Driven to test

As automotive manufacturers and suppliers continually attempt to cut costs and reduce development cycle times, outsourcing of testing is becoming more prevalent in the industry.

Producing a road-ready vehicle means components and systems must meet governmental regulations as well as performance targets. Although automakers and many Tier 1 suppliers rely on a variety of in-house test cells and testing equipment to confirm that products meet specifications, outside testing vendors are gaining business as vehicle manufacturers and suppliers take the budget axe to unnecessary capital expenses.

Because idled test cells and testing equipment can be as hazardous to business profits as idled assembly plants, the best profit plan mandates full utilization of resources. As such, one of the increasingly popular cash-conservation alternatives is retaining an independent provider to oversee test operations. Known as asset management, this next evolution of outsourcing offers financial benefits and reserved access to specialized testing.