Auto Manufacturers Running Out Of Unique IDs

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Auto Manufacturers Running Out Of Unique IDs

Posted by timothy on Thursday July 1, 2004 @08:27AM from the hence-the-stupid-car-names dept.

wakebrdr writes "Y2K all over again? A story in today's Detroit News explains how the vehicle ID numbering system (VIN) will soon run out of unique numbers. According to the article, a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers says, 'Longer codes would require a major overhaul of computer systems that would dwarf the challenges and expenses spawned by the Y2K computer dilemma.' Golly, if it's that serious maybe I should start stocking up on MREs and ammunition in preparation for the day the assembly lines come to a screeching halt."

8 of 567 comments (clear)

Slashdotters response: by JesseL · 2004-07-01 08:27 · Score: 5, Funny

Just use NAT.

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"Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!"
Re:Extend the character set? by LittleGuy · 2004-07-01 08:29 · Score: 5, Funny

How about extending the allowable characters in a VIN to include certain ASCII or Unicode symbols? Perhaps make them case-sensitive? That would preserve uniqueness--at least for awhile longer--although it might make the codes harder to verbalize (i.e. to an insurance agent).

I *knew* we'd find a use for Dingbats Font someday!

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Mod Karma -1: I sed bad wurds. If I cep my mouf shut, I wud be at riyses.
Carmageddon by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-01 08:30 · Score: 5, Funny

I'm not worried about the assembly lines coming to a screeching halt... I'm more worried about the assembly robots revolting and attacking the population!

*Duck and cover*
Re:If I were them by LittleGuy · 2004-07-01 08:32 · Score: 5, Funny

Actually maybe they already do? If so, then start using the !@#$#$%^%^&*)(*& symbols!

Those symbols are usually reserved for use *after* the accident with the uninsured driver.

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Mod Karma -1: I sed bad wurds. If I cep my mouf shut, I wud be at riyses.
Umm.... that will be $250,000 in modifications by HighOrbit · 2004-07-01 08:34 · Score: 5, Funny

Let's see... how many manhours can a consultant charge the PHB to run the following SQL query

alter table VEHICLES modify column VIN varchar(50);

Yup.. that took countless manhours.
Re:Probably some truth to that. by wo1verin3 · 2004-07-01 08:37 · Score: 5, Funny

>> do with an odometer in kilometers though, so my title says 9,999,999 miles on it.

Obviously it's not a ford.
Re:Extend the character set? by Rob+the+Bold · 2004-07-01 08:41 · Score: 5, Funny

Yes, Mr. Insurance agent, I've got my VIN right here. It's A-1-D-1-squiggle-smiley face-squiggle-1-2-W-musical notes-e with two dots over it-female symbol-B-5-open paren-heart.

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I am not a crackpot.
Re:Extend the character set? by Mick+Ohrberg · 2004-07-01 08:48 · Score: 5, Funny

How about a VINv6?

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Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.