Suppliers rank GM higher

General Motors Corp. has made strides to improve its relationship with its auto suppliers, according to a survey of parts companies.

GM moved up into fifth place from last in an annual survey of how auto suppliers rate six automakers, more than a year after GM changed its focus from cutting parts prices across the board to improving efficiency and reducing costs case by case. There’s no question things are really working there," said John Henke, president of Birmingham's Planning Perspectives, which surveyed 308 so-called Tier One suppliers — those that sell parts directly to automakers — in April and May.

GM said it is pleased with its improvement in the survey. "It reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire organization to improve working relationships with our suppliers. This is an ongoing process where we continue to dedicate significant time and resources," Bo Andersson, GM's group vice president for global purchasing and supply chain, said in a statement.

There still is a wide gap between GM and the survey's two leaders, Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Both posted improvements this year.

But taken with the strides GM has made to essentially match Toyota in assembly plant productivity, as shown in last week's Harbour Report on manufacturing efficiency, the survey begins to show the results of GM's massive restructuring.

Suppliers said they have more trust in GM, and 13% of suppliers said they prefer to work with GM, versus 5% last year.