Chapter 253: Toyota Akio

"Mr. Mitomi, I heard your recent situation is quite good?"

"Haha, not bad, not bad. Mr. Watanabe, you guys are the ones with really good profits! I envy you!"

On the same night, just a few hours after Carter had acquired Bass Bank for $240,000 under the witness of Patterson, that is FDIC. A group of Japanese people was also enjoying their happy time in a Japanese restaurant in New York.

"Well, it's all thanks to the Americans' arrogance! If they hadn't ignored the lessons from the last time and failed to research energy-saving and emission-reducing technologies, how could we be where we are today?"

"They did make some efforts though. Didn't the Masuki Act come out in the United States?"

"What? Oh, you mean that. Well, that's reasonable, but it's ridiculous that they only focus on the environmental pollution and never think about energy conservation. Unlike us, in Japan, we not only reduce emissions but also save energy!"

"Who asked them to have so many resources? Hey, it's all thanks to the Toyota President! Come on, let's toast to the Toyota President in this distant land!"

"To the Toyota President!"

Amidst the cheerful singing and dancing, a young Asian man in a suit, with just the top button of his collar slightly loosened, wearing a naive smile on his face, joined the crowd and raised his glass along with them.

Among the crowd dressed in kimonos, this young man not only looked young but also stood out from the others. However, at this moment, instead of being rejected by the others, he was warmly welcomed.

"Mr. Akio, I heard you're working at an investment firm in the United States now? No one's bullying you arrogant Americans, right?"

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle Watanabe. There's nothing like that! My colleagues and I get along well!"

The young man, named Akio, smiled faintly and shook his head.

"That's good! If you encounter any difficulties, remember to tell us anytime. We're your staunch supporters!"

Mr. Watanabe, patting Akio's shoulder affectionately, smiled warmly. Catching sight of Muraoka Minoru constantly signaling him from the side, Mr. Watanabe chatted a few more words with Akio before introducing him.

"Akio, let me introduce you to Mr. Muraoka. His company, Mitsutoshi Corporation, specializes in automobile bumpers, guards, and AB pillars, with outstanding product quality! And their factory is near your Toyota Mingzhi factory. If you could cooperate with them, it would be a win-win situation!"

"That's right, Mr. Toyota! Ever since I heard the news of the Toyota Mingzhi factory opening in '73, I've been hoping for a chance to meet you. I sincerely hope Mr. Toyota can send someone to visit my factory. I will definitely provide the most competitive prices for beam products! And the quality is excellent!"

Seeing Muraoka Minoru, who was full of enthusiasm and staring at him, Akio Toyota suddenly had a black line on his forehead.

Damn it, in '73, how old was I? Sixteen? Damn, I was still a high school student in puberty back then. You've been thinking about me since then?!

"I'm sorry, Mr. Watanabe, Mr. Muraoka. Although my surname is Toyota, I am not from Toyota Motor Corporation, am I? The current Akio Toyota is just an intern at an investment bank. If you have any investment ideas, you can come to me, and I am willing to provide some personal advice and insights. But if it's about Toyota's automotive business, you should go to my uncle, Mr. Toyota Eiji!"

Although internally going "Are you kidding me?", Akio Toyota maintained his indifferent smile on the surface, politely declining the two men.

Since his uncle, Toyota Eiji, became the chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association in '72, Akio Toyota's life had been full of people like Muraoka Minoru. Akio Toyota had long figured out his own way to deal with these "frenzied bees and fluttering butterflies."

That is, Akio Toyota is Akio Toyota! Toyota Motor Corporation is Toyota Motor Corporation!

You're looking for Toyota Motor Corporation, what's it got to do with me, Akio Toyota?!

Hearing Akio Toyota's naked refusal in his words, even Muraoka Minoru, who was reluctant to give up, did not dare to hand over the conversation to him again. Instead, in regret and disappointment, his brain quickly turned, trying to salvage this business opportunity.

And this person's brain turned, things became much clearer.

"Mr. Toyota is right. I was abrupt! I apologize to Mr. Toyota!"

After quickly apologizing, Muraoka Minoru followed up, speaking respectfully but with some restraint. But as soon as he finished speaking, Akio Toyota quickly took over the conversation:

"No need to be polite. It's me who should thank Mr. Muraoka for trusting my judgment! I wonder what good project Mr. Muraoka is interested in lately?"

"Well, it's uncertain whether it's a good project or not. I'm a bit nervous, so I specially came to ask Mr. Toyota for advice."

"It's okay. Tell me about it, and let's discuss it together."

"Hey! Recently, an American friend of mine introduced me to a line. He said there's a small city in the central and southern part of Georgia that's attracting foreign companies to set up factories by giving away free land, to help the local government solve the problem of high unemployment."

"Is Mr. Muraoka planning to open a manufacturing plant in the United States? Well, that's a good idea! The demand for Japanese cars in the United States market is increasing, and so far, the presence of Japanese cars in the US is not large enough. This is a good opportunity to enter the US market ahead of time!"

After quickly weighing the pros and cons in his mind, Mr. Toyota gave an affirmative response:

"The US economy is currently in a downturn, with a high unemployment rate. Taking advantage of the unemployment rate as a condition, not only can we obtain free land, but we should also be able to get a lot of policy subsidies or preferential treatment. Moreover, labor is cheap in the US, and raw material procurement is also convenient. The steel industry in North Carolina ranks among the top five in the US. If we establish a factory in Georgia, the distance is too close!"

"You're right, Mr. Toyota! So as soon as I heard this news, I sent my younger brother Kurirou to contact their person in charge. And then, my concern arose."

"What concern? What's the problem with this person in charge?"

"Well, he's... too young, even younger than you!"