In the late Qing Dynasty, how did Mercedes-Benz successfully sell cars in China, where there were no roads?Let's unravel the mystery of this history together. At the same time that European and American countries opened the door of the Qing Dynasty through the strength of ships and guns, Mercedes-Benz was also determined to enter this huge market. However, in the face of China, which has no roads and no gas stations, and the Empress Dowager Cixi's dislike of foreign gadgets, Mercedes-Benz is facing a huge challenge.
During the Tongzhi period, the British built a railway at their own expense, causing panic among the local people. Even during the Guangxu period, the Qing Dynasty built a coal railway on their own, but they still used horse-drawn carts. The Empress Dowager Cixi not only did not like these novel foreign gadgets, but even the Chinese people at that time were not interested in them.
However, the arrival of an Italian prince changed everything. In 1907, Prince Borzis, the new minister of the Italian Embassy, was keen on automobiles, which became an opportunity for Mercedes-Benz in the Chinese market. At that time, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Cars, the French newspaper "Morning Post" launched a car rally in Beijing, attracting the participation of the world's top car driving masters.
Prince Borziz and three Italians formed the Italian team, which competed with four French teams. The rally caused a stir in the city of Beijing, but it also led to security problems. In order to maintain law and order, the Admiral of Beijing Jiumen and the Empress Dowager Cixi began to pay attention to this matter. Since there were no relevant approval procedures for Qing **, the foreigners came up with an ingenious idea: to hold a rally and drive these iron guys away. The official felt inspired and gave approval, and the rally kicked off with the sound of foreigners.
However, crossing the steppes of China and Outer Mongolia and then passing through Russia was a big challenge for China, which had no roads at the time. The car had to be carried by a Chinese farmer, who carried it up and down a section along the way. On the territory of **, they began to move along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Although some vehicles were scrapped along the way, in the end, Prince Bortes became the first contestant to arrive in Paris. Although the success or failure of the competition cannot be verified, the publicity effect is very significant.
Mercedes-Benz took the opportunity to give a car to the Empress Dowager Cixi, but unfortunately, the Empress Dowager Cixi did not sit in the car, because the driver always sat in front of her, which was not in line with etiquette. Despite this, this incident became the beginning of the acceptance of automobiles by the dignitaries of Beijing.
This rally in the late Qing Dynasty not only changed people's perception of automobiles, but also won Mercedes-Benz a good reputation in the Chinese market. This story shows us that success can be so easy, even in the face of difficulties, with innovative thinking and activities that are in line with the trends of the times.
The story of Mercedes-Benz's success in promoting cars in the Chinese market in the late Qing Dynasty is truly amazing. This article details the background of Chinese society at that time and how Mercedes-Benz successfully entered the Chinese market by changing people's perception of cars through a car rally. I have some deep thoughts and comments on this historical story.
First of all, through vivid descriptions, the article shows the closed and conservative Chinese society in the late Qing Dynasty. At that time, there were no roads in China, the Empress Dowager Cixi did not like foreign gadgets, and the people were full of curiosity and fear of new things such as cars. In this environment, Mercedes-Benz faced serious market challenges, but they found a breakthrough through a unique rally.
Second, the importance of innovation and the ability to adapt to the market is demonstrated in this story. Rather than give up because of the predicament at the time, Mercedes-Benz managed to attract a lot of attention by building a rally track at its own expense, skillfully integrating local Chinese culture and traditions. This flexible and innovative strategy paved the way for them to successfully open the Chinese market.
In addition, the role of Bortes, the Italian prince involved in the story, is also quite highlight. As a fan of cars, he actively participated in car rallies and became the first participant to arrive in Paris after the race. His enthusiasm and participation not only add a lot to the rally, but also shorten the cultural distance between China and the West to a certain extent. This kind of cultural collision and exchange is of positive significance for promoting understanding and communication between different countries.
Finally, the story also reveals Mercedes-Benz's marketing methods. By giving cars to Qing dignitaries for free, Mercedes-Benz tried to use the influence of these elites to get more people to accept cars. Although the Empress Dowager Cixi did not personally sit in a Mercedes-Benz car in the end, this ingenious marketing strategy laid the foundation for their promotion in the Chinese market.
Overall, the story is a testament to Mercedes' ability to innovate in the face of difficult circumstances, adapt to the market, and break down cultural barriers through unique activities. This cross-cultural experience not only leaves an interesting mark on history, but also provides some inspiration for the development of enterprises in today's international market.
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