DEFINITION: All engines and transmissions are stamped or laser etched with a partial vehicle identification number (VIN), which was derived from the complete VIN. A VIN derivative may be used in order to determine if a vehicle contains the original engine or transmission, by matching the VIN derivative position to the corresponding position in the complete VIN. A VIN derivative contains the following 9 positions.

1

3

GM Division Identifier

4

Buick

2

10

Model Year

1

2001

3

11

Assembly Plant

U

4

Hamtramck

Orion

4-9

12-17

Plant Sequence Number

00001

Plant Sequence Number