Sales channels!
Wang Yu was stunned, understanding Feng Daochun's meaning.
In this era, in traditional sales models, controlling the channels meant controlling everything.
The fundamental reason why their factory had fallen into decline before was that all sales channels had been completely severed by the Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory!
These days, there were no so-called 4s stores.
All trucks were concentrated in the hands of local agricultural machinery companies, sold in a mixed format alongside agricultural machinery and tractors.
Previously, the products of Jiangyang Automobile Factory were mainly sold within Jiangyang Province. All the agricultural machinery companies acting as agents were the same ones that represented Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory.
After the factory encountered problems, Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory directly kicked them while they were down, demanding that all agricultural machinery companies not stock or sell any products from Jiangyang Automobile Factory.
They were forbidden to provide any form of assistance to Jiangyang Automobile Factory.
Otherwise, they would be disqualified from selling their agricultural machinery products!
On one side was Jiangyang Automobile Factory, on the brink of bankruptcy and could disappear at any moment.
On the other side was Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory, which was booming, especially with its flagship product, the agricultural transport vehicle, which was incredibly profitable, almost outrageously so.
Faced with such a choice or a test question, the answer was obvious.
In less than a week, Jiangyang Automobile Factory lost all its sales channels.
No matter how great your product is, if no one sells it for you, it's useless.
Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory's move was a ruthless and vicious act of cutting off the foundation.
And now, Wang Yu, wanting to turn to agricultural machinery, had to face the same problem.
No sales channels!
All sales channels in the province were in the hands of Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory!
As for developing the market in other provinces...
Transportation and information dissemination were not as developed in this era as they would be later. If they couldn't even manage their own backyard, developing markets in other regions was a pipe dream.
Nonsense!
"So, what should we do?"
Feng Daochun asked in a low voice.
Wang Yu didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Li Ming, the workshop director.
"Uncle Li, how many units of this new type of agricultural machinery can we produce with our current materials?"
"Roughly 20 units at full capacity."
Li Ming thought for a moment, then added.
"Of course, our factory still has a lot of accumulated inventory. If we were to dismantle and modify those, we could probably produce about 30 more units.
However, the modification work would be considerable, and the brothers would have to work harder."
Hearing Li Ming's words, Wang Yu nodded. "50 units is enough."
At this moment, the other cadres also noticed something was amiss and gathered around, asking questions.
Wang Yu didn't hide anything and explained the situation directly, which immediately changed everyone's expressions.
Was the hope that had finally ignited about to be extinguished like this?
"It's alright, don't worry!"
Wang Yu's expression was calm, and he even showed a strange smile.
This was within his expectations. Many things were monopolized in this era.
These agricultural machinery companies, like those state-run department stores, completely monopolized the entire market.
The advantage was that limited resources could be integrated. But the disadvantage was that the lion's share of the profits went to them.
"Continue manufacturing the products and apply for the relevant qualifications."
Wang Yu said without any hesitation, "As for the product name, let's call it the 'Hope Series,' and the first product will be named 'Hope No. 1'."
"Then sales..." Feng Daochun hesitated.
"If the agricultural machinery companies won't sell, can't we sell it ourselves?" Wang Yu's words struck everyone like a thunderclap.
Direct sales?!
"Young factory director, do you mean? We'll sell it ourselves?"
Someone asked uncertainly.
"That's right!"
Wang Yu said decisively, "Since there are no sales channels now, we have to sell it ourselves!"
"Our products, both in quality and price, have significant competitive advantages. Why shouldn't we sell them directly?"
Yes, he was referring to the direct sales model that became very popular in later generations.
Cutting out the middleman!
Later, it even evolved into online direct stores and live streaming sales.
Although this kind of operation was considered a pipe dream and unrealistic in this era, they could still drive directly to the customers!
"My plan is for all of us cadres to lead the way and form commando teams. Each person will be assigned a region, and we'll drive a vehicle there.
We'll reach the agricultural machinery markets in our designated areas, or even directly to the entrance of the agricultural machinery companies. We'll park the vehicles there for display, with clear prices.
I don't believe such excellent products won't sell!"
Wang Yu's words shocked everyone.
There was such a way to do things?
They looked at each other, speechless for a long time.
"This..."
Exchanging glances, some wanted to object, but it seemed to make sense? It was just that no one had done it before.
Wang Yu didn't give them time to hesitate and continued speaking.
"I know this will be very hard and difficult. It will require long journeys and dealing with all sorts of potential accidents along the way. But as leaders, we must lead by example. I will also personally take charge and claim a region, fighting alongside everyone.
If anyone is unwilling, they can come forward and withdraw now. I will not force anyone. I will have the finance department settle all outstanding wages. I will also take out my remaining three months' salary as compensation, and we will part on good terms!"
Wang Yu's words left everyone exchanging glances.
Feng Daochun slammed the table and exclaimed, "Young factory director, are you looking down on us? We men fear poverty, not hardship! In all these years, I've feared nothing but hardship!
Count the farthest region as mine, Old Feng. I'll drive there tonight, and I won't come back until I sell it!"
Feng Daochun's words immediately ignited the fighting spirit of everyone.
What was there to be afraid of? Didn't they see the young factory director himself taking the lead? What was the point of them sitting in their offices? The factory was going to go bankrupt anyway, so why not take a gamble!
Immediately, they all volunteered.
Soon, a total of twelve cadres from various departments, including Wang Yu, thirteen people in total, signed a pledge of commitment.
Each person was assigned a region in the thirteen prefectures of Jiangyang Province, and they would personally drive their 'Hope No. 1' vehicles to the front lines of the market.
They wouldn't return until the vehicles were sold!
...
Three days later, at the entrance of Jiangyang County Automobile Factory.
The first batch of thirteen four-wheeled agricultural transport vehicles, 'Hope No. 1', which had been rushed to production overnight, were lined up.
Including Wang Yu, the thirteen people exchanged glances and offered each other encouraging smiles.
Get in the car, start the engine, step on the accelerator, and with a roaring cloud of dust, they sped away!
They would be driving this product named 'Hope No. 1', carrying all the hopes of the factory...
They would not return until they conquered Lou Lan!
However, among everyone, one figure was somewhat special. He did not depart according to the original plan. Instead, he turned his vehicle and drove directly into the Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory, the rival of Zhao Tao...