SUPPLIER EYE

Amidst the significant structural shift the industry faces is the need to adjust business to the new product cadence. While it can be difficult to see past the near-term firefighting - the semiconductor shortage and the negative impact of labor, commodity and logistics economics - suppliers need to be prepared for dramatically altered product-development and launch timelines driven by the move to electrified vehicles.

Suppliers of most vehicle systems have grown accustomed to the current pace of program timing for regional and global light vehicle launches. Within the internal-combustion engine world, these fit into a 10-year overall cadence, measured from all-new platform to all-new platform. While the timing can shift depending on economic, company or market factors, most vehicle programs apply these constructs. A 10-year platform cadence enables a thorough review of technology, dimensions, protection for various bodystyles within a sizing envelope (usually a segment), and the ability to efficiently package select powertrain families and driveline types.