Who do you benchmark? Some answers from GM manufacturing

Automotive Design & Production, March, 2003 by Gary S. Vasilash

"I think benchmarking is one of the most powerful tools that exists," says Troy A. Clarke, GM Group Vice President, Manufacturing and Labor Relations. Clearly, it is better to have a strong understanding of what the Other Guys are doing in order to be competitive in the market. So, when it comes to manufacturing-related issues, who does he benchmark?

Before answering the question, Clarke poses his own: "Who would you benchmark on Industrial Health and Safety?" After several "umms" and related pauses from his interlocutor, Clarke answers, "General Motors."

Fit and finish? Clarke says Audi.

Dimensional variation in a body? Toyota. He acknowledges while fit and finish and dimensional variation are related, he notes, "Toyota demonstrates tremendous dimensional variation management, which allows them to do more."

The operating system benchmark? Toyota.

Flexibility? Honda.

Paint? Audi.

Interior? "When it comes to the whole concept of perceived quality and fit and finish, it's Volkswagen."

Clarke adds, "It's not that our cross town rivals don't have things worth benchmarking, as well."