"Your Highness, how much do you intend to offer for the acquisition of Daimler?" Emil Jellinek inquired. As a principal investor in Daimler, he held a considerable stake in the company. Moreover, he was increasingly unable to bear witnessing its continuous losses. Selling the company while it still had value in exchange for a substantial sum was undoubtedly his preferred outcome.
"Fifty million marks! This valuation far exceeds the current worth of Daimler," Qin Tian replied. At present, he was not short on funds and hoped to encourage the company's executives to continue serving him after the acquisition. In this light, offering a higher price was hardly an issue.
"Fifty million marks?" Emil Jellinek expressed his satisfaction with this unexpected offer, which amounted to many times his initial investment.
Paul Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach exchanged glances, both aware that Emil Jellinek had already been swayed by the proposal. Though reluctant to part with the company, they recognized that such a decision had become unavoidable.
"Your Highness, I would like to retain a stake in the company. Based on the fifty million valuation, how much of a share could I keep?" Wilhelm Maybach asked. His perspective was evidently more long-term than Emil Jellinek's. He believed that if Qin Tian was willing to invest such a sum in acquiring Daimler, the company's future must be exceedingly bright. Retaining shares in the company would be far more beneficial than cashing out now.
"I, too, wish to retain shares in the company," Paul Daimler added his voice to the matter.
Qin Tian nodded but did not respond immediately; instead, he turned to Emil Jellinek. "Mr. Jellinek, have you made your decision?"
"Your Highness, I have considered it carefully, and I am willing to sell my shares to you," Emil Jellinek declared.
"Excellent, Mr. Jellinek. Once we finalize the share transfer agreement, I will issue you a check immediately," Qin Tian said with satisfaction.
"Mr. Maybach, Mr. Daimler, I propose that you each retain five percent of the shares. How does that sound?" Qin Tian suggested.
Both Wilhelm Maybach and Paul Daimler furrowed their brows; five percent seemed rather meager.
"Gentlemen, following the acquisition of Daimler, I will invest an additional fifty million marks to upgrade the production line and enhance research and development for new products. The future of Daimler will be as a manufacturer of motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, and military combat vehicles. The potential for the company will be boundless," Qin Tian elaborated.
After hearing Qin Tian's explanation, Wilhelm Maybach and Paul Daimler nodded in agreement, recognizing the merit of his proposal. Should Daimler truly develop as Qin Tian envisioned, even a mere five percent stake would translate into immense wealth, far surpassing its current value.
Emil Jellinek also processed Qin Tian's words, feeling a pang of regret about selling his shares. He opened his mouth to voice his change of heart but ultimately refrained. After all, Qin Tian was a prince of the German Empire, wielding wealth that could rival nations. To renege on the agreement would likely enrage him, and Jellinek could foresee himself needing to flee Germany, a prospect he wished to avoid.
After lunch, Emil Jellinek signed the share transfer agreement, collected his check, and departed from the company. Paul Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach also signed the agreement regarding the changes in shareholding. Within the week, Qin Tian would transfer fifty million marks into the company's account to enhance its production capabilities and accelerate new product development.
Now, Qin Tian had officially become the owner of Daimler. With ninety percent of the company's shares, he could fully implement his vision within the enterprise.
"Mr. Daimler, Mr. Maybach, I have a product I hope the company can devote itself to developing as quickly as possible for market release," Qin Tian stated in his office. Having become the owner, he had acquired an office within Daimler.
He retrieved a sheet of paper from his briefcase, showcasing the designs for two motorcycles. Compared to the rudimentary motorcycles of the time, these designs were undoubtedly far more aesthetically pleasing. Current motorcycles still featured wooden frames and had two small wheels for balance, resulting in a four-wheeled appearance. Moreover, the design was quite unattractive and lacked shock-absorbing mechanisms, rendering them nearly marketless.
Paul Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach were instantly taken aback by the motorcycles depicted on the paper.
"Good heavens! Are these motorcycles? They are clearly works of art!" Paul Daimler exclaimed, his astonishment evident.
"Unbelievable! I can't believe motorcycles can be designed like this!" Wilhelm Maybach echoed, equally dumbfounded.
The designs Qin Tian presented included a men's motorcycle and a ladies' motorcycle. The men's version boasted a rugged, streamlined body and a steel frame, exuding strength. In contrast, the ladies' motorcycle was dainty and exquisitely crafted.
"Gentlemen, both of these motorcycles will outperform anything currently available on the market. They are not only faster and more powerful, but also significantly more reliable. Naturally, their aesthetics are beyond compare. The engines will be supplied by the German Engine Manufacturing Company, another of my enterprises. The men's motorcycle can achieve a top speed of sixty kilometers per hour, while the ladies' model can reach fifty kilometers per hour. As the engine performance improves, so too will the speed. Do you believe these motorcycles will find a market?" Qin Tian inquired.
"Your Highness, these motorcycles are nothing short of classic masterpieces. I am certain that once they are introduced to the market, they will become a sensation across Germany and even throughout Europe!" Paul Daimler asserted.
Although he believed automobiles should be the primary focus of development, this did not diminish his appreciation for the two motorcycles.