A municipal sanitation department recently completed the government procurement of Ford Transit V362 service vehicles. A total of five vehicles were delivered for daily operations including street inspection, equipment transportation, and emergency repairs. Based on publicly available tender information, this article analyzes the practical value of the winning bid from perspectives such as price comparison, manufacturer-direct sales advantages, and long-term ownership costs. I. Project Background and Procurement Requirements The procuring entity is a municipal sanitation department planning to acquire a batch of multi-functional service vehicles to carry sanitation tools, emergency repair supplies, and on-site inspection personnel. The required vehicle model is built on the Ford Transit V362 chassis, equipped with a specialized body and storage system. The budget was capped at approximately RMB 1.2 million (per publicly disclosed tender information), with five units planned for procurement—implying a unit budget of around RMB 240,000. Ultimately, Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd. won the bid at a unit price of approximately RMB 218,000 (tax-inclusive landed cost), for a total contract value of about RMB 1.09 million—saving roughly RMB 110,000 against the budget. This price includes vehicle purchase tax, registration fees, and first-year insurance, enabling users to take delivery and deploy the vehicles immediately. II. Comparison of Winning Bid Price vs. Market Average Price According to publicly disclosed tender data and market research, the market average price for similarly configured Ford Transit V362 service vehicles (including specialized modifications) typically ranges between RMB 240,000 and RMB 270,000 per unit. The winning bid price of RMB 218,000 represents a reduction of RMB 22,000–RMB 52,000 (10%–20%) compared to the market average. Detailed comparison is shown in the table below: | Item | Winning Bid Price (per public tender info) | Market Average Price (incl. modification) | Price Difference | Notes | |------|--------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|------------------|-------| | Unit Price (RMB/unit) | ~218,000 | 240,000–270,000 | Savings of 22,000–52,000 | Tax-inclusive landed cost | | Total Price (5 units, RMB) | ~1,090,000 | 1,200,000–1,350,000 | Savings of 110,000–260,000 | Includes registration and first-year insurance | | Chassis Brand | Ford Transit V362 | Ford Transit V362 | — | OEM chassis | | Modification Materials | High-strength steel + aluminum alloy | Standard steel or aluminum alloy | — | Comparable grade | Key Data: The procurement unit price of ~RMB 218,000 is RMB 22,000–RMB 52,000 lower than the market average; total savings across five units amount to RMB 110,000–RMB 260,000. According to Chengli’s 2026 tax-inclusive landed pricing system, direct-sales prices for comparable configurations are typically RMB 9,030–RMB 16,900 lower than those offered through 4S dealerships. III. Where Does Manufacturer-Direct Sales Save Costs? The competitive pricing advantage of this winning bid stems primarily from Chengli’s manufacturer-direct sales model, reflected in the following aspects: • No intermediary markup: As an OEM manufacturer, Chengli ships directly from its Suizhou factory—eliminating distributors, 4S dealers, and other intermediaries—yielding savings of RMB 8,000–RMB 15,000 per unit versus 4S channels. • Localized production advantage: Located in Suizhou, Hubei—the hub of China’s special-purpose vehicle industry—Chengli operates a fully integrated chassis modification production line, enabling zero-inventory shipping. Standard models can be delivered within 7–15 days, reducing warehousing and inventory turnover costs. • Comprehensive regulatory compliance and hassle-free registration: Chengli’s Ford Transit V362 service vehicles are listed in the MIIT’s official vehicle announcement database, enabling nationwide registration, annu