中小零部件企业困于“账期游戏” 万亿汽车产业链的生死博弈

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese automotive industry has maintained its position as the world's largest producer and seller for 14 consecutive years, leveraging new energy vehicles to become a leader in the industry's transformation. However, thousands of small and medium-sized parts suppliers are caught in a silent "account period war" due to long payment cycles from major manufacturers [1][2]. Group 1: Long Payment Terms - Major manufacturers are extending payment terms, pushing many suppliers to the brink of financial collapse. The average accounts payable turnover days for listed automotive companies in China reached 156 days in 2022, with some exceeding 200 days, while German and Japanese companies typically keep it under 60 days [14]. - The long payment terms are a financial strategy where manufacturers transfer their financial pressure onto the supply chain, leading to significant cash flow issues for suppliers [5][14]. - Suppliers often face a payment cycle of at least 10 months, which includes a minimum of 2 months for material procurement and production, followed by several months of waiting for payment [6]. Group 2: Impact on Small and Medium Enterprises - Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly vulnerable, with many unable to survive due to long payment cycles. Cases of companies going bankrupt due to unpaid debts are increasingly common [9]. - SMEs often have to prepay for materials while facing long receivable periods from their customers, creating a severe cash flow crunch [8][9]. - The recent revision of the "Regulations on Ensuring Payment to Small and Medium Enterprises" offers some hope, but many remain skeptical about its enforcement [3][9]. Group 3: Comparison with Foreign Enterprises - Foreign enterprises generally offer better payment terms, with upfront payments ranging from 30% to 60%, and the remaining balance settled within 1 to 2 months [12]. - Domestic enterprises, in contrast, often have complex payment structures that lead to delayed payments, making it difficult for suppliers to manage cash flow effectively [11][12]. - The disparity in payment practices between domestic and foreign companies highlights the challenges faced by SMEs in the Chinese automotive supply chain [10][12]. Group 4: Need for Regulatory Enforcement - There is a call for stricter enforcement of regulations to protect SMEs from long payment terms and to ensure that large enterprises are held accountable for their payment practices [9][14]. - The low cost of violating payment regulations and the lack of accountability for large enterprises contribute to the ongoing issues within the supply chain [14]. - Establishing innovative supply chain financing mechanisms, such as reverse factoring, could provide a potential solution to alleviate cash flow pressures on suppliers [14].