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Japanese carmakers do not use a Vehicle Identification Number as is common in the United States and elsewhere. Instead, Japan uses a Frame Number, 9 to 12 alphanumeric characters identifying model and serial number. For example, Frame Number SV30-0169266 breaks down as "V30" identifying the model as Toyota Camry/Vista x30; "S" identifying the engine (4S-FE), and 0169266 being the serial number of the vehicle. Vehicle make is not identified but slight number variations can identify the carmaker, i.e. Toyota usually uses 7 digits for their serial numbers while Nissan uses 6. Because a frame number contains far less information than a VIN, JDM vehicles also use a Model Code. As an example, SV30-BTPNK breaks down as "SV30," which means the same as above, and BTPNK which designates a set of features incorporated in the vehicle.
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