Mercedes

"ments. Such strategy placed ITT in an ideal situation to parlay World War II into an economic triumph. Behn was one of the few who could make meaningful long-range plans — no matter which side won. He waited, watching the fortunes of war, until a discernible pattern of victory emerged. Then, shazam — although ITT had been accused of Axis collaboration at the beginning of the war, Behn emerged as a conquering Allied hero, of sorts. He was the man with strong political influence and business interests all over Europe. As the Allied armies mopped up, Behn was personally on the scene to restore the ITT empire before the military governors could piece things together. And even more remarkably, ITT managed to carry off the role of victim of World War II and file a $30 million claim for damages which recently the United States government has seen fit to pay. So, with discreetly applied pressures and much chutzpah, Behn managed to have it both ways. If the Germans had won, who could tell what rewards would have befallen the faithful industrial empires of Krupp, Siemens, Mercedes, and the several German equivalents of ITT."

"In BYD's automotive engineering institute located in Songjiang, Shanghai, there are thousands of automotive engineers, 90% of whom came to BYD right after college. Every year, Wang Chuanfu has these young engineers learn to dismantle cars, and he also requires them to write detailed reports after disassembling. Initially, some young people were reluctant to casually dismantle new cars, especially expensive ones. Knowing this, Wang Chuanfu immediately scratched his own Mercedes with a key and then said: "Now, you can dismantle my car.""

"In fact, Wang Chuanfu himself admitted: “I don’t understand cars at all.” But after deciding to switch to the automotive field, Wang Chuanfu decided to start with technology to become a real automotive technology expert. During that period, Wang Chuanfu's only luxury hobby was owning Mercedes and Lexus cars. But he liked to dismantle them frequently to see how their engines worked. Once, when Wang Chuanfu went to the United States, a friend picked him up in a Toyota car. To understand how the Toyota seats worked, Wang Chuanfu almost dismantled his friend’s Toyota."

"At that time, the car called “Pride” had obvious patchwork traces: the front looked somewhat like a Mercedes, the body and chassis somewhat like a Xiali, the engine was purchased from Xiali, and the gearbox came from Fiat’s hatchback car. In any case, the car was made, and Li Shufu was very excited, sending out over 700 invitations nationwide, arranging 100 banquet tables, and hanging banners saying “Manufacturing cars that the people can afford” and “Warmly welcome the leaders to inspect Geely” on the streets of Linhai, where Geely is located, anticipating the arrival of guests."

"After just a month on the job, he sat at his desk in Hötorgsskrapan in central Stockholm one day when Erling Persson appeared by his side. Erling Persson looked down at Thomas, placed a car key on his desk, and said, "We're having a crayfish party in the countryside, and I need crayfish. The car is in the garage." "My task became to go down to the garage, take out his large Mercedes, and drive up to Östermalmshallen to enter one of the fine fish and seafood shops there. Retrieve the ordered amount of crayfish and then drive out to the summer place in the archipelago on Värmdö." Even Thomas Enderstein, with his degree from the School of Business, Economics and Law, had to be a gofer when the great leader called. "That was typical of Erling. He knew I was new. He wanted to test if the young lad could handle it.""

"When Røkke reflects on those early years today, the memories are characterized by the impoverished existence. The description is probably correct, but just a part of the truth, because Røkke did not save all his money, he also afforded some status symbols. People remember well that he bought an old, well-used Mercedes before he had a nail in the wall. He drove around in it and showed himself off in Ballard. Granted, the engine block was cracked, but high oil consumption did not stop Røkke from appearing as a wealthy guy living by the principle: If you want to be rich, you must act accordingly – and no one believes you have money until you show it."