ACME — A surge of new model launches that will soon accelerate is straining the ability of automakers and suppliers to keep production on schedule without major quality glitches, several industry officials said Tuesday.
General Motors has hired about 200 quality engineers to work with suppliers in the field to help with the onslaught of new vehicles. The effort began last summer, Grace Lieblein, vice president of global purchasing, told reporters at the Center for Automotive Research annual U-M Management Brief Seminars.
“If you don’t have a great relationship with a supplier, it is hard to get that extra capacity or suggestions to improve your product,” Lieblein said. “That is all discretionary. They don’t have to show us and give us technology they are working on.