The season was a full-fledged spring.
However, before we could truly enjoy the spring sunshine, yellow dust and fine particulate matter from China hit us. Disaster alerts urging caution against fine dust and limiting outdoor activities arrived incessantly.
On severe days, it was tough to even go outside without a mask. Pharmacies and convenience stores sold masks like hotcakes.
At the company, air purifiers were running at full capacity, and masks were handed out to employees. Checking the packaging, I noticed it was made in China.
Taek-gyu remarked with curiosity, “They’re even exporting fine dust and masks.”
I nodded in agreement. “This is true creative economy.”
To reduce worsening fine dust, eco-friendly cars need to be widely promoted. We have to quickly launch electric vehicles and sell them worldwide.
I video-called Daryl for the first time in a while. He seemed worn out, possibly due to his struggles. It looks like he’s lost some hair too.
Among the companies invested by OTK Company, some are profitable while others are losing money.
The company suffering the most losses is naturally CarOS, which is currently losing more than it earns from other sources.
Since rejecting the request to increase profit margins, relations with dealers have soured, leading to a sharp decline in sales. With inventory piling up and no sales, the factory partially shut down operations. As production halted, employees found themselves with nothing to do.
Fortunately, the development of new cars is progressing quickly.
Chrysler has gone through several management crises and drastically restructured its lineup. Thus, the number of models currently available for sale is limited.
They plan to discontinue those models entirely and release two new cars under the CarOS brand: one sedan and one SUV, both mid-sized, utilizing the same platform to reduce development costs.
The engine has been improved as much as possible, and instead of developing the transmission in-house, they decided to purchase it from a German company.
Initially, they will launch internal combustion engine vehicles, but once the new factory is completed and battery supply is ensured, they plan to focus on electric vehicle production.
Even though they’re new models, they won’t significantly outperform other automakers in terms of performance or fuel efficiency.
The important fact is that they will be the first in the industry to feature Level 4 autonomous driving technology. The software has already been developed, and test drives have been successfully completed.
It seems that we are almost there, but integrating this into mass-production vehicles is not an easy task.
For the software to operate perfectly, the performance of the hardware must be the foundation. Fortunately, our partner is none other than Seosung Electronics.
Seosung Electronics possesses world-class electronic manufacturing technology and has been preparing to enter the automotive electronics business for a long time, allowing work to proceed smoothly.
Currently, in Silicon Valley, researchers from CarOS and Seosung Electronics are collaborating to maximize the performance of both the software and hardware.
“The issue is cost. The hardware costs for the test vehicle amount to $100,000.”
The vehicle will be equipped with an automotive AP Exalus Auto, various semiconductors, communication equipment for data processing, along with sensors like 3D cameras, LiDAR, radar, and ultrasound replacing the driver’s eyes and ears, installed in the vehicle’s front and side-rear.
“The key will be how much we can reduce costs through mass production and technology development.”
When you think about it, the hardware needed to implement advanced technology has always been expensive. In the early ’90s, a 386 computer cost over 5 million won (considering inflation, this equates to over 10 million won today).
However, now one can buy a computer with hundreds of times more performance for less than one-tenth of that price.
In the near future, once mass production of autonomous vehicles becomes a reality, the prices of related components will also drop rapidly. But that is a story for later. What matters to us is the present.
Even if it’s a vehicle equipped with autonomous driving, if a mid-sized car costs over 100 million won, how many people will buy it?
Whether it’s an electric vehicle or an autonomous vehicle, a realistic price that the middle class can afford must be presented. That’s why Nikola is so focused on producing the Model TH in the $30,000 to $40,000 range.
How much we can reduce the component prices is entirely up to Seosung Electronics. I think I need to talk to President Im Jin-yong about this issue later.
While technology is important, the extent of their commitment is also crucial.
“As you may have seen in the report, there is another significant issue.”
Daryl explained the situation over about 30 minutes. It turned out to be much more serious than I had thought.
I nodded and said, “I will go to the U.S. Let’s discuss the details then.”
“Understood.”
We ended the video call.
I said to Taek-gyu,
“I think I need to go to the U.S.”
“I’m pretty busy these days.”
“Huh?”
“The pro gaming team’s founding ceremony is coming up. Do I really need to be absent?”
“……”
Are they still doing that?
The founding of OTK Company’s pro gaming team had been quite the issue online. Most notably, the vice president was taking a personal interest and leading the efforts, which garnered a lot of attention from gamers.
From OTK Games to the founding of the pro gaming team, they’re showing that this level of scale is necessary for true dedication.
As a result, the reputation of the ‘Reclusive Otaku’ on gaming sites is steadily rising.
In hindsight, it was indeed correct for the president and vice president to operate separately. One of them needs to oversee the company.
“It’s boring to go alone.”
Who should I take with me on the business trip?
As I pondered, Taek-gyu said,
“What’s there to think about? If it’s someone to go with, it’s obvious.”
***
I crossed over to the building next door.
The Golden Gate legal team is made up of half Koreans and half foreigners due to the nature of their foreign business dealings.
I saw Ellie working among the suited men. I sent her a message, and after checking her phone while talking to a foreign employee, she looked up and saw me.
Ellie excused herself from the other staff and came out into the hallway.
“Hey, Jin-hoo. Why are you here?”
Maybe it was because I had just seen her working, but Ellie seemed to shine in that moment.
A woman who works hard is really impressive.
“I suddenly missed you while working.”
At that, Ellie’s face turned slightly red.
“Really?”
I smiled.
“It’s true that I missed you, but I also have something else to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“I’m going on a business trip to the U.S. Would you like to come with me?”
Ellie blinked in surprise.
“The U.S.? I need Jessica’s permission to go.”
Since she’s the main staff at the office, she can’t move without the branch manager’s approval.
“Don’t worry. I already got permission from Hyun-joo unnie.”
Upon hearing that, Ellie joyfully hugged me like a child. I looked around in surprise, but luckily, there was no one in the hallway.
A kiss should be okay, right?
I wrapped my arms around Ellie’s waist and gently pecked her lips.
“We’re leaving the day after tomorrow, so get ready.”
“I got it.”
***
“I booked a first-class ticket.”
Taekgyu said, “How about buying a private jet while we’re at it?”
“That depends on selling the car.”
I have thought about it, but right now, I don’t have that kind of luxury.
Although the asset value is continuously increasing due to the startup’s growth, there are countless places where money is required.
If cash flow gets tight, I might have to issue bonds to secure cash.
“Don’t worry. If the coin skyrockets, all our problems will be solved.”
“……”
I don’t know when our hope turned into coins.
“Let’s hope for Bitcoin to hit $20,000 this year.”
I said in disbelief, “It would be a relief if it just goes over $5,000.”
“I think it will go higher than that.”
Before I left, I told Taekgyu, “Please take care of the company while I’m gone.”
“What should I do?”
“You just need to sit at your desk.”
Honestly, I don’t have much to do these days. My role as the CEO is to encourage the employees to work hard.
“Have a good trip.”
With Taekgyu seeing me off, I loaded my luggage into the car and set off. As I arrived at the Grand Dayton Hotel, I saw Ellie standing by the main entrance with a suitcase.
Instead of her usual black pantsuit, she wore a pink off-shoulder blouse that revealed her collarbone and a long, pleated skirt that reached her ankles.
Passersby, regardless of gender, sneakily glanced at Ellie.
As I parked the car, Ellie loaded her luggage into the trunk and got into the passenger seat.
“It’s our first time going abroad, just the two of us.”
“Right.”
Although we are going for work, we both seem excited, almost as if it’s a trip. Honestly, I feel the same way.
Upon arriving at the airport, we went through check-in and boarded the flight to Detroit.
First class was quite empty.
There were a few passengers, but since the space was separated, we rarely crossed paths.
Once the plane took off and we were free to move about, Ellie came over with a glass of wine.
“We paid a lot for this, so we should drink plenty of wine.”
“That’s true.”
We clinked our glasses.
Ellie lifted her shirt slightly and asked, “How do you like this outfit?”
It suited her perfectly, no doubt. She could easily be featured in a fashion magazine looking like this.
“Isn’t it maybe too revealing? Your shoulders are showing a lot.”
To be honest, many people at the airport had been staring at Ellie, which made me a bit uneasy. It felt like her undergarments might be visible if someone looked from above.
Ellie stuck her tongue out playfully.
“In Korea, everyone wears outfits like this.”
“……”
Am I being too conservative?
Ellie gazed at me with an expression that seemed to want to hear something specific.
“You look beautiful.”
At my words, Ellie squinted her eyes in response.
“Indeed, Jin-Hoo has a good eye.”
As we chatted while sipping our wine, the plane crossed over the Pacific Ocean.
***
The security personnel sent by the company were waiting in the airport arrivals area.
A large Caucasian man in his early forties greeted me, saying, “Nice to meet you, Representative Kang Jin-Hoo. I’m Ronnie Butler, the head of security.”
“Thank you in advance for your support.”
These were none other than the security personnel from X-Cop. After being acquired by Golden Gate and OTK Company, X-Cop established a corporation in the U.S. and entered the corporate security market.
Most companies with shares in OTK entrusted their security and protection to X-Cop.
With the security personnel guiding us, we exited the airport and got into the car waiting outside.
The model was a Chrysler 300C.
After CarOS acquired Chrysler, all company cars were switched to Chrysler vehicles.
For reference, while they are sold in Korea through dealers, they do not sell well. Even with a discount of over 10 million won, sales are disappointing.
It’s painful to say this, but for that money, it’s better to buy a Eunsung car. Alternatively, one could add more money and buy a German car.
There’s always a reason things don’t sell.
We first moved to our accommodation near CarOS headquarters to unpack our bags. Naturally, there were two rooms.
I changed into a suit, and Ellie wore a black pantsuit as usual. We then got back into the car to head to CarOS headquarters.
Upon arriving, Daryl and the executives were waiting for us, having finished preparing for the meeting.
I greeted them warmly and introduced Ellie.
“This is our attorney from the Golden Gate Korean branch.”
Ellie smiled and introduced herself. “Nice to meet you, I’m Ellie Kim.”
While a few, including Daryl, had met Ellie before, most were seeing her for the first time.
I first received a management report.
I was already aware that sales had plummeted and that losses were growing like a snowball.
“Let’s move on to the new cars.”
Ryan, the COO, displayed renderings of sedans and SUVs on the screen.
The design was clean and free of unnecessary embellishments. The streamlined body wasn’t breathtaking, but there was nothing particularly wrong with it.
“Some details may change during the mass production process.”
It’s a design that wouldn’t get tiresome even after a long time. What I appreciate most is that it completely erased the colors of the previous Chrysler models.
Now, the most important discussion remains.
Daryl spoke with a serious expression.
“The union has presented 21 demands, including wage increases, and they say they will go on a general strike if their requests are not accepted.”
