Automotive Aftermarket Analysis

In the case “Metalcraft Supplier Scorecard”, the author uses an example of a decision-making problem regarding to which supplier should Metalcraft choose to lead to the topic of the Metalcraft supplier scorecard. Metalcraft, as a component designer and manufacturer, supplies a few largest automobile manufacturers with vehicle parts all over the world. As one of the tier 1 suppliers, Metalcraft offers and ships finished parts and components using in the automobile production process to automakers.

The recommendations I would suggest for structuring the supplier relationship process for the Wolf Motors dealership network are Wolf Motors should consider a centralized corporate level Materials Management System to consolidate buying decisions for each of the 4 dealerships. This would facilitate greater leveraging with suppliers for consistent quality-control. They should study, calculate and make effective decisions on the materials that should be brought for each of the four dealerships instead of allowing each dealer to do it on their own. An automated

The Ford Motor Company’s Supply Chain Management ABSTRACT The influx of foreign automobiles that flood the United States market is higher than ever before and American companies are struggling to adapt to this decrease in market share. Ford is one of the organizations that has restructured its supply chain strategy to better integrate suppliers into their system reducing cost and

If you ever question whether American made matters, consider the way that the U.S. automotive industry has devolved. At one time, American auto makers led the world in their sector. Today, jobs that were formerly held by Americans have been outsourced to workers in other countries. In order to inject new life to the Middle Class and level the playing field once again, we must insist on the availability of American made products. Our buying decisions could make all the difference for Americans now and in the future.

When it comes to your first car, everyone wants a nice set of wheels. But, many people have unrealistic expectations for their first car. I was no exception. I was eager to end the days of having my parents shuttle me around. I had graduated high school. And Navy basic training is only three months away.

The automotive component & Fabrication Plant, ACF, was the original plant site for Bridgeton Industries, a major supplier of components for the domestic automotive industry. All of the ACF’s production was sold to the Big-Three domestic automobile manufactures. Its main competitors were local suppliers and other Bridgeton plants. This company did very well but recently it became less effective when foreign competition and scarce, expensive gasoline caused domestic loss of market share. For boost its selling, it made four criteria, quality, customer service, technical capability, and competitive cost position to evaluate three classifications of products.

Let's be honest; today repairing your vehicle is the exact opposite thing you need to burn through cash. However when confronted with the option of an expensive new auto not, the repair alternative begins to look better. Presently there is an alternative that permits you to spare a considerable amount on settling your auto. This alternative has been around for a spell however not as often as possible utilized up to this point. That choice is utilizing quality utilized parts for those repairs. Parts bought new from a dealership cost a fortune so running with utilized parts just bodes well. Likewise, auto recyclers are changing the way they work together so you can feel guaranteed that

The customer, internal departments, and potential suppliers contribute to designing quality into molded parts. Due to Road-Master’s strict quality requirements and just-in-time inventory systems, nonconformance results in high costs, hinders customer relations, and endangers

Given the current economic climate, I think the automotive industry is going to be faced with a multitude of economic challenges in the next five years. As an oligopoly market, the auto industry is highly dependent on strategic decision-making, and the demand for dynamic innovation and supply at decreased-cost levels. Competition, possibilities of turning substitutes into compliments, and shifts toward higher demand in services are seemingly leading factors that face the current automotive industry in the immediate future. But first, we should not ignore the political forces at play within the market.

Down the road Gill recognizes that the future of the Approved Auto Repair program will be certifying dealerships. The future development in cars will require up-to-date technology to sustain these vehicles. If these independent shops (many who are AAA approved shops) do not keep up they will go out of business. As a result, it is crucial to expand AAR to include dealerships. The exchange will still provide member discounts and allows for the shop to surpass the recurring complaints of

For our initial strategy we wanted to choose a product line that would be most intriguing to customers in this poor economy. To initiate this we focused our products around better gas mileage, safety, and quality. In order to do this we needed to evaluate consumers’ needs and desires when making a high involvement purchase such as a car. We believe the best target market for this type of car would be a middle class family that does not have as much disposable income due to the recession in our economy.

Selection of outside suppliers at the initial stage was crucial. Three advantages would benefit from authorized supplier involvement in design and production process. Firstly, they could foresee major problems in the design cycle by pulling their expertise and methodologies. Secondly, this model embedded quality into BMW’s production system up and down the supply chain. Thirdly, supplier was able to realize the critical connection between quality and profit through high customer satisfaction.

The General Motors Aftermarket Business in the US manages four brands; Good wrench, ACDelco, GM Performance Parts and GM Accessories. GM After sales operates globally.

One factor that adds to the success of Toyota’s supply chain is their relationship with their suppliers and how they do business with those suppliers. Toyota does not simply give their supply contracts to the highest bidder; instead they work incredibly closely with their suppliers so that they can get the highest quality products possible. Toyota uses long-term, just-in-time contracts with all of their suppliers (Winfield & Hay, 1997). Toyota does not engage in any kind of mutual contracts, such as buy-back or revenue-sharing; however, they do take multiple steps to ensure a mutual benefit when they pair up with a supplier. Toyota invests in their suppliers to help them develop products (Liker & Choi, 2004). They also ensure that they share information with their suppliers in a structured fashion. They believe that targeted information leads to results and they ensure that specific communication is relayed to their suppliers at set times and in set ways (Liker & Choi, 2004). Perhaps the most unique aspect of Toyota’s relationships with their suppliers is that they embark on joint improvement ventures together. They set up study groups with suppliers to help both parties learn how to improve operations and send executives and engineers to the supply plants to help them improve processes (Liker & Choi, 2004). These kinds of benefits are described in the contracts Toyota keeps with their suppliers (Toyota Supplier, 2011). The close relationships that

By buying their parts in a higher volume (one central order for all four dealerships) they can negotiate a better price. This would facilitate greater leveraging with suppliers for consistent quality-control.