Biography of Li Shufu cover

Biography of Li Shufu

Rating 3.0
Word count
111K words
Chapters
10
ISBN
9787548410645

Tags

Summary

No elite degree, no powerful connections—Li Shufu, an extraordinary young man from an ordinary family, created a legend in China's automobile industry. With intelligence and hard work he earned his first fortune; with audacity and persistence he built his own Geely empire; with dreams and wisdom he wrote the tale of the snake swallowing the elephant—the private company Geely Group's takeover of the world-renowned Volvo. Only those who dare to dream dare to act; only those who dare to act can win! Li Shufu, the 'Chinese Henry Ford,' proved this with his life.

Editor's review

With detailed research and vivid prose, Biography of Li Shufu paints a complete portrait of this legendary figure in China's automobile industry. Drawing on years of follow-up interviews, author Wang Baoheng not only chronicles Li Shufu's journey from a village boy in Taizhou to chairman of Geely Holding Group but also probes his distinctive business philosophy and strategic vision. The book's value lies in moving beyond a simple success story: it places Li Shufu's growth against the grand backdrop of four decades of reform and opening-up, showing how a private entrepreneur, armed with keen market instincts, unyielding determination, and a relentless pursuit of independent technology, carved a path in a highly monopolized industry. The meticulous reconstruction of Geely's landmark acquisition of Volvo is especially compelling, revealing the complex maneuvering behind the cross-border deal and Li Shufu's far-sighted strategic planning. Readers will come away not only with one entrepreneur's story of struggle but also with a glimpse of the arduous transformation and upgrading of Chinese manufacturing and the tenacious vitality of the private economy. For readers interested in Chinese business history and management, this is a work of both documentary value and inspiration.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Readers interested in the history of China's private enterprises
  • Automotive industry professionals and researchers
  • Entrepreneurs and managers seeking strategic inspiration
  • Those studying cross-industry innovation and international M&A cases

Not a good fit for

  • Readers expecting gossip or personal隐私 disclosures
  • Readers seeking quick-success formulas or fast-food reading

Reading tips

  1. Read alongside biographies of Western auto leaders such as Ford and Iacocca to understand corporate strategy in different market environments
  2. Pay attention to Li Shufu's commitment to R&D investment, crucial for understanding China's shift from manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing
  3. Note the timeline: the book spans forty years; compare with changes in China's reform-era economic policies to understand the context of corporate decisions

About the publisher

Harbin Publishing House China · Founded in 1988

Harbin Publishing House is a comprehensive city publisher known for classic works and social fiction. Its "Little Blue Book Classic Works Collection" includes modern literary masterpieces such as Lu Xun's Wandering and A Madman's Diary, and Xiao Hong's The Story of Hulan River; the complete Lu Xun fiction is also in its catalogue. In history, Lü Simian's History of the Two Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties appears in multiple volumes, while foreign literature and Eastern philosophy are represented by Yukio Mishima's The Temple of the Golden Pavilion and Spring Snow. Its authors include Lu Xun, Xiao Hong, Lü Simian and Yukio Mishima, as well as Yang Xiao, Tong Fan, Dong Haiyan and others. Common categories cover classic works, social fiction, history, foreign literature, Eastern philosophy and essays. Public information is limited, so this profile focuses on the publishing directions reflected in its 500 titles.

Contents

  1. 第一章 创造前传,农村小子打造摩托车王国1
  2. 第一章 创造前传,农村小子打造摩托车王国2
  3. 第二章 二次创业,成为一个汽车“疯子”1
  4. 第二章 二次创业,成为一个汽车“疯子”2
  5. 第二章 二次创业,成为一个汽车“疯子”3
  6. 第三章 跨国收购,李书福征战沃尔沃1
  7. 第三章 跨国收购,李书福征战沃尔沃2
  8. 第三章 跨国收购,李书福征战沃尔沃3
  9. 第四章 完美收购,成就蛇吞象的完美神话1
  10. 第四章 完美收购,成就蛇吞象的完美神话2

FAQ

How does this book differ from other biographies of Li Shufu on the market?
The author conducted long-term frontline interviews and obtained substantial firsthand material, offering more detailed and authoritative accounts of key events such as Geely's acquisition of Volvo and its stake in Daimler, and emphasizing the interplay between individual destiny and industry change with greater analytical depth.
Does the book cover details of Geely's technological development?
Yes. Considerable space is devoted to Li Shufu's commitment to independent R&D, from early imitation to independent innovation and global technology integration, with a clear account of core technologies such as transmissions and new energy vehicles.
How objective is the book's narrative?
The author maintains an objective biographer's stance, affirming Li Shufu's strategic vision and boldness while faithfully recording early setbacks, controversial decisions, and the origins of his 'car madman' reputation in the industry, resulting in a well-rounded portrait.

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About the author

王保蘅 Author

Wang Baoheng is an author for whom little public information is currently available; details such as place of origin, dates of birth and death, and educational background have not been clearly recorded. Judging from the three works held in the collection, Wang Baoheng's writing spans two categories: social fiction and biography. Representative works include The Flowers of War, a social novel, and two biographies, Zuo Zongtang: A Biography in the Pocket Biography Series 2 and Li Shufu: A Biography. The novel addresses the fate of characters within a particular historical setting, while the biographies focus respectively on the late Qing official Zuo Zongtang and the entrepreneur Li Shufu, showing the author's interest in both historical figures and contemporary business figures. Overall, Wang Baoheng's works combine literary narrative with documentary portraiture and are aimed at general readers, with an accessible style and structure. Given the limited material available, a fuller picture of the author's oeuvre and writing style awaits more works and commentary.

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