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Chengli Automobile's Foton Fengjing Service Vehicle Successfully Delivered in Xining, Qinghai Province
Summary
I. Real-World Case: Procurement of Foton Fengjing Service Vehicles by a Municipal Sanitation Department in Xining. In early 2025, a municipal sanitation department in Xining (hereinafter referred to as the 'Procuring Entity') launched a public tender
I. Real-World Case: Procurement of Foton Fengjing Service Vehicles by a Municipal Sanitation Department in Xining. In early 2025, a municipal sanitation department in Xining (hereinafter referred to as the 'Procuring Entity') launched a public tender to procure a batch of Foton Fengjing service vehicles, aiming to enhance emergency response capabilities for winter sanitation operations. These vehicles are primarily used for urban road inspections, equipment emergency repairs, and personnel transportation, with specific requirements for high-altitude operation and low-temperature adaptability (winter lows down to -25°C). Ultimately, Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Chengli') won the bid with its Foton-chassis-based customized service vehicle solution, delivering five units. This article analyzes the vehicle’s handling convenience, ease of operation for C-class license holders, and winter adaptability—based on real driver feedback—to provide reference for similar regional procurement decisions.
II. Driver Perspective: Practical User Experience. Mr. Li, a sanitation fleet driver (pseudonym) from a district in Xining, was among the first users of these Foton Fengjing service vehicles. He commented: 'The most noticeable features are the robust chassis, light power steering, and small turning radius—making U-turns in narrow urban alleys effortless. Especially in winter: previously, our older models required repeated cranking to start each morning; this vehicle starts reliably on the first attempt, and the heater warms up quickly—the cab reaches comfortable temperature within about ten minutes.' Mr. Li also noted that the rear compartment’s modified layout offers ample, well-organized space for carrying small tools and spare parts, fully meeting daily inspection needs.
According to Chengli’s after-sales engineers, these vehicles were built on chassis from Dongfeng, Sinotruk, and Foton. Among them, the Foton chassis enjoys high market penetration across Northwest China, ensuring ready availability of spare parts. The bodywork was completed by Chengli, featuring anti-corrosion treatment tailored to Xining’s arid climate for enhanced durability. Drivers generally reported: 'The seats are comfortable—even after four consecutive hours of driving, fatigue is minimal, which is crucial for our suburban routes.'
III. Handling Convenience and Ease of Operation for C-Class License Holders. The Foton Fengjing service vehicle measures under 5.5 meters in length and approximately 2 meters in width, complying with blue-plate registration requirements for C-class license holders. According to Chengli’s internal knowledge base, similarly classified blue-plate models—such as the CLW5070GSSD6 water-sprinkling truck—can be legally operated with only a C1 driver’s license. The Xining Procuring Entity explicitly stipulated in its tender documents that 'drivers must be able to operate the vehicle using only an ordinary C-class license,' a requirement precisely met by Chengli’s solution.
During actual test drives, the vehicle’s electric power steering system delivers light, responsive steering effort, while the rearview camera and parking sensors significantly improve safety in tight spaces. Driver Mr. Zhang (pseudonym) remarked: 'On my first drive, I felt fully confident after just ten minutes—gear shifts are precise, and the clutch is light and smooth, making it highly beginner-friendly.' This ease of use stems from Foton’s mature chassis tuning and Chengli’s modular upper-body design, eliminating the need for additional driver training.
IV. Key Concerns: Cold-Weather Starting Performance and Hydraulic System Stability at Low Temperatures. With winter temperatures in Xining frequently dropping below -20°C, cold-weather starting reliability was the Procuring Entity’s top priority. Chengli equipped all vehicles with a standard low-temperature starting assistance system, including glow plugs, a cold-weather battery,
