482, a shareholder meeting that attracts global attention
Monday, June 14, 1976!
Before eight o'clock in the morning, many North American journalists had already gathered at the gate of Ford Motor Headquarters in Dearborn.
Journalists all over the world have the same moral character. When big news happens, they will swarm over it like flies that smell a fishy smell.
Reporters from a series of newspapers including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, etc. have gathered here.
In fact, it is not just them, but also "True News" and "Sing Tao Daily" from Hong Kong
Japan's "Yomiuri Shimbun" and "Asahi Shimbun"
South Korea's "North Korea Ilbo", "JoongAng Ilbo", "Dong-A Ilbo"
There are also European newspapers such as Bild and The Times.
It can be said that Chu Huan's acquisition of Ford Motor shares has attracted global attention. Everyone wants to see whether this mysterious rich man from the East can complete this feat and become a Ford Motor Company in this almost robbing way.
directors, and even got a say in Ford Motor Company.
As a listed company, as long as you hold a certain share of stocks, you may become a director of the company.
But this is common sense, and Chu Huan started his attack on Ford Motors in a robbing way. Becoming a director in this way is unacceptable to the company's helmsman, not to mention that before this, Ford II
He also made it clear that he would not accept Chu Huan as a director of the company.
"This is impossible. This acquisition is destined to be a joke!" Chuck Favreau, a reporter from the Wall Street Journal, said firmly.
Standing next to him was Jon Lowry, a reporter from the New York Times. He was playing with his camera and said casually, "I do think it is possible. Otherwise, how could Chu Huan hold such a public meeting?"
What about Ford’s shareholder meeting? If he can’t join Ford and become a director of Ford, wouldn’t that be a slap in the face?”
"Washington Post" reporter Mark Cumming laughed and said, "That's because Chu Huan didn't expect what kind of control the Ford family would have over Ford Motor Company. This time he will definitely lose!"
"Los Angeles Times" reporter Alan Webb agreed with the words of Mark Cumming and Chuck Favreau, "Yes, a rich man from Hong Kong, thinking that he has some money, actually wants to set his sights on Ford. This
What is it but humiliating yourself?"
Discussions like this are not unusual among these reporters.
The proud North American reporter did not believe that Chu Huan could become a director of Ford Motor Company in North America in this way.
At this time, Lu Haorong, a reporter from "Sing Tao Daily", whispered to He Zhiyao, a reporter from "True News" beside him, "Old He, it seems that these people are very optimistic about your chairman becoming a director of Ford Motor!"
There was a trace of nervousness in He Zhiyao's eyes, and he said softly, "Don't mention them. If it were anyone else, I don't think they would be able to become a director of Ford Motor Company in this way."
Lu Haorong was stunned for a moment and said, "Then you mean, if this person is Chu Huan, it is possible for him to succeed?"
He Zhiyao firmly preached, "It will definitely succeed, because that is our Chairman Chu!"
Seeing that Lu Haorong still looked a little unconvinced, He Zhiyao continued to ask, "Then let me ask you, is there anything that Director Chu has failed to do in Xiangjiang for so many years?"
"Really not!" However, after Lu Haorong finished speaking, he added, "But this is North America, it is Ford Motors, not in Xiangjiang, nor a certain listed company in Xiangjiang!"
He Zhiyao said seriously, "I know, but I still believe in our chairman because he has never lost!"
"Haha, you believe it, but we don't believe it. Chu Huan will definitely lose this time. He actually wants to compete with our Hyundai Group of the Republic of Korea. I don't even know how he died!"
While Lu Haorong and He Zhiyao were talking, Kim Se-cho, a reporter from the North Korea Daily, walked over with a proud smile on his face.
Lu Haorong and He Zhiyao were both stunned. They were discussing this matter in Cantonese just now, but they did not expect that the other party could understand them.
It turned out that Kim Se-cho, who was sent by the North Korea Ilbo, was not only proficient in Korean and English, but was also very proficient in Cantonese in order to get first-hand news in North America. He was worried that he might have missed something.
Just now, Jin Shicao had been paying attention to the reporter from Xiangjiang. When he heard that He Zhiyao was actually a reporter for Chu Huan's "True News", and after hearing their conversation just now, Jin Shicao immediately came over to play the villain.
He Zhiyao glanced at the other party indifferently and said, "Whether we can win or not, our opponents, Chairman Chu, are all Ford Motors, not your Hyundai Group of the Republic of Korea. In the end, you are just a tack on me. I really don't know what's inside your body."
Where does this sense of superiority come from?”
Jin Shicao's expression changed when He Zhiyao said that, and he said directly, "Huh, if it weren't for our Hyundai Group of the Republic of Korea, how could what happened today happen? Chu Huan didn't have any way to target our Hyundai Group of the Republic of Korea.
A Ford?"
He Zhiyao chuckled and said, "With the business environment in your small country of South Korea, do you still want people to do business investment in your small country of South Korea?"
Of those chaebols, which one did not develop by relying on the Japanese and North Americans? After development, which one has done good things for the people of the Republic of Korea?
You, a common man with a flat head, are standing here to speak for those plutocrats, which really makes me full of contempt for you!"
"You!" Jin Shicao's face began to turn pale with anger as He Zhiyao's slap in the face.
Just when he was about to say something, a reporter suddenly shouted, "Here we come!"
Many reporters at the scene immediately focused their attention on the door.
A Ford car drove slowly into the Ford car door.
Since these reporters came to report on this matter, they naturally did their homework and immediately recognized that the person sitting in the car was a Ford Motor shareholder.
Everyone took their own cameras and took pictures.
With the first one, there will be a second one, and one after another Ford Motor shareholders have arrived at the scene in their cars.
Although they already knew that this was Ford Motor's shareholders' meeting, the reporters at the scene couldn't help but be surprised, because in normal shareholder meetings at other times, most of the time the shareholders actually send a representative, but this time
Once upon a time, all the people who came to the scene were the shareholders themselves.
"Something is wrong!"
"Washington Post" reporter Mark Cumming had just finished taking a set of photos, and while he was changing the film, he whispered a sermon.
Not only did he discover that something was wrong, but other reporters at the scene also discovered that something was wrong. If this shareholder meeting was just a formality for the Ford family to refuse Chu Huan to join the Ford Motor Board of Directors, then it would be impossible for so many shareholders to come to the scene in person.
"Is there really an accident?"
When "Los Angeles Times" reporter Alan Webb said this, he looked at "Wall Street Journal" reporter Chuck Favreau and whispered.
They both belong to North American newspapers. Alan Webb naturally knows that the Wall Street Journal is now the main force in badmouthing Chu Huan. Just this morning, the Wall Street Journal also published a prediction about Ford Motor's current shareholder meeting.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the possibility of Chu Huan becoming a director of Ford Motor Company is almost zero!
Now that there are so many shareholders here, things are obviously not going so smoothly.
Chuck Favreau also looked a little panicked at this time. If this prediction is wrong, it would be really embarrassing!
On the other side, He Zhiyao looked at Lu Haorong next to him excitedly and said, "How about it, I say our chairman will definitely succeed!"
Lu Haorong murmured, "I still can't believe it. If Chu Huan really becomes a director of Ford Motor Company in this way, it will really shake the whole of Hong Kong!"
He Zhiyao smiled and said, "What our chairman did didn't make Hong Kong tremble?"
After finishing speaking, He Zhiyao did not forget to glance provocatively at Jin Shicao, who was standing not far away from him.
Jin Shicao had no intention of looking at He Zhiyao at this time. Instead, he looked at these shareholders nervously. Could there really be an accident?
Just when he was making such a guess, a North American reporter suddenly shouted, "Look, the Ford family's car is coming!"
Naturally, these people knew the license plate number of the car the Ford family was traveling in.
That is a car owned by William Ford of the Ford family. Everyone knows that Ford II is currently in Switzerland. The person in charge of this shareholder meeting is William Ford of the Ford family.
Sure enough, when William Ford's car drove to the door of Ford's car, these reporters saw William Ford riding inside through the rolled-down windows!
"Haha, what am I talking about? It's impossible for Chu Huan to become a director of Ford!" Seeing that William Ford was the only one in the car, Jin Shicao immediately laughed, "Mr. Ford II didn't come back, so what's the matter?
It shows that the Ford family has everything under control and there is no chance of any accidents!"
Kim Se-Cho shouted these words in Korean, so only a few South Korean reporters at the scene could understand them, and these people immediately showed smiles of recognition.
In addition, although reporters from other countries could not understand Korean, when they saw William Ford alone in the car, they thought the same thing as Kim Se-Cho.
"Wall Street Journal" reporter Chuck Favreau breathed a long sigh of relief, and then smiled and said, "Don't worry, as long as Ford II does not show up, it means that it is impossible for Chu Huan to enter the board of directors of Ford Motor this time!"
"Strange, why hasn't the chairman appeared yet?" He Zhiyao said anxiously.
The momentum at the scene waxed and waned, and He Zhiyao wanted to see Chu Huan.
"The big shots will always appear last. Since you believe in Chairman Chu, you must continue to believe in him!" Lu Haorong chose to share the same hatred with He Zhiyao at this time.
"Well!" He Zhiyao nodded heavily and said, "I believe Ford II will definitely pay the price for today's pride!"
While the reporters at the scene were communicating with each other, several more Ford shareholders entered the Ford Motor Plant in a car.
Just when everyone was looking at nine o'clock in the morning, a Ford car slowly drove towards the gate, with the windows at the back also rolled down.
The reporters at the scene subconsciously picked up the camera and prepared to take pictures, but when the car drove towards them, everyone was covered!
Everyone even forgot to press their own shutter.
Because they recognized the two people sitting in the car. One was naturally Ford II, the president of Ford Motor Company, who had a very high reputation in North America and stated that he should be in Switzerland at this time. The other was a person who had become famous in North America in recent times.
Chu Huan, the mysterious rich man from Xiangjiang!
These two people who were supposed to be rivals actually sat in the same car this time and went to the Ford Motor Factory talking and laughing?
Fortunately, these reporters are the best reporters from their respective newspapers, otherwise, they would really forget to take pictures.
"This is impossible, this is impossible!"
Jin Shicao held the camera and muttered to himself with a frightened expression.
He really couldn't understand why Chu Huan came in the car with Ford II.
Shouldn't the relationship between the two of you be life-and-death?
How can we sit in the same car and chat like old friends for many years?
Those who had the same expression as Kim Se-Cho were reporters from other South Korean newspapers, as well as Chuck Favreau, a reporter from the Wall Street Journal.
"What happened to Ford II? How could he come with Chu Huan? Where is his pride? Doesn't he know how embarrassing it is for him to do this?"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Chuck Favreau is going crazy.
But no one paid attention to him at this time, because everyone was crazy. They seemed to have seen the most amazing thing in the world. Two people who were fighting life and death yesterday were now sitting in the same car?
Does this Chu Huan, who comes from the mysterious East, really have some kind of magic?
"Ha ha"
Under such circumstances, someone in the crowd suddenly burst out into loud laughter.
Everyone looked around and saw that he had an oriental face. No need to guess, he must be a newspaper reporter from Xiangjiang.
Otherwise it would be impossible to have such an expression.
"Damn it, Director Chu is really amazing!"
The one who laughed was He Zhiyao, and the one who spoke was Lu Haorong. The scene before him was unbelievable to him.
"I think the reporters outside may have gone crazy at this time?" Ford II in the car said to Chu Huan with a smile on his face.
Although the two separated in the hotel, they agreed to come to Ford together.
Chu Huan sat in the car and said with a smile, "I think those shareholders will have the same expression when they see us together."
Ford II sat next to Chu Huan, looked at Chu Huan curiously, and said, "Director Chu, are you really not worried at all?"
Chu Huanxiao asked, "What do I have to worry about?"
Ford II said, "Before this, Chairman Chu, you asked your partners in Xiangjiang to contact these Ford shareholders. After you promised them that you would unite with them to fight against the authority of our Ford family in Ford Motors, these people chose
I was on your side, but now you are on our side, will they be happy?"
Chu Huan smiled relaxedly and said, "It turns out that this is what Mr. Ford is talking about. If this is the case, then I have nothing to worry about.
First of all, these people have no business dealings with me. Of course, I feel sorry for them, but they all understand that joining the board of directors of Ford Motor Company is the most important thing for me right now.
So as long as the results are consistent, I don't think anyone will care about the process.
Secondly, the stock market will open in half an hour. I think the focus of everyone's attention is actually on the stock market, not on me. Of course, if you are willing, I can sell Ford Motors at a higher price than it is now.
Acquired their shares of Ford Motor at the price of the stock price.
Finally, as long as I'm here, the Ford family's control of Ford Motor Company is no longer a sure thing.
So I think everyone will definitely be a little unhappy with my behavior, but it is acceptable!"
Chu Huan's current behavior, of course, has nothing to say to him, but for many Ford Motor shareholders who have already formed an alliance with Chu Huan, it is indeed somewhat inappropriate.
However, as long as you peel off the layers of the shell and find the essence of anything, it will be easy to understand.
The fundamental reason for Chu Huan's acquisition of Ford Motor's stock this time was to use Ford Motor to suppress Hyundai Motor. And those shareholders wanted to use Chu Huan's acquisition to form a kind of control over the Ford family's Ford Motor.
The sense of oppression made the Ford family understand the importance of Ford Motor shareholders, and it also made the Ford family understand that Ford cars did not necessarily belong to the Ford family.
Therefore, Chu Huan, the shareholders, and the Ford family who have now formed an alliance with Chu Huan can actually accept this result.
With Chu Huan's uncertainty, the original shareholders of Ford Motor can get more rights, the Ford family can continue to support their family members to serve as presidents of Ford Motor, and Chu Huan can also complete the suppression of Hyundai Group.
A result acceptable to everyone!
Faced with Chu Huan's straightforward answer, Ford II shook his head, helpless but also a little thankful that he was back from Switzerland.
Fortunately, we reached an agreement with Chu Huan. Fortunately, Chu Huan was not really interested in Ford cars.
Just as the two said, when the two entered Ford's large conference room together, the scene caused quite a stir.
With the on-site support of Ford II, Chu Huan naturally became a director of Ford Motor Company.
Just when those shareholders were still a little unable to accept Chu Huan's behavior, Chu Huan announced something, which immediately made these shareholders no longer dissatisfied at all, and even started to applaud.
Because Chu Huan announced that Xiangjiang Jiaku will reach an in-depth partnership with Ford Motor, and the two parties will jointly build Ford flagship stores in Xiangjiang and throughout Southeast Asia.
At the same time, Black and White Media under Chu Huan’s name will strongly support the Ford flagship store.
With the rise of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, although the automobile market is not as good as Europe and the United States, it is still a big market. If we can get the support of Chu Huan and Black and White Media, Ford's sales in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia will definitely not be bad.
of.
This is a visible benefit!
Such benefits allow those shareholders to eliminate the only dissatisfaction in their hearts.
Naturally, not many people paid attention to the fact that Ford Motor Company established an Asian division and William Ford served as president of the Asian division.
As for the grievances between Chu Huan and Hyundai Group, and the relationship between Ford Motor and Hyundai Motor, these were not mentioned at this shareholders' meeting.
Because everyone understands that this will be a confrontation with undercurrents. Only after Chu Huan, as a director of Ford Motor, has another confrontation with Hyundai Group to no avail, will this matter be mentioned on the board of directors of Ford Motor!
As for whether it will happen or not, it depends on the continued confrontation between Chu Huan and the Zheng family of Hyundai Group.
At the same time, it was also proposed at the shareholders' meeting that in order to cope with the fact that Ford Motor's stock price will fall when the stock market opens next, it is necessary to immediately announce Ford Motor's expansion into Asia.
In addition, at the shareholders' meeting, Ford Motor's President Ford II also announced that in order to welcome Chu Huan to join Ford Motor and become a director of Ford Motor, a dance party will be held tonight, inviting all Ford Motor shareholders to join!
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! The shareholders' meeting is over.
Under the leadership of Ford II, representatives of Ford Motor's shareholders went to the lawn in front of the Ford Motor Company office building, which had been decorated like a press conference site.
And those reporters who were at the gate of Ford before have naturally been invited here.
"be opposed to!"
Seeing that his position was at the back, Jin Shicao stood up and shouted, "We are reporters from the North Korea Ilbo of the Republic of Korea. The sales volume and influence of our newspaper are higher than those in Xiangjiang. Why do they have a higher position than us?"
forward."
Because of Kim Se-Cho's objections, reporters from other South Korean newspapers also stood up to express their opposition after hearing Kim Se-Cho's objections.
It seemed like they would leave the field en masse if their positions were not changed.
He Zhiyao and Lu Haorong, who were already sitting in their seats, heard the objections of Jin Shicao and others, and turned back to look at Jin Shicao and others. They had indeed been arranged to the farthest position.
The person from the Ford Motor Public Relations Department who was responsible for maintaining order at the scene just glanced at Jin Shicao and said, "If you are not satisfied, you can leave. More reporters from newspapers and TV stations will come over soon.
It just so happens that you made room for them!"
Jin Shicao and others immediately stopped their activities.
Can't leave!
This news is so important!
The sullen Jin Shicao and others had no choice but to sit down obediently.
Seeing the reactions of Jin Shicao and others, He Zhiyao and Lu Haorong immediately showed proud smiles on their faces.
If you want to convey the news about Ford cars as quickly as possible, you will naturally need the help of TV stations in this era. According to the popularity of this news and the influence of the Ford family in North America, this is not a difficult task!
Soon, the TV reporter came with a camera.
Chu Huan, Ford II and Ford Motor's shareholder representatives also arrived at the scene at this time.
Seeing Chu Huan and Ford II walking hand in hand, "Wall Street Journal" reporter Chuck Favreau, South Korea's "Bukhan Ilbo" reporter Kim Se-cho and other reporters from South Korean newspapers turned pale.
Chu Huan's appointment as director of Ford Motor Company is already a certainty!
North America, New York!
At the Wall Street Journal headquarters, Warren Philip was sitting in his office, looking at the TV screen with a gloomy expression.
Especially when he saw Chu Huan and Ford II smiling and speaking humbly to each other, he was really sick and wanted to vomit.
"Shameless. Two people who wanted to fight each other to death have now become partners. Where's your face? Where's your face?"
Listening to Warren Phillip's words, his assistant Jack O'Brien didn't know what to say, but Jack O'Brien understood one thing.
He didn't know whether Chu Huan and Ford II's reputation had any impact on them, but one thing that was certain was that the Wall Street Journal was really embarrassed this time.
To put it simply, they have lost their face!
Regarding the share acquisition between Chu Huan and Ford Motor Co., and the grievances between Chu Huan and Hyundai Group, there is no one to count. As long as it involves Chu Huan, their "Wall Street Journal" report is wrong.
As a newspaper that can only report wrong news, it is certain that the reputation of the Wall Street Journal will be damaged.
If there was only Chu Huan and Hyundai Group involved in the incident, it would be wrong to tell the truth and it would not be a big deal. After all, these two forces do not have enough influence in North America.
But now Ford is added to the mix.
These are stars in the North American business community, and the erroneous reports about them are really unforgivable!
New York, inside Chu Huan's villa.
Cao Yunshang, Guo Bingxiang and others who returned to New York were sitting in the living room. On the TV, Chu Huan and Ford II were giving speeches. The content was naturally about Chu Huan becoming a director of Ford Motor Company and the news that Ford Motor Company would expand its Asian business.
Looking at such a scene, Cao Yunshang breathed a long sigh of relief. The matter finally came to an end. Although Chu Huan had been very indifferent about this matter before, the opponent Chu Huan faced this time was Ford Motor Co., Ltd.
The family is still in the country of North America.
Cao Yunshang was really worried for Chu Huan. If it didn't succeed, the impact would be huge.
"y!"
Just when Cao Yunshang breathed a sigh of relief, Guo Bingxiang had already clenched his fists and shouted loudly.
The same is true for the other people. Everyone's face is filled with happy smiles. Not only did Chu Huan become the final winner in this acquisition, but also in this operation, they also
They all really participated in it.
For these people, the victory in this matter not only belongs to Chu Huan, but also belongs to them.
"That's great. When this news comes back to Xiangjiang, Ah Huan will probably become an idol in the whole of Xiangjiang!" Zheng Jiachun said with some envy.
"What a pity!" Zhao Shizeng said at this time.
Everyone looked at Zhao Shizeng curiously and asked, "What's the pity?"
Zhao Shizeng said, "It's a pity that after the things here are over, only we will go back, and A Huan will have to continue the honeymoon trip with Yun Shang and the others. Otherwise, A Huan will definitely receive a hero's welcome when he returns this time."
When everyone heard this, they all showed regretful expressions.
Cao Yunshang smiled and said, "You don't have to regret this. Brother Huan called me early this morning. After the matter in North America is over, we will return to Xiangjiang first."
Chu Huan returned to Xiangjiang early, naturally not to enjoy the heroic welcome ceremony mentioned by Zhao Shizeng. Everyone was smart and immediately guessed the true meaning of Cao Yunshang's words.
"Has Hyundai Group given up?" Guo Bingxiang asked impatiently.
"It should be soon!" Cao Yunshang said uncertainly.