What a model reference is for
A model reference is a research starting point. It can help you identify a vehicle, examine the selected configuration information and decide whether to investigate further. It is useful while you are comparing Chinese vehicle options or clarifying which version to include in a request.
A reference does not establish that a particular supplier has that vehicle in stock. It also does not determine a purchase price, delivery date or the documents available for a specific order. Those questions belong in a supplier conversation about an actual offer.
What changes on a supplier vehicle page
A published supplier vehicle listing links the vehicle information to a supplier business. Read the supplier name and profile alongside the listing. Use the available contact or inquiry route to discuss what is being offered and which conditions apply to it.
Check the stated year, configuration, condition, quantity and delivery basis where supplied. Treat any missing or unclear field as a question. Information and reference prices shown on a page should be reconciled with a current written quotation before they become the basis of an agreement.
Two page types, two different uses
| Page type | Useful for | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Model reference | Researching a model and selected specification information | Choose a version and prepare your requirements |
| Supplier vehicle | Discovering a supplier’s published vehicle offer | Confirm the exact vehicles, availability and quotation |
| Supplier profile | Reading the business information published on AUTOLINK | Check the company and evidence relevant to your order |
Read photographs in context
Model illustrations show the design of a vehicle. They may not show the exact trim, colour or equipment of the vehicles a supplier can offer. A research image is not evidence that the photographed car is currently available for purchase.
For a serious inquiry, request photographs or other evidence tied to the actual offered vehicles. Match that evidence to the version described in the quotation. If the supplier proposes a substitution, update your comparison rather than carrying over the earlier vehicle’s assumptions.
Turn a reference into a useful sourcing request
- Copy the exact model name and selected version into your working notes.
- Specify the required configuration, quantity and destination.
- Open the supplier listings or directory to find a business to contact.
- Ask for the currently offered version, supporting evidence and quotation basis.
- Compare the reply with your requirements and resolve differences before discussing an agreement.
Keep the supplier and the transaction identifiable
The supplier’s business identity matters as much as the vehicle description. Review the company information, ask for order-specific evidence and establish who would sign the agreement and receive payment. The supplier-verification guide provides a worksheet for this step.
AUTOLINK connects buyers and suppliers and provides information and communication tools. It does not hold the vehicle purchase funds or guarantee an individual transaction. Use the directory and guides to ask better questions, then confirm the order directly with the parties responsible for it.