Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-06-15 15:56Core Insights - Major automotive companies are standardizing supplier payment terms to within 60 days, raising concerns about the implications for supply chain finance tools [1][2] - The implementation of new regulations aims to address the long payment cycles and "triangular debt" issues faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) [3][4] - The market for accounts receivable electronic certificates is projected to reach 4.4 trillion yuan in 2024, indicating significant demand for this financial tool [11] Group 1: Payment Terms and Regulations - Nearly 20 automotive companies have committed to a unified payment term of 60 days, but many have not clarified the calculation rules for this period [1][5] - The revised "Regulations on Payment of Funds to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises" mandates that large enterprises must pay within 60 days of delivery, prohibiting the use of non-cash payment methods to extend payment terms [3][4] - The new regulations are seen as a response to the increasing scale of accounts receivable, which reached nearly 26 trillion yuan by April 2023, with an average recovery period of 70.3 days [4] Group 2: Supply Chain Finance Tools - The discussion around the exclusion of accounts receivable electronic certificates from supply chain finance tools has emerged, with some advocating for a complete ban on such tools [2][9] - The accounts receivable electronic certificate was initially designed to alleviate financing difficulties for SMEs but has faced criticism for being misused by some core enterprises [11][12] - The recent regulations emphasize the need for a real trade background and set a maximum payment term of one year for electronic certificates, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability [16][17] Group 3: Industry Impact and Future Outlook - The automotive sector's shift towards standardized payment terms is viewed as a positive signal, but the actual impact will depend on the clarity of the payment cycle calculation [8][16] - The reliance on non-cash payment methods, such as commercial bills and electronic certificates, remains a concern, particularly for SMEs facing cash flow pressures [6][8] - The future of accounts receivable electronic certificates is uncertain, with industry experts suggesting that while there is a need for regulation, a complete ban is unlikely due to the existing demand [16][18]