It was not the first Model T rolling off the production line that made Henry Ford beam with pride; it was the moment that followed. The two identical vehicles parked next to each other proved Ford’s moving assembly line worked and would open vehicle ownership to the general public.
Image Credit: Amphenol Advanced Sensors
There is a reason Ford Motor Corp.’s production system was successful. The components required to build vehicles were readily available and proven to work, whether provided by one of Ford’s original 20 parts suppliers or produced in-house.
Building the “Tin Lizzie” for the masses would not have been possible had any single part been defective or unavailable.
The automotive industry has long surpassed the Model T and its production techniques. Yet, the tenets of having a fully functional supply chain are still important, particularly now as manufacturers are taking giant steps into the mass production of electric vehicles.
As the ammeter did for the Model T, sensor technology for electric vehicles plays a key role. They supply the electronic “brains” of the vehicle with the information required to assess the environment and react appropriately to changing conditions.
With a typical vehicle’s expected lifetime now nearing 15 years and even longer with EV’s, partnering with a supplier that delivers high-quality, durability-proven sensors consistently is vital to meeting the quality expectations of the modern automobile market, from those for battery thermal management to HVAC system performance.
It can be the difference between a successful transition into mass EV production or one that leaves a company scrambling to recover.
Five Benefits of Partnering with an Electric Vehicle Sensors Manufacturer
Nothing slows down an auto manufacturer’s production more than a partner who does not hold up their part of the deal. Sourcing high-performing, quality vehicle components should not be a challenge.
There are a number of advantages to a vehicle-making operation that make life easier when undertaking a long-lasting partnership with a reliable and reputable supplier for electric vehicle sensors, such as:
- Dependability
- Predictability
- Familiarity
- Efficiency
- Cost savings
Dependability
Dependability goes together with predictability for your sensor supplier. Users do not need to worry about performance concerns with a dependable vendor. Quality processes will always be part of the assembly process, from early development through production of supplied parts.
Working with a vendor whose components remain reliable throughout their useful life boosts confidence in every vehicle leaving a facility. Technical issues should be expected to happen in the process of developing new applications and technology.
A supplier who has systems engineering support and rigorous discipline in carrying out root cause analysis enables a fast transition between an issue and resolution, in addition to a smooth transition to volume production.
Predictability
Predictability with a components supplier in the world of mass vehicle manufacturing goes a long way toward keeping new trucks, cars and buses rolling off the assembly line.
Predictability breeds comfort, and your relationship becomes efficient. There is no need to second guess a sensor manufacturer regarding its ability to meet deadlines or supply products that meet your requirements.
With service requirements and production runs that result in a decades-long relationship, it is good to know the supplier understands the market and has a business model that can support the quality and investment controls needed for reliable products from the start of production to the last unit.
Familiarity
Outsourcing any supplied part is a two-way street. The vendor should know nearly as much about the vehicles as the manufacturer and care about their performance just as much. A partner should not just be a supplier but also a co-developer.
There is no time wasted explaining the company, business processes or any special performance benchmarks vehicles are held to when it comes to developing a new application for a sensor technology, for example, customized electric car sensors.
A vendor understands your requirements and can start manufacturing a sensor that helps keep your product development process and vehicles running smoothly.
Efficiency
Supply chain management can be challenging, particularly when dealing with numerous vendors. Managing day-to-day relationships can be a full-time job. A small issue in one link of a supply chain can translate to large, costly delays, as the auto industry has seen recently with the micro shortage.
A defined and established relationship with a sensor supplier saves time and also the struggle of:
- Tracking down a point-of-contact
- Juggling more schedules than necessary
- Meeting deadlines
- Worrying about staying within budget
A partnership with a sensor manufacturer should run like a well-oiled machine.
Cost Savings
A formal partnership with a single supplier usually leads to lower production costs.
Why?
A guarantee of regular business for suppliers, particularly large orders, opens their doors to savings in two key areas: labor and materials.
How?
A vendor can purchase materials in bulk, scale their investment appropriately and level load their manufacturing process to control high yield processes and optimize cost.
Furthermore, concentrated buys also equal lower shipping costs. The same economics of buying the materials in bulk apply to packaging an order. It is also more economical to ship one large order than numerous smaller orders.
A partner supplier wherein both OEM and supplier view the relationship as profitable, who sees the relationship as more than transactional, is more likely to supply critical thinking input to making a product and process as cost-efficient as possible.
The more the supplier values the relationship, the more likely they are to support efforts to control costs together and bring their best ideas forward.
Making EV Sensor Manufacturing Partnerships that Matter
Henry Ford did not select partners that were impediments when choosing vendors for the initial production of the Model T. He chose those that made good on their promises, and many still work with Ford to this day.
A relationship with an electric vehicle sensor manufacturer should run like a well-oiled machine, just as Ford’s partnership with its ammeter maker.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Amphenol Advanced Sensors.
For more information on this source, please visit Amphenol Advanced Sensors.