Auto industry association urges fair competition, opposes ‘price war’

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) issued an initiative on Saturday, urging domestic new energy vehicle (NEV) producers to maintain a fair competitive order and avoid disorderly price wars.

NEVs, as a prime example of China’s new quality productive forces, are fueling the rapid transformation and advancement of the automotive sector. Ensuring the industry's healthy growth is vital, CAAM said in a statement posted on its official WeChat account.

The association calls on all companies to strictly follow fair competition principles and operate in accordance with laws and regulations. It stresses that leading firms should not stifle other businesses or infringe on their legitimate rights in order to achieve market monopolization, as outlined in the statement.

The statement further emphasizes that, aside from legally lowering prices to clear inventory, companies should avoid selling products below cost or using deceptive advertising that misleads consumers, as these practices disrupt market order and harm the core interests of both the industry and its customers.

CAAM urges all companies to perform self-inspections and make corrections in line with relevant national laws and regulations.

In recent years, China’s NEV industry has developed rapidly, with new energy vehicle sales accounting for over 40 percent of new car sales.

The industry is showing a steady and positive trend, with sustained market vitality, the statement noted. However, it also highlighted that, for some time, declining industry profitability, driven primarily by rat-race competition primarily in form of disorderly "price wars," has been a significant factor in the sector's challenges.

Since May 23, a certain automaker initiated significant price cuts, prompting multiple companies to follow suit, sparking fears of a new round of "price war," the CAAM statement said.

The statement calls on the entire industry to work together to maintain a fair competitive order and promote the healthy, sustainable development of the sector.

Regarding the latest initiative from the Chinese auto industry self-regulatory body, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), voiced strong support, pledging stricter oversight to curb cutthroat competition.

Measures include strengthening market supervision against unfair practices, enhancing quality inspections to ensure product consistency and encouraging innovation-driven cost reductions rather than price slashing.

Price wars benefit no one -- they erode profitability, stifle research and development efforts, and undermine industry growth, an MIIT official said. The MIIT urge firms to compete on technology and service quality instead.

Auto industry association urges fair competition, opposes ‘price war’

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests