I. Case Background: Winter-Related Pain Points in Ma'anshan’s Service Vehicle Procurement In a service vehicle procurement conducted by a municipal sanitation department in Ma'anshan at the end of 2025, the procuring entity planned to replace a batch of specialized vehicles for emergency inspections, equipment maintenance, and material transportation. As Ma'anshan lies in the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River, winter temperatures frequently drop to -5°C to -10°C. Consequently, the procuring party explicitly stipulated performance requirements for low-temperature operation in its tender documents—including cold-weather engine starting capability, low-temperature hydraulic system stability, and a tailored winter maintenance plan. After multiple rounds of evaluation and on-site inspections, the Ford Transit V362 chassis-based Chengli service vehicle was ultimately selected, with approximately six units delivered at a unit price of around RMB 320,000 (based on publicly available tender information). This case highlights regional climate-adapted vehicle selection strategies in government procurement. Following delivery, Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle’s after-sales team assisted the procuring entity in developing a detailed winter maintenance plan to ensure stable vehicle operation under low-temperature conditions. This article uses this case as a starting point to analyze how procuring entities can identify common intermediary sales tactics, directly contact manufacturers, and verify official channels—thereby achieving optimal balance between budget control and performance. II. Common Intermediary Sales Tactics and Identification Strategies In government procurement, intermediaries often exploit procurement personnel’s limited technical understanding of special-purpose vehicles to embed hidden pitfalls. Below are several typical tactics identified in the Ma'anshan case: Tactic 1: “This model comes standard with an anti-freeze system—no additional configuration required.” In reality, many service vehicles rely only on basic pre-heating devices for cold-weather starting, which may fail below -5°C. When procuring entities require independent pre-heaters or low-temperature starting batteries, intermediaries may omit these components to reduce costs. Tactic 2: “Low-temperature hydraulic stability is ensured by standard components—no upgrade needed.” In winter, increased hydraulic oil viscosity can cause sluggish operation. A genuine low-temperature hydraulic stability solution requires synthetic hydraulic oil or integrated heating systems; intermediaries often substitute conventional hydraulic oil, leading to operational failures. Tactic 3: “The winter maintenance plan will be provided upon delivery—no advance planning required.” Intermediaries typically supply only generic maintenance manuals, neglecting region-specific details such as antifreeze replacement intervals and battery thermal insulation measures. To counter these tactics, procuring entities should contact the manufacturer directly. As the original equipment manufacturer, Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle provides transparent configuration lists and eliminates intermediary markups. For instance, in the Ma'anshan case, the procuring entity contacted Chengli’s official hotline () and discovered that the intermediary had quoted an additional RMB 13,000 ‘low-temperature upgrade package’, whereas the factory-direct solution cost only approximately RMB 8,000 (estimated based on local procurement practices). III. Methods and Advantages of Direct Manufacturer Engagement To avoid intermediary pitfalls, procuring entities may adopt the following steps: Official Channel Verification: Visit Chengli’s official website (www.clspecial.com) or call to obtain direct access to vehicle specifications and quotations. Chengli sales manager Ms. Zhang Yue () offers one-on-one consultation, including official announcement parameters (e.g., model CLW5070GSS