Chapter 25

Our new geography was mapped. It would, however, be subject to change; as would other things.

China became our initial focus. Why, you ask? With a their potential long-term market in the billions, their ready cash, and them having shown a tremendous willingness to work with us, why the Hell not?

Since dealerships and distribution were both under the control of the Peoples Republic, we could concentrate on the product. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (Another spelling) and Chinese President Xi Jinping, solidified the PRC’s strong relationship with Russia so we were now serving both markets.

We still focused on the utility/wagon. Initially it was a hybrid. By the use of an external battery pack, extra power and quick exchange sites, we could double the cruising range or have extra power. The later vehicles were using some of the solar power adapters. With Russia’s added volume, we had three plants at full capacity on two shifts, five days a week. Evergreen began adding furniture, ceramics and some stamped out parts on return trips.

Eventually they were transporting commodities from other areas to the PRC, in addition to our cars. Ours were not the only vehicles entering China. We were glad to add other cars and trucks, Mercedes, Honda, Toyota were partners anyway, so why not.

Next year we had planned on further use of James’s advanced engine options. We were finding it difficult to expand production to meet the PRC’s initial order. In a way that was good, because the entire world economy was slowing down, China even welcomed not having so much cash leaving the country. Too much success can often bring about the downfall of a company, especially a car company.

We found our request for the Smart II growing at an alarming rate. One we could not begin to meet. In many ways the reduction in new orders at other car companies were to work in our favour. Our reputation had been made on one main principle; we kept our word, with the volume experience in China, we had learned that we were walking a fine line with costs and volume. The new demand we were experiencing from many places now caused us to pause and decide how, or if, we would met all these requests, especially for the additional models.

There needed to be a new direction set, a meeting of the minds, so to speak. This time the meeting would not be in Hong Kong. Ginny was in charge. I found out later she had been already booking rooms at a new hotel due to open in, guess where, right, Epcot. Not California but close enough.

While she admitted taking some details like permission, time off, and the costs for granted. The promise that I would have to ‘punish’ her brought out a smile, not a grimace. Who knew? Monica, James and Horace (Whatever) were going too, as were Vicky, Trudy, Sammy, Bambi and a host more I never heard of.

She ended up taking three floors, 300 rooms of a 400-room hotel. We would fly down using the private plane for as many that wanted to leave from ‘Hot-’Lanna’. Additional flights, if needed, would be made. Most had 10 days, though some only 7, days allotted as ‘meeting’ time. The company would pay all expenses. Diane, Giselle and Monique conspired to add the remote reps, the ‘show models’ and the wives or SO’s (Significant Others) or both for all the events they planned (Read: Shopping). Ginny now took the entire hotel for 2-weeks.

Before we left, Monica came up to me in the lunch room and in a voice that for any one within four miles could hear, she handed me some papers, saying she was sorry. Harold (So that was his name or... ) sounded like he was getting a little hoarse, so she had kept him in bed. (Lucky guy) Here were their employment papers, as well as for James and his R & D group. What was missing was what she and I discussed last night. No, it was not what you all were thinking. Really, she is a nice girl, besides that Daphne, no, no, no, Diane, my wife, would kill me after getting a Raul to replace me.

I expected our people to be there a couple of days before the rest, I knew everyone would not be able to attend; but insisted that those who came had the proxy and right to vote for whomever they wanted as representatives. Erica, for example might vote for MB as well as VW. In a gesture that things were about to change, I invited Renault, Ford, Nippon Denso, Kia and the boys from Texas. They all would come after the initial meet, though.

Surprise, surprise, they all beat us to Florida. Ginny and Diane all decided they knew better (Like, I should be surprised? I guess not) and revised my plans. Well two or this time three could play the same game. Monica and I had a surprise of our own. Ha, Ha, revise ‘my’ plans would they. Ha!

After the feast of warm juice, cold coffee and ‘hard as tack’ Danish delights, the meeting opened. I opened with that universal greeting. ‘Howdy Y’all’. I guess that needed some translation. The old business was first. A big thanks was due to everyone, it had been a record year (We had only one complete year, but it sounded good to say that).

That our plans for the future were as follows: To expand in these countries or areas.

China

Russia

Mexico

Brasil

South Africa

Chile

Argentina

Mozambique

Kenya

Egypt

Australia

Saudi Arabia

Iraq

Iran and then introduce new technology dealing with:

Water

H3(Hydrogen)

Electricity

Non-electric Lights

Cell and Satellite Phones

That actually got everyone cheering.

Thank you. That was the 5 five-year plan we were following. As in life, a little rain must fall to muck everything up. Even the best laid plans may fail.

(Shortened from “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”, translated from “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men, / Gang aft agley,” from To A Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough by Robert Burns.).