After the assembly plant tour, Haifeng led the visiting delegation back to the reception room.
Wang Cheng spoke first, adjusting his tone.
"President Lu, this visit has been an eye-opener.
Audi's technological strength is… astonishing."
"That production line, the custom machine tools—honestly, some of that tech would be hard to find even overseas, wouldn't it?"
Haifeng nodded with pride.
"Director Wang, Leader Chang—you've seen it for yourselves.
We may not have their scale yet, but when it comes to technology and equipment, Audi is already second to none."
"What the global automotive giants have, we also have.
What they don't have—we still have."
Now wasn't the time for humility.
This was the time to flex.
But then he sighed—loud enough for effect.
"Admittedly, we've already surpassed the international giants in core tech.
But all that advanced capability… can't reach its full value."
"Why? Because we're still too weak."
"Those foreign giants? They have full product lines—from low-end commuter cars to high-end luxury vehicles."
"We're still building. Still fighting for self-sufficiency."
"And if we don't scale fast enough, our lead will become a liability."
Haifeng leaned forward, voice serious.
"This isn't me exaggerating to get sympathy.
This is the reality we're facing at Audi."
Wang Cheng and Chang Yaohui exchanged glances. Their expressions tightened.
They still remembered his morning performance—the man had practically sobbed for policy support.
And now?
Here he was, calmly and logically laying out national strategy.
It was hard not to take him seriously.
But Wang Cheng, ever the tactician, pushed back a little.
"President Lu, I can't say I fully agree."
"From where we stand, Audi looks… prosperous.
You've got top-tier equipment and funding."
"Didn't China Star invest ¥30 billion (≈ $4.14 billion) into this division already?"
Haifeng smiled, not missing a beat.
"Ah, Director, you know one side—but not the other."
"Yes, we have great equipment. But how do you think we got it?"
"It didn't fall from the sky.
We bought it—cash upfront."
"And every facility you saw today? Still under construction.
Parts factories have been acquired—but not paid off."
He continued:
"We're aiming for full vertical integration.
Until we achieve it, foreign suppliers will always have us by the throat."
"Even if we have world-class designs, if we can't make every core part ourselves—we're vulnerable."
"There are hundreds of key components in every car.
What can we do with just a little capital?"
"Right now, we're short on:
➡️ Money
➡️ Plants
➡️ People
➡️ And time."
Haifeng shook his head with mock frustration.
"I haven't eaten properly in weeks.
Tang San and Zhao Jianhua are pulling all-nighters.
Their hair turned white from the stress!"
Sitting nearby, Zhao Jianhua and Tang San silently turned their heads away—embarrassed.
Seriously, boss? Our hair was always like this…
Haifeng wasn't done.
"We're not just building a car company.
We're trying to revive the entire Chinese auto industry."
"But without strong policy support, even the best tech is wasted."
"You said you'd support us. But support how? You haven't said."
"You came from the ministry and city government—that shows you're optimistic about us.
But if you leave without a real plan?"
He stood up, eyes locked with Wang Cheng's.
"This is the moment to act."
"If you wait too long, the opportunity will be gone."
Inside, Haifeng knew precisely what he was doing.
He was setting the stage for full policy support—land, funding, tax breaks, and regulatory green lights.
If he didn't push now, he'd never get this chance again.
So he laid it all out:
National tech leader
Fully domestic IP
Strategic asset
Global disruptor
Underdog in need
All rolled into one irresistible pitch.
And at the heart of it all?
The truth.
China Star Auto was building something no one else could.
But even the best need help to grow into something world-changing.