经济观察报·2025-06-18 01:55Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the hidden truth within the automotive supply chain, where large parts manufacturers impose longer payment terms, creating significant pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) [4][7]. Group 1: Payment Terms and Their Impact - A recent lawsuit involving a mold company and a joint venture parts manufacturer illustrates the underlying issue of payment terms, where SMEs complete their work but face delayed payments from larger firms [2]. - The automotive industry has seen a positive response to commitments from automakers to a 60-day payment term, previously criticized for exploiting SMEs [3]. - However, large parts manufacturers, such as Huayu Automotive and Dongfeng Technology, have payment turnover days of 163 and 196 days respectively, indicating a trend of extended payment cycles that adversely affect SMEs [5][6]. Group 2: Industry Dynamics and Power Shifts - The payment turnover days are not equivalent to the contractual payment terms, as they reflect the actual payment cycles, which can serve as an indirect indicator of a company's payment practices and credit cycles [6]. - Some suppliers, while not directly affiliated with automakers, also exert pressure on SMEs, as seen with companies like CATL, which has a payment turnover day exceeding 258 days, indicating a trend of stringent payment practices [6]. - Large parts manufacturers leverage their negotiating power to impose even stricter payment terms on their suppliers, exacerbating the financial strain on SMEs [7]. Group 3: Need for Transparency and Fairness - To address the challenges posed by extended payment terms, there is a call for large enterprises to publicly disclose their payment policies, which is seen as a crucial first step towards restoring fairness in the industry [8]. - The article argues that while long payment terms may appear as a financial strategy, they should not undermine fair competition and the integrity of the industry credit ecosystem [9]. - The question is raised whether large parts manufacturers should also take a stance on the issue of extended payment terms, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility within the industry [10].