Yantai Foton Fengjing Service Vehicle Government Procurement Case: 'Trial-First' Approach Resolves Procurement Challenges. In early 2025, a municipal sanitation department in Yantai faced an urgent requirement to procure a batch of service vehicles for daily sanitation inspections, emergency repairs, and small-equipment transportation. The budget was capped at approximately RMB 331,000, with requirements for vehicle maneuverability, durability, and suitability for the coastal humid climate. Mr. Li, the department head, recalled: 'We evaluated several models but lacked confidence—we feared issues arising after full-scale procurement.' Ultimately, they adopted a 'trial-first' model, initially trialing Foton Fengjing service vehicles supplied by Chengli Special Purpose Vehicles, and proceeded with bulk procurement following the trial period. This article provides a detailed analysis of this case and explains the rationale behind the winning procurement solution. 'Trial-First': Starting with One Vehicle In March 2025, Zhang Yue, Sales Manager at Chengli Special Purpose Vehicles (Contact: ), proactively contacted the department and recommended a Fengjing service vehicle built on the Foton chassis—specifically, the Chengli CLW5040XXH model (referencing parameters published in the MIIT Announcement). Zhang Yue stated: 'We offer a free trial service—you may take one vehicle for a week’s use; if unsatisfied, return it anytime.' Mr. Li decided to proceed with the trial. The trial vehicle was delivered on March 15, equipped with the following specifications: - Chassis: Foton Fengjing G7 (China VI emission standard) - Powertrain: 2.0L gasoline engine, maximum power output 100 kW - Cargo Body: Lightweight aluminum body with customizable internal shelving and tool cabinets - Additional Features: Roof-mounted luggage rack, rearview camera, air conditioning - Reference Announcement Model: CLW5040XXH Trial Performance: Real-World Scenario Records The 7-day trial period (March 15–21) covered the following operational scenarios: - Daily Inspections: Average daily mileage ~50 km across urban roads and some rural roads; fuel consumption averaged ~9 L/100 km—15% lower than expected. - Emergency Repairs: During an unexpected pipe blockage incident, the vehicle successfully carried a compact pump and repair tools—the cargo compartment space fully met requirements. - Small-Item Transport: Carried approximately 500 kg of sanitation equipment; chassis load-bearing performance remained stable with no noticeable vibration. - Adverse Weather Conditions: During a coastal gale, the vehicle demonstrated normal braking distance on slippery surfaces, with ABS functioning effectively. Mr. Li commented: 'The trial vehicle’s performance exceeded expectations—particularly regarding fuel efficiency and cargo-space utilization. However, we did observe one issue: air-conditioning cooling response was slightly delayed under high-temperature conditions, though overall performance remained acceptable.' Market Comparison: Data-Driven Evaluation During the trial, Mr. Li also conducted comparative research on two other competing service vehicles: - Brand A: Based on the Maxus V80 chassis, quoted price ~RMB 309,000 - Brand B: Based on the Ford Transit Classic chassis, quoted price ~RMB 354,000 - Chengli Solution: Foton Fengjing service vehicle, quoted price ~RMB 287,000 (per publicly disclosed tender information) Key Parameter Comparison (Source: Manufacturer Technical Specifications & Public Tender Documents): Comparison Item — Brand A (Maxus V80) | Brand B (Ford Transit Classic) | Chengli Foton Fengjing Service Vehicle Chassis Brand — SAIC Maxus | Jiangling Ford | Foton Motor