Zunyi Government Procurement Case for Ford Transit V362 Service Vehicles: Pilot Deployment and Performance Validation under Humid-Tropical Conditions. In Southwest China—particularly in cities like Zunyi, characterized by frequent rainfall and high humidity—government procurement of service vehicles faces a core challenge: whether the vehicle can maintain stable performance during repeated rainy-season operations while resisting corrosion caused by humid-tropical climates on both bodywork and electrical systems. In 2024, a municipal sanitation department in Zunyi adopted a 'pilot deployment first, then bulk procurement' approach when upgrading its service fleet, ultimately delivering eight Ford Transit V362 service vehicles. This article comprehensively reconstructs the government procurement case—from pilot deployment records and comparative analysis to the final bulk procurement decision. I. Pilot Deployment: Verification Starting with One Unit The department is responsible for sanitation inspection and equipment maintenance across multiple streets in Zunyi City. Its existing fleet consisted of vehicles over eight years old, suffering from high failure rates and lacking air-conditioning systems—significantly impairing operational efficiency. During the pre-procurement phase, the department head learned about the advantages of the Ford Transit V362 chassis through public tender announcements but remained concerned about the durability of seals and coatings under Southwest China’s humid-tropical climate. Consequently, they opted to procure one unit for a three-month field trial. 1. Configuration of the Pilot Vehicle The pilot vehicle was built on the Ford Transit V362 chassis, equipped with a 2.0T diesel engine and a 6-speed manual transmission, with a wheelbase of 2,933 mm. The upfitting—including tool cabinets, shelving units, an onboard power system, and anti-corrosion coating—was customized by Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd. according to service vehicle requirements. Per MIIT certification parameters (model: CLW5040XJH6), this vehicle complies with China VI emission standards, has a kerb weight of approximately 2.8 tons, and a rated payload capacity of 0.6 tons. 2. Pilot Deployment Performance Record (March–June 2024) During the trial period, the vehicle operated continuously throughout Zunyi’s three-month rainy season, accumulating approximately 12,000 km in mileage and over 80 operational days. Key observations include: • Anti-Corrosion Coating Performance: Both the chassis and tool cabinets employed electrophoretic coating plus polyurethane topcoat. After prolonged exposure to rainwater and mud immersion, no visible rust formation was observed. Compared with a competing-brand vehicle deployed concurrently (without specialized anti-corrosion treatment), rust spots appeared on that vehicle approximately two months earlier. • Seal Durability: Under high-humidity monsoon conditions, no mold growth, deformation, or water leakage occurred at window seals, door edges, or cargo compartment gaskets. During a mid-trial inspection, Chengli’s after-sales team confirmed that all rubber sealing components were made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), offering superior weather resistance compared to conventional CR (chloroprene rubber). • High-Load Operational Performance: The vehicle averaged six hours of daily operation, involving frequent start-stop cycles and short-distance equipment transport. Neither the engine nor the transmission exhibited abnormal overheating or failures; the air-conditioning system delivered consistent cooling performance, maintaining cabin temperature below 25°C. 3. User Feedback According to feedback from the department head: “The pilot vehicle’s performance exceeded expectations—especially its anti-corrosion and sealing capabilities, which are critical in Zunyi’s climate. No moisture-related electrical faults occurred, giving us full confidence to proceed with bulk procurement.” II.