1,000 Days in Shanghai: The Volkswagen Story - The First Chinese-German Car Factory - Paperback

by Martin Posth (Author), Ian Travis (Translator)

Posth arrived in China with a vision. He navigated a steep learning curve, achieved his goals and now shares an insightful, first-hand account of an intriguing journey that included bumps and highlights. 1,000 Days in Shanghai is a breathtaking manual for anyone contemplating a business career in the increasingly vibrant arena of today's China. It is also a personal account, done with great sensitivity, revealing between the lines a deep respect for the spirit that propels China's social and industrial revolution today.
--Hans Michael Jebsen, Chairman, Jebsen and Co., Ltd.

To really understand China's economic development, one needs to look at the history of individual projects. This applies in particular to those who are considering a venture on site. This book by Martin Posth is a unique document on the subject: evidence of profound knowledge, didactically sound, with comprehensible conclusions--simply readable
--Prof. Heinrich v. Pierer, Former Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Siemens AG, Former Chairman of the German Asian-Pacific Business Commission, Co-Chairman of the German-Chinese Dialog Forum

This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to work in or via China. The personal experiences of a pioneering manager can also help management to see the transformation of China in a new light. Anybody wanting to be successful in China should heed the practical lessons that Martin Posth draws.
--Prof. Dr. Eberhard Sandschneider, Otto-Wolff-Director, Research Institute, Executive Officer, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)

In establishing the Volkswagen works in Shanghai at the beginning of Deng Xiaoping's reform era, Martin Posth made a breach in the wall behind which the People's Republic of China had dug its trenches up until then. His experiences are useful for anyone wanting to work the Chinese market with any degree of success. The fascinating reading that his report makes, and heeding his lessons, can help any entrepreneur to avoid costly mistakes.
--Dr. Theo Sommer, DIE ZEIT, Editor-at-Large

For the Chinese, this book by Martin Posth is a historic document on the Open Door Policy for foreign investors. It is a must-read.
--Prof. Xu Kuangdi, Mayor of Shanghai 1995-2001; Chairman, China Federation of Industrial Economics (CFIE); Co-Chairman of the German-Chinese Dialog Forum

Front Jacket

When Martin Posth was given the job to lead the first Chinese-German automobile factory, Shanghai Volkswagen, back in the 1980s, he had no idea what lay ahead of him: unclear political power structures, irritating entrepreneurial rules, an obscure mix of planned economy and business-driven requirements.

How can one gain a foothold in a completely alien world? How can you lead employees whose language you don't even understand? And above all, how can you win the trust of a Chinese partner that you are totally dependent on? This book shows you China like it really is: inviting and fractious, dynamic and backward, totally exhausting but incredibly exciting.

Martin Posth describes key scenes from the early days of the enterprise and shows what managers today can learn from them. A must-read for anyone looking to do business in China.

Back Jacket

Posth arrived in China with a vision. He navigated a steep learning curve, achieved his goals and now shares an insightful, first-hand account of an intriguing journey that included bumps and highlights. 1,000 Days in Shanghai is a breathtaking manual for anyone contemplating a business career in the increasingly vibrant arena of today's China. It is also a personal account, done with great sensitivity, revealing between the lines a deep respect for the spirit that propels China's social and industrial revolution today.--Hans Michael Jebsen, Chairman, Jebsen and Co., Ltd.

To really understand China's economic development, one needs to look at the history of individual projects. This applies in particular to those who are considering a venture on site. This book by Martin Posth is a unique document on the subject: evidence of profound knowledge, didactically sound, with comprehensible conclusions--simply readable!--Prof. Heinrich v. Pierer, Former Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Siemens AG
Former Chairman of the German Asian-Pacific Business Commission
Co-Chairman of the German-Chinese Dialog Forum

This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to work in or via China. The personal experiences of a pioneering manager can also help management to see the transformation of China in a new light. Anybody wanting to be successful in China should heed the practical lessons that Martin Posth draws.--Prof. Dr. Eberhard Sandschneider, Otto-Wolff-Director, Research Institute
Executive Officer, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)

In establishing the Volkswagen works in Shanghai at the beginning of Deng Xiaoping's reform era, Martin Posth made a breach in the wall behind which the People's Republic of China had dug its trenches up until then. His experiences are useful for anyone wanting to work the Chinese market with any degree of success. The fascinating reading that his report makes, and heeding his lessons, can help any entrepreneur to avoid costly mistakes.--Dr. Theo Sommer, DIE ZEIT, Editor-at-Large

For the Chinese, this book by Martin Posth is a historic document on the Open Door Policy for foreign investors. It is a must-read.--Prof. Xu Kuangdi, Mayor of Shanghai 1995-2001, Chairman China Federation of Industrial Economics (CFIE), Co-Chairman of the German-Chinese Dialog Forum

Author Biography

Martin Posth is a former member of the executive management board of Volkswagen AG and Audi AG.

In the mid-1980s, he built up Shanghai Volkswagen together with a team of pioneers. In the 1990s, he oversaw the Asia-Pacific business of the Volkswagen Group out of the regional headquarters in Hong Kong.

In June 1997, Posth was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of Shanghai."

Today, Posth serves as a member of the board of directors of various leading international companies and committees in Europe and Asia.