Empire Rising: Spain - Chapter 253 - 64: The Prototype Automobile (Ten Thousand-Word - )

His Majesty also mentioned that the future appearance of automobiles is very important, and the configuration layout of the automobile needs to be carefully considered.

I don’t have much talent in this area, so I’ll continue to be responsible for the engine research. As for you, Benz, it’s too underwhelming to let you only handle engine research. I can’t bear to send you to Maybach’s side either.

How about this, you can be responsible for both engine and automobile research, which will allow you to fully exert your abilities.”

Daimler’s division of roles among the three was quite fair. Actually, in sum, Benz, Daimler, and Maybach could all handle both engine and automobile research. But everyone has their strengths and weaknesses; Maybach is more adept in the creative areas.

Daimler had deeper research into the four-stroke engine, so it’s not an issue for him to be in charge of engine development.

But Benz is the real all-rounder; his research capabilities in engines are not inferior to Daimler, and the first automobile was also Benz’s idea.

If Benz is assigned to develop a single area, it would be a waste of his comprehensive abilities. It’s better for him to handle both research areas, which not only fully utilizes Benz’s capabilities but also effectively advances the research progress on engines and automobiles.

Benz did not dare to make his own decision and looked towards Carlo.

Carlo smiled and nodded, having no objections to such an arrangement: “Mr. Daimler’s words are quite reasonable; let’s arrange it this way. Mr. Daimler will be responsible for the research and development of engines, Mr. Maybach will head automobile research, and Mr. Benz will be required to contribute on both sides, engine and automobile research.

Since your research projects have changed, your positions also need to be adjusted accordingly. Mr. Daimler will serve as Chief Engineer of development at the engine company, overseeing engine research entirely.

Mr. Maybach will serve as Chief Engineer in the joint automobile company, responsible for automobile development.

As for Mr. Benz, you will serve as a consultant in both companies, which is quite a demanding position.

There will be certain changes to shares as well. The engine company grants each of you a 3% share, while the automobile company grants each of you a 2% share.

Do you have any objections to such an arrangement?”

Carlo’s arrangements were still very fair, and none of the three had objections to their positions. As for the shares, they had originally been 5% in the engine company, now adjusted to 3% in the engine company and 2% in the automobile company.

Both the engine and automobile companies are very important, with significant future prospects. Whether this share allocation is a gain or loss compared to the original is unclear—it’s a substantial fortune in any case.

These shares were freely given to them by Carlo, so Benz and the others naturally would not object.

Though they contributed greatly to engine and automobile development, Carlo was the investor role.

In just a few years, the funds Carlo invested in engine and automobile development have already exceeded millions of Pessetas.

This amount is something Benz and the others could not have provided. Without Carlo’s investment, the advances in engine and automobile development would not have been possible.

The millions of Pessetas Carlo invested take any qualms from Benz and the others away.

Though the shares might seem small, their future value is immeasurable. Even at the lower end, it could be worth hundreds of thousands of Pessetas, and potentially millions or even tens of millions.

“No matter how your positions change, you all have contributed to the birth of this grand creation,” Carlo said with a smile.

Since the car has already been developed, the promised rewards must naturally be given. Carlo has not been stingy in this regard, and this time the rewards prepared for the engine research team, alone, these checks total over 300,000 Pessetas.

Even though the engine research room, from its inception, has expanded greatly in terms of scale and personnel, the total number of research staff currently is just over 100 people.

Many of them are helpers, but those who have made major contributions to engine research, or have significant contributions, are just about twenty individuals.

Benz and the other two as absolute heavyweights received the most rewards, each getting a check for 50,000 Pessetas.

The value of 50,000 Pessetas is about 1,921 pounds, which even for high-income senior engineers, is above the annual income level.

Since all three of Benz have families to feed, they were quite moved by this reward. Unlike the intangible stocks, this reward was something they could actually obtain, real money.

Benz and the other two took away 150,000 Pessetas, while the remaining 100+ research staff divided the other half.

The 20+ individuals with certain contributions received relatively more rewards, ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 Pessetas.

Even the most ordinary, non-contributing research staff received close to a thousand Pessetas as a reward.

These high rewards for the research staff had long been planned by Carlo. From his perspective, those who most deserved high income are certainly these scientists and researchers who made great contributions to the nation.

The research brought significant changes to Spain, and Carlo was also very generous with rewards for the researchers.