BYD Group is the latest company to join the automotive standards body, International Automotive Task Force or IATF.
WHAT IS THE IATF?
The IATF is a “group of automotive manufacturers and their respective National Industry Associations formed to provide improved quality products to automotive customers worldwide.”
The organisation provides automakers with a platform to develop and align quality management standards for the global automotive industry and supply chain.
The IATF also establishes policies and procedures for third-party certifications, providing a consistent global standard of quality across auto companies worldwide.
The group members comprise mostly of Western automakers such as BMW Group, Ford Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Limited, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Renault Group, Volkswagen AG, and Volvo Group to name a few. Geely Holding Group and fellow Chinese-owned auto group General Motors are also part of the industry body. National automotive associations in the IATF include; AIAG (USA), ANFIA (Italy), FIEV (France), SMMT (UK), and VDA (Germany).
BYD AND THE IATF
Earlier this month the IATF announced China’s BYD Group as its newest member. The Chinese auto group was noted to require its suppliers to be certified to IATF 16949:2016, a global technical specification and quality management system. This requirement as well BYD’s own certification demonstrated a “strong commitment to IATF quality management system standard, process consistency, and the principles of continual improvement.”
Furthermore, BYD was nominated by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and secured a unanimous winning vote from IATG’s current members.
The IATF also noted that BYD’s admission signals a stronger “ability to respond” to emerging upcoming trends and challenges, as the global industry shifts towards technological advancements like electric vehicles (EVs), artificial intelligence, and global integration. The company’s participation will also provide stronger representation for China’s automotive sector on the global stage.
On BYD’s end, the group stated that its admission into IATF could solidify the role of EV companies in the creation of regulations and the transformation of the global auto industry. The company also announced that it would work together with members of the IATF and the International Automotive Oversight Bureau (IAOB) to establish standards on industry developments for new energy vehicles (NEVs).
Joining the IATF is another step towards BYD’s goal towards stronger international commitment and a contribution to the global transition to greener energy.
According to BYD Vice President Zhao Jianping, the company’s admission into the IATF is “a strong recognition from an authoritative international organisation” for Chinese auto manufacturers.
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