GM Commits To Minority Purchases

General Motors Corp. purchased $6.2 billion worth of parts from minority suppliers in the U.S. last year, a $1.8 billion increase from 2001.

Of that, $3.8 billion was sourced from Tier 1 suppliers.

Last year Ford Motor Co. purchased $4.4 billion overall from minority suppliers, DaimlerChrysler Corp. sourced $3 billion and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corp. spent $800 million and $700 million, respectively.

GM now requires Tier 1 suppliers to purchase 6.5% of parts and materials from minority-owned Tier 2s for current programs and 8% from minority Tier 2s for future programs. Tier 1s also must name their minority suppliers and report Tier 2 minority spending to GM.