The camera cut back to Jaime Medina just as he finished introducing the newest competitor in this year's Ward's 10 Best Engines: a manufacturer from China—Audi Motors.
Medina's tone was surprised but gracious.
"I hope Audi Motors achieves great results this year," he said, nodding supportively.
But that was diplomacy. The truth? Neither Medina nor most of the live viewers took it seriously. In their minds, China was still far behind, barely crawling into the modern industrial age.
Then Medina raised his voice.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, I won't keep you waiting. As always, let's welcome our opening ceremony guests to the stage!"
"I know many of you already peeked at the guest list… I swear, your leak channels are better than our staff!"
Laughter broke out across the crowd.
With the ceremony concluded, the real competition began.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the opening ceremony has ended. Now we welcome the five thousand lucky audience judges worldwide into the venue. It's time for our first segment—rating the year's most beautiful car exteriors and interiors!"
"I now declare the Ward's 10 Best vehicle design selection event… officially open!"
Medina's voice boomed.
Outside the venue, cheers erupted.
Inside, Audi's staff were a bundle of nerves. Fists clenched. Breath held. Eyes glued to the feed.
Haifeng? Completely calm.
He knew today's interior and exterior showcase was more about presentation than substance. The real prize was tomorrow's engine test.
Still, first impressions mattered.
The five thousand judges began entering the exhibition hall. They were carefully screened: no phones, no outside devices. Only the official scoring tablets were allowed.
Each automaker's team had access to live feeds from their booths in a separate lounge area. Giant displays showed real-time views and rolling scoreboards for every competitor.
Haifeng watched the screen.
The sales rep he'd chosen for the presentation stood inside the Audi booth, poised and ready. A bit nervous, but composed.
The first group of judges walked in. One by one, they moved to the first exhibit and began scoring on the spot, rating vehicles from 0 to 10 based purely on first impressions.
Around Haifeng, the other company reps began murmuring, especially the designers.
"I bet Carlos Rojas takes first again," someone said.
"Of course. That new Kia concept? All fresh sheet metal. No legacy constraints."
"We're stuck redesigning facelifts. He gets to go full prototype every time."
"Well, this year, BMW's got a shot."
"Our Ford entry's strong, too."
The conversation quickly devolved into bragging matches—who used more next-gen concepts, who had better wind tunnel data, who crammed more tech into tighter profiles.
That's when a man approached Haifeng.
Tall. German. Expensive suit. Confident smile.
"Mr. Lu, pleasure to meet you. I'm Walter, design director at Volkswagen Group."
Haifeng nodded coolly.
"Lu Haifeng. Chairman, Audi Motors."
Walter's smile didn't waver, but his words shifted tone quickly.
"Some colleagues in China told me your company has become well known over there," he said, with a subtle smirk. "Of course, here in the U.S., things work a little differently."
"I respect your courage for entering Ward's… but I'm afraid the results are already written."
He gestured smugly.
"This year, we brought a fully redesigned CC and Golf. New family design language, deep detail refinement—it's everything the judges look for."
"Volkswagen's exterior and interior design? Closest to true human aesthetics, no question."
Walter tilted his head.
"Forgive me for being blunt, but I imagine your cars are still… imitations? Inspired by others?"
He chuckled, clearly expecting Haifeng to bristle.
"We Germans are just honest like that."
Haifeng raised an eyebrow, unfazed.
"Mr. Walter, have you ever been to China?"
Walter blinked. "No. Too busy with work."
Haifeng's smile vanished.
"Then perhaps you should shut your mouth until you know what you're talking about."
Walter's face turned red.
"You—! Do you know who I am?!"
"An arrogant man with no understanding of the market he just insulted," Haifeng replied flatly.
Walter stood there, seething. For a moment, he looked like he might explode.
But Haifeng was already turning away, attention back on the scoreboard.