "Last time you got back the word you gave me as a gift. This time, it's better to mend the relationship while it goes on the market, and give a new one. 'Times have changed.'" How about the word "?"

Fang Zhuo laughed, but still corrected him: "It was Liu Zonghong who suggested coming back."

Yu Hong gave a thumbs up and praised: "Mr. Fang, you are rigorous."

Fang Zhuo waved his hand and really considered writing something to fill the bare office.