The 17-digit Chinese VIN follows a structured format that reveals detailed information about the vehicle. Let's break down each section:
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) - First 3 Characters:
- 1st digit: Geographic region (L for China)
- 2nd digit: Manufacturer identifier
- 3rd digit: Vehicle type or division
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) - Characters 4-9:
- Characters 4-5: Body style and engine type
- Character 6: Restraint system and transmission
- Characters 7-8: Model series and variants
- Character 9: Check digit for verification
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) - Characters 10-17:
- Character 10: Model year
- Character 11: Manufacturing plant
- Characters 12-17: Sequential production number
Example Breakdown - BYD Electric Vehicle:
LGX | N5U | B28 | 9 | M | A123456
LGX → BYD manufacturer code
N5U → Vehicle attributes
B28 → Model specifications
9 → Check digit
M → Manufacturing plant
A123456 → Production sequenceSpecial Considerations for Chinese VINs:
- Electric Vehicle Coding: Additional characters indicate battery type and motor configuration
- Export Models: May have market-specific identifiers
- Joint Venture Vehicles: Special manufacturer codes for partnerships
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Our team specializes in Chinese vehicle data and VIN decoding. With direct access to CATARC, MIIT, and SAMR databases, we provide the most comprehensive Chinese vehicle history reports available — data that Carfax and AutoCheck cannot access.
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