By Bill May & Scott Miller
Automotive manufacturing professionals look to JD Power as a gauge of vehicle quality across brands and models in its annual Initial Quality Study (IQS). The most recent IQS findings were released in late June 2025.
The 2025 J.D. Power IQS makes it clear that despite nominal gains, automotive manufacturing still grapples with vehicle quality issues – infotainment usability, electric drivetrain issues, and launch‐phase malfunctions. These issues have consequences:
- Customer frustration: Non-intuitive interfaces and everyday usability issues erode brand trust.
- Warranty costs: Defects and malfunctions drive repair frequency, hitting the bottom line.
- Throughput drag: Delays in finding root causes hold up production, reducing efficiency.
When quality issues are identified – whether internally or publicly, such as in the IQS or in other unflattering headlines – many manufacturing organizations struggle to quickly respond. Furthermore, manufacturing leaders in the OEMs and supplier facilities may not agree on a specific solution to resolve the issues.
Understanding Core Business Quality in Manufacturing
High Value Manufacturing (HVM) has developed an assessment protocol that identifies issues and prescribes swift correction action to drive down defects, reduce costs, and enhance throughput.
An HVM assessor conducts a 4-hour face-to-face visit to the manufacturing facility to complete a Core Business Quality Assessment that measures:
- Process Performance – Are there inefficiencies, variations, or recurring quality concerns on the production line?
- Project Management – How effectively does the organization initiate, plan, and deliver projects?
- Throughput Performance – Are bottlenecks affecting flow and delivery timelines?
- Quality Management – Is quality integrated into daily routines, or is it reactive and inspection-based?
The HVM team believes it’s not just about understanding problems — it’s about solving them, quickly and sustainably.
In today’s manufacturing landscape, small-to-medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) face mounting pressure to improve quality, boost throughput, and reduce costs – all while managing tight resources and lean teams. Yet many struggle to clearly identify the operational barriers holding them back.
That’s where HVM’s Core Business Quality Assessment steps in.
Designed specifically for SMMs, the Core Business Quality Assessment is a hands-on, on-site evaluation led by experienced members of the HVM leadership team. In collaboration with plant leadership, this assessment tool provides manufacturers with a deep, structured understanding of how well their operations are performing across key areas and where meaningful improvements can be made. This partnership approach ensures that findings are grounded in real-world plant activity, not just reports.
Assessment Technology for Quick Action
To capture and analyze assessment data quickly and efficiently, HVM leverages a user-friendly digital platform powered by GoCanvas. This mobile-enabled tool allows the assessor to input real-time observations, measurements, and notes during the site visit. The system automatically organizes the data into clear visual dashboards and reports that highlight performance strengths, gaps, and opportunities.
The result? SMMs receive immediate, actionable insights without waiting weeks for a written report. Plant leaders can see exactly where their attention is needed and start making informed decisions right away.
Why It Works for SMMs
What makes the Core Business Quality Assessment especially valuable for smaller manufacturers is its practicality and impact. It’s not a long-term audit or theoretical benchmarking exercise—it’s a focused, results-oriented tool designed to drive measurable improvements, fast.
- Low Disruption: The assessment integrates into regular operations, requiring minimal downtime.
- Tailored to Your Plant: Observations and recommendations are specific to your people, processes, and products.
- Immediate Next Steps: Clear priorities and improvement ideas are identified during the visit—not weeks later.
Most importantly, the Core Business Quality Assessment helps build internal capability. By working side-by-side with plant leaders, the HVM assessor helps teams better understand their own systems and how to improve them sustainably.
The Bottom Line
For small and medium manufacturers seeking to sharpen their operations, boost quality, and drive smarter growth, the Core Business Quality Assessment from High Value Manufacturing delivers clarity, momentum, and practical direction. It’s not just an assessment—it’s a catalyst for real, lasting improvement.
Learn more by scheduling a complimentary, confidential Zoom conversation with HVM President Bill May.
Did you enjoy this blog? Search our blog library for other topics of interest: https://highvaluemanufacturingconsulting.com/blog/
HVM utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a research tool when developing company communication. Often this research will include the use of Large Language Models (LLM). It is a company policy that all such research be adjusted, modified, and edited utilizing our own person Human Intelligence (HI) to assure the appropriate and most accurate message is being communicated to our Clients. HVM will always specify when AI/LLM were used when generating content.