サムライキツネとのケルト外交 (UKUG-Ashi diplo)

[aimway921]

With the presentation of the AMO truck to the Royal Army, it was highly liked by the Army and the government. However, while AMO was able to produce the frame, body, and most parts, it needed Studebaker for the engine and transmission - and they needed it fast, as they were expected to send off troops to fight in the war relatively soon - weather or not they had any knowledge about when the blockade would end, thy did not disclose. Representatives of Studebaker, as well all the UKUG ambassador would be invited to the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which, since the last time the Gaelic ambassador visited it, has been relocated into the Royal Palace complex to increase the government's efficiency. 

As they enter the meeting chamber, which, being in the palace, was significantly nicer than the ones at the old location, they'd be greeted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tagomych, newly appointed Quartermaster General of the Royal Army Vessarion Shupkin, and a representative of the AMO company, Ostap Restov. 

[Greywall]

Earnhardt would enter the chamber with Studebaker representee Barry O'Hare.

[aimway921]

"Good day, Pan, Pani," Tagomych addressed the two Gaelics. "I apologize for such a short notice for this meeting - equally as much as I apologize the skipping of formalities - time is of the essense in the current wartime situation, so I shall cut right to the chase."

Tagomych motioned with his hand to Ostap Restov, who opened the folder in front of him and slid it across the table towards O'Hare. "We at AMO," he began, "have designed a simple, cheap and quick to build truck to supply the Royal Army with cargo vehicles for their logistics. In designing our prototype, we have cannibalized a Studebaker truck one of our executives purchased about a year ago, for it's powertrain - AMO's parent company is a railcar builder, and thus we only have the facilities to build the body and frame of the truck, but not the engine and transmission.

Which is why we wish to offer Studebaker a contract to supply AMO with engines and transmissions of the Studebaker Work Truck"

"And now as for why we called this meeting with the ambassador, rather than just AMO going straight to Studebaker," Tagomych picked up where Restov left off. "Due to the war time emergency, the Ashinaran government shall be the guarantor of AMO's payment obligations to Studebaker, whatever those shall be - we're here to discuss."

[Greywall]

O'Hare looked at the paperwork judgmentally, he didn't seem at all impressed and even annoyed by it. "Why? Studebaker has a truck, and the King just instructed us to supply allied CoN affiliates with the Rugg 34 cargo truck. Not to mention you can repurpose existing trucks for...whatever this is." He slid the papers back, "No, that's a waste. We need to conserve engine production for actual vehicles that work."

Earnhardt made an awkward sigh at the Gaelic businessman's rather harsh teardown of the proposal. They piped up saying, "We have been told by the crown once the Ashinarian blockade is lifted the Gaelic military is to send unrestricted war materials in order to counter the SU war fronts. So, i'm sure what Mr. O'Hare here means, is that in a way he could provide you with what you need without having to do RnD."

[aimway921]

"Because AMO's simpler design makes the truck cheaper for the Army," the Quartermaster General spoke for the first time since the start of the meeting. "More importantly, it means simpler maintenance in the field by our troops, who are, as much it pains me to admit, are at least 50% made up of peasants with low level of education - not to mention that all the maintenance will have to be made overseas, and thus all the materials will need to be shipped, since the fighting will happen on the continent and not on our islands."

"We do have an alternative offer," Restov said. "Sell us a production license for the engines. It does mean that the production of our truck will be delayed, as we'll have to set up our own engine production, but at least then the Army will be able to have twice as many trucks. Or even better - the needs of Army won't completely overshadow the needs of the home front and the civilian market, and while we make trucks for the Army, you can continue making trucks and other vehicles for use here at home.

As for a 'actual vehicles that work' - we already have a tested prototype that has been greenlit for production. All we need is a supply of engines."

[Greywall]

O'Hare silently pulled a pack of cigarettes and lightly tapped them in a gesture if he could be allowed to smoke, "It's not a matter of how cheap your frames are, its supply of transmissions and engines. The UKUG has ordered the construction of nearly 8,000 Ruggs, 300 of them to be built here once the metal frames are shipped from Ulster-Gaelia. Even then we're short 100 transmissions and I still need some bloody way to make the assembly happen without the crooknecks bombing us somehow. Eventually Galra will attack Ashinara, especially if you lot get more involved. Selling the license isn't up to the crown, its up to Studebaker, and i'm not sure that would be wise."

[aimway921]

Tagomych gestured towards the ash tray located on the side of the table that O'Hare could move towards himself if he wanted, while Restov answered: "If the issue is the supply of transmissions and your ability to manufacture them in time, then your insinuation of selling us the license being unwise seems... counterintuitive. If we could also produce them, we can essentially double the overall production numbers."

"As for your worry about the Galrans bombing the factories," Shupkin spoke again - "we can organize the relocation of production facilities further inland, into the mountains. It will mean that the production will be put on hold for at least several weeks, but it will be safer there. If anything, we can avoid having to spend time straight up build new factories by moving production lines into the old castles - with modern technology, their original purpose is obsolete anyways."