Q: I want to become a supplier to General Motors. Where do I start?
A: Your first step is to enter your company's information into the New Supplier Registration survey found in this site.
Q: Why use the registration tool as opposed to contacting the buyer or someone in Supplier Diversity first?
A: The survey tool was designed by buyers and asks all of the necessary questions up front to determine if there may be matching opportunities for your company. While your firm may be capable, there may be long standing contracts in place that would postpone bidding opportunities at the current time.
Q: What happens to my new supplier registration survey once I submit it?
A: Completed surveys are downloaded every other week. The administrator then forwards the surveys to the applicable functi9on depending on the product or service of the supplier. The supplier will receive a response on whether there is a need for the product or service within 45 days.
Q: When should I expect to receive a response?
A: Please allow at least 45 days from the time the survey is downloaded for your company's information to reach the appropriate buyer and receive their review.
Q: What do I do if 45 days pass and I don't hear from a buyer or other purchasing representative?
We make every effort to respond to all inquiries. It is extremely important to include an e-mail address in your initial registration. If one is not included, the chances of hearing back are very small. Also, if you selected the wrong commodity it may take a little longer for your registration to find its way to the right buyer. With that said, if you have not received a response after the appropriate timeframe, you may send an e-mail to supplierdiversity@gm.com.
Q: What types of companies are included in your Supplier Diversity Program?
A: The GM Supplier Diversity Program recognizes certified ethnic minority-owned (African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American), women-owned, and Small Business firms.
Q: What are your minimum requirements to be considered as a new supplier?
A: Selling to General Motors.
Q: How do I become a mentored supplier?
A: GM's mentored suppliers are selected by their commodity executive director for a variety of reasons, the minimum of which include a long-standing relationship with GM, a proven track record of quality, service, technology and price, participation in GM's Supplier Suggestion Process, and other GM programs and events.
Q: What are some tips for communicating with the buyer once we have received a response?
A: (1) Only send information the buyer requests. GM's e-mail system only allows a minimal amount of storage and large e-mails are often deleted if they prevent buyers from opening their other daily mail. Therefore, large presentations should be saved in a smaller format such as a .pdf file with a minimal amount of photos. Minority or women-owned certificates, recommendation letters, and other documents are not needed until requested. (2) Always include a link to your website, your cell phone, and e-mail address in every correspondence. (3) Rather than leave voice or e-mail messages every day, be patient. Buyers are extremely busy. (4) Always speak in a clear, slow, and loud enough voice for the recipient to retrieve your message from a plant or other noisy environment.