The Identifier

As with any list or inventory there is a need to have a system to refer to each element through a unique identifier. It is especially the case when the elements are closely related or similar: consider for example the existence of several versions of the same casting.

Initially the obvious choice to fill this role is to use the model name printed on the box, for example: Suzuki Jimny Baby Blue. However this has 2 issues. First, it is too long to use in some places (for example in image captions), and secondly, there are closely related models only differentiated by a few characters (for example there are at least 3 Mercedes Vito Taiwan Ambulances: 38RF-102, 23RN-052, and SP-140).

To solve those issues this wiki uses an identifier composed by the Product Line and the EAN. This can be added after the model name, for example: Suzuki Jimny Baby Blue (12RF-009) (this solution is used in the page name of each model), or it can be used alone, for example: 12RF-009 (this solution is preferred when there is less space, for example in image captions, or when listing several models). The identifier can also be used to refer to several models with a condensed notation, for example: 12R-009-010, refers both to 12RF-009, and to 12RN-010. Below are some questions with insights on the reasoning behind the identification system chosen.

* Why isn't the Product Line used without the EAN?

The Product Line works to identify the Regular Line models, but fails to do so with the Special Line releases. Special Line models are not numbered in their package like the Regular Line ones, so there is a need to use something else to uniquely identify them.

* Era Car uses a numbering system to identify the Special Line on their website, why not use that?

Era Car, on their shop, seems to offer a number system for the Special Line, however that numbering system is not clearly marked on the package. In fact Era Car has changed the name of this line (from Limited to Special) and later revised several times the numbering associated with the Special Line, further proving a disconnect with the information present on the package. Currently their numbering system seems to be inspired by the SKU, but still has issues (for example there are two distinct models both identified by SP23: SP-053, and SP-081).

* Ok, so why not use the SKU, instead of the Product Line?

The SKU indeed offers a unique identification for each model, and usually mirrors the same codification used in the Product Line. For example: 12RF-009 has the SKU SU19JSRF12 (notice the last 4 characters of the SKU: RF12, which match the product line 12RF). Thus, in principle it could provide a numbering system for the Special Line. For example the SKU SU19JSSP13, indicates the number 13 of the Special Line. However, the SKU sometimes does not match the Product Line. For example: model 16RF-054 has the SKU MB20VITSP14, model 23RF-043 has the SKU MB20VITRN17, etc. It is important that any identification system does not clash with the Product Line to avoid confusing users. It would be confusing to refer to car 23RF, with the number 17, for example. If the SKU was not trying to emulate the Product Line and instead used another identification system it would be a great candidate to be incorporated in the identifier.

* Why isn't the EAN used without the Product Line?

The EAN alone provides a unique identifier for each model in almost all cases (some models do not have barcodes), and thus forms the base of the system. However the addition of the Product Line comes at a low cost (the identifier size is still small) and offers an easy and quick way to identify the Regular Line models.

* How does this system work when a model does not have a barcode?

In those rare cases, the EAN portion is replaced by the SKU. For example SP-ESP01, which becomes clear because the EAN only has numeric characters.

* Why does the Product Line have the numbers first instead of being the other way around, like the SKU?

The reason the Product Line has its numeric part first (12RF vs RF12) is to facilitate the sorting of the models by number, for example by ordering a table column alphabetically.