Detroit automakers, then and now

Mercedes Mejia — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:14:27 +0000

The North American International Auto Show opens to the public tomorrow.

The show has been a time for automakers to roll out new models and concept cars, letting consumers know what to expect in the future. The Detroit Three are heading into the year’s auto show with positive sales figures.

Joining us to take a historical look at the auto show and the Detroit Three is Michigan Radio’s Jack Lessenberry.

You can read Michigan Radio reports and see photos and video here.

Suppliers like working with Toyota best but Ford becoming more popular

Tracy Samilton — Mon, 23 May 2011 03:18:31 +0000

Ford, GM and Chrysler are getting along with their suppliers better than they used to.

But an annual study says the companies have a ways to go to catch up with their Japanese counterparts.

John Henke is President of Planning Perspectives, which studies the working relationship between parts suppliers and their customers, the car companies.

He says that relationship has long been adversarial for the Detroit Three, which means suppliers often don’t give them the best prices for parts, or the first crack at new technologies.