商业洞察·2025-06-15 07:49Core Viewpoint - The automotive industry is facing significant scrutiny regarding its payment practices and the phenomenon of "zero-kilometer used cars," which have been used to inflate sales figures and extend payment terms to suppliers. This has led to a collective movement among major car manufacturers to shorten payment periods to comply with new regulations [1][4][5]. Group 1: Payment Practices and Regulations - Major car manufacturers have announced a commitment to shorten payment terms to no more than 60 days, aligning with the newly implemented "Regulations on Payment to Small and Medium Enterprises" [4][10]. - Historically, payment periods for suppliers often exceeded six months, with an average accounts payable turnover days of 182 days for listed car companies in 2024 [10][16]. - The automotive industry has been criticized for its long payment cycles, which have been a common practice to manage cash flow and reduce financing costs [15][20]. Group 2: Zero-Kilometer Used Cars - The practice of selling "zero-kilometer used cars," which are essentially new cars sold as used, has been prevalent in the industry, allowing manufacturers to manipulate inventory and sales figures [24][31]. - This practice has created a dual pricing system that undermines consumer confidence and distorts the new car pricing structure [35][40]. - The zero-kilometer used car phenomenon has been linked to various financial manipulations, including the exploitation of government subsidies intended for genuine used car transactions [32][35]. Group 3: Industry Response and Challenges - Despite the regulatory push, many car manufacturers remain hesitant to fully abandon these practices, indicating a reluctance to change entrenched behaviors [38][51]. - The competitive landscape, characterized by aggressive price wars, has exacerbated the reliance on these financial maneuvers, making it difficult for companies to pivot away from them [39][50]. - The industry's long-standing practices of extending payment terms and utilizing zero-kilometer used cars are seen as symptoms of deeper issues related to market competition and financial health [37][49].