A Big Three task force has delivered what suppliers across the nation have been waiting for—a single, harmonized quality standard. The single standard, called QS 9000, replaces multiple standards that supplierfilms have labored under while proving their abilities to meet automakers’ requirements for quality in the design and manufacture ofproduction parts.

The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) will coordinate QS 9000 training for supplier companies nationally. Training sessions will begin immediately.

a. What are some advantages to an automaker of having a single industry qual¬ ity standard?

b. What are some advantages to automaker customers of having a single in¬ dustry quality standard?

c. How would a nation benefit if all major companies in an industry were to subscribe to a single quality standard?

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