According to a survey released this week by Planning Perspectives, Honda have the best relations with their suppliers. But Honda and No. 2 Toyota both slid to “adequate,” from “good to very good.”
At a time when plummeting vehicle production has put suppliers under extraordinary pressure, the survey unearthed two striking trends:
1. The three major Japanese automakers — Honda, Toyota and Nissan — suffered a serious erosion of their traditional good relations with suppliers.
2. Ford , who along with its Detroit peers have had their battles with suppliers, have noticeably improved their supplier relations.
For his survey, Planning Perspectives surveyed 231 Tier 1 suppliers from February through April. Suppliers graded six automakers using yardsticks such as willingness to help suppliers cut costs, pay suppliers for canceled programs and reward top suppliers with new business.
Honda, Toyota and Nissan remain above the industry average in supplier relations, while the Detroit 3 are below average.
Just two years ago Ford had the worst rating of the six biggest automakers.
Percent of suppliers who said they would prefer not to do business with an automaker or are ambivalent about doing so
| Honda | 5% |
| Toyota | 5% |
| Nissan | 14% |
| Ford | 19% |
| GM | 41% |
| Chrysler | 54% |
Source: Planning Perspectives
