The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) is strengthening its first Asian initiative to support the supply chain in China with the opening of a representative office in Shanghai and the appointment of respected scientist and industry pioneer Dr. Yilong Chen to lead the initiative. He is AIAG’s general director of Asia-Pacific affairs and chief representative in China.
AIAG members, including DaimlerChrysler AG, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and major automotive suppliers, are growing their businesses rapidly in China. At the same time, Chinese automotive OEMs and suppliers are eager to improve their quality and export capability. By establishing an AIAG representative office in China, Detroit-based AIAG is strongly committed to support its members’ needs in China and to bridge the gap in the Chinese supply chain via common standards and tools to improve quality, increase efficiency and competitiveness. Founded in 1982 by a group of visionary leaders from DaimlerChrysler, Ford and GM, AIAG has a long history of being the catalyst for the global automotive industry’s efforts to establish a seamless, efficient and responsible supply chain. The appointment of Dr. Chen to lead the China initiative demonstrates AIAG’s level of commitment in addressing the many challenges and opportunities in China and in establishing a win-win partnership with the Chinese automotive industry.
“To sustain the forecasted growth of the automotive market in China, it is imperative that we deploy best practices and standards throughout the Chinese portion of the supply chain,” said J. Scot Sharland, AIAG executive director. “AIAG is prepared to work with Chinese suppliers and accelerate the development of world-class business processes to meet the emerging needs of the global automotive industry in areas such as systems interoperability, quality and warranty.
“Dr. Chen’s technical expertise, extensive experience and proven track record of successful relations with the Chinese automotive industry, government and academia will allow him to make a positive impact immediately. He is the ideal candidate to help AIAG elevate its commitment to the industry in China and the rest of Asia.”
During the past ten years, Dr. Chen has been actively involved in nurturing high-level relationships with the Chinese government, automotive industry and academia for General Motors Corp. He is one of the pioneers in developing GM’s business in China. As the chief scientist and director of technology development and partnership of GM’s China operations, he established and managed GM/Delphi-Tsinghua Technology Institute in Beijing and GM-Shanghai Jiaotong Powertrain Technology Institute in Shanghai. He initiated and managed technology collaborations with Chinese partners for GM. He also launched and managed the GM China Science & Technology award program with the Chinese National Science Foundation. In 1997, he received the GM President Council honor, which recognizes employees who represent the “Best of the Best” in terms of performance at all levels throughout GM. As a GM technical fellow, he led research in the areas of robotics, wireless, RFID and supply chain quality. He also received the GM McCuen Award, which provides recognition for extraordinary technical accomplishments and their economic impact to the company. Because of his outstanding technical contributions, Dr. Chen was elected an IEEE Fellow in 1999.
About AIAG
Founded in 1982, AIAG is a globally recognized organization where OEMs and suppliers unite to address and resolve issues affecting the worldwide automotive supply chain. AIAG’s goals are to reduce cost and complexity through collaboration; improve product quality, health, safety and the environment; and optimize speed to market throughout the supply chain. Dedicated to the continuous improvement of business practices, AIAG also provides educational resources and publications including many quality-related products such as ISO/TS 16949 publications as well as manuals from DaimlerChrysler AG, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. Headquartered in the metro Detroit area, its more than 1,500 member companies include North American, European and Asia-Pacific OEMs and suppliers to the automotive industry. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.aiag.org/ .
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