Especially after the test pilots accompanied them on a flight, they came down with faces full of excitement, praising it endlessly.
"Do you sell this aircraft?" An older, dark-skinned foreman eagerly asked, "Can it really carry half a ton of cargo for three hundred kilometers?"
Half a ton of cargo, three hundred kilometers — these two data points seemed to hit the potential customers’ vital spots, making them extremely excited and unable to stop.
Zhou Qingfeng laughed heartily and answered, "Sell, of course we sell. The data is real, we’re running tests, you can watch every day.
If necessary, I can even allow you to join in the testing phase, like beta testers, first to experience, first to give feedback...
You know what beta testing is, right?"
The dark-skinned foreman nodded repeatedly, indicating he understood. He immediately asked, "The price, how much is this aircraft?"
"One million each..." Zhou Qingfeng reported a number.
"One million US dollars?" The foreman’s tone instantly dropped, a disappointed look appearing on his face, "That’s too expensive."
Zhou Qingfeng smiled and explained, "One million US dollars refers to the high-end model suitable for the US market.
We also have some simplified models, suitable for price-sensitive users.
After all, there are many low-income customers in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We can’t ignore their needs."
The foreman’s eyes reignited with hope. He rubbed his hands and eagerly asked, "Then how much for the simplified model?"
Zhou Qingfeng was momentarily speechless; he hadn’t precisely calculated the cost of the simplified model. So, he turned around and pulled the on-site test personnel over, asking:
"If it only meets the basic requirements for take-off, navigation, and flight, what is the cost of this low-altitude aircraft?"
"Basic flight performance?" The test personnel scratched their head, speaking hesitantly, "President, no matter how simplified, we can’t compete with the price of old second-hand piston trainers."
Zhou Qingfeng frowned and spoke firmly, "Piston engines need fuel and are difficult to maintain. Our aircraft uses electricity; the electric motor hardly requires maintenance.
For underdeveloped areas, electricity can be slowly accumulated through solar panels; fuel cannot. Give me a price for the most basic system."
The test personnel looked troubled and lowered their voice, "If it only requires the most basic system, we can indeed keep the price very low.
Asian, African, and Latin American countries don’t have air traffic control issues, and remote area navigation can rely on satellites; the pilot is fully dependent on flying, as long as the flight control system works.
In that case... in that case..." He paused, seemingly calculating the cost, then continued:
"With our country’s cost control ability, the aircraft price would not exceed a high-end household car.
But such a product is excessively simplistic, not in line with current trends, and detrimental to the company’s image."
"Company image? Who needs that stuff?" Zhou Qingfeng heard this, turned to look at the foreman, and smiled:
"I’ve asked the engineer, for the lowest simplified model, we can lower the price to one hundred fifty thousand RMB, which is about twenty thousand US dollars."
The test personnel were dumbfounded upon hearing "one hundred fifty thousand" — I meant slightly high-end car prices, one hundred fifty thousand RMB can buy a luxury car.
However, the dark-skinned foreman’s eyes lit up, he pursed his lips, rubbing his hands, "Really? Twenty thousand US dollars for one aircraft.
This price is still a bit high.
But a vertically taking off and landing, electric-powered aircraft that carries half a ton of cargo within three hundred kilometers. When you think about it, this price seems acceptable."