v2 Chapter 821： The conspiracy of the American car tycoon

At this point, GM's directors didn't know what to say, did they really want to cooperate with Ford. You must know that from the beginning of GM's establishment, Ford looked down on them. Henry Ford said they were a nouveau riche who only knew how to acquire, but not technology. It was a disgrace to the auto industry.

In fact, it is not unreasonable to say that, after all, Ford was established earlier. And the founder himself is a talented engineer, of course, he doesn't like mercenary businessmen entering the field of automobile manufacturing.

The Ford Motor Company is a multinational corporation that manufactures automobiles. It was founded by Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, and was corporatized in 1903.

At this stage, Black Cloud, Ford, GM and Chrysler are considered Detroit's Big Four automakers. The Ford Motor Company's logo is derived from the signature font commonly used by founder Henry Ford.

A GM director said, "Mike, Ford really wants to work with us, and it's not April Fool's Day."

Unlike GM, Ford is still in the hands of the founding family. Ford went public in 1956 and became a U.S. stock-listed company. The Ford family still maintains a controlling interest of around 40% in the company by taking a substantial amount of Class B preferred stock; a sizable ratio among publicly traded companies.

GM's founders, the Durant family, have a more symbolic stake and aren't even on the board. Mainly because of the continuous acquisitions by General Motors, the founder's family has less and less shares. In addition to the fueling of the latter capital and the disappointment of future generations, it is normal for the Durant family to lose equity and control of the company.

Compared with the Ford car, which still maintains the family tradition, it will of course be weaker.

Now Ford actually actively seeks cooperation, of course, will be questioned.

Mac Donald said very seriously: "As for Ford's sincerity, you don't need to question too much. It was Henry Ford II who called me personally. Ford is facing a more severe crisis than GM."

"The four major auto manufacturing plants in Detroit, Black Cloud Motors are producing at full capacity. At present, the market is in short supply, and business is very good. The operating rate of General Motors is less than 50%, Ford is less than 35%, and Chrysler is the worst at only 20%. The operating rate depends on the operating rate. If things go on like this, the only thing waiting for everyone will be closures and closures.”

"Therefore, Ford Motor hopes that the two of us will join forces and use administrative means to intervene in the sales of Black Cloud vehicles."

After the Commerce Department concluded its antitrust investigation into Heiyun Group, U.S. automakers knew a crisis was inevitable. The first to bear the brunt is GM and Ford, who makes them the largest!

Large volume also means high cost, and daily losses are more than other companies.

Although the Ford family has accumulated wealth for nearly a hundred years, it is somewhat unsustainable when faced with losses. There may be no problem in the short term, but no one can stand it for a long time.

Now that Ford has made a statement, the GM board immediately authorized CEO Mike Donald as a plenipotentiary to conduct negotiations with Ford. There is no good way at present, and cooperating with previous competitors and enemies is also an option.

While GM is holding its board of directors, Ford is also meeting. Ford's meetings are relatively simple, and decisions only need to be passed within the family.

At this time, Henry Ford II, known as the American population, was sitting in the living room, watching the younger generation of the family. Like other wealthy families, there are many willful young masters and young ladies. It is estimated that this is also a problem that all wealthy families will face.

Ford II was born in Detroit on September 4, 1917. He was born to be a leader, coupled with his eldest son status, so he showed a trait different from his younger brothers and sisters since he was a child, firm and decisive, calm and rational. In short, no one challenged and disputed the status of Ford II. This avoids the tragedy of father-son rivalry and cannibalism that occurred in other big families in history during the process of power change.

In 1945, at the age of 28, Ford II took over the Ford Motor Company. Instead, he faced a large, inefficient, and nearly bankrupt company, and at this time, he showed operational excellence, turning Ford around and making it profitable again. Over 30 years after taking over power, the company was modernized and taken public in 1956.

Ford's listed shares are divided into two classes, one is common stock and the other is B stock. The B shares can only be held by members of the Ford family, giving the Ford family members control over 40 percent of the company.

Henry Ford II looked at the family members and said: "Many of you work within the group and know the actual situation of the company. The operating rate is only 30%, and Ford Motor is in a serious loss."

"If it goes on like this, it will be a matter of time before Ford goes bankrupt. Ford is about the rise and fall of the entire family. You don't need me to say more about what it means for Ford to go bankrupt."

In fact, it is not as serious as Henry Ford II said. At this time, Ford Motor is a listed company; even if it goes bankrupt, the Ford family does not have to bear too much. The Ford family has a rich heritage after nearly a hundred years of inheritance. The family's trust fund, real estate, property, and art collection are an astronomical number.

To put it bluntly, even if Ford goes out of business, the Ford family can still live a prosperous life. This is also the reason why the children of the family have no fear. In their opinion, even if Ford goes out of business, it is no big deal.

But they also didn't think about what to do in the future, what the Ford family would be like without Ford cars. It is estimated that the American people will forget them and become mediocre in the next few decades.

This was a fact that Henry Ford II could not accept, so he decided to cooperate with his former biggest competitor. Its purpose is to curb the development of Heiyun Automobile; everyone knows that Ford alone is no longer the opponent of Heiyun Automobile.

Knowing that the elder brother was angry, the younger brother of Ford II hurriedly said, "You are in charge of everything in the family, including Ford Motor. If the elder brother has any decision, we will implement it unconditionally."

"Ford is facing a lot of pressure now, so I hope that the children of the family will not spend their hard-earned wealth outside. At this time, I don't expect you to help the family through the difficulties. I just hope that you don't cause trouble for the family."

Henry Ford II was very relieved to hear his younger brother's statement. At the critical moment, his younger brother could understand his intentions.

In fact, being the younger brother of Ford II is sometimes very helpless. Having a tough and capable older brother is not necessarily a good thing. Although the Ford family is not as **** and cruel as palace fighting dramas, there are also many dramas in the wealthy family.

If you perform too well, you will definitely be suspicious of your brother. But if you are too mediocre, the other children of the family will not look down on you. This scale is difficult to grasp, but fortunately, the younger brother of Ford II grasped it very well. He knows how to maintain his brother's authority while taking into account his personal interests.

It must be the work of offending people to make the young masters and young ladies of the family change their lifestyles. He can't let Ford II come forward, at least this head can't be opened by Ford II.

If he starts here, then Ford II will be much smoother when it comes to finishing work.

Through his younger brother's statement, Ford II said: "The consumption habits of many people in the family really need to be changed, or the family business will be ruined sooner or later."

"Why Ford is in a passive situation is mainly because of the rise of Heiyun Automobile. Why is Heiyun Automobile developing so rapidly Because of Bao Zixuan's professionalism and attitude."

"This young man is about the same age as you, even younger than many of you. But don't you feel ashamed to see what people are doing every day and what you are doing!"

"It's not that the family doesn't give you the opportunity to exercise, but there are a few who can do their jobs well, at least I haven't seen them yet."

"Before the Heiyun Group was caught in an anti-monopoly investigation, there was not much left to squeeze the market of Ford and General Motors. Now that the anti-monopoly investigation of Heiyun by the Ministry of Commerce has ended, there is no need to say more about what pressure Ford will face after that. Come on!"

"I have decided to cooperate with General Motors. At this time, I will put aside my prejudice and focus on fighting against the powerful enemy."

Hearing the partnership with General Motors, several seniors of the Ford family were whispering. It seems that there are different opinions, but they dare not say it.

At this time in the Ford family, Henry Ford II had absolute authority, and no one dared to question his decision. For now, the best way seems to be to remain silent and pray that Ford can overcome its strong enemy and win the market again.