Interpret Shaanxi Automobile

Author: Zhang Yupu, Tu Ke / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features:
Tu Ke: As the Chairman, the Dragon F2000, a representative of China's third-generation heavy commercial vehicles developed based on the advanced technology of Germany's MAN Company and adapted to domestic road conditions, will successfully go into production tomorrow. On this joyous occasion, I would first like to extend my congratulations to you and all the employees of Shaanxi Automobile Group.
Zhang Yupu: Thank you.
Tu Ke: In early 2002, Shaanxi Automobile Group underwent restructuring and established a conglomerate. In September 2002, it successfully restructured with Xianghuo Torch. In 2003, it introduced the Dragon F2000 by leveraging the advanced technology of Germany's MAN Company and adapting it to China's conditions, and acquired 3400 acres of land in the Xi'an Economic and Technological Development Zone to build a new heavy-duty vehicle industrial city in the west and even in the country. A series of successful operations caused a sensation, forming the "Shaanxi Automobile Phenomenon." The economic sector, the heavy-duty vehicle industry, and the media paid close attention. People were pondering and studying the "Shaanxi Automobile Phenomenon," wondering what was hidden behind it and what unique development model Shaanxi Automobile had created such a miracle.
Zhang Yupu: The "Shaanxi Automobile Phenomenon" is not mysterious. It is the result of the Shaanxi Automobile people relying on their "Double Excellence Project" to persist in reform and innovation, technological innovation, and cultural innovation over the long term. Shaanxi Automobile is a special enterprise in a special era. In 1968, the pioneers of Shaanxi Automobile Group gathered from all corners of the country to the foot of the northern Qinling Mountains in Qishan Wuzhangyuan to establish Shaanxi Automobile General Factory (the predecessor of Shaanxi Automobile Group) in accordance with Chairman Mao Zedong's "to speed up the third-line construction," in order to build the largest heavy-duty vehicle industrial base in the western region. They worked hard and made sacrifices. Combining the spirit of hard struggle with a rigorous scientific attitude, they developed the Yan'an-brand SX250 military heavy off-road vehicle, which won provincial, ministerial, and national quality product titles, filled the gap in China, and possessed full intellectual property rights.
When history entered the 1980s, China shifted from a planned economy to a market economy, and the inherent shortcomings of Shaanxi Automobile fully exposed themselves—poor transportation, single product lines, and severely restricted development. In 1990, due to severe losses, Shaanxi Automobile received a yellow card warning from the State Council. Premier Zhu Rongji and Zou Jiahua commented in an internal reference: "Shaanxi Automobile's losses are serious. Please have the Heavy-Duty Vehicle Group and the China Automotive Industry Group study this matter." The company was at a critical juncture for survival or death.
Tu Ke: Where would Shaanxi Automobile go from here became a focal point of attention. At this critical moment, on September 18, 1990, you were appointed as the of Shaanxi Automobile General Factory by the China Heavy-Duty Vehicle Group.
Zhang Yupu: Yes. Many people said that it was not the right time for me to take office, but I couldn't choose when to take office. I accepted the position because of the trust of the Heavy-Duty Vehicle Group and the expectations of nearly 6,000 employees of Shaanxi Automobile, but I truly felt a great sense of responsibility and pressure at the time.
Tu Ke: Of course. I heard that after taking office, you took a dual approach, focusing on enterprise management and market development, adhering to the principle that development is paramount, carrying forward the spirit of the pioneers of Shaanxi Automobile, and taking the revitalization of the national automotive industry as your mission. You actively and effectively implemented policies, gave up other projects to focus on the Steyr series, insisted on updating and replacing military products, introduced the MAN company bus chassis to expand the coverage of Shaanxi Automobile products, and worked hard to coordinate and communicate to gain the understanding, support, and assistance of the Shaanxi Provincial Government. You also worked to promote the dissolution of the China Heavy-Duty Vehicle Group, allowing Shaanxi Automobile to truly align with the market, and collaborated with Xianghuo Torch. These were several major decisions. The "Double Excellence" concept perfectly combines material and spiritual civilization construction. Over 13 years, we have achieved historic developments and breakthroughs in expanding the company's scale, adjusting product structures, establishing urban bases, and successful capital operations.
Zhang Yupu: Shaanxi Automobile's success today is not the result of a single day. It should be the result of the hard work and relentless efforts of all Shaanxi Automobile people. Its growth is inseparable from the care of leaders at all levels and the support of dealers and users.
Tu Ke: You are right. Looking beyond the surface, Shaanxi Automobile's success is the result of you and your team's shared fate and innovative spirit. Today's story is tomorrow's history. I think it is necessary to sort out the ups and downs of Shaanxi Automobile over the past 35 years, to create a dialogue record, and to allow those who care about and pay attention to Shaanxi Automobile's fate to interpret its profound history, excellent culture, and the ever-adapting present.
Zhang Yupu: I think that's a good idea. Let's call the book "Interpreting Shaanxi Automobile."
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