The quality profession is in the midst of a significant transition — and technical expertise alone isn’t enough. To truly drive impact, today’s quality professionals must also master the art of communication, ensuring their voice resonates at the leadership table.

Navigating automotive quality standards and best practices shouldn’t slow you down. That’s why AIAG is proud to introduce AVA, your new virtual assistant for all things quality. AVA connects you with immediate, trustworthy answers — whether you’re clarifying the latest FMEA guidelines, exploring Special Process Assessments, or comparing industry standards and regulations.

Ready to build your team’s quality skills and stay ahead of industry changes? Our October Training Calendar includes everything from corrective action and mistake proofing to FMEA, SPC, MSA, and more.

In the upcoming AIAG North America Customs & Trade Town Hall on November 6, 2025 (at Elevate in Detroit), 22-year U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) veteran Shawn Beddows will lead an in-depth panel discussion on how cross-border logistics strategies intersect with key supply chain security programs like Mexico’s Operador Económico Autorizado (OEA), Partners in Protection (PIP), and the U.S. Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT). Two CBP expert panelists, an OEM, and Beddows, who is currently vice president, global services for CT Strategies, will offer practical insights for companies operating across the U.S.-Mexico border with a focus on how to align operational practices with binational security and compliance standards.

In a defining moment for the global automotive industry, six leading manufacturers — Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan, Stellantis, and Toyota — have issued a joint letter to their suppliers, signaling a new level of unity on one of the industry’s most critical topics: forced labor due diligence. Supported by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), this unprecedented collaboration marks a milestone in the journey toward a more transparent, ethical, and resilient supply chain.

In the world of cross-border trade, there is no textbook—just an ever-evolving landscape that we navigate together. For years, the automotive customs and trade community has relied on real-world experience, peer insight, and the collective wisdom that comes from “figuring it out” side by side, not from a formal classroom. The AIAG North American Customs & Trade Town Hall is where that spirit thrives — a true reunion where professionals reconnect each year to share what’s new, what’s changed, and how we’ll tackle the next round of challenges together.

To help the automotive supply chain navigate evolving trade requirements, AIAG now provides three standardized tariff reporting templates—for copper, aluminum, and steel. These tools, developed collaboratively with OEMs and suppliers, enable organizations to:

We’re excited to share our latest sponsored episode of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets podcast, featuring AIAG’s Vice President of Supply Chain and Corporate Responsibility, Tanya Bolden.

Enhance your organization’s supply chain security with expert-led CTPAT training from CT Strategies. Offered year-round in English and Spanish, these virtual Zoom sessions provide essential guidance on CTPAT compliance, validation, and security best practices.

AIAG and MEMA are dedicated to advancing the automotive industry through complementary strengths — AIAG as the collaborative hub for best-in-class standards, MEMA as a leading industry advocate. By promoting each other’s events, we connect members to essential standards and timely advocacy, strengthening the entire automotive value chain.