虎嗅APP·2025-12-02 14:11Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the current state of the Chinese automotive industry, highlighting the excessive marketing tactics and the resulting internal competition that has led to a focus on extreme testing and promotional stunts rather than genuine product quality and safety [11][32][66]. Group 1: Marketing and Public Perception - A recent incident involving a car company's extreme marketing stunt at a scenic site resulted in negative public backlash, raising questions about the use of public resources and the approval processes of such events [6][8][11]. - The automotive industry has become increasingly obsessed with marketing gimmicks, leading to a disconnect between genuine product testing and promotional activities [11][12][13]. - The trend of extreme challenges in marketing, such as vehicles performing stunts that may not accurately reflect their safety or performance, has become a common practice among car manufacturers [25][28][31]. Group 2: Testing Practices - Automotive testing can be categorized into two types: rigorous technical testing with standardized procedures and marketing-driven tests that prioritize visual impact over technical accuracy [15][16]. - Many marketing tests, while visually impressive, do not adequately assess the vehicle's safety or performance under real-world conditions, leading to potential safety risks [24][55]. - The industry is witnessing a shift where safety has become a competitive aspect, with companies feeling pressured to demonstrate their vehicles' safety through increasingly elaborate and sometimes superficial testing methods [48][50][51]. Group 3: Industry Competition and Financial Health - The automotive sector is experiencing deep internal competition, characterized by aggressive marketing strategies and price wars that have led to a decline in profit margins [39][42]. - Data indicates that the profit margin for the Chinese automotive industry was only 4.5% in the first nine months of 2025, significantly lower than the national average for large-scale industrial enterprises [42]. - R&D investments among major automotive companies have surged, with a collective expenditure exceeding 92 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, reflecting a "arms race" mentality in the industry [44][46]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The article suggests that as the industry continues to evolve, the focus on safety and technology will become even more critical, especially with the rise of advanced driver-assistance systems [58][66]. - The competitive landscape will likely intensify, with companies needing to balance marketing efforts with genuine technological advancements to maintain consumer trust and market position [66].