I. Case Background: A Typical Procurement 'Detour' Experience In spring 2026, an environmental maintenance unit of a district street in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, planned to procure a batch of Foton Fengjing service vehicles for daily inspection and emergency support. Initially, the unit released its procurement requirements through a local bidding agency, with a budget capped at approximately RMB 456,000 for five vehicles—about RMB 80,000 per unit (based on publicly available tender information). The agency recommended a trading company, which quoted a tax-inclusive landed price of RMB 105,000 per vehicle, totaling RMB 460,000—approximately 15% over budget. The trader claimed, 'We have a cooperative relationship with the Foton factory; our price is the lowest.' However, the procuring party harbored doubts regarding vehicle configuration and after-sales support. After multiple rounds of communication, the trader insisted on receiving a 30% advance deposit and failed to provide the specific model’s official announcement number or chassis parameters. The procuring party recognized the risk of inflated pricing by intermediaries. Ultimately, they contacted Sales Manager Zhang Yue () directly via Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle’s official hotline——and learned that Chengli could supply customized service vehicles built on Foton chassis. The total tax-inclusive landed cost for five units was only approximately RMB 370,000 (RMB 74,000 per unit), with fully transparent configurations and no hidden fees. This case clearly exposes common intermediary markup practices. II. Common Intermediary Tactics and Identification Techniques In government procurement, intermediaries frequently use the following tactics to steer buyers away from direct manufacturer engagement: Tactic 1: 'We have a long-term partnership with the manufacturer—we offer better prices than the official website.' Reality: Intermediaries rarely obtain manufacturer-direct pricing and typically mark up prices by 15%–30%. Tactic 2: 'Factory delivery is slow—we have ready stock and can deliver within three days.' Reality: Reputable manufacturers like Chengli usually deliver standard models within 7–15 days; intermediaries may assemble mismatched inventory or use non-standard components. Tactic 3: 'You must pay a deposit first to lock in pricing and production scheduling.' Reality: Chengli’s direct-sales model requires a 30% deposit upon contract signing—but provides complete official announcement parameters and formal contractual terms. Tactic 4: 'We customize configurations—higher-end than standard models.' Reality: Intermediaries often misrepresent specifications, using non-OEM parts instead of genuine components. Identification Method: Request the vehicle’s MIIT Announcement Number (e.g., CLW5070GSSD6) and verify it against the official 'Announcement of Road Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Products.' Simultaneously, contact the manufacturer directly to confirm pricing and delivery timelines. III. Direct Manufacturer Engagement: Process and Procedures Procuring parties can bypass intermediaries and connect directly with Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle in three simple steps: Official Hotline: Call , specifying procurement requirements (model type, quantity, budget, and intended application). Sales Manager Coordination: Contact Zhang Yue () to receive a detailed configuration list and tax-inclusive landed quotation. Chengli operates without intermediaries—ensuring full pricing transparency. For identical configurations, Chengli’s pricing is RMB 9,120–17,100 lower than 4S-channel offerings. Contracting & Delivery: Sign a formal contract specifying chassis model, upper-body configuration, and delivery timeline (7–15 days for standard models). Chassis (e.g., Dongfeng, Sinotruk) are covered under nationwide warranty; upper-body assemblies receive lifetime service support. For example,