How global platforms affect suppliers

Automotive Industries,  Jan, 2003  

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The bold reality of global platforms, if not already hitting home with suppliers, will certainly do so by 2007. You can define a global platform in a number of ways (see column on page 55), but when it comes down to how the term "global" impacts suppliers, the bottom line is this: The number of platforms with annual volumes exceeding one million units will more than triple from five today to 16 by 2007. This number in itself does little to define the impact of global on suppliers. What does, however, is the next fact. Of the 16 platforms topping the one million unit mark for 2007, nearly all will have their base design centered outside North America. In fact, the only platform that exceeds the one million that is designed in North America will be the GM full-size truck platform (GMT800/900). And just how global is this "North American-based" platform? Less than one percent of the GMT800/900 production is outside North America.

                                   2002  2007

Percentage of platforms exceeding
one million units                   28%   37%

Number of platforms exceeding one
million units                         5    16

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