Chapter 73. PureCell Day (2)

Barnett laughed in disbelief.

“Surely you don’t really believe that report?”

“I do.”

“So you’re saying everyone here has been fooled?”

“Exactly. It’s because the media has been writing articles without proper verification.”

‘Is she saying this for me to hear?’

Barnett asked, sounding annoyed.

“Do you have any evidence?”

“Of course.”

Trish looked around again, confirming no one was nearby, and then whispered.

“Have you seen the T1 FCV driving video?”

“So what?”

“It wasn’t actually driving. They just rolled it down a hill.”

“...What?”

“The new car being unveiled today is just a fake shell.”

“...”

It was such an absurd story that Barnett didn’t know how to counter it.

Trish clenched her fist and said.

“I’m going to expose everything at this event. I’m only telling you this so you can use it in your article.”

Barnett thought she understood why Trish was doing this.

‘Since writing a similar article to others won’t get much attention, she’s trying to write something no one else will.’

When everyone says something is true, saying it’s false can grab attention for a while. That’s why conspiracy theory articles occasionally appear.

The problem is what comes next.

Public criticism will pour in, and Thomas Motors won’t just sit by.

But since she’s determined to do it, what could he say?

‘Maybe a lawsuit will make her see reason.’

* * *

The highlight of the PureCell Day event, Thomas Motors’ presentation, began.

The lights brightened, and Brad Button, the CEO, appeared on the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to PureCell Day!”

“Wow!”

Cheers and applause erupted.

He looked around at the audience and said.

“Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 experiments to commercialize the light bulb. When asked how he endured 999 failures, he replied, ‘I didn’t fail 999 times; I discovered 999 ways the light bulb wouldn’t work.’ We are no different. We have discovered hundreds of reasons why hydrogen cars couldn’t run. And now, we have finally found one reason why they can. Introducing the T2 FCV!”

The screen opened to reveal a massive white truck rolling forward.

The aerodynamic body bore the word “THOMAS.” The sleek design, as if from the future, left the audience in awe.

“Electric trucks currently on the market can only travel 300 miles and take at least an hour to charge. Even for urgent cargo, you have to wait an hour with the charger plugged in. Who in their right mind would make such a car?”

The audience burst into laughter.

“But the T2 FCV is different. Equipped with a 220kW hydrogen fuel cell system and 12 high-pressure hydrogen tanks, it can travel 1,000 miles on a single charge. How long does it take to charge? Just 10 minutes!”

“Wow!”

Cheers and applause erupted from all directions.

Brad Button continued, displaying more slides.

“That’s not all. Each motor operates independently to control the body and prevent jackknifing. The fuel tanks are placed low to lower the center of gravity and reduce the risk of rollovers in accidents. Our special design reduces the drag coefficient to 0.35, improving fuel efficiency, and it features advanced autonomous driving technology for platooning, allowing it to drive without driver intervention!”

A new graph appeared.

It compared the economic benefits of diesel trucks and hydrogen trucks.

“The T2 FCV, thanks to our fuel-saving technology, costs only one-fifth the fuel of conventional trucks. It will reduce accident rates and drastically cut transportation costs, benefiting not only transportation workers but also consumers worldwide!”

1,000 miles of range, 10 minutes to charge, advanced autonomous driving, and 20% fuel costs!

It was nothing short of a dream truck.

The audience applauded and cheered.

Brad Button gestured for more applause and shouted.

“Many said it couldn’t be done, but we did it! We produce hydrogen using solar power and transport it across the U.S. with hydrogen trucks. Hydrogen is 100% clean energy, using no fossil fuels. The true hydrogen economy begins now. Thomas Motors’ hydrogen trucks will traverse the world, starting with the U.S. We plan to build 150 hydrogen stations across the country in collaboration with Huaan Energy.”

A map of the U.S. appeared on the screen, and lights lit up at the planned station locations.

The audience applauded again.

As the atmosphere reached a fever pitch, Brad Button took questions from the press. Dozens of reporters raised their hands.

He pointed to a beautiful female reporter.

“First row, female reporter. Please ask your question.”

It seemed random, but the reporters were pre-selected and given a list of questions to ask.

The female reporter stood up with a microphone.

“Hello, I’m Vanessa Rose from The New York Times. First, I’d like to ask about the differences between the T1 FCV and the T2 FCV.”

“The T1 FCV is a flat-front cab-over type, while the T2 FCV is a conventional type with a long hood. The T2 FCV has a larger cargo capacity and longer range. Both models will be released with enhanced double-cab versions for added convenience.”

“Many companies are eagerly awaiting the release of Thomas Motors’ hydrogen trucks. When do you expect to start official sales?”

“We are in discussions with GM. We have signed an MOU for GM to handle part of the production, and we are modifying our production lines in Michigan. T1 FCV production will begin there first.”

This statement was essentially an official announcement of the production collaboration with GM.

The audience cheered and applauded.

“I understand there is significant international interest in Thomas Motors. What are your plans for overseas expansion?”

“The economic benefits of hydrogen trucks have been proven, and we are receiving pre-orders from around the world. We plan to establish overseas offices in Europe and Asia first and begin full-scale international expansion next year.”

After a few more questions, Rose smiled and said.

“Thank you for your answers. This is Vanessa Rose from The New York Times.”

The audience applauded, and other reporters began asking questions.

The answers flowed smoothly since the questions were known. Each time Brad Button responded, the audience erupted in applause.

Another reporter stood up with a microphone.

“I’m Trish O’Connor from The Wall Street Times.”

Hearing the name of an unfamiliar media outlet, Brad Button tilted his head.

‘The Wall Street Times? Did Huaan Energy arrange this?’

O’Connor asked a question he hadn’t anticipated.

“According to a recent report by Continu Capital, Thomas Motors’ technology is entirely fake, and they issued a sell recommendation. What do you think about this?”

This was not on the pre-arranged list of questions.

Brad Button was taken aback but quickly regained his composure.

“Entirely fake? I’ve never heard such nonsense. What is Continu Capital, anyway? A bunch of suit-wearing, glasses-wearing idiots tapping calculators and spouting nonsense in reports? Maybe they’re just upset they didn’t buy our stock.”

Laughter erupted from the audience.

“Many reports have attacked Thomas Motors. When someone tries to do what no one else can, some people just complain, ‘It can’t be done,’ ‘It’s too risky.’ If Thomas Motors lacked technology, would GM have acquired a stake? Would Huaan Energy have invested in hydrogen infrastructure? This is what we have achieved!”

The audience applauded and booed the reporter.

But O’Connor continued undeterred.

“Continu Capital also claims that the T1 FCV video released earlier was not a driving video but a car rolled down a hill. Is this true?”

Barnett thought to herself.

‘What is this ridiculous question? Is she trying to get attention?’

The audience also found it absurd.

‘Is she a reporter or a troll?’

‘What? Rolled down a hill? Is she crazy?’

‘Is this what passes for a reporter?’

The media attacking Thomas Motors was nothing new, but this was taking it too far.

Seeing a car drive and saying it was rolled down a hill!

Barnett shook her head.

‘She’s really going to ruin herself. Is she trying to embarrass herself?’

Ignoring the audience’s thoughts, O’Connor pressed on.

“Was the T1 FCV in the video actually powered by a hydrogen fuel cell?”

Brad Button looked annoyed.

“I don’t understand why you’re asking such a question here. What are you trying to do?”

Boos erupted from the audience.

But she persisted.

“Is it true or not? That’s all I need to know.”

“Are you suggesting the video was manipulated?”

“I’m not saying that. I’m asking if the T1 FCV was powered by a fuel cell in the video.”

“The video has not been manipulated!”

“I’m not asking about manipulation. I’m asking if it was powered. If it was, just say so.”

“You should know if you saw it. It was exactly as shown.”

“Was the scene in the video a real drive or not?”

“The T1 FCV moved. It reached 60 miles per hour.”

“So was it powered or just inertia? Why are you dodging the question?”

Brad Button forced a laugh, hiding his confusion.

“I don’t know where you’re getting this nonsense, but I don’t need to answer such questions.”