Robert Anderson
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When bids were being sought for a new pick-up truck, Mexican-headquartered Sanluis Rassini understood the arrangement of the big players: Isuzu would design the code-named GMT-355 and General Motors would produce the 2001 model year vehicle in North America, Thailand, and Brazil.
Sanluis Rassini—consisting of Rassini International, Rassini Suspension, and Rassini Brakes, along with strategic partner NHK—also knew that its presence in those three regions would bode well in the bidding process. "You're quoting on the local market and product for that market, which of course means three different economies," said Robert Anderson, President of Rassini International Inc., U.S.A., adding that the best way to understand a specific market is being an active player in that market.
Sanluis Rassini's global knowledge base helped land the rear suspension contract in June 1998. (Anticipated annual rear suspension business at full production translates to 270,000 units for North America, 80,000 units for Brazil, and 50,000 units for Thailand.) Designing a rear suspension for three distinct regions meant accommodating different driving conditions. For instance, roadways in Brazil—think extremely rough—prompted a lower operating stress level leaf spring design. (Springs used in the Brazilian market probably will have extra mass, too.)
The majority of rear suspension engineering work unfolds at Rassini International's Plymouth, MI, operations base, home to 32 engineers. NHK will provide engineering assistance for Thailand production needs.
"If you're brought in early enough in the design of a part for a vehicle, all the better because you can do almost anything at the beginning," Anderson said. Early communication is especially relevant if the project calls for multiple market release.
"Suppose they said, 'Here's a vehicle for the U.S, market,'" Anderson postulated, "then six months later they said, 'Now we want to sell that same vehicle in Thailand.' What do we do, say 'Here's the rear spring; hope it works?' It's hard to do an effective job unless you know the (game plan)," Anderson reasoned.
The GM-Isuzu pick-up truck is most assuredly world-sourced. "But is it the same vehicle everywhere?" Anderson asked rhetorically. "It isn't."
Kami Buchholz
