It wasn't until dusk fell that Simon and Sofia walked out of the master bedroom of the mountainside villa on Lake Como.
After dinner, after Sofia dressed up carefully, the two rushed to Milan city together, planning to participate in a wine auction at Christie's Milan branch.
A few years after acquiring Christie's, Sophia not only managed the old auction house to prosper and continued to expand its business, but also perfectly integrated it with Melisandre's business, vaguely becoming a brand marketing with a locomotive effect. On the Christie's platform, Melisandre's clothing, jewelry, clocks, wine and other businesses will conduct auctions of treasures on the Christie's platform from time to time.
In most people's subconscious minds, things that can enter the auction house will always be higher in value and style, which invisibly increases the brand value of Melisandre's subsidiaries.
"I have set up a team of buyers for Chinese cultural relics. Currently, I mainly collect calligraphy and painting and porcelain. I have to say that there are really many Chinese cultural relics scattered across Europe, and the prices are very low. I recently purchased one The blue and white porcelain of the Yuan Dynasty, I remember you specifically mentioned it before, only cost about 30,000 US dollars. The seller was an ordinary old man in the UK. He said that his father brought it back from China."
In the car heading to downtown Milan, Sofia and Simon talked about some business matters about Christie's.
What large auction houses auction is not just treasures provided by various collectors. In many cases, they may be self-speculated and self-sold. Of course, on the surface it certainly won’t have much to do with the auction house.
Simon accidentally mentioned to Sophia that he could collect Chinese cultural relics in Europe in advance and hoard them. When China's economy develops further, more and more wealthy people will definitely turn to the field of collection in pursuit of connotation and heritage, just like they bought most of them in the 1980s. Like the Japanese rich people in Western Impressionist paintings.
At that time, Christie's can take advantage of the opportunity to sell the goods and make a lot of money.
At this time, I heard Sophia say that she had just bought a piece of Yuan blue and white. Even with Simon's current net worth, I still became interested when I heard that such porcelain was so popular in my memory: "What is it specifically?"
Sophia said: "A jar about two feet high. I can't tell you the details. It has Chinese dragon totem and peony flower patterns on it. Anyway, it is very well preserved. The expert from China said that if it were in China, it would belong to The kind that can be entered into the National Palace Museum, well, it’s on the same level as the British Museum, in short it’s very precious.”
Two-foot-tall peony, cloud, dragon and Yuan blue and white porcelain jar.
The Forbidden City is a national treasure.
Simon compared the possible prices in his memory. He was slightly stunned and a little emotional. Two feet, about 60 centimeters, but this size is very rare. After all, the bigger the porcelain is, the harder it is to preserve it. I really don’t know how those guys were so beautiful back then. Bringing things back to Europe from thousands of miles across the ocean.
and…
Simon asked again: "$30,000, are you sure?"
Sophia smiled and said: "It's at least 2 million US dollars now, that's why I mentioned it to you. I'm good at business, right?"
Simon praised the woman and kissed her on the face, and then warned: "Don't sell it within ten years."
Sophia was a little confused: "This operation cycle will be too long."
Any business can be considered successful only by obtaining the highest profit in the shortest time. Investing 1 million US dollars, earning 30% in one year and 100% in ten years may seem like the latter is more, but compared to the former, it is completely fail.
Simon also knows that in the field of cultural relics speculation, unless it is a real collection, the operation cycle can be as short as two or three years, as long as four or five years, and it is difficult to say how long it will take. After all, no one knows whether the collection hot spot will shift in a few years. Just like the Impressionist paintings that Japanese people loved in the 1980s, their prices have generally fallen sharply now.
The Yuan Qinghua that Sophia just mentioned was stored for four or five years and sold around 2000. It would certainly be okay to double the current market valuation, but it would still not be the best time.
Simon didn't explain too much, he just said: "Just listen to me. Also, where is the piece of porcelain? Can I take a look at it sometime?"
"It's in the underground vault in Geneva. If you want to see it, I'll have it sent to North America."
"Forget it, let's see it next time we go to Switzerland."
Think about it, if something goes wrong during the transportation of a Yuan blue and white piece worth hundreds of millions of yuan in the future, even Simon now will inevitably feel pain.
"OK."
Of course Sofia would not object, so that men could come more often, so she made up her mind to buy more Chinese cultural relics that men might be interested in.
The two continued to chat, and as the car entered downtown Milan, Sofia's cell phone suddenly rang. After answering the call, I chatted with the person on the other side for a few words. After hanging up, I said to Simon: "Gianni Agnelli and his wife from Fiat will be here later and want to chat with you."
Gianni Agnelli, CEO of Fiat Group.
Simon probably understood what the other person wanted to talk about.
Sofia also said: "It should be that the Fiat Group is planning to enter China, but is not sure about paying attention. I want to get some news from you."
The fallout from Simon's last visit to China continues.
Although they rejected the Apollo Management Company team's plan to invest in Geely, other overseas car companies that were originally hesitant have accelerated their deployment. For example, General Motors Group began negotiations with SAIC last year. It has been stumbling before. Simon's plans for China After the visit, the progress of negotiations between the two parties suddenly accelerated, and it is expected that a formal cooperation agreement will be signed in the near future.
This is a full year ahead of the original time and space.
As for Fiat Group.
Thinking about some of the information in his memory, Simon couldn't help but shake his head. Two consecutive attempts to enter China ended in failure. This can only be Fiat's own problem.
However, because of its deep presence in Italy, the Westeros system also has a lot of cooperation with the Agnelli family, which can be called the 'Italian royal family'. The other party came here specially, of course, to give face, and casually said: "Then let's talk .”
Sofia noticed Simon's expression and asked, "You don't want to have contact with them?"
"No, I'm just not optimistic about Fiat's entry into China."
"Why?"
Simon said: "Besides Italy, in your impression, is there any other overseas market where Fiat is more successful?"
Sophia thought for a moment, but she really didn't notice it.
The Fiat Group is a standard local snake in Italy. Through the Italian government's overt or covert favoritism for more than half a century, it occupies 90% of the country's automobile market. However, overseas, except for some luxury car brands under the Fiat Group, there is no Handy business.
Moreover, even Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and other luxury car brands under the Fiat Group have not been doing very well in recent years. Due to losses, brands such as Maserati have been repeatedly resold and merged.
In the final analysis, Fiat Group is too comfortable being a local snake in Italy and has lost its enterprising spirit.
Given the current seller's market situation in China's automobile industry, if Fiat operates seriously, it will actually be easy for Fiat to occupy an important place in the Chinese automobile market in the future. However, based on the information in memory, Fiat obviously lacks this kind of thinking. Instead, it strictly controls technology research and development and automobile production, is always on guard against partners stealing its own technology, and operates regardless of the actual situation of the Chinese market. , only know how to take and don’t want to pay even a little bit more.
All in all, it's arrogance.
How to say that.
Weakness and ignorance are not obstacles to survival, arrogance is!
Therefore, Fiat Group made two attempts in 1999 and 2010, both of which were good times for the development of China's automobile industry, but both ended in disgrace.
Later, the Fiat Group, which had entered a trough, merged with the Chrysler Group, which had been in similar decline in the United States for several times. After this transaction, it seemed that the Fiat Group still dominated, but in fact, the Italian auto market was successfully penetrated by American capital and lost its independence.
Arriving at Christie's headquarters in the center of Milan, the auction would not start for more than ten minutes.
Simon and Sofia were waiting in a VIP lounge for the time being. Gianni Agnelli and his wife Marilla Agnelli also arrived early and happened to bump into each other.
Gianni Agnelli is 75 years old this year. Since becoming the chairman of Fiat Group in 1966, he has controlled Italy's largest industrial group for 30 years. He also has a younger brother, Umberto Agnelli, who is 62 years old this year. , is the CEO of Fiat Group.
In the original time and space, after the death of Gianni Agnelli, the power of the Fiat Group fell into the hands of Umberto.
Because Gianni Agnelli's only son committed suicide in 2000.
There is an allusion to this young man in the Italian film "La Pellegrino" that Simon loves very much.
Different from the low-key German business families, such as the Agnelli family, the Gucci family and even the Versace family, the behind-the-scenes family stories of these old Italian companies are enough for Hollywood to film for thirty years, and they are all exciting.
Gianni Agnelli came here specially to meet with Simon. As expected, it was to enter the Chinese market. The Italian business tycoon has also begun to pay attention to China recently. However, because of certain inherent concepts of Westerners, even with Simon's example , the other party still has various hesitations about investing in China.
Simon also spoke frankly: "Jenny, the current cooperation model in China's automobile industry is that Western car companies usually provide necessary technology and core components, and China provides funds. Therefore, if Fiat enters China, it will only pay for technology and import parts. It can also bring you additional income. Moreover, in terms of technology, it does not even need to be the latest. Just like the best-selling Santana sedan that Volkswagen of Germany cooperated with China, the latest model in the Chinese market is two full generations behind Europe."
Gianni Versace was leaning on the sofa in the lounge, holding a cigar in his hand. Probably the young man opposite did not intend to smoke or light it. He shook his head slightly and said: "Simon, this is what I am worried about. Haven't you noticed? Is our technology the goal of China? Once China masters the technology, do you think they will get rid of us?"
This is probably a common concern of many overseas companies cooperating with China.
Simon just shrugged slightly: "Or, Jenny, you can also think this way. If the Fiat Group does not cooperate with China, when the country's automobile industry develops, the market will definitely only belong to other first entrants, and it will be very difficult for you to enter again. Difficult. As far as I know, General Motors is about to reach a cooperation agreement with China, and other car giants are also conducting experiments, leaving Fiat with not much time."
"So, Simon, why did you reject the plan to cooperate with Chinese car companies?"
Simon was stunned for a moment before he reacted.
It’s still the cooperation plan with Geely.
Simon was not surprised that Agnelli knew about this.
Just like Simon didn't wonder why Agnelli knew his itinerary immediately when he arrived in Italy in the morning, this is the background. After all, when Simon enters any country, he must declare it at the customs, and he has no intention of hiding it. This is also the reason why Yeltsin's daughter was able to easily come to visit him a few days ago.
With the current power of the Westeros system, if Simon wanted to hide deliberately, no one would be able to find him.
However, this trip to Europe, not only in Ukraine, but also in other regions, actually has the intention of patrolling the territory. Of course, everyone who should know should know that Simon Westeros has appeared.
Thinking like this, Simon said: "This is different, Jenny, because the Westeros system has not been involved in the automobile industry for the time being. Moreover, China's automobile industry is currently monopolized by state-owned enterprises, but that cooperation agreement is for a private company. Enterprise, if I do this, it is likely to arouse the resentment of some state-owned enterprises in China, and China’s state-owned enterprises are closely connected with China’s top leaders, so the gain outweighs the loss.”
Simon explained this, and Gianni Agnelli understood immediately.
Local snake.
Because Fiat Group's position in Italy is such, other overseas car companies that want to enter Italy must either cooperate with Fiat Group or be severely suppressed.
He put the unlit cigar in his mouth and took a puff. After thinking about it for a while, Gianni Agnelli said: "Simon, how about our cooperation?"
"Um?"
"Let's work together to enter the Chinese market. You have to know that I really have a lot of concerns about it. Only if you participate can I feel more at ease. After all, you already have good connections in China."
"But, Jenny, in this case, the two of us can only get 50% of the shares at most, and each of us will get 25%. Are you satisfied?"
Gianni Agnelli smiled: "Of course, as long as the project is successful."
"Forget it," Simon refused with a smile: "Jenny, if you plan to enter the Chinese market, let me give you some advice. Don't be too cautious, and don't be too harsh. In my opinion, the potential of the Chinese automobile market is In the next ten years, it may be comparable to North America and reach the tens of millions level. Don’t doubt this. You can check the growth data of some other industries in China. This country has great potential. As long as Fiat is willing to bet big now, China will It will definitely become Fiat's largest overseas market."
A flash of light flashed in Gianni Agnelli's eyes, but he quickly said: "Then why can't you participate together?"
Simon and Agnelli looked at each other and said: "If you are willing to hand over control of the project to me, I will be very happy to cooperate with you."
Gianni Agnelli shook his head subconsciously.
Simon smiled and said: "So, we can't talk about it. Frankly speaking, I will enter the Chinese automobile market, but not now, because the Westeros system has not yet been established in the automobile industry. It will take a few years to complete a The layout and timing are also more mature.”
"According to what you said, I should probably wait a few more years, such as China joining the WTO."
"Of course, this is a good time." Simon nodded, remembering that in history, Fiat's first entry into China was stepping on the threshold of WTO accession, and said: "However, if you do this, I can only feel sorry for you, Gianni, because With Fiat Group’s conditions, there is no need to wait, and you have missed a very precious opportunity to make arrangements in advance.”
The staff came over at this time to remind you that you can enter.
The two stopped talking at the right time.
It can be seen that Gianni Agnelli is still hesitant. Simon has already said everything he needs to say. What the other party chooses is not his concern.
Speaking of which, if it weren't for the fact that Fiat's two forays into China failed in his memory, and if Gianni Agnelli wasn't so hesitant in front of him, Simon really wouldn't mind cooperating with the other party, even if it was just a pure investment without control. In this situation, he has no interest at all.