BUYING RIGHT - AUTOLINE THIS WEEK 2015

EV Channels Review

This episode of Autoline This Week features Steve Kiefer, GM's Global VP of Purchasing and Supply Chain, discussing the significant transformation of GM's supplier relationships. Kiefer highlights a shift from adversarial dealings to a "win-win" approach, emphasizing transparency through initiatives like Strategic Supplier Engagement (SSE) and SS360, which actively solicit supplier feedback. He details GM's focus on supplier financial health and collaborative partnerships, contrasting it with past practices of aggressive price negotiation. The discussion also touches upon GM's readiness for market downturns, its strategic investments in autonomous driving technology and mobility services (including partnerships with Lyft, Sidecar, Cruise, and Mobileye), and the company's efforts to foster innovation through facility upgrades and attracting top talent. Kiefer explains GM's "make vs. buy" philosophy for differentiating technologies versus industry-standard components, using the Chevrolet Bolt and its partnership with LG as a prime example of successful collaboration. The segment concludes with insights into global purchasing coordination and opportunities for new suppliers to engage with GM.