Core Insights - The article highlights the challenges consumers face in the car trade-in process, particularly under the government subsidy program, which is intended to encourage vehicle upgrades but often leads to unexpected costs and dissatisfaction for buyers [1][3][4]. Group 1: Consumer Experiences - Many consumers, like Li Wei, initially perceive the trade-in program as beneficial, with subsidies reducing the cost of new vehicles. However, they later discover that trade-in values for their old cars are often undervalued by dealerships [1][4]. - Zhang's experience illustrates the common practice of dealerships providing inflated initial estimates for trade-ins, only to reduce the final offer significantly due to minor vehicle imperfections [5][7]. - Consumers report that dealerships often fail to honor promised subsidies, leading to frustration when they are informed that subsidy quotas have been exhausted at the time of vehicle pickup [9][10]. Group 2: Industry Practices - The article discusses the prevalence of deceptive practices in the automotive industry, where dealerships may use high initial trade-in quotes to attract customers, only to later reduce the offer through various justifications [10][12]. - The competitive landscape of the automotive market, characterized by rapid new model releases and aggressive pricing strategies, has led to increased pressure on dealerships to clear inventory, often at the expense of consumer trust [10][12][15]. - The financial strain on dealerships is evident, with many operating at negative profit margins, prompting them to prioritize short-term sales over long-term customer relationships [15][16]. Group 3: Recommendations for Consumers - Consumers are advised to be vigilant and request detailed breakdowns of costs and trade-in values to avoid being misled by bundled pricing strategies [18][20]. - Utilizing third-party valuation tools and inspection services can help consumers establish a baseline for their vehicle's worth, reducing the likelihood of being underquoted by dealerships [20][21]. - The article emphasizes the need for greater transparency and accountability from car manufacturers and dealerships to ensure that the trade-in program benefits consumers as intended [22].