After several days in Los Angeles, a small plane landed at a private airport in Seattle at 3 p.m.
There are no international airport rules here. After the plane landed, the cabin door opened, and Chen Zhiwen, Chen Tianfu and their mother Wu Xiuling quickly got off the plane, followed by several work assistants and bodyguards responsible for security.
"This plane is so bumpy. How could anyone buy this kind of plane? Apart from being a little bigger, it's not as good as an ordinary passenger plane?" Wu Xiuling complained, and she almost lost her balance.
"Small airplanes are like this. Its advantage is that it is cheaper. In addition, it is convenient to park and take off. It only needs a runway of a few hundred meters. On this kind of farm, you can take off or land easily. A large business jet, even if it is private , and you have to abide by the rules of the big airport." Chen Zhiwen explained.
"Don't worry, there is no such small airport in Hong Kong. Awen will not buy such a small plane, otherwise there is no need for us to come to Seattle." Chen Tianfu was still in high spirits and said with a smile.
"Let's go, the people over there are coming." Chen Zhiwen looked at a group of people walking over in the distance. It was the business representative arranged by Boeing who came to pick up the plane. However, even at a private airport, the plane landed. No one else was allowed on the runway at that time. They rushed over after the plane stopped.
A Boeing aircraft easily costs tens of millions of dollars, which is a large order for even a Fortune 500 company. If this amount were in an ordinary small country, the number one person would probably come in person.
"Hello, Mr. Chen, welcome to Seattle. I am Tom, Executive Vice President of Boeing Company." Tom, the leader, shook hands with Chen Zhiwen and smiled.
"Hello, Mr. Tom." Chen Zhiwen said after shaking hands.
"You guys have been flying for several hours and must be very tired. We have prepared a hotel for you. Please go there and rest for a night. Tomorrow morning, I will take you to visit Boeing Company." Tom said with a smile. .
"Okay, thank you. I'm a little tired." Chen Zhiwen said.
"I hope Mr. Chen can choose a suitable aircraft so that he won't have to suffer such pain of flying in the future," said Tom.
"Haha, okay, I hope so." Chen Zhiwen nodded, and then led by Tom, he got into a super-extended Lincoln business car.
The hotel where a few people stayed is actually a hotel owned by Boeing. It is very luxurious and is specially used by Boeing to entertain potential customers from all parties. After all, a potential customer of Boeing is either a business overlord or a government representative. In terms of entertainment, it is natural. It also needs to be in place.
The next day, after enjoying a very hearty breakfast, Chen Zhiwen and his party arrived at the Boeing Gigafactory in Everett, 48 kilometers north of Seattle.
As a mechanical fan in his previous life, Chen Zhiwen always liked to watch introductory videos about global super factories, including the Boeing factory.
The 30-minute drive passed by in a blink of an eye. In the distance, Chen Zhiwen could see the white buildings from the car. Before coming, he also learned about this super factory, which covers an area of 365 hectares, which is equivalent to a 2 *2km of land, with its own test runway, huge hangar and countless workshops larger than a football field.
Soon, the car arrived at the gate. After a series of inspections, Chen Zhiwen and his party entered the world's largest factory.
The first step in Boeing's reception itinerary is to take the guests to visit the factory. Chen Zhiwen wants this even more. He must know that as a potential customer, he can actually visit the workshop instead of spending a lot of money. A few dollars for distant viewing from the workshop ceiling.
The interior of the Boeing factory is very large, and the internal transportation of employees is bicycles, because many times, it is too far to go from one corner of the workshop to the other side. If you walk, it will only take a few trips in one day.
Chen Zhiwen and others took a short-distance electric tourist bus similar to a golf course. Vice President Tom stood aside and made various introductions. What they mainly watched was the assembly process of the Boeing 737 and Boeing 747 production lines, because these two models The model is the model that Chen Zhiwen intended.
Two hours later, the electric car's battery was low. After a few people changed it, they drove to the airport outside the factory. An aircraft that had not yet been painted took off on the runway.
"Mr. Chen, this is the final testing stage before the aircraft is delivered to the customer. After the test is OK, it will be handed over to the interior and exterior decoration department, and then decorated according to the customer's requirements, so that the aircraft can be delivered." Tom introduced road.
"No need to look at these, let's take a look at the interior." Chen Zhiwen said.
"Okay, then we can go see one of our own Boeing 737 business jets." Tom said.
Then, the driver immediately stepped on the switch, and the car accelerated. After a while, it arrived at the parking garage on the other side. In the garage, a very new-looking Boeing 737 was parked here.
"Lisa, please introduce our distinguished client Mr. Chen." After everyone got off the car, Tom came to a blonde girl and said.
"Okay, Mr. Chen, please come this way." Lisa nodded and agreed, leading a group of people into the interior of the Boeing 737 business jet.
After Lisa's introduction, Chen Zhiwen learned that this was a business jet purchased by an American oil giant, specifically for use by senior executives or major shareholders, and the relevant personnel were contracted to a subsidiary of Boeing because the two companies The high-level relationship with the company is also good. Boeing will occasionally use this aircraft as a display aircraft to display to large customers who are interested in purchasing business jets. After all, such customers are still relatively small, and there may not be only a few in a year. Boeing There is no need to build one yourself.
The interior of the aircraft is decorated in French style. There is a separate bedroom at the rear of the aircraft with a toilet and bathroom. The exterior is composed of 24 aviation seats. The space is very large. Each seat is designed according to ergonomics and is specially designed to match children, For the bodies of adult men, women and the elderly, all 8 seats can be laid flat and used as a small bed.
"What do you think, Mr. Chen?" Tom has been following Chen Zhiwen's family and observing the changes in everyone's expressions. He can see that the Chen family's parents like this aircraft very much, but Chen Zhiwen has always been very easy-going and seems to have no trace of anything. Surprised, this made him a little unsure.
"Do you have a Boeing 747 business jet? Or photos will do." Chen Zhiwen didn't answer, but suddenly asked.
"747?" Jim was stunned for a moment and said, "Mr. Chen, Boeing 747 is generally used by airlines or as a special plane for presidents of major countries. Do you want to transform a Boeing 747 into a private jet?"
"No way?" Chen Zhiwen said lightly.
Although it has been more than six years since the first oil crisis broke out, the Middle Eastern tycoons who suddenly became rich have also begun to play with luxury cars, mansions, luxury cruise ships, private zoos, lions, cheetahs and other pets, but it has not spread to airplanes yet. In this field, this thing is really too expensive, and in recent years, the relationship between Middle Eastern countries and the United States has not been good.
But in just a few years, the wealthy people in the Middle East will focus on airplanes. On the Internet in later generations, the luxurious palace of Airbus 380 is enough to make everyone jealous. But now, Airbus has not been born yet. The real giant in the sky Damn, the only one is the Boeing 747.
With such an aircraft, not only can you enjoy the luxury, but it can also reflect the strength of the aircraft owner. You know, many small and three-person businesses only look at cars. If the car is good, they can show their strength and drive a Mazda. , no one would care about it even if there is no traffic jam.
In the 1980s, there were countless golden opportunities in the mainland, as well as in Europe, the United States and Southeast Asia. Although Chen Zhiwen was very well-known in Hong Kong and a little famous in the United States, in the non-Internet era, who would know you after you went abroad? Having an aircraft like this can better reflect its own strength.
"Of course." Jim was overjoyed. A Boeing 747 was nothing to Boeing, but it was a big surprise to him personally. So he said: "We have a Boeing 747 that is almost completed. Mr. Chen can go and take a look."
"Okay, let's go." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said.
After a while, the group of people came to the other side of the warehouse.
Just now, Chen Zhiwen felt that the 737 was quite big, but when he got below the 747, he felt what a real behemoth was. When he raised his head, he felt an oppression. This is the true crown of human industry.
However, the aircraft was still in a rough state, and there were still many steel structures and cables inside. Chen Zhiwen and others did not go in to watch.
"How far is the range of this plane?" Chen Zhiwen asked.
"I don't know what Mr. Chen's requirements are for the range. Our aircraft can be designed differently. For example, if it can mainly carry weight, the range will be reduced, and vice versa." Jim asked rhetorically.
"There is no need to carry heavy weight, as long as the battery life is long enough, it is best to be able to reach anywhere in the world at once." Chen Zhiwen thought for a while and said.
Since you want to buy the most expensive 747, you must also consider the range. If you can fly directly from any city to another city, it will save a lot of time. After all, I am not the kind of airline that takes off and land regularly. At Midway Airport Any descent needs to be reported in advance. A one-time direct flight is the best choice. Otherwise, the extra take-off and landing in the middle will cost a small amount of money, but the time wasted is not worthwhile, and no matter how comfortable the plane is, It’s not as good as on the ground or on a cruise ship.
"Based on the airline's weight, this aircraft can fly almost 6,000 miles. But if it is used as a private aircraft, the weight will be much smaller. The aircraft's endurance can be at least 8,000 miles. If additional auxiliary fuel tanks are added, it can fly 10,000 miles. It’s not a problem either,” Jim introduced.
"Then add auxiliary fuel tanks, otherwise we won't be able to fly directly from Hong Kong to New York." Chen Zhiwen thought for a while and said. The flight range between Hong Kong and New York is almost 13,000 kilometers, which is almost 8,100 miles. Considering that we must add a little more fuel to ensure safety. After all, private jets don’t calculate fuel consumption to the extremes like airlines do.
"Okay, after adding the auxiliary fuel tank, some internal space will be reduced a little, but the impact will not be big." Jim continued: "Mr. Chen, there is no suitable business jet for the 747. Otherwise, I will ask a professional designer to do it." May I communicate with you?”
"The designer's matter is not urgent. I will choose the designer through bidding. Let's discuss the price." Chen Zhiwen said lightly.
"Okay, please come here." Jim took Chen Zhiwen to a nearby room alone and said: "Mr. Chen, I won't tell you the price on the plane. I can give you a price from a large airline." The purchase price is US$75 million. If Mr. Chen has any other modification requirements for the aircraft, they will be settled separately."
"The price is too expensive." Chen Zhiwen shook his head and said. The price of the aircraft announced by Boeing is US$120 million for the 747, but it is actually on the high side including other models. It is the same whether it is for business. My price is a bit higher, but there is a discount. In this way, It is also convenient to discuss business.
"Mr. Chen, with your personal connections, I think we can find out the authenticity of this. There is no need for me to lie." Jim said "sincerely".
"You are indeed telling the truth, but the time is wrong. This is the purchase price before the oil crisis broke out two years ago. Now, I am afraid there will be no airline purchases." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.
Two years ago, before the second oil crisis broke out, the wave of globalization began to bring great benefits to a large number of countries in Asia, Central and South America. All countries needed a large number of routes to increase their economic activities, so Boeing aircraft The business is naturally very booming, and the waiting time for ordering an aircraft may take more than 3 years.
However, the oil crisis broke out again, paralyzing the global economy. At the same time, high oil prices also doubled the price of air tickets. Under such circumstances, if the airlines can ensure that they survive, it will be considered a big victory. There is no money left to buy aircraft, and even those who have already purchased aircraft are starting to break their contracts in large numbers.
Chen Zhiwen waited until today to buy it, but he just seized this opportunity.
"Mr. Chen, although the economic environment is not good, the cost of an aircraft has increased. Our price is already very sincere." Jim said.
"Mr. Jim, as long as I release the news, there will definitely be a large number of airlines willing to sell their aircraft to me. It is not difficult to find aircraft that have not been flown, and the price will definitely be much lower. I hope that Purchase directly from Boeing, but if the price difference is too big, then I have no choice." Chen Zhiwen said lightly.
"Is that so? Mr. Chen, can you give me some time? If more discounts are needed, I need to ask the board of directors for instructions." Jim didn't want this big order to disappear from his hands, so he said.
"Okay, then I will wait for your good news, but the time should not be too long. I cannot wait indefinitely. If I reach an agreement with other airlines, then this cooperation will be gone." Chen Zhiwen said.
"OK, I understand." Jim nodded and said.
After watching the plane, that night, Chen Zhiwen met with Ron, who was in charge of Midea Group's U.S. legal affairs, and asked him to send a team to negotiate with Boeing.
In the following seven days, Chen Zhiwen also took his parents to the famous Newport News Shipyard in the United States and purchased an 80-meter-long luxury cruise ship worth US$35 million. This cruise ship was also bought by a wealthy Canadian in two years. However, it recently went bankrupt and the cruise company was facing heavy losses, so Chen Zhiwen finally won it for US$26 million.
The 80-meter-long cruise ship is currently one of the largest cruise ships in the world. It can easily carry enough fuel to sail 5,000 miles. It is also equipped with a variety of state-of-the-art equipment and is always connected to satellites to control the weather for hundreds of nautical miles nearby. and various situations. The most convenient thing is that the cruise ship will be completed soon.
Ron also successfully negotiated with Boeing and finally purchased a Boeing 747 aircraft for US$61 million.
The interiors of the airplane and the super cruise ship still need to be redesigned, but there is no rush. After completing these two luxury purchases, the Chen family and his family chartered a plane and returned to Hong Kong.
(End of chapter)
