The 7-day National Day holiday was originally meant for long-distance driving, but plenty of owners have slotted modification shops into their schedules. The two questions I run into most often: one is "can I get it installed before National Day in time for the trip"; the other is "will it be cheaper to install after National Day." Both questions really come down to the timing window for business vehicle floor modification.
Below I'll break it down into three time slots. These windows aren't made up—they're reverse-engineered from the shop's shipment rhythm over the past few years.
▲ National Day car floor modification—real photo of the 3 most cost-effective time windows
First window: 915–925 (off-peak shipment season)
This timing is the most comfortable for car owners.
Why? Several modification shop owners I'm acquainted with have told me that mid-to-late 9 is the slowest stretch of the year. Summer break is over, and parents during back-to-school season aren't thinking about modifying cars; National Day hasn't arrived yet, and last-minute owners are still on the fence. During this phase, foot traffic at shops is thin and workers have time on their hands. Tell the dispatcher "I've got one extra install," and you can usually negotiate lower labor costs.
A Beijing Buick GL8 owner who installed HPL pressed flooring last September 20 paid over 800 yuan less than post-National Day quotes, mainly because the shop's technician overtime and master installer commissions were knocked down.
How much can you save? According to feedback from several modification shop owners, prices during this window are typically 5%–8% lower than peak season, even with labor fees included and materials not discounted.
Second window: 928–930 (3 days before National Day)
This timing window is reserved for owners "rushing to hit the road for National Day."
I get the owner's mindset—"since I'm doing a long trip anyway, might as well get the floor done first so the new vehicle feels nicer on the road." But during this stretch, the shop's installers are all rushing jobs, so prices aren't necessarily the lowest.
But here's a counterintuitive move: many shops roll out a "National Day Modification Package" during this stretch, bundling decorative strips, running boards, and welcome lights together. The floor price alone isn't necessarily cheaper, but the total ends up 15%–20% less than doing them separately after the holiday. I polled modification shop friends in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, and the pattern holds across all three cities.
Best for: owners who were already planning a full package—floor + running boards + welcome lights. If you're only doing the floor, skip this window.
Third window: 108–1015 (first week after National Day)
This is the most counterintuitive window.
During National Day, shops are either closed or only taking urgent jobs, so the first week after the holiday opens with a brief "empty window." One figure from last year stuck with me: a Shanghai shop took in only 2 car modifications on October 9, compared with a normal weekend's 6–8 vehicles.
To pull in traffic after the holiday, shops often roll out "Double 11 preview" or "National Day return" promotions. But this window has a downside—dedicated parts for popular models (Denza D9, AITO M9, Voyah Dreamer) can take 3–5 days. If you need to get on the road fast, this window isn't for you; but if you're not in a rush, the first week after the holiday is often one of the cheapest stretches of the year.
Best for: owners with flexible schedules, no rush to hit the road, planning a full package.
Before choosing a window, confirm two things
First: whether your model's parts are in stock. This directly determines which window you can pick. Hot sellers (Denza D9 / AITO M9 / GAC Trumpchi M8) have deep stock and work for all three windows; niche models (Arcfox, Lynk & Co 900, etc.) require parts to be ordered, making the first window the most cost-effective.
Second: whether the shop can finish in 3–5 days. HPL pressed flooring installation typically takes 2–3 days, plus 1–2 day for ventilation and off-gassing, so to get installed before National Day you must place the order by September 27.
Beyond timing windows, two more money-saving details
One: avoid the "factory-side peak." Raw materials like aviation aluminium and PE core materials see a price bump every March–4 and September–10, because downstream automakers concentrate their purchasing. Modification shops pass the cost pressure on to car owners. Unless you're in a rush, avoiding those two months saves the most.
Two: keep an eye on authorized shop promotions. Authorized shops receive manufacturer subsidy slots (not the shop's own discount), and the subsidy is usually a fixed ratio—for example, one brand releases 3–5 fixed "trade-in" slots every month. If you're a returning customer, ask the shop about promotions—it's easier than negotiating price on its own.
Summary: who the 3 windows are for
Comparison of the three time windows:
- 915–925: lowest price of the year, suited to owners not on a tight schedule
- 928–930: package deals are the most cost-effective, suited to owners doing a full package
- 108–1015: cheapest post-holiday window, suited to owners with flexible schedules
Expert: Lin Xiaodong, automotive consumer market researcher, 12 years, special expert at the China Consumers Association Automotive Branch, editor-in-chief of the annual consumer report.
FAQ
Q: Are modification shops open on National Day itself? A: Most modification shops close for 1–3 days during National Day, with nearly all shutting down from 101 through 3. From 104 onward, some shops reopen, but installers are short-handed, so booking in advance is recommended.
Q: How long does floor modification take to complete? A: The HPL pressed process—from disassembly to completion—typically takes 2–3 days, plus 1–2 day for ventilation and off-gassing. So to finish before National Day, place your order by September 27 at the latest.
Q: Do modification shops raise prices during National Day? A: Labor fees carry a temporary overtime supplement of 10%–15% during National Day, but material prices stay relatively flat. On balance, standalone modifications during National Day aren't necessarily cheaper, but package deals often are.
References
- GB/T 33284–2016 "Indoor Decoration and Refurbishment Materials—Limits of Hazardous Substance Emissions from Wood Flooring"
- IATF 16949:2016 Automotive Industry Quality Management System Standard
- China Association of Automobile Manufacturers "2025 China Automotive Interior Modification Industry White Paper"
- SGS—Test Methods for Automotive Interior Materials
- China Automotive Technology and Research Center—Business Vehicle Modification Market Research Report (2025)
- State Administration for Market Regulation—Guidelines on Pricing Conduct in the Automotive Aftermarket Service Industry
Editorial Note
Floor pricing, construction plans, and performance specifications mentioned in this article vary with model configuration, batch, and shop workmanship. Specific data should be verified against the test report and work order at the time of purchase.
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