The dealers who purchase helmets, the largest helmet distribution center in China, told reporters that there was a rush to buy helmets in May this year. The factory price of ordinary electric bicycle helmets rose from 6 yuan to more than 30 yuan, and the retail price rose to 60 or 70 yuan. In June, the market calmed down a lot. I now purchase electric bicycle helmets mainly based on style and price.
"We will order some lighter, safer and more beautiful helmets from the manufacturer."
With the popularity of helmets, many small enterprises and self-employed households in Taizhou, Jinhua and other places have also joined the helmet production and marketing force. Zhao Wanli, a citizen of Jinhua, is one of them. He said frankly that there is no relevant national standard for electric bicycle helmets at present. They will customize some helmets with novel styles or novel functions from manufacturers, but they pay little attention to quality.
"We renovate the new model to meet our consumers. Now our own manufacturer estimates that if the new model comes into the market, (sales) will increase by more than 60% compared with the old model."
"Our helmets are made of new ABS materials, goggles are PC polycarbonate, and the buffer layer is EPS foam. These are the best materials in the market at present. The effect of the protective layer must be different."
More than 100 helmet manufacturing enterprises have been concentrated, accounting for nearly 40% of the national output. Yueqing Huixing Mopei Co., Ltd. can produce and sell more than 3 million helmets a year. Among the top ten stores of Tmall helmets, the stores under Huixing Mopei account for 7. Xia Xihai, the head of the company, said that in the industry, motorcycle helmets have mature national and industrial standards, while the production standards of electric bicycle helmets have not been clear. Their company's helmets are produced in accordance with the standards of motorcycle helmets and follow the brand line. However, due to the increasingly high cost, the profit has dropped again and again.
"The competition is fierce. Now the helmet (ex factory price) has changed from more than forty or thirty to more than twenty. Now there are more than ten helmets. Now there is no standard in the country. Everyone can sell as cheaply as possible and what they do."
In addition to the vicious competition, Xia Xihai also worried about one thing. The production of electric bicycle helmets according to the safety protection of the motorcycle with a speed of 140 yards per hour is not only heavy, but also poor in comfort. In order to obtain market recognition, it is necessary to carry out technical research and development on buffer layer materials. However, because of the unclear standards, enterprises are hesitant to invest in this area.
"If you sell a battery car helmet for 30 or 40 years, people can accept it. If you make it for more than 100 yuan, who will you sell it to? Now we support (establish) Zhejiang Helmet Industry Association, which is mainly established for the standard of helmets."
The Helmet Association is one of the earliest relevant associations in China, which gathers 40 major helmet manufacturers. Last October, the Helmet Industry Association released the country's first Group Standard for Electric Bicycle Crew Helmets. President Lu Mingchuan said that this standard is based on the national standard for motorcycle crew helmets, It is also proposed that "the shell shall be made of new ABS material" and "the buffer layer shall absorb more collision energy".
"The material of the shell is the key, and there is also an EPS inside, which is a buffer. If you fall down and cushion your head, it will protect your head from concussion. We require every enterprise and member to produce according to this standard. If they do not produce according to this group's standard, the enterprise is responsible for it. I appeal to the management department to strictly manage, if not such a good head Helmets cannot be worn. "
What should a qualified helmet look like in the face of the confusion of consumers and the voice of enterprises? Who is in charge of the quality standard of electric bicycle helmet? What does the relevant department say? The Quality Survey of Electric Bicycle Helmets continues to pay attention.
