晚点LatePost·2025-08-15 10:57Core Viewpoint - The automotive industry is experiencing significant changes in payment terms and competitive dynamics, with a focus on reducing payment periods to 60 days for suppliers, but the effectiveness of these changes remains uncertain [5][7][10]. Group 1: Payment Terms and Supplier Dynamics - Many suppliers report that while automotive companies have announced a reduction in payment terms to 60 days, most are still receiving promissory notes or documents instead of cash [5][6]. - Smaller suppliers are seeing their payment terms shortened to 60 days, with some companies like BYD implementing cash payments, while larger suppliers are not experiencing significant improvements in payment terms [7][8]. - The implementation of the "60-day payment term" initiative is seen as a critical action against internal competition in the automotive industry, but many suppliers remain skeptical about its effectiveness [6][10]. Group 2: Industry Competition and Market Dynamics - The automotive industry is characterized by a lack of trust among competitors, leading to a pessimistic outlook for the future, with many believing that true change will only occur when enough players exit the market [6][10]. - The competitive pressure is shifting from automotive companies to larger suppliers, who are now required to extend payment periods to smaller suppliers, creating a new layer of competition [9][10]. - The industry is facing a price war, with companies exploring ways to enhance vehicle features without raising prices, indicating that the competition is far from over [10][16]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment and Future Outlook - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has initiated investigations into automotive costs and pricing, aiming to guide prices back to reasonable levels [16][17]. - Historical lessons from Japan's automotive industry suggest that government intervention and support for technological advancement can help alleviate intense competition and improve industry health [17][18]. - The current state of the Chinese automotive industry, particularly in the electric vehicle sector, is at a critical juncture, with potential slowdowns anticipated as incentives decrease [17][18].