全球车企“负债密码”：谁在负重前行，谁在轻装领跑？

Core Viewpoint - The financial status, particularly the debt ratio, is a critical factor determining the fate of automotive companies amid the global shift towards electrification and intelligence in the automotive industry [2][5]. Debt Situation of Global Automotive Companies - In 2024, the debt ratios of major global automotive companies generally exceed 60%, with some surpassing 80%. Ford leads with a debt ratio of 84.27%, followed by General Motors at 76.55% and Volkswagen at 68.92% [2][3]. - Among domestic companies, Chery has the highest debt ratio at 88.64%, followed by NIO at 87.45% and BYD at 74.64% [2][4]. Financial Metrics of Major Companies - The financial metrics for selected global automotive companies in 2024 include: - Toyota: Debt ratio 61.07%, total debt 273.09 billion, interest-bearing debt 186.95 billion [3]. - Ford: Debt ratio 84.27%, total debt 171.16 billion, interest-bearing debt 112.89 billion [4]. - BYD: Debt ratio 74.64%, total debt 58.47 billion, interest-bearing debt 0.286 billion [4]. High Debt Ratios and Industry Dynamics - The high debt ratios in the automotive industry are attributed to the capital-intensive nature of manufacturing, requiring significant investments in factories, equipment, and new technologies, especially during the transition to electrification and intelligence [5][6]. - Major international companies like Volkswagen and Ford are investing heavily in transformation, with Volkswagen planning to invest 170 billion euros from 2025 to 2029 for new product development and battery business [5][6]. Comparison of Debt Structures - The proportion of interest-bearing debt to total debt is a crucial indicator of financial health. Generally, a reasonable ratio is around 30%. However, many international companies exceed this, with Toyota at 68% and Ford at 66% [6][7]. - In contrast, domestic companies maintain lower interest-bearing debt ratios, with BYD at only 5%, indicating less repayment pressure compared to international peers [6][7]. Operational Health Indicators - BYD's operational health is reflected in its low accounts payable ratio, which stands at 31% of revenue, the lowest among domestic companies, indicating a strong position in supply chain management [9]. - The average payment cycle for BYD is 127 days, also among the shortest in the industry, suggesting efficient cash flow management [9]. Trends and Future Outlook - The overall debt ratio in the automotive industry is high compared to other manufacturing sectors, but recent reports indicate a downward trend in debt ratios among domestic companies, particularly BYD, which has seen a decrease of nearly seven percentage points in the last six months [9][10]. - The automotive industry is expected to undergo a new round of restructuring in asset and debt situations, with companies needing to balance scale expansion and financial health to thrive in a competitive environment [10].