Website FAQs:
Q: I want to become a supplier to General Motors. Where do I start?
A: Your first step is to enter your company's information into the New Supplier Registration survey found in this site.
Q: Why use the registration tool as opposed to contacting the buyer or someone in Supplier Diversity first?
A: The survey tool was designed by buyers and asks all of the necessary questions up front to determine if there may be matching opportunities for your company. While your firm may be capable, there may be long standing contracts in place that would postpone bidding opportunities at the current time.
Q: What happens to my new supplier registration survey once I submit it?
A: Completed surveys are downloaded the first week of each month for the previous month. For instance, all surveys completed in January are downloaded to the administrator during the first week in February. The administrator then forwards the surveys to the applicable business planner depending upon the product or service of the supplier. The business planner then forwards the information to the applicable buyer.
Q: When should I expect to receive a response?
A: Please allow at least 90 days from the time the survey is downloaded for your company's information to reach the appropriate buyer and receive their review.
Q: How do I know which commodity my product or service falls in?
A: We have two primary areas of purchasing, Direct and Indirect, which are further categorized by the type of part and its location on the vehicle. Below are some definitions to help you make the best choice:
Direct Purchasing
Refers to the purchase of parts directly attached to the vehicle. Our direct purchasing organization is divided into the following commodities:
Interior
Includes parts that are attached to the interior of the vehicle (i.e. carpet, seats, acoustic and trunk trim, instrument panels, consoles, etc.).
Exterior
Includes parts that are attached to the exterior of the vehicle (i.e. glasses, paints, adhesives, sealants, fuel tanks, functional black plastics, fascias, molded rubber, air induction systems, chrome, etc.)
Structures & Closures
Includes wheel trim, body hardware, stampings, fasteners, steel resale, etc.
HVAC and Electrical Components
Includes HVAC parts, seat belts, airbags, steering wheels, powered closures, wiper & washer systems, latches, locksets, window regulators, etc.
Powertrain and Raw Materials
Includes all engine and transmission related products.
Chassis
Includes all chassis related parts (i.e. axles, exhaust systems, pedals, shifters, levers, steering systems, brakes, fuel lines, shocks, struts, suspension modules, frames, cradles, etc.)
Electrical Vehicle and Powertrain
Includes all electrical parts (i.e. batteries, electronic modules, infotainment, telematics, wiring, connectors, relays, bussed electrical centers, switches, sensors, starters, generators, etc.)
Indirect Purchasing
These areas purchase parts and services that support manufacturing and the operations of General Motors. In other words, anything that is NOT a part of the vehicle. Examples include:
Corporate Administrative Services - Professional, security and HR
Information Systems & Services - IT services and hardware
Indirect Products - Building and industrial supplies, electrical, cutting tools, spare parts
Machinery & Equipment - Body shop, paint shop, dies, presses, construction, robots and conveyors
Engineering and Manufacturing Services - Chemical, facility, resource management, sequencing, warehousing, containerization
Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing - Advertising, print paper, promotional, travel
Q: What types of companies are included in your Supplier Diversity Program?
A: The GM Supplier Diversity Program recognizes certified ethnic minority-owned (African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American), women-owned, and Small Business firms.
Q: What are your minimum requirements to be considered as a new supplier?
A: In addition to having the appropriate quality certifications and other capabilities required for all suppliers, minority suppliers must be certified by their local regional office of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), women-owned suppliers by a regional office of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and Small Business through their state branch of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Links to their websites can be found in our “Related Links” tab.
Q: How do I become a mentored supplier?
A: GM's mentored suppliers are selected by their commodity executive director for a variety of reasons, the minimum of which include a long-standing relationship with GM, a proven track record of quality, service, technology and price, participation in GM's Supplier Suggestion Process, and other GM programs and events.
Q: What do I do if 90 days pass and I don't hear from a buyer or other purchasing representative?
A: We make every effort to respond to all inquiries. Please note that approximately 1000 suppliers make inquiries each year on how to do business with us. It is extremely important to include an e-mail address in your initial registration. If one is not included, the chances of hearing back are very small. Also, if you selected the wrong commodity it may take a little longer for your registration to find its way to the right buyer. With that said, if you have not received a response after the appropriate timeframe, you may send an e-mail to one of our team members for a follow up. Our contact information is located in the “Contact Us” link.
Q: What are some tips for communicating with the buyer once we have received a response?
A: (1) Only send information the buyer requests. GM's e-mail system only allows a minimal amount of storage and large e-mails are often deleted if they prevent buyers from opening their other daily mail. Therefore, large presentations should be saved in a smaller format such as a .pdf file with a minimal amount of photos. Minority or women-owned certificates, recommendation letters, and other documents are not needed until requested. (2) Always include a link to your website, your cell phone, and e-mail address in every correspondence. (3) Rather than leave voice or e-mail messages every day, be patient. Buyers are extremely busy. (4) Always speak in a clear, slow, and loud enough voice for the recipient to retrieve your message from a plant or other noisy environment.