On February 12th, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) unveiled a research report detailing how major automobile companies are adhering to their commitments regarding payment terms to suppliers. The report reveals that the majority of these leading automobile companies have now shortened their payment terms to within 60 days, with the average payment period standing at approximately 54 days—marking a year-on-year decrease of around 10 days. Notably, four companies boast an average payment term of less than 50 days. Regarding payment methods, all 15 companies surveyed utilize cash or bank acceptance bills, with a select few opting for commercial acceptance bills. Additionally, two companies employ electronic vouchers for accounts payable and have pledged to gradually phase them out. When it comes to the proportion of cash payments, five companies exceed the 50% mark, and two even surpass 70%. In terms of preferential treatment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), 17 key companies calculate payment terms from the date of goods delivery and acceptance, ensuring the entire process does not exceed 60 days. Furthermore, 14 companies have implemented additional preferential policies, with two making 100% cash payments for goods supplied by SMEs, and five allowing SMEs facing financial constraints to apply for early payment.