The sleek body, prominent headlights, rearview mirrors, turn signals, sumptuous leather seats, and the engine and transmission supplied by the Deutsche Motor Company have rendered this automobile a remarkable departure from contemporary mainstream vehicles. It can be said that this represents a truly epoch-making transformation. Qin Tian was confident that once the new "Daimler" sedan hit the market, it would undoubtedly render Mercedes-Benz and other automobile brands obsolete.
"Indeed, it is quite impressive! I believe it will be a masterpiece!" Qin Tian praised. Given the technological prowess of this era, developing such a vehicle is no small feat.
Upon hearing Qin Tian's commendation, both Wilhelm Maybach and Paul Daimler broke into smiles.
"Your Highness, when will this sedan be ready for market release?" Paul Daimler inquired.
Clearly, this product was poised to capture market attention, which also signified substantial profits.
"Since it is now the end of the year, let's aim for a launch on January 1st next year. However, with only a month remaining, can we adequately prepare for the launch?" Qin Tian asked.
"Your Highness, we began mass production as soon as the car was developed. However, the current output is still modest. In a month, we can ramp up production to around five thousand units per month. This should sufficiently meet the domestic demand in Germany," Paul Daimler responded.
At present, automobiles remained luxury items that were beyond the reach of many. Typically, only the affluent could afford them. Additionally, the comfort level of contemporary cars was not very high; some individuals even preferred horse-drawn carriages to automobiles. Consequently, sales figures were not particularly robust. However, if Daimler could tap into a larger market, it would necessitate further increases in production.
Qin Tian shook his head. "Producing five thousand units in a month is utterly insufficient. I firmly believe the automotive sector is an immense market, one that has yet to be fully unleashed. Once it is, it will represent a colossal opportunity. Thus, our production capacity must gradually increase, ideally reaching fifty thousand units per month, or even more!"
"Fifty thousand? That would amount to six hundred thousand units a year!" Both Paul Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach were utterly astonished. Since the invention of the automobile, the combined production of all nations had likely not reached six hundred thousand units. Thus, they found Qin Tian's production demand astonishingly ambitious.
"Achieving a production target of fifty thousand units is not an overnight endeavor. I hope to reach this goal within the next three years," Qin Tian stated, fully aware of the frenzy in sales experienced by Ford after the introduction of the Model T across the ocean.
"Understood, Your Highness!" Although they harbored many doubts, Paul Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach suppressed their concerns and acquiesced to Qin Tian's directives, believing his foresight to be unfailingly accurate.
"What is the production cost of our Daimler automobile? What price point are we aiming for?" Qin Tian inquired.
"Your Highness, following mass production, the cost of the Daimler sedan has reached seven thousand marks, and we tentatively plan to set the retail price at ten thousand marks," Paul Daimler replied.
Qin Tian nodded. While ten thousand marks was not exorbitant, it was certainly not cheap either. Generally, only the upper middle class could afford such a vehicle.
Of course, a price of ten thousand marks was relatively reasonable for this Daimler sedan. The vehicle was undoubtedly worth that amount, even possessing a competitive advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness compared to other vehicles in the same price bracket.
"The ten thousand mark price point seems appropriate. However, the number of people who can afford it remains too low," Qin Tian sighed.
"Your Highness, automobiles are inherently expensive goods; the average person cannot afford them," Paul Daimler explained.
"While that may be true, if Daimler wishes to become a benchmark in the automotive industry, we must devise a way to make our vehicles accessible to all. I intend to name this car the Daimler B-Class Sedan. The research department should further develop two additional models based on this foundation, namely the Daimler A-Class Sedan and the Daimler C-Class Sedan. The A-Class will be positioned as a luxury vehicle, while the C-Class will be designed to be affordable for the masses," Qin Tian articulated.
The expressions of Paul Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach turned serious. They naturally wished for Daimler to become a benchmark in the automotive industry, making Qin Tian's strategy a matter of great importance.
"The A-Class sedan will involve lengthening the chassis, enhancing interior space, elevating the quality of the interior decor, improving the suspension system, and maximizing passenger comfort, among other features, ensuring that it becomes the preferred vehicle of the affluent. This will position our A-Class as the quintessential luxury car in the eyes of the public. The C-Class sedan, on the other hand, can be shorter in length, with the roof made of canvas instead of steel. The seats need not be leather, but can be fabric. We need not demand high performance from the engine; a maximum speed of forty to fifty kilometers per hour will suffice. In summary, we must maintain reliability and safety while significantly reducing costs, aiming to set a price point below two thousand marks. This way, even ordinary wage earners can save enough to purchase a car," Qin Tian explained.
The concepts of the A-Class and C-Class left Paul Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach utterly astonished. Simultaneously, this approach sparked a moment of clarity for them. If Daimler could offer three models—high, medium, and low—to dominate the automotive sector, it would undoubtedly elevate Daimler to the status of a giant and a benchmark within the industry, solidifying its position for years to come.
"Your Highness, that is truly a brilliant idea! Our research department will immediately commence development based on your specifications, striving to produce the A-Class and C-Class vehicles in a short time," Wilhelm Maybach exclaimed with excitement.