In the daily operations of municipal sanitation departments, service vehicles are not merely tools—they are critical to improving work efficiency and ensuring emergency response readiness. In 2025, the Urban Management Bureau of a district in Jinhua faced a typical challenge while optimizing its fleet of sanitation service vehicles: aging existing vehicles with high maintenance costs; newly procured vehicles needed to comply with China VI emission standards while remaining budget-conscious and practical. After extensive evaluation, they adopted a 'trial-first' procurement approach—first trialing one Chengli-Ford Transit V362 service vehicle before deciding on bulk procurement. This article uses this real-world case as a basis to analyze the end-to-end process—from trial use and comparative assessment to bulk procurement—providing reference insights for similar procurement projects. I. Procurement Background: From 'Reactive Maintenance' to 'Proactive Trial' The district’s Urban Management Bureau oversees sanitation operations across approximately 80 square kilometers, handling daily tasks including garbage collection scheduling, road inspections, and emergency repairs. Several aging service vehicles—operational for over eight years—frequently experienced engine failures and air-conditioning malfunctions, incurring annual maintenance costs of tens of thousands of RMB. Per local procurement practice, the 2026 budget cap for updating six service vehicles was set at approximately RMB 906,000. The procurement team evaluated multiple brands—including Dongfeng and Foton chassis—but ultimately focused on the Ford Transit V362 for three key reasons: (1) its proven chassis reliability and large market presence; (2) its flexible body dimensions, ideal for narrow urban streets; and (3) full compliance with the latest China VI emission standards. However, direct bulk procurement carried risks—if actual performance fell short of expectations, it would waste budget and potentially disrupt operational efficiency. Therefore, they opted for a 'trial-first' model: purchasing one customized Ford Transit V362 service vehicle from Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd., trialing it for three months, and then deciding whether to proceed with additional orders based on real-world performance. II. Trial Performance: Data-Driven Results and Responsive Service In July 2025, Chengli delivered the first Ford Transit V362 service vehicle, model CLW5040XFWJ6 (referencing official announcement parameters). Built upon the Jiangling Ford Transit V362 chassis, the vehicle features a 2.0T diesel engine delivering a maximum power output of 90 kW and fully compliant with China VI emission standards. The upper-body structure was custom-engineered by Chengli, incorporating specialized storage cabinets, a workbench, and power outlets—designed to carry inspection equipment and repair tools. The trial period spanned July to September, covering both summer heatwaves and heavy rainfall seasons—rigorously testing the vehicle’s reliability under extreme weather conditions. Key trial metrics included: • Total mileage: Approximately 5,800 km, covering urban, suburban, and partial unpaved roads. • Fuel consumption: Average fuel economy of ~8.2 L/100 km—lower than competing models’ 9–10 L/100 km. • Fault records: Zero mechanical faults; only one incident—a tire puncture caused by improper operation—promptly resolved by Chengli’s after-sales team with immediate replacement. • Operational efficiency: Inspection time per trip reduced by ~20% versus older vehicles, attributed to superior maneuverability and enhanced driver visibility. • User feedback: Drivers praised the vehicle’s rapid cooling, low noise levels, and comfortable seating; maintenance crews commended the well-designed storage layout.