小米汽车“未交车催尾款”败诉，官媒罕见批评

Core Viewpoint - The recent criticism from Xinhua Daily Telegraph highlights the need for fair trading practices in the automotive sales model, emphasizing that innovation should enhance consumer experience rather than allow companies to evade responsibility and seek profit [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Context - A court in Haikou, Hainan Province, ruled against Xiaomi's practice of requiring customers to pay the remaining balance before vehicle delivery, declaring such terms invalid and ordering Xiaomi to refund a total of 10,000 yuan to a consumer [2]. - This case is significant as it represents the first judicial precedent in China regarding the issue of demanding payment before vehicle delivery, effectively preventing Xiaomi from enforcing such practices [2][3]. Group 2: Consumer Experience - Reports indicate that consumers have faced similar issues with Xiaomi, where they were asked to pay the remaining balance before vehicle delivery, leading to potential order cancellations and forfeiture of deposits [3]. - The court's ruling emphasized that requiring payment without allowing consumers to verify the vehicle's quality violates fair trading principles and consumer rights [3]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The criticism from central media serves as a warning to the automotive industry, indicating that regardless of sales model innovations, maintaining market fairness is crucial [4]. - The widespread backlash against Xiaomi's practices reflects a growing consumer sentiment against unfair sales tactics, which could have broader implications for the automotive sector if such practices become normalized [4][6]. Group 4: Media Response - While criticism has been directed at Xiaomi, there have also been positive reports highlighting the company's commitment to innovation and development, indicating a complex narrative surrounding the brand [5][6]. - The central media's involvement in criticizing Xiaomi is seen as necessary to prevent the proliferation of unhealthy marketing practices in the industry, which could lead to significant negative consequences for the sector as a whole [6].