But Gerald did not want to retreat easily. On the one hand, in his thinking, Westerners' arrogance towards Easterners could not tolerate him to give in; on the other hand, Tomtom's stock price has basically fallen to the lowest level in history, and cashing out at this price has shrunk by more than 90% from the high-price era in Tomtom's history.

So even though Tomtom is still falling, Gerald still fantasizes that one day he can get up again. Although this fantasy is getting closer to the brink of shattering. The consultant is right, Tomtom is now declining and is losing streak in the market.

From the perspective of the overall market environment, those copycat products with strong imitation power in emerging markets such as China are obviously their nightmare. They are selling them at incredibly low prices. In China, you can buy a navigation device for US$50 or US$60. Although no one has heard of the brand, it can still sell well through channels such as c2c, digital stores, etc.

What's worse is that the popularity of smartphones is unexpectedly high. Smartphones with built-in navigation function are more eroding the market than low-priced navigation devices.

This is a navigation function with almost zero cost. Although it is simple, it is cheap and convenient enough for most low-end ordinary users. Copycat navigation products, together with mobile phone navigation, have impacted the low-end market of navigation instruments, and basically eroded them all.

In the high-end market, Tomtom's American peers ga

Min has already gained the upper hand and dominated the US market. Not to mention it, it has frequently launched offensives in emerging countries and European markets in recent years. In addition to the European market, Tomtom's market share in emerging countries has been very low.

Even though it still occupies the first share in the European market, most of this is achieved through OEMs through good relationships with several major European automobile companies.

Tomtom is no longer the era of high spirits in 2007 and 2008. This is the bloody market reality in front of Gerald. In recent years, Gerald has tried his best to reverse all this, but Tomtom still slid unstoppable towards the abyss. For this year's losses, Tomtom has even begun to stand on the verge of bankruptcy.

It can be said that being acquired is Tomtom's only option except bankruptcy. The market is expecting it.

Will Min take action? But for GA

For min, tomtom is not very valuable, including channels, brands, production capacity, technology, etc.

For min, it basically overlaps without bonus.

On the contrary, thousands of local European employees at Tomtom may become GA

Min. The heavy burden, thanks to Europe's high taxes, the wage costs of European employees are more than 60% higher than those of American counterparts. Tomtom is defeated by GA in the competition

min, this is obviously a very important reason.

However, hiring workers in Europe, especially Belgians, is the biggest difference between Gerald and the current company, Ceo Diabi. According to Diabi's ideas, the company's production and manufacturing should be transferred to emerging markets. Now is the era of globalization, and sticking to Europe is no longer suitable for the company's development.

But Gerald firmly resisted this idea. He was born in Belgian and it was unacceptable for him to give up his production factory in Belgium.

So tomtom for ga

The greatest value of min is that Tomtom's cooperation with several major European automobile manufacturers, but it not only requires a huge acquisition cost, but also the subsequent handling of unnecessary workers. In Europe, fired workers is not only economically burdened, but also politically considering it.

Therefore, for ga

For min, acquiring tomtom is not necessarily a good thing.

As an insider in the industry, Gerald certainly knew these causes and effects, but he would never admit them in person.

"Since you think tomtom is hopeless, why do you still want to acquire the shares in my hands? Isn't this a contradiction?" Gerald fought back powerlessly.

Looking at Gerald, who was a little arrogant across the street, after listening to the translated words, Cai Siqiang thought for a while and said, "Because we have the latest intelligent voice navigation device developed, and there is plenty of financial support."

"You will also have leading technology in navigation instruments?" Gerald said sarcastically, "In the Chinese market, we are competing with navigation instruments called counterfeit products. Apart from price wars, I have not seen anything special about Chinese counterfeit products." Gerald said bluntly.

Looking at Gerald's contemptuous expression and arrogant answer, Cai Siqiang couldn't help but get angry. Please make sure that I'm here to acquire you, not to be ridiculed by you. "Where is there any leading technology? Mr. Gerald can take a look at it yourself later. Our sal company raises $1 billion to enter the navigation device market. Whether there is tomtom or not, it will not affect our pace of progress."

After hearing Cai Siqiang's confidential words, Gerald just sneered secretly. In terms of navigation device technology research and development strength, although Tomtom dares not say first, the second and third are not enough to run. He absolutely does not believe that an Oriental company with no accumulation and fame can develop a world-leading navigation device.

"Is that so? Then I really want to see and see!" Gerald said. Although Cai Siqiang couldn't understand what he said, he could also hear the disdain in his tone. Then let you see and see and see. Although Cai Siqiang's face did not change, he felt cruel in his heart. When the company got it, Gerald would stay wherever he was cool.

Connecting the projector, Cai Siqiang played the actual test video of the prototype. Gerald started out in the navigation device technology, so he naturally knew the technological leadership of this new navigation device better than those venture capitalists. Tomtom also has the so-called voice navigation, but compared with the engineering products of SAL, if the sal engineering samples are as intelligent as adults, then Tomtom's intelligence is at most considered the level of infants and toddlers.

If it is really as shown in the video, Gerald can responsibly say that once this thing comes out, it's good tomtom, ga

It's also good that min can technically make their high-end navigation device products lose their advantages instantly. For the navigation device industry, putting aside bias, Gerald can confirm that this product is not an improved model, but a revolutionary replacement product.

However, without seeing the actual engineering products, Gerald really doubted the authenticity of the video. In his opinion, is there any such leading product and is it necessary to acquire Tomtom?

"Since your company has such a leading product, I can't think of the need to acquire tomtom." So after watching the video, Gerald shook his head stubbornly. This actual video clip was understood by Gerald as a negotiation method for Orientals, and he would not be moved by this trick.

After talking about this, it can basically be considered a failure.

The first time he was dispatched, he was not good at the start. Although Cai Siqiang was a little disappointed, he was not discouraged. Because there were two shareholders who could handle them and control the company.

Compared to Gerald, Diabi's attitude is obviously much more positive. He has long wanted to leave, but for his shares, if no one starts the acquisition process, Diabi will find it difficult to leave. Cai Siqiang's acquisition proposal is just right, but Diabi is still doubtful about whether Saal can save Tomtom.

As one of the co-founders of Tomtom, Diabi still has deep feelings for the company. Even if it transfers stocks, it is very hoped that Tomtom can regain its glory. However, as a startup company, Sal has no experience in the field of navigation instruments and only has an outstanding product. Diabi still doubts whether Sal has this strength.

As an investment company that owns 17% of the company's stocks, they only have one problem, that is, they can make up for the investment losses in tomtom. Therefore, in the face of Cai Siqiang's acquisition intention, the investment company demanded a premium of 30%.

After understanding the intentions of the three major shareholders, the M&A consultant held a new round of negotiations with Cai Siqiang's acquisition team and proposed a new acquisition plan. In the new plan, the company will be gained control of the company by appointing the shares of the second shareholder Diabihe and the third shareholder investment company.

Then the board of directors and the company's executive team were reorganized to completely control Tomtom Company, and then a restructuring plan was proposed. The most important thing was to separate Tomtom's brand and channels from production and R&D, and to establish a new company with the new achievements of SAL's R&D.

Of course, in this restructuring plan, Sal's wholly-owned subsidiary will promise that all ordinary shareholders can cash out their shares at the agreed acquisition price to ensure that ordinary shareholders and major shareholders have equal rights.

Obviously, if this plan is implemented, tomtom is dismembered and reorganized into a company responsible for production, research and development and a company responsible for sales operations. The most valuable part of SAL, that is, Tomtom's brand and channels, will be included in SAL. All Tomtom has nothing to do with value or even burden, making Gerard's shares worth less.

In theory, the production part of tomtom can become a tail that can be used to survive at any time, if the sal does not have to care about the political pressure of the workers.

This is a very cruel plan for non-cooperating major shareholders.

But Cai Siqiang liked it very much. To be honest, Europeans' life and death are all related to him. Sal only wants tomtom's brand and channels, just like when European and American companies came to join the domestic company and only wanted the domestic market, creating a record that an outdated model can be sold for more than 20 years.

Now, if you have the opportunity to recover some interest, Cai Siqiang will never mind accepting it with a smile.

ps: Sorry, it's a bit late today. I went out with my family during the long holiday. I just coded it out
Chapter completed!