Supply Chain Forecasting. Discuss how forecasting effects the supply chain of an automobile manufacturer. Consider especially the forecasting and supply chains involved in manufacturing a new model (entirely new, not an edition/annual change). How do the

Supply Chain Forecasting. Discuss how forecasting effects the supply chain of an automobile manufacturer. Consider especially the forecasting and supply chains involved in manufacturing a new model (entirely new, not an edition/annual change). How do the individual supply chains for the subparts effect the larger supply chain of the whole automobile. How does forecasting effect the just-in-time or lean production system used in most automobile manufacturing plants? Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

Example of a typical automobile supply chain:

1.     Suppliers for raw materials

2.     Suppliers for parts and subsystems

3.     Automobile manufacturer (Ford, in the example). Within a company, there are also different departments, which constitute the internal supply chain:

1.     Purchasing and material handling

2.     Manufacturing

3.     Marketing, etc.

4.     Transportation providers

5.     Automobile dealers