Contents:

Abbreviations Chapter 1: China's Dream of Detroit-Wolfsburg's Gateway to Asia First sight of the factory in Anting History behind the deal Spurned by the Japanese: Citroën or Volkswagen Setting the foundation A Volkswagen pioneer for the Middle Kingdom Not a fairyland but an entrepreneur's playground Partnership premiere for the group Vision of the future Round the transatlantic world of Volkswagen Quick lessons: Prepare your China engagement thoroughly Chapter 2: Culture Shock, Chaotic Beginnings in Anting Arrival in a strange and fascinating world Living conditions in Shanghai then Piano, ballet in Shanghai, 1,000 year-old eggs Shopping, haggling, Hollywood at the Bund Fitting derelict buildings with modern machines Santana in China from below zero Mercury rising Delivery kinks The struggle for change Board work with "scientific management" Model discussions at the dinner marathon: Santana or Audi? Audis battle Santanas on Chinese ground Quick lessons: Avoid unnecessary start-up problems Chapter 3: Talent-The Secret of Our Success Changing a comrade's mindset The forgotten equation Laying the foundation for training Woes of the expatriates Too many Germans Faults and conflicts German expat solidarity Transferring management know-how Déjà vu Quick lessons: Forget China if you don't have China-compatible staff Chapter 4: Cash Shortages and Risky Financial Maneuvers Messy hand of central planning Budget blowouts and money problems The Chinese accepts higher costs Maiden bonds Quick lessons: Make sure your business in China is profitable Chapter 5: "Big Project" Poker Competition Dr. Hahn's ideas for reinforcing the partnership Building container ships Dealing with Beijing, central government Expedition to SAW in Shiyan China's automobile agenda 2000 The curse of waiting An "unofficial visit" to Changchun FAW and Volkswagen Quick lessons: Gain in-depth understanding of the nature of competition in China Chapter 6: Two Partners, One Dream: The Most Modern Automobile Factory in China Misunderstandings and red tape The battle against mistrust, fear and ignorance The problem with responsibility Big wolf Pioneering work in management Shanghai Volkswagen: Dreaming the same dream? Quick lessons: Create a solid foundation for intercultural cooperation Chapter 7: The Open Secret of the Learning Factory Interesting find Paul's intelligent production design Japanese in Shop 54 Capacity limits In search of perfection Introducing market mechanisms at the factory floor How to break the "iron rice bowl" Leadership: Encouraging partners to act Quick lessons: Use your "zero hour" in China Chapter 8: The Joint Venture and Its Parents The genie in our bottle-the spirit of collaboration Loyalties and conflict Principle of consensus versus pressure "from above" Putting forward one voice Clear words from Beijing and an official complaint from Wolfsburg Media distortions Quick lessons: Make sure local management has autonomy to act Chapter 9: The Santana: Trendsetter for Motoring Map to market Of markets and pricing Fighting central planners Advertising cars, the Chinese way The birth of customer service Dream car Dream Ship and a vision for China An Audi flag in Anting and its consequences Surprise session Quick lessons: Identify a specific and direct path to the customer and build on it Chapter 10: The Long March to Localization Fragmented auto supplies industry No compromises Beyond the Bund Pressure for progress Slow breakthrough Rev up from Zhu Rongji Quick lessons: Localization is the key to cornering the market Chapter 11: In The Dragon's Den: Politics in Deal-making Big trouble with the horn and the steering wheel A venture is like marriage Power of Shanghai municipality SVW runs out of time Waiting for the carrot, or the stick The end of Luo Pu Road Quick lessons: Secure political support for your project Epilogue: At the End of 1,000 Days Report card The factory-a role model of modernization Where east meets west Quick lessons: Enjoy sustained profits from you China operations Appendix Notes