VIN numbers running out?

[pgwenthold]

Apparently some are claiming that they are running out of 17 digit VIN numbers.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2004-07-01-vin-shortage_x.htm

I say: no friggin way they should be anywhere close.

The website talks about how there are 60 million vehicles a year or whatever, but it doesn't matter. Even at 1 billion vehicles a year, it will still take 10^8 years before we use up all possible 17 digit numbers.

At 1 trillion vehicles a year (nonsensical), they will still last for 100 000 years.

There is no rational reason to change to 18 or 19 digit numbers. Just allow a more flexible code, like they did with phone numbers and area codes.

[wjousts]

I think the problem is that the VIN numbers aren't completely random, they are made up of smaller fields so the first x digits describe where the car came from, the next y digits might designate the engine size etc. I'm not positive on this though I only got it from flicking through the manual for a rental car I had once where it showed you how to break down the VIN number. It might have been a GM specific thing.

[pgwenthold]

Originally posted by wjousts
I think the problem is that the VIN numbers aren't completely random, they are made up of smaller fields so the first x digits describe where the car came from, the next y digits might designate the engine size etc. I'm not positive on this though I only got it from flicking through the manual for a rental car I had once where it showed you how to break down the VIN number. It might have been a GM specific thing.

That's why I said they have to be more flexible in their numbering. For example, instead of saying that all cars from Detroit are 100, make them a range from 100 - 105, etc. Engine types in ranges, etc.

17 numbers is more than enough to cover anything.

And if it isn't, just go to letters.

[toddjh]

Originally posted by pgwenthold
There is no rational reason to change to 18 or 19 digit numbers. Just allow a more flexible code, like they did with phone numbers and area codes.

What I don't understand is why they chose a scheme that was designed to fail in 30 years to begin with (regardless of whether the code length actually warrants that). I can understand that they just chose a poor scheme, and that's why they're running out now. But why didn't they make it 25 digits and put off the failure until the solar system dies?

Edited to add: Make it 23 digits to keep with the Illuminati numerology motif.

Jeremy

[Earthborn]

I think the problem is that the VIN numbers aren't completely randomThat's what the article pgwenthold linked to explained. And it also explained that it wouldn't be a good idea to switch to longer codes. The solution pgwenthold proposes 'just allow a more flexible code' is exactly the solution that is mentioned in the article.

The article also mentions that the codes can contain letters:For example, a VIN beginning with 5G1 now describes a Chevrolet built in the United States, while 5G2 identifies a Pontiac.So I don't really see pg's point...

[pgwenthold]

Originally posted by Earthborn
That's what the article pgwenthold linked to explained. And it also explained that it wouldn't be a good idea to switch to longer codes. The solution pgwenthold proposes 'just allow a more flexible code' is exactly the solution that is mentioned in the article.

The article also mentions that the codes can contain letters:So I don't really see pg's point...

Why is this news? There is no way in he!! that a 17 digit number _that includes letters_ can be anywhere close to being used up. So why put out a press release saying that numbers are running out?

[TragicMonkey]

The VIN breakdown can be found at:

http://www.vehicleidentificationnumber.com/vehicle_identification_numbers_vin_detail.html


As a programmer, I hope they don't decide to fix it by adding more digits. That would require a lot of code rewriting...which would mean more money for me...wait, why exactly was I against that?

[Charlie Monoxide]

Originally posted by TragicMonkey
The VIN breakdown can be found at:

http://www.vehicleidentificationnumber.com/vehicle_identification_numbers_vin_detail.html


As a programmer, I hope they don't decide to fix it by adding more digits. That would require a lot of code rewriting...which would mean more money for me...wait, why exactly was I against that?
I too am a programmer (recently laid off). If they do add more digits or totally restructure the VIN code, legions of off-shore programmers will be hired to implement and test the changes.

Charlie (aspiring Walmart greeter) Monoxide

[Earthborn]

Originally posted by pgwenthold
So why put out a press release saying that numbers are running out?Because the present way the numbers are coded can only produce a limited number of VINs, and that limit is close to being reached. So the VINs that are possible are running out.

Sure, it doesn't sound like very important news if you see it on a global scale, but it sure is refreshing to have a newsitem that isn't about Iraq once in a while.

[TragicMonkey]

Supposedly there's a reverse offshoring trend kicking in as companies start to notice their products don't function. Judging by the posts on messageboards where people named "Ravi" and "Praja" beg for basic code help (or, more usually, just for code) I can see why. Companies that rely on the bottom line will change their minds once they realize that it's not cost effective to buy products that don't work, no matter how cheap they are.

I just hope everyone jacks up their prices in revenge once the work comes back.

[Phrost]

Just assign each car a MAC address instead of a VIN. :D

[a_unique_person]

Maybe they didn't expect the world to last that long, or the world to get as wealthy as it did. Chinese owning cars? Who would have guessed that would ever happen. Actually, I'd go with the latter scenario, when they dreamed it up, they dreamed up a code that fitted into their own world view, and didn't consider other possibilities for the rest of the world.

[Rob Lister]

This is just too close to the Y2K scare for my comfort.

Good thing I still have those six cases of spam and 400 rounds of twelve gauge. Go ahead DMV, make my day.