"Your Highness, this is the survey report on major cities and ports in Europe," said Francesco, the marketing manager of Volkswagen, as he presented the document to the crown prince. Francesco, originally a successful sales manager at Ford, had been transferred to Volkswagen to spearhead market development due to his impressive track record.
Edel, the crown prince, gestured dismissively, "You tell me directly, I won't read it."
"Very well, Your Highness," Francesco cleared his throat, readying himself to deliver the findings verbally. "We have conducted a comprehensive survey across major European ports and cities, interviewing factory and terminal owners at random to ensure the credibility of our results," he began, noting Edel's attentive posture. "According to our findings, 80% of the interviewed owners showed interest in our trucks, with 30% willing to purchase a few units for trial. Additionally, 50% indicated they would consider buying only after witnessing the trucks' performance firsthand."
"And what market price did you consider in your survey?" Edel inquired, his mind already calculating the financial implications.
"The trucks were evaluated at £185 each, which is approximately $902 USD," Francesco responded.
Edel pondered this, realizing the price was quite competitive, almost less than the cost of two horse-drawn carriages. "Given this potential sales volume, can our factories handle the production demand?" he asked.
"With an initial output based on 5,000 trucks and with further investment, we could ramp up to 20,000 trucks annually, based on the efficiency of the assembly lines in the United States. However, this would still fall short of the total demand projected for the European market," Francesco explained.
Edel considered the situation, thinking that if the initial sales performance was strong, they would need to expand production capabilities. "Your Highness, may I propose a new idea?" Francesco ventured, noting the prince's contemplative mood.
"Please, go ahead. I am eager to hear any suggestions that could further our company's growth," Edel encouraged him.
"I believe there is an opportunity to modify our trucks to compete directly with passenger carriages for the transportation business," Francesco proposed confidently.
Edel was pleasantly surprised. "That is an excellent suggestion. Proceed with designing a high-capacity passenger vehicle. I fully support this initiative," he agreed enthusiastically, impressed by the American's sharp insight.
Convinced that Volkswagen could dominate the European market, Edel was optimistic about the positive impact this would have on Romania's industrial development. He was aware of how the automotive industry could propel the growth of various sectors—an insight that had guided his decision to prioritize automobile manufacturing in Romania's industrial strategy.
Now, Edel had another critical department to visit, one that could significantly advance technological innovation.
"Your Highness, welcome," greeted Moronier, the supervisor of the Bucharest Power Laboratory, as Edel arrived.
Moronier, a former researcher of internal combustion engines at the University of Bucharest, had not been very well-known until Edel's chief guard, tasked with identifying domestic experts in internal combustion engines, had discovered him. Moronier was then introduced to Edel and had since focused diligently on his research, though he was typically reserved unless discussing his field of expertise.
The Bucharest Power Laboratory, newly established with German technology and expertise, was now exploring various engine types, including diesel and gasoline engines. Edel's visit today was particularly focused on diesel engines.
"Academician Moronier, how is the engine development progressing?" Edel inquired, genuinely interested in the innovations being made under his directive.
"Your Highness, following your suggestions, we've successfully reduced the engine's size by one-third while increasing its power output by 5 horsepower. It now produces 30 horsepower," Moronier reported proudly.
The group approached the impressive diesel engine. Moronier, buoyed by the prince's interest, began detailing the specifications. "This new model is 1.5 meters long, 0.8 meters wide, and 1 meter high. It can operate for over 200 hours without failure," he explained.
After examining the original, unmodified engine next to it, Edel could see the significant improvements. "Academician Moronier, thank you for your contributions. Could this engine be made even smaller without sacrificing power output? It would greatly enhance its applications," Edel asked, envisioning broader uses for the technology.
"That is certainly possible," Moronier replied, encouraged by the prince's forward-thinking approach.
"I would like you to continue researching both larger and smaller-scale diesel engines," Edel instructed, sharing insights from future technological advancements he was privy to.
"I will focus my research in these areas, Your Highness," Moronier assured him, motivated by the clear strategic direction provided by the crown prince.
Edel understood the transformative potential of diesel technology for Romania. By mechanizing agriculture, it could shift the rural workforce towards urban industrial employment, alleviating pressures from large landowners and fostering economic growth. This shift was crucial, especially in anticipation of the increased industrial demands that would arise with the outbreak of World War I. As industries thrived and cities grew, the reliance on traditional farming would decrease, aligning with Edel's vision for a modernized Romania.