Government procurement case of Ford Transit V362 service vehicles in Taizhou: An efficient solution amid the transition to China VI emission standards. Amid the nationwide full-scale implementation of China VI emission standards, municipal sanitation departments across the country are accelerating the phasing out of aging vehicles and procuring new specialized service vehicles compliant with the updated standards. A municipal sanitation department in Taizhou recently completed the procurement and delivery of a batch of Ford Transit V362 service vehicles. Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Chengli') served as the supplier, providing a customized China VI-compliant solution. This article analyzes the policy background, vehicle selection criteria, and procurement strategies based on this case, offering reference for similar organizations. I. Case Background: China VI Transition Policy and Timeline for Phasing Out Older Vehicles According to requirements issued by China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment and local governments, as of July 1, 2023, all light-duty vehicles—including service vehicles—produced, imported, or sold in China must comply with the China VIb emission standard. As a coastal city with stringent environmental enforcement, Taizhou requires its local sanitation departments to complete the replacement of existing China III (and lower) emission-standard vehicles by 2025. This means that service vehicles such as the Ford Transit V362—used for municipal inspections, equipment transportation, or emergency response—must meet China VI standards; otherwise, they cannot be registered or pass annual inspections. The procuring entity in this case—a subordinate unit of the Urban Management Bureau of a district in Taizhou—previously operated a fleet of diesel-powered service vehicles purchased before 2015, conforming to the China III standard. Due to noncompliance with current emission regulations and deteriorating mechanical condition, maintenance costs for these vehicles have risen annually. The unit decided to procure five Ford Transit V362 service vehicles in a single order, with a budget capped at approximately RMB 2.254 million (based on publicly available tender information). Chengli’s proposed solution not only meets China VI emission requirements but also incorporates specialized enhancements tailored to Taizhou’s humid, rainy, and salt-laden coastal environment. II. Chengli’s China VI Solution: Anti-Corrosion Coating and Adaptability to Humid-Tropical Conditions In modifying the service vehicles, Chengli focused on resolving two core challenges posed by humid-tropical environments: corrosion resistance and sealing component durability. 1. Anti-Corrosion Coating: Specialized Treatment Against Coastal Salt Fog Located along Zhejiang’s coast, Taizhou has high atmospheric salinity, making ordinary vehicle chassis and frames highly susceptible to rust. Chengli applied an additional anti-corrosion coating over the Ford Transit V362 chassis, covering critical areas including the main chassis beams, suspension components, and welded joints. This coating combines epoxy zinc-rich primer with polyurethane topcoat, achieving over 500 hours of salt-spray resistance (per Chengli’s internal testing standards). Post-delivery feedback from the client indicated no visible rust after six months of outdoor parking—demonstrating significantly improved corrosion resistance compared to previously used service vehicles from another brand. 2. Sealing Component Durability in Humid Conditions Taizhou experiences frequent rainfall, with an average annual precipitation of approximately 1,500 mm. Service vehicles are often required to operate or remain parked outdoors during rain. To address this, Chengli replaced certain original nitrile rubber seals with fluorocarbon rubber (FKM) seals—selected for superior weather resistance—at door openings, compartment hatches, and electrical interfaces. According