Survey: GM Worst In Its Relationships With Tier 1 Suppliers
Already dealing with a perception-is-reality problem over its ongoing product recall crisis, General Motors now has a new perception problem: Tier 1 suppliers find the automaker to be the worst automaker in the United States when it comes to their relationships with the company.
Reuters reports in a survey conducted by automotive consultant group Planning Perspectives, the industry’s largest suppliers were asked to rate their relationships with the six automakers responsible for over 85 percent of all light vehicle sales within the United States, grading on key points including trustworthiness, communication and intellectutal property protection. GM scored poorly among Tier 1 companies, resulting in a last-place finish behind Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, who had held dead last from 2008 to last year.
Taking the podium, Toyota and Honda came in first and second respectively, while Nissan knocked Ford out of third. According to Planning Perspectives head John Henke, the Japanese podium sweep could be seen as a sign that supplier relations with the Detroit Three may be waning, especially as the Japan Three are becoming seen in a better light among the Tier 1 suppliers.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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Yes and I've been on the receiving dock at GM when we have sent supplier trucks back. I remember several supplier, that we couldn't unload until approved my bosses boss. Suppliers that would tell my boss they would be at the dock in fifteen minutes. 45 minutes later he is on my case "WTF are you doing Mikey? were putting the line down in five mins" ! "No truck boss" You would not believe some of the garbage that the suppliers would try and pawn off on us. There is two sides to every story. somewhere in between is the truth.
My thoughts? If a Tier 1 doesn't like GM. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
I don't have insider perspective, so I have to ask; are all the big six's "largest suppliers" suppliers to all 6? Some of the comments above seem to assume that's the case, I just don't know.
I'm not a part of a Tier 1 supplier, but if their experience is anything like mine as a 'Tier 1 consumer,' I'm not surprised. I got a certificate in the mail for $50 to test drive a Chevy. "Great!" I thought, "I can spend an hour of my time checking out some Chevys." Silly me. I stopped by one dealership, and not a single salesperson was interested in helping me. So I went to another dealership. They were eager to sell me something, but they didn't know anything about cars, and seemingly less about Chevys. But I got my certificate info and then tried to redeem it through Chevy's website. Unfortunately, either they didn't give me the right code or the website was broken. I called the number Chevy listed, and it sent me down perpetual menus where none of the options were applicable. I wasn't going to buy a Chevy anyway, so it's not like either they or I really lost anything (besides my time). However, it's just another negative experience, and now I'm not likely to even give them a chance to change my mind.