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AIAG's AutoChain Online(TM) Program Begins Roll Out

1 October 1998

AIAG's AutoChain Online(TM) Program Begins Roll Out With Seminars Scheduled at Chrysler and Ford Facilities

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 30 -- To help suppliers implement
the Automotive Industry Action Group's (AIAG) AutoChain Online(TM) program --
an electronic data interchange (EDI) performance tracking database -- Chrysler
Corp. and Ford Motor Co. have jointly scheduled nine half-day, supplier
seminars to be held at the automakers' facilities beginning today.
    AIAG's AutoChain Online(TM) is a cooperative auto industry initiative to
support the management of supply chain EDI implementation.  Chrysler and Ford
expect all of their production suppliers to utilize AIAG's AutoChain
Online(TM) program for managing their supply chain EDI compliance while
supporting Chrysler's $.C.O.P.E. (Supply Chain Order-entry Process
Empowerment) Project and Ford's MS-9000 (Materials Management System
Requirements).
    Chrysler and Ford will require all of their production suppliers to begin
reporting their EDI compliance information via AIAG's AutoChain Online(TM)
program no later than January 1, 1999.  Second-tier suppliers should begin
reporting their information by March 31, 1999 and the target for third-tier
suppliers is July 1, 1999.
    Suppliers may choose one of the half-day sessions from the following
options:  Sept. 30 from 1 to 4 p.m.; Oct. 12 from 8 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 4 p.m.;
Oct. 15 from 8 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 4 p.m.; Oct. 16 from 8 to 11 a.m. or 1 to
4 p.m.; Oct. 22 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; and Oct. 23 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Those interested in attending may register online at http://www.aiag.org or contact
the AIAG at 248-358-3003 for more information.
    Driven by the results of AIAG's Manufacturing Assembly Pilot (MAP) study
-- which improved the material and information flow within a four-tier seat
assembly chain -- the AIAG identified the need for a single, efficient process
for measuring and monitoring EDI performance.  (The MAP study identified that
widespread use of common EDI business practices could save the North American
automotive industry as much as $1 billion annually or an average of $71
per car.)
    The AutoChain Online(TM) database offers many benefits to the auto
industry including: centralization of industry EDI information; elimination of
redundant OEM and supplier surveys; increased visibility of EDI usage and
implementation; better, faster and more accurate communication of information;
and establishment of a foundation for new supply chain initiatives.
    Founded in 1982, the AIAG is a not-for-profit trade association of over
1,400 automotive and truck manufacturers and their suppliers.  Originally
recognized for its efforts to standardize electronic data interchange and bar
code standards to assist tier one suppliers, the AIAG's mission has expanded
to cover all levels of the automotive supply chain as well as to include
numerous programs and initiatives aimed at improving its members' productivity
and quality.
    More information about the AIAG and its initiatives can be found at its
website at http://www.aiag.org.