SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -

How does the automotive industry measure and manage quality? According to a new study, it’s via outdated methods, and it’s time to make way for new ones.

The results of the new Global Quality Survey, released on Monday by AIAG, show that the methods currently used to measure quality in the industry are considered outdated by industry leaders who took part.

The study was commissioned through J.D. Power and Associates, and announced at AIAG’s inaugural Quality Summit in Livonia, Mich. Calling the survey the first of its kind, the results recommend significant changes to how the industry measures, structures and improves quality, AIAG said.

J. Scot Sharland, executive director of AIAG, noted that the automotive industry has made significant strides in improving quality over the past decade, something he said is evidenced in the upward trends in published product quality and customer satisfaction surveys.

“However,” Sharland said, “continuous improvement is key to any manufacturing strategy, and AIAG is driving that discussion, using this study as a road map to identify likely trends as we reshape our vision of quality in the future.”

Based on in-depth interviews with key leaders at automotive manufacturers and suppliers in China and the NAFTA region, along with supply chain quality experts, the Global Quality Survey explores how quality should be measured and improved in the future.

Those who participated indicated they believe too many external quality metrics currently exist, with misaligned targets and objectives, AIAG said. Respondents suggested replacing these metrics with new ones that identify leading quality indicators, such as design and process.

They also advocate what AIAG called “an industry culture shift” away from avoiding poor quality and toward a focus on the opportunities of good quality, by introducing new programs which recognize and reward good quality.

In other survey findings, participants noted a need to align quality and purchasing departments with the goal of reducing total cost, not just purchase order costs, and suggests that automotive companies align business objectives around their quality philosophy in order to deliver continuous improvement.

While many factors will drive the future of quality improvement, AIAG said sourcing strategies, reward and recognition, warranty and vehicle reliability will continue to play dominant roles.

Study findings also recommend that the auto industry collaborate with other manufacturing sectors to generate new solutions for improving quality, a practice AIAG said is currently taking place with the pharmaceutical, aerospace and defense industries to harmonize processes.

“As a result of ongoing industry improvements in product quality, shifting consumer perceptions of quality are driving a focus toward more predictive tools,” said Dave Lalain, vice president of commercial development at AIAG. “The survey we conducted establishes quality benchmarks for the automotive industry, which will help identify initiatives for us to continue to drive our members’ success.”