Tech Giants: Starting from Bankrupt Companies

163: Chapter 163 The Warmth of TechnologyJanuary 11, Hangzhou, Qiandao Lake.

The road trip of architect Temasek representative and her family of three was originally just a family activity, but it became viral content because of the video filmed by her husband, Wang Lei.

At the beginning of the video, Temasek representative sat in the passenger seat, adjusting the ”Family Mode” in the car: ”Xiao Qi, turn on Baby Mode.”

The ambient lights in the car turned into a soft warm yellow, the rear entertainment screen rose, and began playing their daughter’s favorite cartoon, ”PAW Patrol.” The air conditioning automatically adjusted to a temperature suitable for children, and the speaker volume was controlled within a safe range.

”This is the X1-MAX’s ’Multi-User Scene System’,” Temasek representative explained to the camera, ”You can preset multiple modes: Work Mode, Family Mode, Camping Mode... Each mode corresponds to different cabin settings.”

The vehicle drove onto the Hangxinjing Expressway, and Wang Lei turned on the high-speed NOP. The indicator light on the steering wheel turned blue, meaning the vehicle had taken over driving.

The camera recorded the entire process: the vehicle automatically accelerated to the speed limit, automatically changed lanes to overtake when encountering slower cars, automatically adjusted lights and air conditioning when entering and exiting tunnels, and even automatically slowed down when passing through construction zones.

The most thrilling scene occurred at 3 PM.

While passing through a mountain road, a fully loaded truck in the opposite lane suddenly crossed the center line and rushed straight towards the X1. Alarms blared inside the car, and the center console screen displayed a red warning: ”Emergency Evasion!”

Almost simultaneously, the X1 automatically steered sharply to the right, the braking system worked at full power, and the vehicle stopped steadily on the side of the road. The truck whizzed past the X1’s left rearview mirror and disappeared behind the curve.

The whole family was still shaken. Their 6-year-old daughter in the back seat suddenly said: ”Daddy, the car moved out of the way by itself.”

This sentence made Temasek representative burst into tears instantly. She hugged her daughter, her voice choked with sobs: ”If I had been driving just now... I don’t dare to think about it.”

When the video played to this point, the barrage exploded:

”Cried watching this, technology can really save lives.”

”This evasion maneuver is more decisive than many experienced drivers.”

”This Red Flag autonomous driving algorithm is worth a million.”

”Already placed an order, for the safety of my family.”

The second half of the video returned to a warm tone: the family camped by Qiandao Lake, the X1’s rear seats folded down to become a large bed, the panoramic sunroof opened, and the starry sky was clearly visible. The vehicle’s external power discharge function powered an induction cooker, and Temasek representative made a simple dinner.

Finally, the family of three sat by the car, watching the sunset over the lake.

Temasek representative said to the camera: ”I used to think that a car was just a means of transportation. But now, the feeling X1 gives me is... a mobile home. It protects us, accompanies us, and makes every trip safe and comfortable.”

”This is not an advertisement, it’s a mother’s sincere words.”

24 hours after the video was released, the total views across the network exceeded 30 million. The comment with the most likes in the comment section came from an automotive engineer:

”I am a chassis tuner for a certain German brand. After watching the video, I analyzed the X1’s emergency evasion data overnight (Red Flag released some desensitized data). The conclusion is: this system’s sensor fusion algorithm, decision speed, and execution precision have already exceeded our 2018 technology roadmap. Chinese car companies have really caught up.”

January 12, Shenzhen, Spark headquarters.

Lin Wan’s office phone rang from 8 AM to 10 PM.

”General Manager Lin, Mr. Wang from BYD called personally to ask if our car body composite materials can be supplied, and the price is negotiable.”

”General Manager Li from Weilai is waiting for you online, saying that as long as you provide the batteries, any conditions can be discussed.”

”People from Xiaopeng Motors are downstairs, bringing a draft contract...”

Lin Wan rubbed her temples. This was the first time in her career she had encountered this situation: it wasn’t begging customers to buy, but customers begging to buy and still not being able to.

She pulled up the production capacity data:

Spark Materials: E-MINI/H8/X1 monthly demand is 4,000 tons, while monthly capacity is 10,000 tons, so 6,000 tons can be sold.

Xinghuo Chip: ”Flint-Car chip A1” yield rate is 65%, monthly capacity is 100,000 units, while Red Flag’s three car models have a monthly demand of 80,000 units.

Spark Power: Three-electric system monthly capacity is 300,000 sets, Red Flag demand is 100,000 sets, 200,000 sets can be sold monthly.

Xinghuo Optoelectronics: Lidar monthly capacity is 50,000 sets, demand is 100,000 sets, temporarily unable to sell.

Currently, only the three-electric system and Spark Materials have capacity to sell; chips and lidar are temporarily in short supply.

At 3 PM, an emergency board meeting was convened. Su Chen’s video appeared on the main screen.

”Everyone is clear about the situation.” Su Chen’s voice was calm, ”I have two principles: First, all resources must prioritize Red Flag and Huaxing, this is our basic foundation and cannot have any mishaps. Second, external orders... make them wait in line.”

”But General Manager Su,” the supply chain director spoke up, ”Many car companies are willing to pay a 30% premium, and pay cash in advance. The profits from these orders...”

”Profit is important, but the ecosystem is more important.” Su Chen interrupted, ”Tell those car companies: if they want our parts, they can. But there are two conditions: First, they must share autonomous driving data, three-electric test data, and user usage data. Second, they must adopt Xinghuo’s ’Nebula’ in-vehicle system standard interface.”

The conference room went quiet.

These two conditions meant that car companies would hand over their most core data assets and be ”bound” to Xinghuo technically.

”Will they agree?” someone asked.

”Geely has already agreed.” Su Chen pulled up a newly signed memorandum, ”General Manager Li signed it personally, promising that all new cars in the next three years will adopt the Nebula standard and share all desensitized data. In exchange, Xinghuo guarantees a monthly supply of 3,000 tons of composite materials and 30,000 sets of three-electric systems.”

”Weilai, Xiaopeng, and Lixiang are also in talks, with similar conditions.” Wu Yi added, ”They have done the math—without Xinghuo’s parts, their products will lag behind by a generation in terms of safety, range, and intelligence. And lagging behind by a generation means losing the market.”

This is the ecosystem control brought by technological leadership: when your parts become the industry standard, you have the right to set the rules of the game.

”But the most troublesome thing is the chip.” The general manager of the chip division smiled bitterly, ”The yield rate of Flint A1 is only 65%, while the yield rate of the same process at TSMC is 90%. We are losing money for every chip we produce.”

”How long will it take to solve the yield problem?” Su Chen asked.

”At least 2 months. Lithography machine precision, material purity, process parameters... all need time to optimize.”

Su Chen was silent for a few seconds: ”Then keep losing money. Tell the production department that low yield is not a reason to stop production. We must ensure Red Flag’s cars are delivered on time, not a single one can be missing.”

He paused: ”In addition, start the R&D of ’Flint B1’. This time, don’t pursue the most advanced process, use the mature 28nm, but it must be completely autonomous—from design software to photoresist, all domestic. Yield target: 95%.”

”28nm? The performance will lag...”

”But it’s secure.” Su Chen looked at everyone on the screen, ”No matter how good TSMC’s 7nm is, it’s someone else’s. No matter how bad our 28nm is, it’s our own. I hope everyone remembers this principle.”

The meeting ended, it was already late at night.

Wu Yi stood in front of the window, looking at the night view of Shenzhen. There are thousands of technology companies in this city, with new products released and new technological breakthroughs every day. But like Xinghuo, where the success of one product drives the explosion of the entire industrial chain, is unique.

He remembered three years ago, when Su Chen said to him in the laboratory: ”What we are going to do is not one or two products, but an era.”

At that time, he thought it was just big talk.

Now, he believes it.